Five or six years passed in a flash. No one expected that after they separated, each walking different paths for such a long time, they would meet again.

After Xu Sui distanced herself from Zhou Jingze in the morning, she was called away by a hurrying nurse. After finishing work, during lunch break, Xu Sui pulled her coat from the hanger and lay on the office sofa with closed eyes to rest.

The afternoon breeze flowed in through the window, cool and refreshing. Xu Sui closed her eyes and had a long dream. The memories were so vivid she truly thought she’d returned to high school, seriously gotten into university, and met him again.

Xu Sui’s phone alarm rang out. She still felt heavy eyelids, sensing someone pushing her arm. Struggling to open her eyes, she unconsciously said: “Class is over.”

Laughter came from beside her as Nurse Xiao He, on duty today, asked: “Doctor Xu, it’s time to start work. Were you sleeping?”

A voice instantly pulled Xu Sui back to reality. She got up from the sofa, still wrapped in a coat, smiling faintly: “Indeed, I was completely confused.”

“It’s almost 2 o’clock, there are afternoon consultations waiting.” The nurse working with her reminded.

“Alright.”

Xu Sui got up to wash her face with cold water in the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, she pulled the elastic band from her wrist and tied her hair into a neat, low ponytail.

The office curtains were pulled open with a “swoosh,” flooding the room with bright light. Xu Sui unscrewed a lid, grabbed a handful of flower tea and threw it into the health pot, pressing the power button with a “beep.”

Accompanied by the gurgling sound of boiling tea, Xu Sui bent down to organize medical records and documents on her desk. Her brain ran quickly, her speech becoming clear and organized:

“Nurse He, see patients in order later. If there are long queues and patients become anxious, comfort them appropriately. If there’s trouble, don’t try to be a hero – call security directly.”

“Got it, Doctor Xu.”

Weekend appointment registrations were quite busy. Xu Sui saw off one patient and welcomed another, so busy she didn’t even have time for water.

At four in the afternoon, Xu Sui received a rather special patient – a mother brought in a little girl about ten years old with two sky-high pigtails, fair skin, and round eyes.

The girl’s mother held her as they sat down, lifting her shirt to show the girl’s abdomen: “Doctor, the day before yesterday two boys in my daughter’s class fought. The one who got beaten was her deskmate. She’s warm-hearted, and in a moment of impulse rushed to break up the fight, but got hit by a blunt object one of them was holding.”

“That day I saw bruising on her abdomen. Doudou said it didn’t hurt, so I just treated it simply. I didn’t expect her to complain of pain two days later – pain so bad she couldn’t sleep, and some difficulty breathing.”

Xu Sui nodded, moving her gaze from the patient’s medical history on the computer screen: “Bring her over so I can examine her.”

Xu Sui leaned forward to press around the little girl’s injured abdomen area, asking gently: “Does it hurt?”

The little girl’s eyes moistened, her mouth turning down: “It hurts.”

Xu Sui returned to her desk, printing two examination forms and signing them: “Take her for abdominal ultrasound and CT to rule out delayed organ injury.”

An hour later, the mother returned with the little girl. Xu Sui took the report, carefully reviewing it before saying: “Fortunately, it’s only soft tissue injury. I’ll prescribe a course of medication. Let her rest well, and come back for examination after finishing the medicine.”

The girl’s mother sighed in relief, nodding quickly: “Thank you, doctor.”

The little girl seemed to understand it was good news, her face immediately brightening with a brilliant smile. Xu Sui walked over to her, pulling out a handful of fruit candies from her pocket. At eye level with the girl, her tone gentle:

“You were very brave. This is your reward, but promise me – next time, before being brave, protect yourself first, okay?”

The little girl nodded vigorously, staring at the colorful candies in her palm. Her eyes rolled around as she said sweetly: “Sister, do you have mint flavor? I’d prefer that one.”

Hearing “mint candy,” Xu Sui’s dark lashes trembled as she froze momentarily. The little girl’s mother nudged her arm: “You’re being picky when given treats. Quickly take them and thank the doctor.”

“Thank you, sister.” The little girl picked two candies from her palm.

Xu Sui came back to her senses, patting the girl’s head before sitting back in her chair to continue working. The sun slowly sank, the last streak of orange-red light streaming in and falling on the desk.

Xu Sui glanced at the time – five minutes until six o’clock. She pressed the intercom, asking: “Xiao He, are there more patients?”

Xiao He hesitated: “One more. He’s been waiting quite a while.”

Xu Sui picked up her water cup for a sip, tightening the lid. Her throat finally felt better: “Let him come in.”

Soon, rhythmic knocking sounded at the door – “knock knock.” Xu Sui was writing in a medical record, unruly strands of hair falling from her forehead, casting shadows on the paper.

“Doctor, I’m here to see you about an illness.”

A voice with almost metallic quality rang out – deep and magnetic, familiar yet strange. Xu Sui was concentrating on writing when, with a “rip,” the pen tip suddenly drew a long line downward, tearing the medical record.

The torn page was thrown in the trash.

Xu Sui’s index finger and thumb pressed on the blue file. Her gaze saw black pants, hands hanging by the trouser seams, prominent wrist bones, a fresh scab marking a blood-red trace on the tiger’s mouth area.

The middle finger wore that silver ring.

She slowly looked up.

A black designer thin jacket over a black and white striped shirt. The collar cut his facial lines sharp and distinct. Two buttons were undone, revealing a section of throat. Those same deep, dark eyes that once seen, couldn’t be looked away from.

Less roguish and casual than before, with added restraint and masculine charm.

Something seemed different, yet unchanged.

It was indeed Zhou Jingze.

Meeting twice in one day.

The wall clock struck exactly six o’clock. Xu Sui looked for only two seconds before withdrawing her gaze indifferently, putting the pen cap back: “Work hours are over. For medical consultation, go out and turn left to the emergency department.”

Zhou Jingze was stunned for a second. Just letting someone in then immediately dismissing them – wasn’t this obviously just not wanting to see him?

He raised his eyelids, looking at Xu Sui: “Xu Sui, I really am here for medical consultation.”

Xu Sui’s head-down writing motion paused. Zhou Jingze’s serious and frank tone made it seem like she was the one harboring feelings, deliberately avoiding him.

Just then, the door was pushed open as Nurse He entered with an armful of files. Zhou Jingze directly pulled out a chair and sat down, his tone quite calm: “Nurse, can I ask you something?”

“What?” Xiao He’s voice softened seeing a handsome man addressing her.

Zhou Jingze played with a silver lighter in his hand: “If you saw injustice and saved someone, getting injured because of that person, but they don’t want to take responsibility, what would you do?”

“That’s ungrateful! You must make that person take responsibility.” The nurse said excitedly.

“Makes sense.” Zhou Jingze nodded as if taking it seriously.

Xu Sui ignored their conversation, organizing documents on her desk. From her peripheral vision, she glimpsed the man sitting there unperturbed and composed, a gaze consistently falling unhurriedly on the top of her head.

He kept silent, and Xu Sui felt her neck tingling under his burning stare. She finally spoke, her tone somewhat sharp:

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

Nurse He, organizing files nearby, looked surprised. Doctor Xu was always gentle and soft-spoken – this was the first time she’d heard her speak so sharply. Zhou Jingze placed the lighter on the table, his tone casual, voice deep and pleasant:

“Waiting for you to take responsibility.”

?????!!!!! Exclamation marks appeared on the nurse’s face. No wonder Doctor Xu was single despite her good conditions – she couldn’t appreciate anyone. Of course! With such a high-quality handsome man asking for responsibility right in front of her, who else would she look at?

“I’m already off work. If you need medical consultation, you can register at the emergency department.” Xu Sui repeated.

Nurse He finally understood. Before leaving, she compassionately spoke for the handsome man: “Doctor Xu, why don’t you help him? Originally this gentleman could have been seen earlier, but there was an elderly patient who was more urgent, so he let her go first.”

So that was it.

Xu Sui lowered her eyes, relenting: “Where does it hurt?”

“My back.” Zhou Jingze’s words were brief.

Xu Sui pointed to the inner partition: “Go inside so I can examine you.”

Zhou Jingze didn’t hesitate, walking inside to sit on the bed’s edge. Probably finding it troublesome, he grabbed his shirt hem with both hands and directly removed his upper clothing, revealing distinctly defined, firm muscles and a fleeting glimpse of the V-line extending down his abdomen.

Xu Sui instinctively turned her face away. After Zhou Jingze finished undressing, he automatically turned his back to her. Xu Sui stepped forward two paces to examine him. The sun had completely set by now, leaving the room somewhat dim.

His long neck showed a clear row of vertebrae, his back broad and lean. Right in the middle were two dark red wounds with purple bruising, the wounds slightly infected.

This should be from that night.

He hadn’t done any treatment.

He only came after the wounds became infected.

Xu Sui leaned down to press around the bones near his back wounds, lowering her lashes with focused expression: “Tell me where it hurts.”

Soft hands pressed here and there on his back. When touching the wounds, Zhou Jingze kept a straight face without making a sound. Suddenly, he made a sharp intake of breath, as if enduring something intensely.

Xu Sui’s movements stopped: “Does it hurt here?”

“No, your hair brushed against me,” Zhou Jingze’s voice was clear, low, and deep as he slowly uttered one word: “Itchy.”

Xu Sui’s heart contracted. She realized a strand of her hair had fallen against his back. Taking a step back, she tucked the loose hair behind her ear: “Sorry.”

“Nothing serious,” Xu Sui returned to her desk, tone flat. “I’ll write you a prescription. Get it at the ground floor window. Watch for wound infection, avoid smoking and alcohol, eat less spicy food.”

“Alright.”

The computer screen reflected the man raising his chin, methodically putting on clothes, buttoning up, movements casual. Xu Sui withdrew her gaze, waiting for him to approach before handing him the prescription.

Throughout the entire process, they had no eye contact.

After he left, the office fell silent except for the wall clock’s ticking. Xu Sui leaned back in her office chair, relieved.

Xu Sui deliberately sat in the office for fifteen minutes before taking her bag and leaving.

In the underground parking garage, Xu Sui took out her keys, pressed the unlock button, walked forward, opened the car door, put her bag aside, shifted gears, and reversed out of the space.

After exiting, Xu Sui rested her hand on the steering wheel, casually turning on music. Soothing music played as her nerves relaxed considerably. For some reason, she’d been feeling tired lately.

Maybe she really should take her annual leave and go out to clear her mind.

Thinking this, Xu Sui completely failed to notice a black G-Class suddenly cutting across in front of her, drifting sideways before the four-wheel drive stabilized, as if waiting for her.

By the time she realized it, slowing down and braking were too late. With a loud “bang,” she crashed into it.

Xu Sui’s head hit the steering wheel from the impact force. Looking up, she saw the other car’s rear end had a large dent, a terrible sight.

Like bumper cars, it even smoked after the collision.

About to turn 28, was this her unlucky year?

The other party opened their car door, walking around the vehicle toward her. When Xu Sui finally saw who it was, she closed her eyes in despair, slumping over the steering wheel with her face turned aside, her heart ashen.

Zhou Jingze approached with a cigarette between his lips, his long legs striding over. He curled his fingers, knocking on her car window with his knuckles. Xu Sui had no choice but to press the button, lowering the window.

Wind rushed in, his face clearly visible.

“Get out.” He said.

Xu Sui had to get out. Zhou Jingze bit his cigarette, raising his palm to gesture for her to walk over. Xu Sui had no choice but to comply. Just as she stood still, unexpectedly, Zhou Jingze pinched his phone between thumb and forefinger, aimed at her and took a photo with a “click.”

“Why are you photographing me?” Xu Sui frowned.

Zhou Jingze removed the cigarette from his mouth, flicking ash: “Keeping evidence, afraid you’ll deny it.”

Xu Sui: “…”

“So, private settlement or official procedure?” Zhou Jingze asked.

Xu Sui glanced at his G-Class 65 series car and the license plate with consecutive numbers that she’d damaged. Looking at it this way, even with her entire fortune, she couldn’t afford compensation.

However, her inner pride and determination not to be entangled with him again forced her to bite the bullet and speak with feigned nonchalance:

“Official procedure.”

Zhou Jingze nodded, turning his phone in his hand, thumb pressing the screen: “Phone number.”

Xu Sui pressed her lips together, instinctively defensive: “Just come find me directly at Puren Hospital. I’m there every workday.”

“Xu Sui,” Zhou Jingze slowly called out her name, his voice somewhat low, tone serious, “I’ve been quite busy lately.”

The implication: he had no intention of bothering her.

Xu Sui had to give a string of numbers. After reporting them, she turned to leave. Three seconds later, a clear, very loud female voice sounded behind her:

“Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service, sorry…”

Zhou Jingze had it on speakerphone. Xu Sui was embarrassed from head to toe. Zhou Jingze exhaled gray-white smoke, raising an eyebrow:

“Explanation?”

After Xu Sui gave another number, she fled back to her car and drove away.

Zhou Jingze returned to his car, watching the white car disappear, intense emotion in his eyes. Suddenly, the screen showed an incoming call from Sheng Nanzhou.

Zhou Jingze grabbed his AirPods, stuffing them in his ears, tapping the switch with his index finger. When the call connected, Sheng Nanzhou immediately started talking in a rush:

“Damn, I called you several times – why are you only answering now! Those who are favored really are fearless! Let me ask you, how’s your consideration of the Civil Aviation Flight Training Center instructor position? I’m telling you, though it’s beneath your qualifications, it’s still a chief instructor position with good salary and benefits. Plus you’re short on money lately…”

“Bro, I crashed my car.” Zhou Jingze suddenly dropped this line.

“?”

“Holy shit, bro, that’s your beloved car. Usually when I use it twice you’re reluctant to let me touch it – how did you just crash it like that?” Sheng Nanzhou rattled on, finally realizing: “Wait, why do I feel like you’re a bit happy?”

“A little.” Zhou Jingze agreed.

After speaking, he lowered his neck, thumb sliding to the photo album. Xu Sui wore a knit dress with long hair over her shoulders, standing by the car. Delicate nose and vermillion lips, naturally curved eyebrows, a bewildered expression on her face.

Her collarbone at the neckline was slender and prominent, her slender waist easily graspable.

How long had it been?

Didn’t seem very long.

Xu Sui still looked like that quiet, beautiful girl from before, but many details had changed. She was no longer the little girl whose eyes would show timidity when teased.

When facing him, Xu Sui’s composed gaze carried wariness, making Zhou Jingze’s throat dry and his heart pierced by soft thorns, aching densely.

What do you call a relationship one step beyond strangers?

Xu Sui’s attitude and reactions were reminding him.

Years had passed.

Zhou Jingze furrowed his brows tightly, eyes heavy, the surging emotions in his depths finally unable to be suppressed:

“She’s gotten thinner.”