Chapter 14: The Fourteenth Dimension 1/2

His hand was held by Professor Shi.

The blood that was about to surge suddenly flipped, causing Song Fuzhi’s ears to turn red.

His face was red, but his expression was serious.

Oh God, a man of this age blushing just from holding hands. It’s really a laughable situation.

Song Fuzhi silently justified himself. After all, in his whole life, he had never held someone’s hand in such a formal manner. It was the first time, and feeling a bit awkward was normal.

The two of them walked hand in hand to the entrance of the residential area, and then, as agreed, Shi Zhang let go of his hand.

For the first time, Song Fuzhi felt that the roads in the residential area were so short.

“Is it okay?” Shi Zhang asked seriously.

Song Fuzhi, whose blush had just faded, almost blushed again, avoiding eye contact. “Okay.”

“Professor Shi, where would you like to go?” Song Fuzhi steadied himself and asked.

Shi Zhang was indifferent. “Anywhere is fine. Afterward, I need to help Professor Wang buy groceries.”

So, Song Fuzhi really started to walk aimlessly. As they walked, he realized that he hadn’t properly explored the surroundings of his parents’ home in a long time, and the streets seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

There were often small tents set up along the streets of the old residential area. Now, there was one by the roadside, with several staff members handing out flyers and a few young people gathered nearby.

Song Fuzhi intended to walk past, but he was suddenly handed a flyer.

“This month is Health Promotion Month. The Resident Health Department will provide free physical examinations for the target group. Do you have time to learn more?” Shi Zhang reached out, took the flyer, and Song Fuzhi stopped as well.

The headline on the flyer was eye-catching: “Prevent ‘Sexually Transmitted Diseases,’ Ensure Family Happiness.”

It turned out to be Disease Prevention and Control Awareness Month.

The middle-aged woman doing the promotion looked at Shi Zhang, then at Song Fuzhi beside him, and asked, “Are you two together, dear?”

Song Fuzhi nodded.

The woman had a bit of a local accent and asked them with a smile, “Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease check?”

Song Fuzhi hesitated for a moment, then felt that there was nothing to be ashamed of, so he shook his head openly.

Shi Zhang beside him added, “We haven’t had a comprehensive check.”

“Ah, then you should learn more.” The woman unfolded a brochure and explained the classification, causes, symptoms, and transmission routes of STDs. Her tone was always calm and scientific. She said that even if you do contract a sexually transmitted disease, there’s no need to be ashamed; it’s like having a stomachache and needs prompt medical attention and regular screening.

“Especially for homosexual individuals, you need to be more cautious.”

After the woman provided detailed information on various transmission routes involving various organs and behaviors, Song Fuzhi knew it was scientific knowledge. If he were alone, he would listen openly, but with Shi Zhang by his side, he felt a bit awkward and inexplicably embarrassed.

Perhaps it was because Professor Shi seemed too serious—a person as calm as water—and talking about these things seemed like an offense, completely unrelated to him. Moreover, they weren’t very familiar yet; standing together and listening to this information made Song Fuzhi’s ears feel a bit hot.

Unexpectedly, Professor Shi nodded seriously and said, “Yes, we will be careful.”

In Song Fuzhi’s mind, there was a slow question mark forming. Be careful of what and with whom?

The woman leaned over to her storage box to get something and chatted with them, “How long have you been dating?”

The two fell silent together.

The awkward feeling resurfaced, and Song Fuzhi felt a prickling sensation on his back. This question couldn’t be answered because not only had they not been dating, but they also hadn’t known each other for long. Although they were about to get married, they had indeed not been in a romantic relationship.

The air became a bit stagnant, and the woman felt something was amiss. She casually asked, “Aren’t you boyfriends?”

Song Fuzhi didn’t speak, and Shi Zhang looked at Song Fuzhi before answering hesitantly, “Um, not exactly.”

The woman frowned, then quickly asked, “Friends with benefits?”

“No,” Song Fuzhi denied this quickly.

“Finding different sexual partners is not illegal, and there’s no need to be secretive about it, but from a health perspective, it’s not advocated. If you have multiple partners, you need to be doubly cautious about safety,” the woman said seriously.

The woman obviously thought Song Fuzhi’s denial was due to embarrassment, as she had encountered many similar patients who, after contracting a disease from casual encounters, were hesitant to discuss their relationships.

After all, these two mature men, though walking together, didn’t exhibit the intimacy of lovers.

The woman took out a box of something from her storage box, handed them three, and said, “These are promotional gifts that can reduce the risk of infection. Be sure to stay safe; otherwise, you’ll harm yourselves and others.”

Song Fuzhi looked at the box, and his blood rushed to his head.

He needed to clarify; otherwise, the misunderstanding would be hard to clear up.

“Auntie, you misunderstood,” Shi Zhang’s gentle voice said from the side.

He said, “We are not in a short-term relationship. We are about to get married.”

The woman was stunned. After a few seconds, the seriousness on her face was replaced by a smile.

“Hey, why didn’t you say so earlier? I went on talking about all sorts of irrelevant things. Don’t mind me,” the woman said with a laugh, a bit annoyed. “I said so many random things. Don’t take it to heart.”

Shi Zhang smiled and shook his head. “It’s okay.”

The woman clicked her tongue. “Getting married soon, then you are fiancees!”

The three words “fiancees” made Song Fuzhi’s heart warm, a term that was both serious and romantic.

He hadn’t realized that he was Shi Zhang’s fiance, and Shi Zhang was his fiance. Because they hadn’t proposed, hadn’t gotten engaged, and hadn’t had any ceremonies, they just bought rings together, and after that, the matter was forgotten. Song Fuzhi didn’t have a real sense that they were about to get married.

This professor he had known for just over a month was his fiance. Song Fuzhi silently reinforced this realization.

Subconsciously, he glanced at Shi Zhang and found that he was also looking at him.

After locking eyes for two seconds, they both shifted their gazes away.

“You’re getting married; have you done a pre-marital check?” the woman asked.

A pre-marital check, which includes a comprehensive physical examination for major diseases, genetic diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases, aims to ensure the health of the couple after marriage.

Song Fuzhi hadn’t thought about this. He shook his head and said, “Not yet.”

The middle-aged woman’s concern came up again: “Oh, you must do one! For the sake of both parties’ health, right?”

“Generally, you can do it at major hospitals.” The woman took out a brochure and gave it to them. “This is a pre-marital check guide, with addresses and precautions for major hospitals. Take a look.”