Urgh-
As though a monster were clawing its way out of his throat, Shen Mu Lan dry-heaved and nearly threw up on the spot.
Ji Yanzhi felt even worse. It was as if he had rolled through a patch of cacti; every inch of him felt uncomfortable. He pushed against Shen Mu Lan's chest, trying to shove him away.
The harder he pushed, the tighter Shen Mu Lan held on. The two of them grappled like Mongolian wrestlers.
Ji Yanzhi's temper flared. "Shen Mu Lan, are you out of-"
Shen Mu Lan abruptly straightened and clapped a hand over his mouth, tears glistening in his eyes. "You don't have to say it. I understand."
Even though they had been friends for years, having Shen Mu Lan's palm pressed against his mouth was more than the germophobic Ji Yanzhi could bear.
He grabbed Shen Mu Lan's wrist and tugged it down. Shen Mu Lan grimaced in pain but refused to let go, then dragged him toward the door.
"Whatever you have to say, let's talk outside. My big brother's here. This is embarrassing."
Then he gritted his teeth and added, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I'll explain once we're outside. I'm begging you, for the love of God."
Ji Yanzhi glared at him, but first pulled his hand away from his mouth.
"Ha ha ha ha ha. Big brother, ha ha ha, Yanzhi and I are heading out for a bit. Look after Xiao Ting, okay?"
Shen Lin nodded. "Don't worry."
After watching them leave and close the door, Shen Lin turned back to Ji Ting. "Ji Ting, I heard you've been recovering well, so Mu Lan and I came to see you today."
It took Ji Ting a while to look away from the door.