"You should take a leave from work. I can justify it with your boss if necessary," Yunlan said with his eyes on the road. He had quickly retrieved his car and was now driving them to yet another hospital.

Wei's laugh made him turn briefly to look at him, it was a lovely sound.

"You sure you can do that? It's not like you're the chief, although you act like one." Wei's tone was light and playful, and Yunlan smiled despite himself.

"You'll see, I can be very determined."

They reached the hospital where they would meet a young woman brought in in a state of shock. As they entered they were informed that the patient was currently unable to receive visitors, so Yunlan impatiently showed his badge to the nurse demanding to see her as soon as possible.

The nurse seemed to dislike Yunlan's aggressive tone. He slowly turned to Wei as if they had all the time in the world. "Are you a policeman as well? May I see your badge?"

Wei opened his mouth in surprise, unsure of what to say, but Yunlan answered for him.

"He's a... friend," Yunlan quickly said, a bit awkwardly, then he resumed his officer composure and added, "I can't reveal his role in the investigation, but I can vouch for him. It's very important that he comes with me."

Wei gave the nurse a cordial smile and they were taken to see the doctor that visited the young woman.

"She has a few bruises caused by the fall and she was in a state of shock. We gave her a mild sedative, she should be able to talk to you, but keep it brief."

They thanked the doctor and entered the room where a woman in her twenties seemed to be sleeping, but she turned her head towards them when she heard the door opening.

She was very thin, with wild brown hair and a sleepy expression on her face.

"Who... who are you?" Her voice was low and slightly hesitant, but her gaze let them see that there was a proud personality behind it.

Yunlan introduced himself. "Would you tell us what happened to you?"

Wei's eyes turned on him as if he was surprised to hear such a sweet, caring note in his voice. Yunlan kept looking at the girl, waiting for her answer.

"I was... walking when suddenly I... I felt like I was pushed to the back of my mind... unable to control my... my movements. My hands let go of the crutches and I... I fell down... I just fell... I don't understand, I would never let go... my legs..."

There was a tear in her eyes now, and she closed them while her cheeks started to redden. Wei instinctively moved forward murmuring softly Gelan's name, and he took her hand.

"You're not the only one, you know," he told her. "This... condition has affected many people, there are even two men in a coma, but you'll be fine." He smiled at her, and she smiled back, seemingly relieved at his words, and unknowingly soothed by Gelan's motherly embrace.

They didn't stay long. Her eyelids started to close so they let her rest.

They spoke a bit more with her doctor, then walked out in silence. When they reached their car, Yunlan seemed lost in thought. Wei studied him for a moment then he cleared his throat to attract his attention.

"Yunlan, I..."

"I'm sorry," Yunlan spoke at the same time. He seemed uneasy.

"What?" Wei was lost, why would Yunlan apologise to him?

Yunlan ran a hand through his hair, looking very uncomfortable.
"Look, about what I said earlier, I..."

"What are you talking about?" Wei interrupted him, completely unaware of what he was trying to say.

"In there just now, I called you a friend. I didn't mean..."

Wei suddenly smiled, relieved. Was that what was troubling him? Wei was not offended. Actually, he had even liked it when Yunlan called him a friend and vouched for him. For someone like him who never had a real friend before, those words had actually warmed his heart. They also had never talked of what they were, and he would never expect Yunlan to declare any kind of relationship they might have to any stranger.

Yunlan shifted on his feet.
"I mean, what we have..."

"It's ok," Wei interrupted him again, moving around the car to get to the other side, where Yunlan stood.

"We are friends, right?" Wei spoke again, getting closer.

"We slept together, we are a bit more than friends," Yunlan corrected him. "Unless you believe in that 'friends with benefits' nonsense."

Wei stared at him. Of course they were more than that, he wouldn't sleep with just any friend, even if he had any.

He only wanted him, but there was no need for Yunlan to feel pressured. Wei was willing to give him all the time and space he might need, anything to be with him.

"Am I important to you?" he suddenly asked, looking deeply into his eyes.

"Yes." Yunlan's answer was immediate and firm, and something stirred in Wei's soul. "Yes, you are."

Another question popped in Wei's mind and he hesitated, battling against himself for a few endless seconds, but he had to give up, he really wanted to be sure.

"Am I the only one... I mean, right now, is there anyone else?"

Yunlan frowned. He didn't like that question, he felt like Wei didn't trust him, so when he answered his voice was harsh.

"Of course not. Just you."

Wei's whole face light up. "Then it's ok," he said, coming closer still until they were almost touching.
"You are very, very important to me too."

Wei put a hand over Yunlan's chest, looking deeply into his eyes, but after a few seconds, he took a step back.

"It's almost noon, maybe I should go home and leave you to your work."

Yunlan's eyes fixed on him and he couldn't continue. Wei circled the car and opened the passenger seat, then waited for Yunlan to do or say something.

"Get in, I'll take you to lunch." Yunlan's voice didn't betray anything. It clearly wasn't a question, so Wei got in the car.

If he was surprised, Wei didn't say a word, nor he asked where they were going. Watching Yunlan's serious expression, Wei assumed that he wanted to resume their previous conversation, but he had no idea what more could he say. He had no miraculous solution and no more knowledge than he had already shared.

He wished he did, though. He felt like he should be able to help more. He was the only one with an advantage, and he felt guilty for it. He also felt rather ashamed for knowing so little about such an important subject, something that played a dominant role over his own life.

Yunlan drove in silence until they reached a very elegant restaurant. It had imposing glass doors and glass walls that allowed him to see the classy furniture inside. Wei gasped at the sight.

They walked to the door in silence and Yunlan held it open for him to go first. Wei smiled and walked in, noticing that Yunlan kept it open a moment longer before following behind.

Wei looked at him puzzled, and Yunlan must have noticed because he looked away awkwardly. "You always do that, so I thought... I don't know what I thought."

Wei felt his heart swell. It was almost scary how much more he liked Yunlan day after day, but he wasn't scared. He was eager.

Wei offered him his hand, and when Yunlan took it he held it tight and leaned forward.

"I like you so much," he murmured into his ear, stunning Yunlan on the spot.

At that moment, a woman approached them and they asked for a table for two.

Yunlan still wasn't saying a word and Wei was starting to feel nervous, wondering if he had made a mistake before, letting those words escape his lips.

"So, what will you do today? Have you made any progress in tracking down the missing people?" Wei asked, trying desperately to get him to talk and, maybe, forget what he had said.

"Stop!" Yunlan said instead, startling him.

"No talking about work. This is a date."