Fateful Consequences: A Guardian Story

Shen Wei groaned internally.  Just when he thought the situation could not get any worse.  He tried to pull his hand away from Zhong Yu again, but the student's hold on him was almost vice-like.

"Hello, Chief Zhao."

Zhao Yunlan's gaze dropped to where the two men's hands were connected, and he raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"I spilled some coffee.  Student Zhong was just helping me take care of it."

Yunlan's questioning look immediately turned into one of concern.  He threw himself into the chair next to Shen Wei and reached over, firmly pulling his hand from Zhong Yu's grasp into his own.  Registering the movement, the student looked up and noticed the police chief for the first time.

"Chief Zhao.  What a surprise.  Professor Shen said he knew you, but I didn't realise you two were friends."  He waved a small pot.  "I was just about to put some of this on for the professor."

Quick as a flash, Yunlan snatched it from him.

"That's very thoughtful of you, I'm sure.  But Professor Shen needs to run his hand under some cold water first.  I'll take it from here."  He pulled Shen Wei to his feet and started moving towards the nearby restrooms.  The teacher looked back helplessly at his student.

"I will return the salve later.  Thank you for your assistance."

Within moments, the two of them were alone, and the angry red mark on Shen Wei's hand was being soothed by cool running water.  Zhao Yunlan still had a firm grip on the professor's wrist but, unlike with Zhong Yu, the professor did not find it uncomfortable.

After a few minutes, the detective turned off the tap and gently patted the skin dry with a paper towel.  Bringing the man's hand to his mouth, he blew on the area lightly, as Shen Wei watched him intently.

Catching the younger man by surprise, Zhao Yunlan suddenly looked up, meeting his gaze.

"Does it hurt?" he whispered.

Not trusting himself to say anything, Shen Wei just shook his head.

Yunlan released his hold for a moment to unscrew the cap on the ointment, then reached again for the professor's hand.  Wei did not resist, but tensed slightly when the police chief's fingers touched the sensitive red skin.

"Sorry.  I'll try to be gentle."

Shen Wei shook his head again.

"It's fine.  Thank you for doing this."

Zhao Yunlan smiled.

"It's no problem.  I don't know why, Professor Shen, but there's something about you that seems to make people want to take care of you."

Shen Wei suddenly felt brave.

"People?"  His eyes searching, he looked at the police chief, who quickly focussed all his attention on screwing the cap back onto the salve.

"I'm sorry about earlier," he said, handing the small jar back.  "I didn't mean to interrupt your..."

"Nothing.  You interrupted nothing," the professor interjected quickly.  "I came to look at a new exhibition.  As you know, Zhong Yu interns here.  We just bumped into each other."

Yunlan's eyes narrowed.

"You mean like the other night?  When you told me you just bumped into each other then?"

Shen Wei frowned.  He was not entirely sure what the police chief was trying to say.

The door opened, and the two men were no longer alone.  Taking this as his cue to leave, Wei tried to edge past Yunlan towards the exit, but the man placed a restraining hand on his arm.