Little Meteor Chapter 2
byJiang Chengxuan was a busy man, and they usually didn’t have much interaction. He had come by once when they were filming the CPR scene, correcting the technique: the compression depth needed to be at least 5 centimeters, and the frequency 100–120 beats per minute.
His tone was official and professional. Shen Mu watched him from the side, thinking that he was indeed the same Jiang Chengxuan with OCD.
Being a Medical Consultant didn’t require much of his time, so after demonstrating and pointing out a few professional errors, he would return to his post. As he passed Shen Mu, he paused, which was rare, and said, “Do you have time tonight? Let’s grab a meal.”
He wasn’t afraid of awkwardness. What relationship would they be dining under now? Old Classmates, or Fated Lovers who almost made it?
Following Jiang Chengxuan’s thought process, he probably felt that Shen Mu’s script wasn’t professional enough and wanted to point out some mistakes, his tone always that same cold and stiff way.
Doctor Jiang, gentle, considerate, and patient.
So where exactly did these people get that conclusion? Perhaps he just wasn’t gentle or patient with Shen Mu.
Shen Mu replied with an “Mm.”
Jiang Chengxuan nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave the set. His back was straight as a pine, his white coat particularly striking under the hallway lights.
The dinner location was chosen near the hospital by Jiang Chengxuan, but he was half an hour late.
“Sorry, there was an emergency surgery that delayed me.”
The stray hairs on Jiang Chengxuan’s forehead were still slightly damp, clearly indicating he had just finished surgery and quickly washed up.
“It’s fine,” Shen Mu understood the nature of his work perfectly. He took the menu and started ordering. After finishing, he handed it to Jiang Chengxuan, who didn’t take it. “Just order what you like. Anything is fine for me.”
Shen Mu didn’t stand on ceremony. He ordered the three home-style dishes they frequently got in college: shredded potatoes with chili and vinegar, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes—dishes that never failed.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward while they waited for the food. Shen Mu didn’t know how Jiang Chengxuan felt, but he certainly felt awkward.
It was Jiang Chengxuan who spoke first. “Where are you living now?”
“Near the hospital, I rented a place.” Shen Mu was usually Nomadic; he lived wherever the film crew was. “I’ll move out once filming is done.”
Jiang Chengxuan was silent for a moment, then said, “I didn’t ask when you were moving out.”
The latter part of Shen Mu’s sentence was purely redundant, but he was genuinely just stating a fact, with no other meaning.
He thought Jiang Chengxuan wanted to discuss the script, but he didn’t. He merely asked about his recent situation and where he had been all these years.
Shen Mu was no longer twenty years old and could now control his emotions well.
He majored in Chinese Language and Literature in college, not professional Screenwriting, and then studied abroad for a few years after graduation. He hadn’t achieved anything major over the years. Jiang Chengxuan was a person who shone brightly since his student days, and he was still dazzling now. Shen Mu’s achievements were insignificant compared to Jiang Chengxuan’s, but he didn’t want to appear too humble in front of him. He answered the questions calmly and composedly: “It might be a bit tough, but at least I’m doing what I love.”
Jiang Chengxuan smiled. “Mm, that’s right.”
After dinner, Jiang Chengxuan offered to walk him back. Shen Mu said it was only across the street and unnecessary, but Jiang Chengxuan replied, “Let’s just walk and digest.”
Given his insistence, Shen Mu couldn’t refuse again. However, he didn’t initiate another word during the walk. When they reached the entrance of his residential complex, Jiang Chengxuan didn’t leave but walked in with him. The Security Guard at the gate even greeted Jiang Chengxuan.
Shen Mu genuinely hadn’t expected Jiang Chengxuan to live in the same complex, but it wasn’t a total coincidence. It was very close to Renji Hospital, so many doctors lived here. Shen Mu rented here purely to be close to the set, as he often struggled to wake up and didn’t want to rush.
Jiang Chengxuan showed no intention of leaving until they reached Shen Mu’s building. Shen Mu finally couldn’t help but ask, “Where do you live?”
A hint of a smile appeared in Jiang Chengxuan’s eyes. “The building across from yours.”
Oh, well, that was good. Not the same building, just on the way.
Jiang Chengxuan seemed to read his mind. “So afraid of me coming up? Haven’t you tidied your place yet?”
Shen Mu couldn’t refute this question. He had too many things, and he had only joined the crew a few days ago. He wasn’t a very tidy person; a little mess was fine for him, but someone with OCD like Jiang Chengxuan probably couldn’t stand it.
Jiang Chengxuan asked, “Do you need help tidying up?”
Shen Mu froze for a moment, then pursed his lips as if recalling something. Finally, he composed himself and said calmly, “No need. I’m used to a bit of a mess.”
The smile in Jiang Chengxuan’s eyes gradually faded. He didn’t insist, saying gently, “Then I’ll go. See you tomorrow.”
Shen Mu had a night full of chaotic dreams because of that “See you tomorrow.” When he woke up, he cursed himself for having made no progress over the years, and then cursed Jiang Chengxuan for still being such a menace after all this time.
Shen Mu was currently very focused on image management, especially in front of Jiang Chengxuan. He spent a long time tidying himself up in front of the mirror, making sure his dark circles were invisible before heading out.
When he arrived at the hospital, he realized his worry was unnecessary, as he didn’t see Jiang Chengxuan all day. He found his own concern ridiculous and undignified, but whenever he encountered Jiang Chengxuan, dignity was destined to abandon him.
He had fallen for Jiang Chengxuan at first sight. It was during a Speech Contest organized by the school. The moment Jiang Chengxuan stood on that stage, he captured Shen Mu’s attention. After all, Shen Mu was a genuine Looks-Obsessed Person, and Jiang Chengxuan was so dazzling.
Initially, he wasn’t sure if Jiang Chengxuan felt the same way, but then he overheard a girl confessing to Jiang Chengxuan.
Jiang Chengxuan was gentle even when rejecting someone, his tone far from cold: “Thank you for your affection. I am very honored, but I cannot accept because you are a girl.”
The girl who confessed stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, and didn’t recover even after he left.
Jiang Chengxuan was a celebrity in the College of Medicine—excellent in character and academics, handsome, and beloved by his mentors. After this incident, people started discussing him, and the words they used were very unpleasant.
Jiang Chengxuan was too outstanding. Human nature often dictates that people can’t stand others being better than them. If they can’t surpass them, they start to slander—that was human nature.
“Hey, you know Jiang Chengxuan from the College of Medicine? He doesn’t like girls. He looks decent, but he’s actually disgusting.”
“Really? He doesn’t look like it.”
“He hides it well. Stay away from him in the future. Who knows what kind of disease he might have. We don’t even know if he’s the top or the bottom, ha ha ha…”
Shen Mu couldn’t bear to listen anymore and forcefully kicked the chairs of the two people. They turned around and asked, confused, “What do you want?”
Shen Mu smiled. “Did you guys forget to brush your teeth this morning? The stench is reaching me.”
One of them slammed his chopsticks on the table. “Damn it, what do you mean, kid! Looking for a fight?”
Shen Mu continued eating calmly. “Nothing. Just reminding you to focus on your food.”
At that time, Shen Mu hadn’t realized Jiang Chengxuan was right behind him. It was precisely because of this that Jiang Chengxuan didn’t reject his approach.
Shen Mu bit into a peanut, and then heard a crisp snap in his mouth.
His tooth chipped.
“Teacher Shen, what’s wrong? You look terrible.”
Su Xieyi looked at him with concern. Shen Mu remained composed. “I’m fine.”
His lower incisor had felt wrong last New Year when he was peeling and eating melon seeds. He checked in the mirror and saw a quarter was missing. Now, one bite of a peanut had chipped off another quarter.
He had been afraid of the dentist since childhood, especially the sound of the drill, which made him tremble. After researching online and learning that root canal treatment was likely, he was even more terrified and kept putting it off until now. He had no choice but to go.
Shen Mu left in a hurry, asking Su Xieyi to return his plate, and ran to the dental department to register. However, the nurse informed him that the dentist had already left for the day and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.
Shen Mu felt somewhat dejected as he left the hospital. When only a quarter of his tooth was missing, he hadn’t felt much, but now that half was gone, the presence was strong. It was uncomfortable every time his tongue touched it. Looking on the bright side, at least it wasn’t a front tooth.
He barely ate dinner and wasn’t in the mood to eat now. He opened his phone and searched online for a long time. The big data algorithms pushed videos of root canal treatment to him, making him even more scared.
It wasn’t that he intentionally wanted to bother Jiang Chengxuan, but he only knew Jiang Chengxuan as a reliable doctor, even though he was in the Neurosurgery Department.
Shen Mu: Under what circumstances is a root canal absolutely necessary?
Jiang Chengxuan was probably busy; he replied half an hour later: What’s wrong? Toothache?
Shen Mu: Uh, my tooth chipped /crying emoji.
This time, Jiang Chengxuan sent a voice message: How did it chip? Did you bite something hard?
Shen Mu felt that a doctor shouldn’t use such a serious tone when talking to him; it made him even more afraid.
Shen Mu: A peanut… Never mind that. Just tell me how likely a root canal is.
Jiang Chengxuan replied with another voice message: Why don’t you come find me? I’m on duty tonight. Let me take a look first.