Finally got all the plaster off my hand. My left-hand feels strange, not quite like my own,” He Su Ye frowned and said to Qiu Tian, “Using my left hand these past few days has felt odd. I’m not even proficient at typing. I suppose it’s just a matter of getting used to it.”

Qiu Tian rolled his eyes at him. “Regressed or something? I remember you used to be able to write and use chopsticks with your left hand!”

He Su Ye sighed. “Maybe it’s just lacking a bit of sensation.” He picked up a pen with his left hand, tried it a couple of times, and then dropped it, shaking his head. “Am I getting old?”

Qiu Tian chuckled, accidentally knocking over a stack of medical records. “You’re getting old, is that it? I’m just one year older than you, remember? Speaking of which, we’re probably the youngest in the class.”

He nodded, bending down to help pick up the records. “YeAh seven years have flown by. We’re already working. Back then, we couldn’t even imagine what profession to choose or who we’d meet.”

Qiu Tian smirked. “Getting sentimental again, huh? I never saw you as sentimental before. Why are you suddenly so moved after Shen Xifan left? It’s okay, you can express yourself in front of her, but spare me, the lonely one.”

He Su Ye thought for a moment. “I just can’t say anything when I see her. It’s strange.”

“Normal, normal!” Qiu Tian quickly concluded. “You should go to the US to find her already. I’ve been feeling uncomfortable for both of you, dragging it out like this.”

He smiled. “Good things always come gradually. Too fast and it feels unreal, as they say.”

Back at home, he opened his computer. Shen Xifan’s message was blinking on QQ. “The two-week Management for Services course finally ended. Got three credits, but I feel like half my brain cells got worn out. I keep dreaming about those dance concepts.”

He glanced at the time, feeling a bit worried. He typed quickly, “It’s late, you shouldn’t stay up too late. It’s not good for your health. Better to sleep early.”

Immediately, a sad face popped up on the screen. “We’re currently in Operation Management. The course requires us to use computers extensively, so I’m always with my computer now.”

He Su Ye sighed. “You don’t have to work so hard. Rest well. It’s only 5 a.m. in Ithaca. Why are you already working? Haven’t you stayed up all night?”

There was no reply for a long time. He Su Ye understood most of it. The little girl probably did stay up all night and was now too embarrassed to face him. He had to reassure her, “I’m not blaming you. I’m just worried about your health. Don’t hide. I won’t scold you.”

Immediately, a line of text popped up. “Okay, I was wrong. I won’t stay up all night anymore.”

Yes, not telling him she stayed up all night. He Su Ye sighed, picking up a teacup nearby. He glanced at it and then put it down—tea for He Shouzheng, that little rascal, and more than half left.

Shouzheng, having finished his meal, looked at the half cup of tea with a twisted face, almost crying. “I don’t want to drink this tea, it’s so bitter and sour!”

He Su Ye didn’t budge. “Kid, you’re overweight. Eating junk food every day without any nutrition isn’t good for your health. And you don’t like exercising. Besides giving you tea, there’s no other way!”

He Shouzheng sobbed. “Is there any tea that’s not bitter or sour? Can you add some sugar?”

He had to take out a book and pointedly showed it to him. “Standard weight = (height – 100) × 0.9. If the actual weight exceeds the standard weight by 20%, excluding factors like muscle development or water retention, it can be diagnosed as obesity.”

He Shouzheng remained silent, touching his face. He Su Ye took out a traditional Chinese medicine book and spread it out in front of him. “This tea is specially made for you, with bitter orange, tangerine peel, hawthorn, poria, lotus leaf, and plantain.”

The kid grumbled reluctantly. “Why is there still tangerine peel? I’d rather just eat oranges.”

“Orange peel is dried tangerine peel—” he accurately flipped to a page in the book, “Dried tangerine peel is best when aged, it’s pungent, bitter, and warm, helps soothe the liver, strengthens the spleen, and dries dampness and transforms phlegm.” He pinched He Shouzheng’s little face, “You’re just suffering from simple obesity, so you need to digest food, move qi, invigorate the spleen, and eliminate dampness.”

He Shouzheng sighed, “Fine, I’ll drink it. Uncle, I feel like ever since Sister Shen went abroad, you’ve been finding ways to mess with me. You should hurry up and chase after her, then I can have some peace.”

Pushing back the relentless little head with a finger, he sighed, “Alright, I’m not messing with you now. By the way, kid, you’re going a bit too far with your rejection of me!”

He Shouzheng shook his head. “My mom goes on business trips, and my dad treats me the same way, so I’ve seen through the true nature of men!”

While He Shouzheng was doing his homework, He Su Ye sat at the computer checking emails. Suddenly, he saw an unfamiliar address. After hesitating for a moment, he opened it and was surprised by the contents.

“I heard from the mentor that you’re going abroad, which was quite surprising, but then I thought about it and it made sense. It would be a pity for someone as talented as you to stay in the country. Sincerely congratulations!

A few days ago, Fang Kexin told me that you’ve got a new girlfriend, which was even more surprising, especially hearing that you were the one who pursued her and pursued her so diligently. I’ve been wondering what kind of girl could capture the heart of someone as dense as you, and I realized she must be very kind and gentle. Thinking about it made me smile again. Congratulations again!

I’m currently studying Bioengineering in Pennsylvania. If you need anything, you can always find me. Oh, I plan to get married to my current boyfriend next March. If you’re lucky, I hope you can come, and of course, I’d be even happier if you brought your girlfriend.”

It turned out to be Zhang Yiling. He couldn’t help but smile. After careful consideration, he replied to her email.

As he hit send, he felt like a long-standing gloom had been lifted, leaving him inexplicably light.

You can still be friends after breaking up, no matter who was at fault in the beginning. When the pain in your heart is healed by happiness, you’ll be forgiving of the past, eventually letting go.

When we meet again, we’ll greet each other with a smile, ask, “How are you?” and that’ll be enough.

Two months later, when he arrived in the United States, the one picking him up at the airport was a distant relative’s son, who happened to be studying law at Penn. They were of similar ages, lived together, didn’t talk much, but got along quite well.

He Su Ye originally planned to settle in Ithaca after arriving in the US, but unexpectedly, he received a research project when he went to report at the institute. His Chinese colleagues in the same department were all envious. He could only work diligently.

His mentor was German and known throughout the school for being strict and demanding. He greatly appreciated the diligence and solid foundation of Asian students. Among the students recruited for his laboratory, three were from Germany, and the other three were Asian students. He Su Ye was startled the first time he went to the lab. There was a conspicuous sign on the lab door: “Researchers in this lab must work seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., and must fully commit during working hours.”

Well, that was good. He would work hard alongside Shen Xifan.

Whether he disguised it well or Shen Xifan simply didn’t notice, even though their schedules were synchronized, she didn’t realize that the man on the other end of QQ was living in Philadelphia, less than a two-hour drive away from her.

Shen Xifan still messaged him every day at the same time, enthusiastically telling him school stories. She particularly enjoyed talking about her hotel management major in college. Whenever she mentioned it, she’d get excited. “He Su Ye, do you know? Today, I went to the hotel’s operating room with them and learned to make small cakes. When I come back, I must show off my skills to you.”

“Cornell is such an incredible university. They built a hotel for the hotel management program, connected to the academic buildings. We often have the opportunity to intern there. But I regret that I didn’t spend my four years of college here. Now I’m studying Operations Management, MMH, mainly focusing on theoretical knowledge.”

“The school has seven restaurants. There are at least twenty-eight main dishes for dinner each time. It’s so lavish. I haven’t cooked for myself in such a long time. For someone like me who loves good food and drinks, it’s truly a blessing. If you come, I’ll make sure you taste the best food from an Ivy League school.”

He Su Ye chuckled dumbfoundedly. Penn is also an Ivy League school, and the food is good too. After hearing her, he started to feel tempted and began to plan. His gaze drifted to the calendar involuntarily.

It seemed that the only time the mentor would let him go was during Christmas. Well, he had already waited for so long, a little more time wouldn’t matter.

The next day, he went to the lab early. Just as he reached the entrance of the building, he heard someone calling his name in Chinese from behind, a deep female voice. His instinctive reaction was—Zhang Yiling.

After all these years, she still had that dominating presence, unchanged at all. He couldn’t help but smile. “Hey there!”

Zhang Yiling raised an eyebrow and teased him, “He Su Ye, you’re quite a big shot. You’ve been here for months, and yet you haven’t come to find me. Sigh, after so many years, you’re still so slow to warm up. It’s frustrating.”

He shrugged and smiled, “I’ve been busy with research, working day and night.”

Zhang Yiling was curious, “Who’s your mentor? But with someone like you, you don’t need a mentor holding a whip behind you. You run fast enough on your own.”

“Leonard—”

Her face immediately became exaggerated. “What— that weird old man! Oh my god, how can you stand him? He’s so harsh!”

He Su Ye chuckled, “Are you cold? How about we go to the cafeteria and get some hot drinks, and have a chat?”

He ordered a cup of black tea for himself and handed her a cappuccino. Zhang Yiling saw it and covered her mouth, chuckling. “He Su Ye, is it because your little girlfriend likes black tea that you’ve been influenced?”

Why were the people around him so shrewd, able to see through everything at a glance? He could only answer honestly, “Yeah.”

Zhang Yiling explained, “I used to like black tea too, but when you casually said, ‘green tea is better,’ I switched to green tea until I came to the US.” She sighed deeply, half-smiling. “This is the difference between your attitude towards me and her. I can change for you, but you only change for her. So even if I leave you, I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything, and you don’t feel like you’ve lost anything.”

He suddenly didn’t know how to respond, holding the cup. The black tea was still steaming, emitting a fragrant aroma.

He had been influenced. He used to only drink green tea, but whenever he went out with Shen Xifan, she always liked to order a cup of black tea, holding it in her hand, looking warm and happy. The first time he tried black tea, he found it uncomfortable, but later, he ordered it just to accompany Shen Xifan. Eventually, he found that he couldn’t do without black tea.

He always liked to make a cup of black tea while working late at night, and then chat with her while holding the mug. Her profile picture would flicker, sometimes a smiling face, sometimes a sad face, but no matter what, he felt happy.

This was probably what it meant to love everything about someone, first falling in love with her as a person, then being unable to help but get entangled in all her habits, gestures, and preferences, until he couldn’t extricate himself, even breathing was filled with longing.

Seeing He Su Ye looking thoughtful, Zhang Yiling burst into laughter. “He Su Ye, now you feel sorry for me? It’s okay, I’ll give you a chance to make up for it. Give me an extra red envelope when I get married.”

He readily nodded, “Sure, if I bring my girlfriend, I’ll give more.”

Zhang Yiling widened her eyes. “Wait, wait, tell me the key point. So your girlfriend is in the US now? Fang Kexin didn’t tell me about this. He Suye, don’t tell me you went abroad because of her!”

He felt slightly embarrassed. “Well, yes, but we’re not at the same school.”

Zhang Yiling looked thoroughly defeated. “He Suye, I’m deeply indignant! If you had cared about me even half as much as you do about her, I would have no regrets in this life.”

He Su Ye found it strange. “I don’t think I treated you badly before, did I?”

She smiled gently and took a sip of her coffee. “That’s not what I mean. Being good to someone has many definitions. To me, you’ve been good indeed, but you’re a principled person. You wouldn’t change things for me, or rather, you wouldn’t put in the wholehearted effort.”

The definition of love for women is truly complex, he thought to himself, but he also felt that Zhang Yiling was right.

Wholehearted and unrestricted dedication, he had never thought about it before, just acted on intuition. He had also feared that his efforts wouldn’t be reciprocated, but all those concerns vanished once she admitted her feelings for him.

Well, he might be a bit slow in matters of the heart and a bit foolish, but perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

After Zhang Yiling left, he hurried to the lab. When he arrived, his German mentor, contrary to his usual demeanor, greeted him with a smile and left without saying anything.

His colleagues told him that only he and one of the German students had passed all the reports. The others would have to work overtime even during Christmas. He Su Ye just politely smiled, then opened his computer and continued working.

He was in a very good mood. Thinking about seeing her at Christmas made him smile involuntarily.

As he walked back to the dormitory, French plane tree leaves swirled down every second, sticking directly to the ground. They were shades of brown, light brown, orange-red, and dark yellow, distinct layers at the end of life, arranged in an orderly manner, like a beautiful painting against the ground, with the fallen leaves as a reverse line, under the clear blue sky.

His friends who had studied at Cornell in the past somehow learned about his study abroad and sent out invitations one after another. So He Su Ye mentioned his Christmas travel plans to his roommate. Unexpectedly, the roommate was very interested. “I have a car, why don’t we go together?”

The plan was immediately set. He went to ask Shen Xifan about her plans for Christmas. But as soon as he opened QQ, Shen Xifan’s little avatar kept jumping non-stop. Upon clicking, he saw a long string of inquiries, “He Su Ye, what should I do? Even though I’m sleep-deprived here, how can I still gain weight!” “Is it possible to gain weight even from drinking water? It’s all because the school food is so good, I’ve gained weight, I’m going crazy, I’m freaking out!” “I want to lose weight, I want to lose weight!”

He suppressed a smile and thought to himself that a little weight gain might be good. When they used to hold hands, he always felt her delicate wrists, as if they could break with a gentle pinch. Now, gaining some weight might be better.

Girls should let nature take its course. As long as they keep their weight within a healthy range, they shouldn’t pursue thinness deliberately. He remembered a few girls who were brought in for emergency treatment due to low blood sugar caused by dieting during his internship at the hospital. At that time, a group of boys made a unanimous decision that when looking for a girlfriend in the future, they would first educate them not to diet blindly, and then implement a plan for healthy weight loss.

But it’s strange, Shen Xifan had a good appetite when she was in China, showing no signs of deliberate dieting. How did she gain weight after going abroad? Could it be that different environments cultivate different people?

He quickly typed to reassure his girlfriend’s restless mood, “Hey, actually, it’s okay to gain a little weight. Look, you’re so thin, sometimes I worry you’ll be blown away by the wind. Please don’t rush to lose weight.”

A sad-faced rabbit emoji popped up, “No, I can’t! I can’t! If I go back to China, I’ll be too embarrassed to see you. My face is getting chubby, do you know how much pork costs per pound in China? At least this way, I can help boost exports!”

He Su Ye felt both amused and exasperated, and quickly replied, “But I’m a doctor, don’t you want to hear the opinion of a professional?”

Sure enough, the agitation on the other side subsided, replaced by a starry-eyed look of anticipation. After thinking for a moment, he said, “How about I prescribe you a weight-loss tea? You can drink it regularly, but don’t deliberately skip meals or eat less, okay?”

Shen Xifan eagerly agreed, and he only wrote down a few digestive Chinese medicines for her to soak in water. He thought to himself that this might help Shen Xifan feel more balanced, even if those medicines might not have any substantial effect.

Before Christmas, the weather in Pennsylvania unexpectedly turned warm, contrary to expectations, with no snowfall. Experienced roommates told him that after Christmas, the temperature might drop rapidly. They even had blizzards in April before.

This was his first time leaving the campus of Penn State and immersing himself in the atmosphere of another completely different campus.

Ithaca was a quiet town, with hardly any people coming and going. His roommate mentioned the long poem “Ithaca” by the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy, “When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge.”

He couldn’t help but smile. The Ithaca he was heading to had his beloved, full of hope and happiness.

They spent Christmas together last year with a group of friends. When he sent her home, she smiled and said, “I’m especially happy when I’m with you, there’s no reason.” He still remembered his feelings at that time, surprised and at a loss.

Perhaps he unknowingly fell for her back then. In such a neon-bright city, bustling with crowds, her white clothes and skirt were particularly agile in the dark. And now, how would she appear before him?

In this quiet town, in this distant land, when everything around became unfamiliar, the long night seemed endless, with no end in sight. Only by relying on each other and warming each other could they get through it.

The roommate parked the car in front of the host family’s house and pointed to a large building not far away, “That’s the Cornell Library. Just keep going along this road and then turn left.”

He checked his watch and saw it was almost five o’clock. He quickly replied, “Thanks, I’ll come find you guys later.”

The roommate teased, “Remember to bring your girlfriend for us to meet when you come. We’re all Chinese international students, we should get to know each other.”

Waving his hand, he smiled, “Okay, I’ll do that. See you later!”

Every day at five o’clock sharp, she returned from the library to the dormitory. This was her fixed schedule every day.

He originally planned to wait for her at the library entrance, but as soon as he walked to the corner, he saw a familiar figure, carrying a thick stack of reference books, hurrying along.

She was still dressed simply and plainly, her lotus-colored cotton coat making her face look even fairer. Her hair had grown to waist-length, and the commanding aura characteristic of her workplace was now hidden by a scholarly air, making her appear even more serene and steady.

But Shen Xifan didn’t notice him standing at the corner, walking on the road by herself. He had to catch up and gently tap her shoulder, softly calling out, “Shen Xifan!”

Turning around, she stared at him in astonishment, finally asking after a while, “You, He Suye, what are you doing here!”

He smiled, but found his heart racing a bit, “I came to see you.”

Taking another step forward, he reached out and took the books from her hands. Shen Xifan stared at him fixedly, trying hard to control her excited emotions. “Why are you here!” she asked again. As she spoke, she realized her heart was trembling, overwhelmed with joy, excitement, surprise, and emotion.

And before she stood this man, gently holding her hand, smiling slightly. “I’ll tell you when we get back.”

Shen Xifan returned home to find her father in the study, writing a report. She hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open and entering. “Dad, I want to talk to you about something.”

Her father put down his pen, took off his glasses, and smiled warmly. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

She squinted slightly, the upturned corners of her mouth revealing her small happiness. “Dad, I’ve fallen for someone. He’s a good person, and treats me well.” As the image of He Suye flashed in her mind, her smile grew wider.

Her father was naturally delighted. “That’s great! Tell me more about your boyfriend.”

Shen Xifan giggled, a little embarrassed. “Oh, Dad, you’ve met him. He’s that very handsome Chinese medicine doctor.”

“Really?” Her father wasn’t surprised at all and burst into hearty laughter. “It’s him! I thought you two looked good together when I saw you. That’s wonderful! He’s a fine young man.”

“But—” her smile faded as she spoke seriously, “But, I have to leave in a few days for a whole year, and my coursework will be very demanding. Honestly, I don’t have much confidence.”

“You’re worrying too much,” her father chuckled. “Is it yourself or him you don’t have confidence in? Is this about the past? Let bygones be bygones. A year isn’t that long, but it isn’t that short either.”

Shen Xifan bit her lip, remaining silent. Her father patted her shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. Since you’ve made this decision, you need to take responsibility for it. You’ve worked hard for so many years. If you give up now, you’ll regret it. And if you lose a relationship because of this, that man isn’t worth your love. This is a test for both of you.”

Her expression was serious, deep in thought. “That’s what I think too.”

Her father spoke earnestly, “Face life with calm. Let what will happen, happen. Don’t force it, but don’t run from it either. Life won’t be difficult for you if you do that.”

After their conversation, she returned to her room, lay quietly on her bed, and sighed softly, pressing a hand to her chest.

In truth, it wasn’t him she lacked confidence in but herself.

A year, separated by a vast distance—how many changes could occur? How could she bear such intense longing, waking each night with thoughts of him, not knowing where he was? She was no longer the girl who would recklessly pursue love. As an adult with responsibilities, there were too many things to consider. Standing at the brink of youth, she weighed the dwindling days of her young years.

Can I love freely again? she asked herself. That man, calm and composed, like green mountains and clear waters, always brought her an inexplicable sense of peace. His eyes were pure and serene, his palms warm, and he carried a faint scent of herbal medicine. His dimples when he smiled were deeply enchanting.

Her heart always fluttered when she saw him. She truly liked him, so why not try loving someone again?

The night outside was pitch black, but she no longer felt anxious or lonely. Even if she had to endure long nights with open eyes, she firmly believed that light would follow the darkness.

This was her faith.

A few days later, Shen Xifan was packing her luggage at home. Her mother repeatedly reminded her, “Take as much as you can. Things are expensive in America. You have to convert dollars to yuan, ten yuan is only worth one dollar.”

Shen Xifan agreed quickly, carefully placing some prescriptions in the most important book. Thinking of He Suye’s plan to visit Huatai Temple that afternoon to pray for a peace charm, she couldn’t help but take out the prescriptions again and look at them carefully.

His handwriting must have been practiced, as his signature was truly beautiful. It was strong yet graceful, steady but free, reflecting his character.

She lay on the floor, resting her head on the suitcase, foolishly smiling at those three characters. “I don’t want to go. What should I do?”

But this dream wasn’t something she could easily give up.

She knew this better than anyone. She knew He Suye understood too, which was why he was willing to watch her leave.

When Shen Xifan arrived at Huatai Temple, a familiar figure was already standing at the entrance. Despite having his left arm in a cast, and looking somewhat awkward, Suye’s nonchalant demeanor suggested he didn’t mind at all.

She suddenly remembered that every time she and He Suye arranged a time and place to meet, he always arrived before her, without exception.

When did he start getting used to waiting for her?

Meeting his smiling gaze, she couldn’t help but smile back, a warm feeling spreading to the depths of her heart. She reached out her hand proactively, “Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go in.”

In the afternoon, the temple had fewer people burning incense and praying. As they entered the main hall, a young monk greeted them with clasped hands. “The master invites the two benefactors to the back courtyard. Please follow me.”

Shen Xifan was a bit confused and quietly tugged at He Suye’s hand. “What is this? I’m not ready to converse with a high monk. I don’t know a thing about Buddhist doctrines.”

He Suye chuckled, “You don’t need to talk to him. The peace amulet needs to be blessed. My family knows the abbot here.”

She let out a sigh of relief, “One god in one place. When I go to America, I’ll need God’s blessing.”

“You little chatterbox—”Suye said affectionately, “Don’t say anything foolish later.”

Throughout the process, she didn’t pay attention to what He Suye and the abbot were discussing, nor did she understand what the so-called blessing entailed. But the tea they drank was very special, unlike any tea she had tasted before. The green tea had a faint yellow hue, served in white porcelain with blue floral patterns, and exuded a delicate bamboo fragrance, refreshing and pleasant.

This kind of tea was perfect for leisurely sipping on a slightly hot afternoon. The ancient temple, with its pine trees and bamboo chimes, added a mysterious aura to the tea—devout, tranquil, and calming.

As they walked out of the back courtyard, Shen Xifan couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of tea was that? Why did it have a faint bamboo scent?”

“Did you like it?” He Suye smiled gently, brushing a fallen leaf off her shoulder. “Let’s take a walk in the bamboo grove.”

The entire bamboo grove was filled with a subtle, refreshing fragrance, sweet and moist. The ground was covered with layers of sheaths and bamboo leaves, spread out like a green carpet, warm and comfortable, crunching softly underfoot.

Shen Xifan took a deep breath. “This scent is just like the aroma of that tea, lingering and fragrant. I love it!”

He Suye laughed and held out his hand to her, revealing a small bamboo leaf in his palm. “The tea you drank was bamboo leaf tea. Bamboo leaves are also used in traditional Chinese medicine, but I’m not sure about their use in tea.”

Curious, she took the bamboo leaf and examined it. “This is used in Chinese medicine? What does it treat?”

“It clears heat and alleviates irritability, promotes fluid production, and quenches thirst. Bamboo leaf hearts are particularly good for clearing heart fire and opening the orifices,” He Suye explained seriously. “In Chinese medicine, there are also light bamboo leaves, bamboo juice, and bamboo shavings, all of which have medicinal uses.”

“No wonder the tea had such a pleasant aroma. It can clear heat as well.” A gust of wind rustled the bamboo, blowing the leaf from Shen Xifan’s hand. She laughed, “Fallen leaves return to their roots.”

“Fallen leaves return to their roots—”Suye repeated the phrase thoughtfully, gently taking her hand. “Is there a deeper meaning behind your words?”

Shen Xifan grinned mischievously and enunciated each word carefully, “Yes, I mean myself.”

As they were leaving the temple, they noticed several stalls set up along the back wall, surrounded by a crowd. Curious, Shen Xifan pulled He Suye over to take a look.

It turned out to be a fortune teller setting up shop. She noticed that all the girls were gathered around one person, chattering excitedly. A young, pretty girl holding a fortune stick, presumably the fortune teller, saw them and called out, “The last free ‘Matchmaker’ fortune of the day goes to them.” There were sighs of disappointment from the crowd, but they made way for the two of them.

Shen Xifan looked at He Suye hesitantly, half-joking and half-serious, “Aren’t doctors usually atheists? What if I get a bad fortune, He Suye?”

The girl laughed, “It’s wise to listen to different perspectives. Besides, everything has two sides, don’t take it too seriously.”

Shen Xifan hesitated but then drew a fortune stick. She looked at it and saw the words “得其所哉” (“Finding one’s place”). Confused, she handed it to the girl, who widened her eyes in admiration, “Excellent fortune!”

The surrounding girls looked at them with envy. The fortune teller explained, “Finding one’s place. It means your marriage will be praised. During this rare opportunity, you should make your decision without hesitation. Hesitation will lead to missed opportunities.”

This explanation left Shen Xifan stunned, while He Suye turned his face away to hide his laughter. The girl then tossed the stick into her bag and waved, “I do three fortunes daily, starting at 4 PM. Come again.”

Shen Xifan muttered to herself, “Is this even accurate? It doesn’t seem very professional.”

Someone nearby chimed in, “Why wouldn’t it be? She’s in high demand and only does three readings a day. A friend recommended her to me, and I’ve been coming for three days but haven’t gotten a reading yet.”

She looked at He Suye for help. His eyes were bright, and he nodded with a smile, “I think it was pretty accurate.”

Alright then, it must be very accurate, she thought to herself with a secret smile.

Back at He Suye’s house, Shen Xifan busied herself making dinner while He Suye was in the study checking He Shouzhen’s homework.

During a break, He Shouzhen whispered, “Uncle, why were you holding hands with Sister Shen today? It must’ve been tough with one hand in a cast.”

Without looking up, Suye replied, “The plural of ‘glass’ is ‘glasses,’ and you spelled ‘visit’ wrong. You’ve been very distracted lately, little rascal.”

Unwilling to give up, He Shouzhen picked up a pencil and started doodling on He Suye’s cast. “Uncle, don’t change the subject. Holding hands is called dating, right? What’s this about ‘getting on the bus first and buying the ticket later’?”

Finally setting down his pen, Suye looked at him seriously, “Kid, when you take the bus, you get on first and then pay. ‘Buying the ticket later’ refers to the old days when buses had conductors. I can’t believe what they teach in elementary school these days.”

He Shouzhen seemed half-understanding, still puzzled when Shen Xifan called them for dinner. He muttered to himself, “It makes sense, but it still feels weird.”

After dinner, He Shouzhen went to the living room to watch TV, leaving just the two of them in the kitchen.

The sound of running water was loud in the kitchen as Shen Xifan washed dishes and pots. She frequently urged He Suye, “Go watch TV with the kid. I can handle the kitchen. Your hand shouldn’t get wet; it might affect the wound.”

He Suye smiled helplessly, “It’s not that serious. Whenever I get sick, you all stop treating me like a doctor.”

Shen Xifan pouted, “Dr. He, please view this incident with scientific rigor.” She then turned and gave He Suye a playful glance.

Distracted, she accidentally turned the faucet too far, causing water to splash all over her. Even her bangs were dripping with water. Despite the mess, Shen Xifan couldn’t help but laugh. “An incident! A typhoon has passed through!”

He Suye laughed as well, looking helpless. He grabbed some tissues and, since Shen Xifan’s hands were occupied, she obediently let him wipe her face. Her eyes sparkled with laughter, a mix of mischief and shyness. When He Suye’s hand brushed against her lips, a blush spread across her face like a delicate sunrise in May, both subtle and intense.

The lingering sensation on his hand was soft and gentle, like cotton candy. Was the taste also as sweet and fragrant as cotton candy? His heart skipped a beat. Just as he started to lean in slightly, the kitchen door burst open, and He Shouzhen shouted, “Sis, I want an ice cream!”

The intimate moment was shattered. He Suye turned and glared at He Shouzhen, who looked bewildered. He asked cautiously, “Uh—Uncle, can I have an ice cream? I promise I won’t complain if I get a stomach ache.”

Shen Xifan, seemingly unaware of the earlier tension, quickly responded, “Go ahead, but you can only have one.”

He Shouzhen hesitated, his big eyes blinking pleadingly. “Uncle—”

He Suye chuckled, “Why are you being so obedient today? All right, but only one.”

He Shouzhen waved his hand, indicating he had something to say to He Suye. Standing on tiptoe, he whispered in his ear, “Uncle, did I ruin your moment just now? You looked as angry as Dad does when he’s mad.”

Suye could only pat his head and hand him an ice cream. “Kids should stay innocent; otherwise, no one will love you.”

The kitchen quieted down again, the water flowing softly. Suddenly, Shen Xifan spoke, “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. Can you not come to see me off?”

“Why?” He Suye placed the chopsticks into the sterilizer and looked into her eyes.

“Because… if I see you, I won’t want to leave.” She quickly added, “It’s not that I don’t want you to come; I just can’t handle goodbyes.”

He Suye sighed softly, making Shen Xifan feel a pang of sadness. “I… I really can’t handle it. I’m afraid I’ll start crying and embarrass myself.”

After a long pause, he turned and said, “Silly girl, I understand. All right, I won’t come. Just make sure to call me before you leave.”

Facing away from her, Shen Xifan hugged him gently from behind and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Sorry for being so selfish, for not wanting you to see me one last time, but I’m too fragile to let you witness my helplessness and reluctance.

At the international departure hall of the airport, Shen Xifan’s mother and father accompanied her as she stood in line at the security checkpoint.

Her mother’s eyes were red, repeatedly reminding her daughter of various precautions. Her father stood silently by, only asking if she was hungry or thirsty.

Shen Xifan’s emotions were also unstable. She had never been away from home for so long; even her university was in a nearby city. This was her first time being separated from her parents, and she felt a pang of sadness. She tried to stay cheerful, cracking jokes to lighten the mood, but eventually, her voice choked up, and she could only stand quietly in line.

Suddenly, she felt as if someone was watching her. Instinctively, she turned to look around. Amidst the bustling crowd at the security checkpoint, she spotted him. He had promised not to come, so why was he here?

Her mind went blank. She had an overwhelming urge to run over and hug him. Just as she was about to take a step, her phone rang at the most inopportune moment. The message read, “Sorry, I came after all. Don’t turn around. Let me watch you leave. Remember, don’t look back. The view ahead is better.”

She smiled, her eyes already misty with tears. Despite this, she tried to appear strong, even though that minuscule strength crumbled completely with his arrival.

This man truly cared for her, so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his feelings to fulfill her dreams.

In the waiting lounge, as she watched planes take off one by one, Shen Xifan finally realized she was alone. For the next year, there would be no parents by her side, no He Suye to accompany her—she would have to rely solely on herself.

She needed to grow, to mature on her own.

Standing at the boarding gate,

her hand still gripped her phone. The screen blinked, indicating a new message. She opened it and saw it was from Qiu Tian: “Shen Xifan, leaving without telling us? That’s not cool. Anyway, because your seafood fried rice was so good, I’ll let you in on a secret. When you leave the pointy corner, don’t be sad, don’t cry. Because in every moment of despair for a good girl, miracles happen. Trust me.”

Walking down the long corridor, she saw through the green-tinted glass the bustling airport staff and service vehicles outside. Not far away, a China Airlines jet was taxiing to its designated runway.

Everyone has their journey, and their tasks to complete. Because life is short, one must painfully give up certain things and race against time.

The plane moved slowly down the runway. Suddenly, with a powerful thrust, it lifted off, overcoming the immense pull of gravity. Her back pressed heavily against the seat. Looking out the window, she saw the runway falling away, and soon the airport disappeared from view.

Her tightly wound nerves finally relaxed, and a single thought occupied her mind: she had left, truly left. What had previously only been a dream was now a reality.

Memories replayed like a movie: their first meeting, the first prescription he wrote for her, the prayer amulet he sought for her well-being, and his farewell. Scene after scene flashed by, unavoidable and overwhelming.

Yet, she did not cry, nor did she want to. But a clear liquid, beyond her control, slipped from her eyes.

He Suye, I miss you so much, so very much.

It seemed like a long time had passed when he opened his eyes. The walls were snowy white, and the air conditioner hummed softly against them. Before he could fully register his surroundings, a round head landed on the white sheets with a sobbing sound. “Uncle, you’re awake! I thought you wouldn’t wake up. You scared me!”

Then came the voice of Qiu Tian, part indulgent and part resigned. “Little rascal, your uncle just has a mild concussion. But he’s quite the sleepyhead. He’s just waking up now.”

He Su Ye let out a sigh of relief. “So, I’m in the hospital now. Which one?” He turned to find a cup.

He noticed He Shou Zheng’s red, grievance-filled eyes. Wanting to comfort him, He Su Ye realized his injuries prevented it.

He Shou Zheng handed it to him, and he took a look. “Examination: Blood pressure 105/60mmHg in the left arm, 110/60mmHg in the right arm, pulse 50 beats/min, respiration rate 13 times/min, temperature 35.7 degrees Celsius. The victim is lightly unconscious, with multiple wounds on the limbs and bleeding. There is bruising in the lower right limb. Physiological reflexes are present, but pathological reflexes are not elicited. X-ray examination revealed a fracture of the right radius and ulna shaft, 7 cm from the radial styloid process. MR imaging assisted in diagnosing a mild concussion. Treatment: Oxygen inhalation (5L/min), intravenous infusion of 5% glucose 250ml, monitoring blood pressure and adjusting infusion rate, wound cleaning, immobilization of fracture site.”

It wasn’t too serious, but it was still a major setback in his life.

Rarely seeing Qiu Tian so fussing, as if he hadn’t spoken for three days. “Do you know how long you’ve been asleep? The whole night! They only notified your dad at home, and haven’t dared to tell your elders yet. The little rascal came in the morning, saw you, and cried like crazy. Couldn’t calm him down, didn’t even go to class. And Fang Ke Xin, she was exhausted from bringing you back, lying in the duty room.”

He got up to pour himself a glass of water and continued chattering, “Li Jie and Su Shan are still on their honeymoon, nearly flew back in fright. Your boss came to see you once too. Wait!” He raised a finger. “What’s this?”

He Su Ye was puzzled. “One!”

Two fingers. “What’s this?”

“Two!”

Three fingers. “What’s one plus one?”

He couldn’t help but explode, though lacking in strength. “Two! Qiu Tian, why are you so boring? You didn’t even call a doctor or my family when I woke up. You’re sitting here talking nonsense, what are you so at ease about?”

Qiu Tian jumped up in fright. “I… I’ll tell you, don’t hit me! And don’t after either. I told Shen Xi Fan about it, I know you’ll scold me to death, but I couldn’t help it. If I didn’t tell her, I’d go crazy with guilt, I’d condemn myself, I’d become a villain for eternity. Don’t worry, don’t get up, she’s probably on her way now. Let me find a doctor for you first!” With that, he rushed out.

Leaving a bewildered He Shou Zheng and a conflicted He Su Ye behind. The child muttered to himself, “Uncle Qiu Tian is so bad. I almost fell for it. One plus one is two, why did I think it was three?”

The chief neurologist came for rounds, concluding after checking the situation, “Xiao He, you’re fine. Just external injuries, MRI is fine, but it’s better to stay in the hospital for observation.” Then he shrugged and smiled, “It’s the director’s orders, can’t do anything about it.” Then he left with a group of students.

Qiu Tian leaned against the clothes rack and joked, “It’s fortunate you didn’t injure your face, that would’ve been troublesome. Oh, by the way, your leg also has some scratches. Walking might be a bit difficult recently.” He rambled on, then suddenly noticed He Su Ye’s expression change. Following his gaze, he saw Shen Xi Fan standing at the door, sweating profusely, unsure whether to come in or leave.

The subsequent development left him speechless. Seeing He Su Ye staring blankly at her, Shen Xi Fan hesitated and stuttered, “Who am I? Do you still recognize me?”

Understanding immediately, Qiu Tian protested loudly, “I didn’t tell Shen Xi Fan you lost your memory! I didn’t, it wasn’t me. I only said you had a concussion. I’ll go out first. Shen Xi Fan, you have to help me out!” With that, he dragged He Shou Zheng out. “Why are you standing there like a lamp? You should uphold a good socialist sense of shame. Being a lamp is disgraceful.”

He Su Ye chuckled helplessly. “Girl, have you been watching too many Hong Kong and Taiwanese romantic dramas? Do you think every mild concussion leads to amnesia? Most of the concussion patients brought to the hospital each year don’t have amnesia. At most, it’s selective.”

As Shen Xi Fan approached him, her voice trembled. “You remember me, right? You’re not lying to me?” Her fingers lightly traced his casted left arm, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face, dropping onto the snowy white cast. Her body trembled incessantly. “You scared me, you scared me. I was afraid to come, afraid that if you lost your memory, you wouldn’t remember me. What would I do…”

Every slight tremor of her body seemed to etch lines in his eyes. So, he stood up and wrapped his arms around her with the arm that could move, cautiously, as if holding a fragile piece of crystal, delicate and silky, memories of warmth gradually surfaced, and his heart stirred, only to be shattered by her tears.

He Su Ye comforted her, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. I’m fine here. It’s okay now. I promise I’ll accompany you to get the amulet, and I won’t speak out of turn. I’m back now, don’t cry…”

This struck her even deeper. Shen Xi Fan burst into tears at his words. “You’re not keeping your promise. You said you’d come back. I want you to come back safely, how could you scare me like this…”

“Don’t cry, don’t cry… Girl, don’t cry, I…” He suddenly felt at a loss for words, realizing he wasn’t good at comforting others. He simply closed his mouth obediently and hugged her quietly, letting her cry.

After a while, Shen Xi Fan finally let out all her pent-up emotions, crying out her fears, anxieties, and grievances. With red-rimmed eyes, she looked at He Su Ye helplessly. “I… I… lost control of my emotions… I’m sorry…”

He smiled reassuringly, his face pale from blood loss. “I understand, I know. Please don’t cry anymore. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have broken my promise.”

Her face flushed rapidly, not knowing how to respond. At that moment, a nurse pushed the door open and called out, “Changing the dressing for Bed 3.”

Shen Xi Fan hurriedly broke free from his embrace, wiping away her tears, and watched as the nurse changed his bandages. Then she stammered, “He Su Ye, have you eaten? Are you hungry? Shall I go buy you something? Patients should eat congee, right?”

Qiu Tian poked his head in through the door crack and chuckled, “I want the seafood fried rice from Waterfront, with lobster bisque.”

He Shou Zheng thought for a moment. “I’ll have the McDonald’s Happy Meal, with the toy. Sister, make sure to ask for it. And also, get me another Thousand Layer Ice from Holyland, chocolate vanilla flavor.”

He Su Ye cleared his throat, reminding He Shou Zheng that he was pushing it a bit. Shen Xi Fan smiled gently, holding him back. “Kids, what’s with the fuss? Besides yours, whose food do you think I’m getting? I’ll bring everything together.”

“And Fang Ke Xin,” He Su Ye smiled, “I want the red date and wolfberry congee. Can you make it for me?”

Qiu Tian burst out laughing, teasing them both. “Ah the loving lunchboxes. Shen Xi Fan, let me teach you how to arrange wolfberries into a heart shape. How’s that?”

“Thanks, but no thanks!” Shen Xi Fan replied indignantly. Still, with moisture in her eyes, she looked half-angry and half-shy at Qiu Tian’s teasing, leaving He Su Ye momentarily stunned until He Shou Zheng called him several times before he snapped out of it.

He Shou Zheng looked at him plaintively and innocently, prompting Qiu Tian to quickly reassure him, “Your uncle is fine. It’s just a lingering effect of the concussion.”

Then people started to come to visit him.

His grandmother held his hand, still in shock. “Even though it’s a mild concussion, we were worried you might not wake up or have some aftereffects. Luckily, everything’s fine now.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, He Su Ye said, “Grandma, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

His grandfather still had a stern expression. “Take good care of yourself. We won’t disturb your rest. Su Ye, you handled this matter well. We don’t blame you.”

He found it a bit strange. “Where’s Dad? I haven’t seen him since I woke up.”

“He’s still in the operating room, there was a coronary artery bypass surgery this morning.” His grandfather explained, “Your dad’s work is too busy. Also, I heard you’re planning to go abroad.”

He nodded. “Yes, I’m considering it.”

His grandfather sighed. “According to Gu Lao, you’ve chosen cardiology.”

After some thought, He Su Ye replied, “I’ve discussed this with Dad. He’s read my master’s thesis and thinks specializing in atherosclerosis with a combination of Chinese and Western medicine has great potential.”

His grandfather nodded thoughtfully. “Since your dad agrees, there shouldn’t be any problems. Has the relationship between you two improved?”

He Su Ye smiled lightly. “Yes, it should have.”

After the family left, Shen Xi Fan appeared after a while, carrying various lunchboxes. Qiu Tian and He Shou Zheng were both asleep in their chairs. He Su Ye looked apologetic. “They’re exhausted. Have you eaten?”

She nodded. “I ate when I got home. This is the red date and wolfberry congee I made, of course, it’s not as good as yours. I’ll bring you something else later, chicken soup or bone broth?”

He Su Ye smiled. “Either is fine, I’m not picky.” Taking the spoon, he tasted the rich and sweet red date and wolfberry congee, making his appetite stir. He couldn’t help but smile. “There are longans and honey inside, right?”

“Um…” Shen Xi Fan explained nervously, “I specifically looked it up in books. Longan is good for nourishing the heart and spleen, replenishing blood, and calming the mind. Since you’ve lost blood, I thought it might be good to include something for making congee, right?”

He praised her repeatedly, “Hmm, delicious. Girl, your knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine is impressive. You can practically apply theory to practice.”

Shen Xi Fan sat beside him, leaning her head against her hand, smiling softly. The noon sunlight filtered through the trees, casting half of her shadow over her, covering his hand.

He felt as if she were still in his arms.

In the afternoon, he had just woken up and opened his eyes to see a familiar figure standing by the window, gazing absently at the scenery outside.

He spoke up, “Fang Ke Xin?”

Fang Ke Xin turned at the sound of his voice, somewhat surprised. “Senior Brother, you’re awake. I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“No.” He struggled to sit up, smiling gently. “I want to thank you for that day. You helped me a lot.”

Fang Ke Xin felt embarrassed. “It wasn’t much, as long as you’re okay.”

She smiled calmly, her eyes clear and bright. He Su Ye vaguely felt that she was different today, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. In the past, there seemed to be a complex emotion in her gaze when she looked at him, but now, it was absent.

“Senior Brother,” Fang Ke Xin blinked, “can I ask you a question?”

“Um, of course.”

“Do you like Shen Xi Fan?”

“Ah…” He Su Ye felt surprised, completely unexpected that it would be such a question. Then he chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed, “How did you both figure it out?”

She covered her mouth and laughed. “Qiu Tian was right. You two are clueless. Oh well, forget it, forget it. I was just asking. By the way, I heard you’re going abroad?”

“YeAh did Qiu Tian tell you that too?”

“YeAh he’s worried you might steal his job. He said he’s been having dreams lately where someone whispers in his ear, ‘Xiao Tian Tian, you’ve run out of talent, make way for Comrade Xiao He’.”

He Su Ye was speechless. “That guy… My research direction is completely different from his. Why would he say such nonsense?”

“Senior Brother, does Shen Xi Fan know that you’re going abroad?”

“She probably doesn’t know. By the way, none of you told her, right?”

“No one dared to say a word against your wishes. Oh, I’m about to go back to school. My supervisor is looking for me.”

“Alright, go back and rest well. I’m fine now. Thank you.”

Fang Ke Xin chuckled softly, turning to leave. Suddenly, she paused at the door, her hand gripping the handle but not turning it.

“Senior Brother, I’m leaving. You must be happy.”

Her voice was low, her tone light, but it carried the weight lifted off her shoulders, with a hint of playful reluctance. As He Su Ye suddenly realized, although she stood before him, there was a distance between them, a feeling of letting go.

Thus, this girl had finally moved on and grown up overnight.

“Fang Ke Xin!” he hurriedly called out, “Actually, Qiu Tian, he—”

Before he could finish, she interrupted with a light laugh. “Stop! Stop! People who are clueless about their feelings have no right to talk about others. Senior Brother, I’m leaving.” With a wave of her hand, she closed the door gently.

From now on, we will all be happy. I believe it and always have.

In the evening, Shen Xi Fan came to see him. He Su Ye was browsing the internet, with the Pennsylvania University page open. Shen Xi Fan leaned over curiously, then immediately recoiled, “Oh my, it’s in English again. If I keep looking, I’ll go completely crazy.”

He took the opportunity to grab her hand. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

She froze for a moment, then mumbled, “Um, He Su Ye, can you please not hold my hand while you talk? It’s putting pressure on me.”

He Su Ye gently released her hand, looking straight into her eyes. “Girl, can you, seriously consider my request?”

It was a confession devoid of any creativity, not even an “I like you,” simple and plain but sincere.

But for Shen Xi Fan, all confessions were eclipsed by his request. His sincere inquiry, tinged with tentative tones, respected her wishes. Such respect implied an “I am fortunate if I get it, it’s not my destiny if I don’t” attitude. Regardless of the outcome, this man would silently accept it.

Such a man should bring her the long-lost sense of security.

But suddenly, Shen Xi Fan had the urge to tease him. This man, his feelings were buried too deep, too good, always so calm and composed, never seen him flustered or confused.

She lowered her eyelids, avoiding his gaze, and hesitated for a moment, “Consider what? There’s nothing to consider…”

He Su Ye’s expression subtly changed. He had silently repeated that sentence in his mind countless times. Even when he finally uttered it, his heart remained in turmoil. He detested uncertainty, but this time he had to take a gamble. Shen Xi Fan’s response made his already uncertain heart grow colder.

However, to his surprise, she smiled afterward. “What are you considering? Dr. He, I just had a good cry today and still didn’t manage to let you know that I like you. I must be a failure at being a person! Do you have to make me say it so directly?”

He Su Ye’s mouth hung slightly open, feeling as if a thousand flowers were blooming in his heart. He wanted to speak but didn’t know where to start. “I…”

Shen Xi Fan turned her face away, feeling a bit bold just now. She had never spoken so frankly in her entire life. Today was an exception — all because of this clueless man.

The atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous, filled with a sweet fragrance.

His fingers gently wrapped around hers, firm and warm, as if conveying a silent vow.

“He Su Ye, I thought you already understood. You got me all excited for nothing.”

“I didn’t mean to. At lunch, Qiu Tian and the others were around, so I couldn’t ask. Besides, if you didn’t say it clearly, how could I know?”

“He Su Ye…”

“Yes?”

“I saw that book. When did you write those prescriptions?”

“Ah… Oh, I wrote them last time when I escorted you home. I have your previous medical records, and for those prescriptions, some I’m certain about, while others I marked with a question mark. If you need to get the medicine, we’ll have to adjust them according to your actual symptoms.”

“By the way, you seemed nervous just now, right? What a lame confession!”

“Sorry, it’s the first time I’ve said such a thing. I don’t have much experience…”

Walking in the hospital garden, He Su Ye felt Shen Xi Fan’s hand was a bit cold. He knew she always had this constitution, with cold hands and feet no matter the season.

Longan, wolfberry, red dates — all were foods for nourishing blood and qi. The porridge she cooked for him by hand, he would also make a bowl for her after he was discharged from the hospital. Perhaps there would only be a few chances left because even if they both went to the United States, they would still be far apart.

In this bustling city, with the streetlights shining, the night streets resembled a huge black-and-white sculpture, with many streetlights illuminating, many tall buildings contrasting, and many ambiguous figures bustling about, becoming a flowing scenery of the city. Yet they held hands quietly in a corner of the city, warming each other.

Just one more year, he thought, wanting to hold her hand in a season of fireworks and flourishing grass, to say to her, to the heavens, in front of everyone, “I do.”

Yes, I do. To accompany you through the long years, to witness all the changes, that would surely be the best thing.

After hanging up the phone, He Suye couldn’t help but laugh and stood there dumbfounded for a while, until a child tugged at his sleeve, “Big brother, I have something to ask you.”

He was startled, almost dropping his phone. An elderly lady nearby chuckled and said, “Young man, calling your wife, right?”

Just as he was about to explain, another middle-aged man chimed in, “Young man, not used to being here, right? Still have a wife and son at home, can’t bear to leave, huh? We trouble you!”

Immediately someone shouted, “Dr. He got married! When he came two years ago, he was still alone. Why didn’t he reveal any news during these few days? According to etiquette, we should treat everyone!”

People who knew him around started teasing him. Some familiar doctors smirked secretly, leaving him standing there foolishly, attempting to speak several times but swallowing his words.

Forget it, let the misunderstanding be, he quite enjoyed it.

The mountainous area was impoverished, and traditional Chinese medicine was popular here. Despite being deeply rooted for many years, it was inexpensive and claimed to cure all ailments.

Poverty also brought many difficulties and hardships. The mother of a young boy had been bedridden for several months, suffering from persistent dizziness, declining vision, forgetfulness, and insomnia. She couldn’t speak it out in front of her son but pleaded with He Suye secretly, “Doctor, my family is poor. Can you prescribe cheaper medicine? My child still needs to go to school.”

He felt uncomfortable hearing this. He initially thought to cross out “Lu Jiao Shuang,” “Gui Jiao Ban,” and “Ajiao,” then paused, and carefully circled them, intending to tell the pharmacist that he would cover the cost of these medicines.

Outside, the young boy carefully examined the prescription, eagerly pestering He Suye about the effects of each medicine. With naive, longing eyes, he said, “Big brother, I want to study medicine in the future, study traditional Chinese medicine, and become a doctor.”

He smiled and continued to explain, “Coix seed, diuresis, and swelling reduction, invigorating the spleen, clearing heat, and detoxifying. Your mother has spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation, edema, and abdominal distension, so Coix seed is used with Atractylodes and Astragalus. Besides, your mother also has moderate anemia.”

The young boy’s eyes welled up with tears, not saying a word but staring blankly at the high threshold. He Suye forced a smile, “You’re still very lucky. Big brother will help your mother get better.”

Back at his residence, a colleague informed him that villagers had sent several fish, a pot of chicken soup, and a few jars of rice wine, saying there were no decent gifts for Dr. He’s wedding, so they had to make do. He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Colleagues also took the opportunity to tease him, saying that several young nurses at the hospital had secretly admired him for a long time.

He chuckled, neither confirming nor denying it. Fang Kexin joked beside him, “Senior Brother was very popular back in school. When he was interning, several departments fought to have him. They said taking a photo with him would make good publicity.”

He Suye still maintained an indifferent demeanor. “I’ll go check if the medicines are ready over there and then deliver them.”

Fang Kexin explained, “I’ve already sent the prescriptions we got back earlier. They said someone from their family would pick them up later. Also, we have to administer vaccines to children tomorrow. All the syringes are with the team leader. I just checked.”

At that moment, He Suye noticed the bandage wrapped around Fang Kexin’s hand, a faint red seeping through. He quickly asked, “What happened to your hand? Did you bump into something?”

Fang Kexin hesitated for a moment. “I accidentally grazed a nail while moving the medicine box.”

“Remember to get a tetanus shot to prevent infection, no matter what. Take care of the wound properly,” he sighed, carefully examining the wound. “Girls shouldn’t be doing such strenuous tasks. Tomorrow’s vaccine injection, I’ll go.”

A colleague who was recording overheard and also advised her, “Dr. Fang, you’ve been working hard these past few days, doing just as much as us men, even handling meals. Take a break, don’t exhaust yourself.”

He Suye smiled, “Fang Kexin, so it’s true what Qiu Tian said, that you work like crazy! No wonder you were so outstanding academically. First, take care of your hand properly, then we’ll talk.”

She nodded lightly, pondering for a moment. “I’ll go urge them to finish the medicine and check on dinner. Excuse me.” She got up and left, lowering her head so that no one would notice her occasional expression.

A single nail, a small wound, yet it earned him the same care as he would give to an ordinary patient. But it wasn’t the cherished care he showed to Shen Xifan. She should just give up hope.

She knew who had called him, the one person who could evoke such expressions from him. Even in front of Zhang Yiling, he didn’t show the same dedication and warmth, all of it now flooding back.

Such a gentleman, would also foolishly tumble into love, unable to extricate himself.

And oneself, would also foolishly fall into what is called the poison of love. She always thought that He Suye’s injury from love was just temporary pain, and she, always the closest person by his side, could forgive him for not liking her because he wouldn’t like anyone else either. But how could he fall for someone else now?

Fate, she and him, it’s a doomed fate.

The signal in the mountainous area was indeed poor. He sent a message to Shen Xifan but didn’t receive a reply for a long time, so he reluctantly threw his phone away and went to sit in the yard.

Outside the house, there was a gloomy and stuffy heat, the air clinging to the body like melted syrup, somewhat sickly sweet. Suddenly, a gust of wind slammed the wooden door open, dust flying, and then fine, dense raindrops fell. Immediately, a neighbor shouted, “Doctor, it’s going to rain heavily, you need to bring back those medicinal herbs in your yard.”

He Suye thought to himself, this rain was a sign of heavy rain, it would probably continue tomorrow, and work would be much harder.

Suddenly remembered the agreement with Shen Xifan—to help her get a protective charm before leaving.

Hoping to help her seek a lifetime of safety and happiness. Having seen so many people separated by fate, tasted the pain of losing loved ones, in this world, nothing touched him more than the words ‘safety’. He could disregard whom she liked, but he genuinely hoped for her safety.

His thoughts seemed to be noticed at some point, no matter how well hidden they were, they were betrayed by that book.

But if he were to study abroad in the United States, he also had this opportunity. Since she always liked to walk in front, then he would walk one meter behind her, giving her freedom and space, and if she needed it, he would be within reach.

Sure enough, the next day the heavy rain continued, with a trend of getting worse. The original plan was to have the children come to the clinic for vaccinations, but now it had to be changed to doctors providing home services.

The leading doctor joked, “We should carry a straw hat and a first aid kit, it feels like going to war.”

Someone next to him chimed in, “Field army, we are Liu Deng’s army, ready to advance into the Dabie Mountains.”

Fang Kexin helped prepare tea for them and reminded them, “The rain is heavy and the road is slippery, be careful.”

He Suye quietly pulled aside an intern, “Let’s switch places, it’s not easy to walk in the rain, and we have to cross a mountain here. Do you think that’s okay?”

The intern was flattered, “Ah—okay, okay.”

With such heavy rain, just an umbrella couldn’t provide enough cover, soon his shoulders were all wet, his pant legs covered in mud, and he felt as if he were soaked in water, unable to catch his breath.

The foundation of the mountain was unstable, stepping on it didn’t feel solid at all, and the rain-washed soil exposed many small stones, mud, and water rushing down along the terrain. He was extremely cautious with every step, taking more than half the usual time to arrive.

After finishing all the house visits, it was already dark. The local young men offered to take him back, he wanted to decline, but couldn’t resist the enthusiasm of the young man, “My mother-in-law’s house is nearby, I’ll stay there tonight.”

They talked as they walked, He Suye kept asking about the local health conditions, and the young man didn’t hold back. Suddenly, when they reached halfway up the mountain, they heard a child’s cry for help, “Help! Help!”

The desperate cry tore through the night sky, startling them both. The young man cautiously asked, “It seems to be coming from the east, should we go take a look?”

The voice became fainter and hoarser, sounding even more chilling on this rainy day, but they were getting closer to the source. With the light of the flashlight, the young man shouted, “Over here, over here! A child!”

Both hands gripping the broken stones and mud tightly, blood flowing down his arms, the slope of the mountain was very steep, one wrong step and it wouldn’t be a joke. The child was terrified, staring wide-eyed at them, unable to even shout for help.

He Suye cautiously approached the steep slope, softly comforting him, “It’s okay, big brother will pull you up.” He reached out to pull him up, and the young man quickly took the child from the side, shining the flashlight to check, couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, “Luckily it’s just a flesh wound, nothing serious…”

The last “thing” hadn’t been said yet when He Suye suddenly felt his feet go weak. A force, irresistible and natural, stripped away all the strength from his body, and he was airborne. The young man turned back, startled, “Dr. He, be careful!” reaching out to grab him, but he along with the mud and stones cascading down, disappeared in the pouring rain in an instant.

It was already dark, the rain gradually subsided, and the medical team’s doctors returned one by one. Everyone was soaked, with rainwater streaming from their trouser legs to their cuffs. One doctor exclaimed, “We’ve never been so thoroughly drenched even in a sauna! It feels amazing, to be honest!”

Fang Kexin handed them towels and hot tea, instructing them, “Take a hot bath, I’ll have the kitchen prepare some red date ginger tea for you, to dispel the cold! And we’ll cook some Job’s tears porridge tonight, the weather here is too damp, it helps to promote diuresis and reduce swelling.”

Others sighed, “Having a female doctor with us is nice, attentive, treating us like patients.”

Fang Kexin smiled embarrassedly, her eyes drifting away, strong winds accompanied by fine raindrops, wetting her hair completely, she reached to touch it, her palms icy cold, blood seeping through the previously bandaged wound.

Helping out in the kitchen, she couldn’t sit down or stand still, a bad premonition gradually emerged in her mind, sourness rising in her stomach, suppressing the urge to vomit, she tasted a bit of porridge, and then dropped the spoon, pulled out her phone and pressed the familiar number.

No one answered, which made her even more afraid. She kept reassuring herself, perhaps she was being too sensitive. As the saying goes, worrying leads to chaos. He Suye must be fine, maybe just delayed by something. Perhaps in the next second, he would come knocking on the door.

The Job’s tears in the pot bubbled, one minute, ten minutes, twenty minutes passed, and she felt she couldn’t hold on any longer, restlessness, anxiety, and panic wove into a dense web, making it hard for her to breathe and think.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the courtyard, someone shouting, “Doctors, something’s happened! Call 120 quickly!”

Her body trembled heavily, a chill ran from the soles of her feet to her brain, she hurriedly threw off her apron and ran out of the kitchen. In the courtyard, two or three locals were pulling doctors outside, “Dr. He, they’ve found him, but he’s unconscious now, with several bruises on his body. We dare not move him, afraid of causing more harm, so we just got a few people to watch over him.”

For a moment, the pain was so intense that she couldn’t breathe. But the alertness of being a doctor made her immediately sober, “I’m going too!”

The few hundred meters from the clinic to the village seemed never-ending, distant without end. Everything around was shrouded in mist and rain. She had to run with all her might, running as if every second missed was missing a lifetime.

Her mind was in a daze, and only one thought lingered in her mind: He Suye, as long as you’re okay, as long as you’re okay if heaven asks me to give up everything, I’m willing.

At the village entrance, several people were gathered. Seeing them coming, they were overjoyed, “The doctor is here, the doctor is here!”

The leading doctor rushed forward, she followed suit, the scene before her almost made her unable to hold back tears. The experienced doctor took a look, “Concussion, abrasions, no major injuries apparent from the outside, but not sure about internal bleeding or brain displacement. We can’t make the best plan yet.”

The man, eyes closed, looked as if he were asleep, but gave her the illusion that he would never wake up. Fear, despair, chilling to the bone, unable to breathe, even consciousness wasn’t very clear, a blurry vision of darkness.

All they could do was pray for the ambulance to arrive quickly.

After some time, suddenly the sound of sirens made everyone alert, and then the ambulance arrived. Several doctors came down with a stretcher, lifting He Suye onto it. She jumped on as well, “I’m the most familiar with him, I’ll go.”

The rain had already made her unable to open her eyes, but she tried to keep them open as she watched the doctor take his blood pressure and pulse. Her mind was buzzing with noise, and she desperately told herself, to stay calm, stay calm, quickly call Qiu Tian.

Pulling out her phone, she struggled to press the number, and Qiu Tian quickly answered on the other end, “Fang Kexin, what’s wrong? I’m on duty.”

Like a piece of driftwood caught in a raging river, she finally had someone to rely on. A fierce pain erupted from all over her body, pushing her to the brink of collapse, shaking violently, and even her teeth chattered, “Qiu Tian, quickly, went to the Military District General Hospital, something’s happened to He Suye, no major external injuries, currently unconscious, needs further diagnosis. Also, inform his father.”

Qiu Tian, after all, was experienced, “I got it, calm down, I’ll go right away, don’t panic!”

After all, it was a military hospital, and the emergency response was fast. When He Suye was diagnosed, it was just a mild concussion and fractures. He was immediately taken to the VIP ward. Everything depended on the patient waking up.

At this moment, Fang Kexin’s strength was completely drained. Leaning against the wall, she slid down slowly. She told herself not to cry, not to cry, but she was already exhausted, unable to hold on any longer. The pain in her heart was unbearable, everything was hazy, tears streaming down her face.

The pain she had endured for so long dissipated upon hearing the news of his safety.

As long as he was safe, as long as he was happy, there was nothing she couldn’t compromise or give up. Isn’t this the form of loving someone? As long as he was safe and happy, she could be happy too.

Until someone gently called out to her, “Fang Kexin, Fang Kexin, don’t cry, he’s fine, he’s fine.”

She refused to look up, her voice hoarse, “I know, I just can’t control myself. Qiu Tian, let me be quiet for a moment.”

Qiu Tian sighed, but said nothing, standing quietly on the side. The corridor was empty, with only the two of them. The door to He Suye’s ward opened and closed, with no one paying attention to them.

After a while, Fang Kexin spoke up, “Qiu Tian, Shixiong, do you like Shen Xifan?”

“Yeah.”

“Call her, tell her Shixiong’s in trouble, he must want to see her most now. Maybe he’ll wake up when he knows she’s here. Right now, I just want him to wake up. Then, whether he ignores me or continues to treat me as a little sister, I don’t care anymore.”

“Miss, it’s already midnight. I’ll call her tomorrow for sure.”

“Qiu Tian—”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think Shen Xifan likes Shixiong? Will she hurt him again like Senior Zhang Yiling did?”

“I don’t know. But your Shixiong is suffering a lot because he likes her.”

“Qiu Tian, if I call Shen Xifan, Shixiong won’t blame me, will he? Given his personality, he definitely wouldn’t want to see her sad. But what if he gets angry and ignores me? What should I do?”

“Maybe your Shixiong will be secretly happy about it, you never know.”

“Qiu Tian, if Shixiong likes Shen Xifan and she likes him back, that would be great.”

“What about you?”

“I—what can I do? In the love story of two people, there’s always no shortage of supporting roles, and there’s always no need for supporting roles. When the curtain falls, besides smiling and leaving the stage, there’s no other choice.”

“Fang Kexin, don’t say that, it hurts to hear.”

“Qiu Tian—”

“Yeah?”

“I’m hungry…”

That’s it, she told herself. Waiting any longer was meaningless. How many years could a woman spend waiting for someone who would never set their sights on her? The recklessness of youth was gone, her youth had been squandered on an unrequited love, and there was little left. Her life was still long, and she would meet a man who loved her, cherished her, and protected her.

Unrequited love is the most painful thing in the world, but it’s also the most blissful. After all, at that time, we have no regrets about loving someone—a person who is unique to us.

In the end, we smile and bless him, even if we linger, even if it hurts, even if the smile is forced, we still let go.

But we all know that loving him was the best thing we ever did.

“A true hero dares to face the bleakness of life and confront the flowing blood.”

Her fingers traced over those few photos, and Shen Xifan smiled, sitting on the floor talking to herself, with a box in front of her.

They were all memories of her first love—letters, birthday gifts, photos, photo booth pictures, keychains, matching couple pendants on their phones, stars, and paper cranes folded for him. She had once said that if he ever didn’t want her anymore, she would burn these things. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it, because she always hoped that he would come back.

“All those letters, those vows written on paper, are just a performance.” Promises may seem beautiful, but they don’t always last forever. But having had them is enough.

Finally able to let go, she silently said to Yan Heng, “Even though you caused me pain, the happiness and joy of those years were real. I’ve never regretted loving you. It was the best thing I did when I was young. You taught me how to love someone, and then taught me how to grow.”

“Thank you, that’s why I dare to love someone else.”

At the café by the riverbank, with delicious scoops of ice cream decorated with chocolate and strawberries, Shen Xifan sighed inwardly. After so many years since their breakup, the person across from her still remembered her preferences.

But the atmosphere was somewhat chilly. The usually composed man seemed a bit lost. “Shen Xifan, are you going to study abroad?”

She nodded with a smile. “Yes, I am going to study abroad. Is there something you want to say?”

Yan Heng’s lips curled slightly, exuding a faint bitter taste. “Do you still hate me? Blame me? I just wanted to ask if you could give me a chance. I’m willing to wait however long it takes.”

“I’m sorry,” she said with difficulty. “Between you and me, it’s no longer possible.”

Finally, those words were spoken.

A sense of fatigue and desolation appeared on his face. Shen Xifan looked up, repeating sincerely, “I’m sorry!”

She cursed herself inwardly. Rejecting someone took courage, and she was the least able to speak up. She didn’t want to face it, or rather, she didn’t want to utter those three words “I’m sorry,” because she knew firsthand how much hurt they carried, and she didn’t want to inflict that on someone else.

Lowering her eyelids, she continued to explain, “Actually, I don’t hate you. I used to ask myself whether I hated you more or loved you more. I asked myself for several years. Now I finally understand that without love, there is no hate. Yan Heng, do you know, I used to feel like I was so far away from you, always chasing after your footsteps? I used to feel so insignificant in front of you. But now, I realize that I can look at you calmly. So…”

“No need to go on,” he interrupted, his voice thick with sourness. “I should be the one to apologize. It’s all my fault. Even now, I know I don’t have the right to ask you to come back to me. It’s just that I know my feelings. Three years ago, I regretted deeply in America once, so I wanted to take a chance on myself again. Finally, I overestimated my place in your heart.”

Shen Xifan smiled bitterly. “Let’s not talk about the past.”

He smiled faintly, not knowing where to start. “Alright, let’s not.”

He got up to pay the bill, but when he turned back, Shen Xifan was no longer there, leaving only a piece of paper on the table.

“As the flowers fall in the night, I am about to embark on a journey. I offer you a lamp of my heart, reluctant to part. Farewell, with longing; from now on, memories are better than meetings.”

With trembling eyes, filled with self-mockery and pain from the depths of his heart—reckless in his youth, he had failed her. Looking back now, she was no longer in the same place, nor could he face her.

This was the best ending, but he hoped she would be happy. He had already gone too far, and she couldn’t wait forever. He had known all along, regretting not treasuring her and letting happiness slip through his fingers.

Being the most familiar stranger, from now on, memories were better than meetings.

He had once loved her, and he still loved her now. He never regretted it. It was the best thing, he knew, to have had a girl who loved him deeply by his side, dedicating her most precious youthful years to him.

From this moment on, there was a shadow in his heart, making him quietly reminisce, that even if the night was dark again, he wouldn’t feel lonely.

In the city of May, at the beginning of summer, Shen Xifan walked on the street, enjoying the gently warm sunlight.

She lifted the corners of her mouth, silently murmuring “goodbye,” embracing the gentle breeze. She felt the sunshine was pleasant, melancholy fading away, the last trace of bitterness evaporating, leaving only a faint shadow, buried deep in her heart.

Such a day should be called “Banxia,” half of the summer, with some lingering warmth, yet not restless.

A very tender name.

If He Suye knew, he would tell her, “Banxia is a traditional Chinese medicine, divided into Ginger Banxia, Law Banxia, Banxia Qu, and Zhuli Banxia. It dries dampness, transforms phlegm, reverses counterflow, stops vomiting, and disperses accumulation. There are formulas like Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang and Banxia Houpo Tang.”

Shen Xifan chuckled at the occupational disease of doctors — but where was he now? It had been a long time since she had seen him.

She wanted to buy some summer clothes and a few more clothes for her parents, considering it the last filial piety she could do as a daughter before leaving.

While picking out shirts for her father in the men’s clothing section, Shen’s mother kept nagging, “Your father likes to wear pure cotton, but every time it needs to be machine washed, it balls up quickly.” Then she picked up a deep blue one, “Your father doesn’t like light colors, he insists on wearing dark ones.”

Shen Xifan secretly chuckled, she planned to buy her father a big red T-shirt from the sports store, to let him feel youthful.

Suddenly, she saw a white shirt, simple in style, but with a high price tag, just like the one He Suye wore at Li Jie’s wedding. That day, he just wore an ordinary white shirt and a suit, because Qiu Tian warned him not to overshadow the groom, but in her eyes, no one outshined him, just a faintly restrained temperament, naturally exquisite, truly captivating her.

Checking her phone, she found no messages or missed calls, she sighed slightly, feeling a subtle sense of loss.

He just said he was going to the mountainous area, without telling her the exact time. She felt a vague unease, unconsciously worrying about him.

Back home, her aunt’s family came to visit, only her young nephew was absent. Her sister-in-law sighed, “He said he felt uncomfortable in his stomach after dinner tonight, felt like vomiting, so I didn’t let him come. I’ll buy some medicine for him on my way back, if it doesn’t improve, we’ll have to go to the emergency room.”

Shen’s mother felt sympathetic, “Vomiting, it’s neither minor nor major. By the way, why not go see a traditional Chinese doctor.” Then she seemed to remember something, “I have many prescriptions at home, I’ll have Fanfan bring them for you to see.”

Shen Xifan was puzzled, “When did I see so many traditional Chinese doctors? It was just one for insomnia and one for fever.”

Shen’s mother explained, “Oh—there’s a stack of prescriptions tucked in that book, someone handed it to you a few days ago, saying it was borrowed from you. I later found many prescriptions tucked inside, thinking they might be yours, so I just casually placed it on the bookshelf for you.”

Shen Xifan widened her eyes in disbelief, “Wait, let me go find it!”

In that book of traditional Chinese medicine, there was a thick stack of prescriptions, carelessly piled among a stack of reference books. If it weren’t for Shen’s mother reminding her, she would have surely overlooked it.

She flipped through them one by one, each carefully marked: “Cold,” “External Fever,” “Cough,” “Stomachache,” “Vomiting,” “Weakness,” “Headache,” with a physician’s signature at the bottom: He Suye.

Only the prescriptions, no other notes, she flipped through all the pages, but there was not a word left behind. She hurriedly ran to the living room and asked Shen’s mother, “When was this book delivered?”

Shen’s mother took the prescription from her, without looking up, “About five days ago, when you went to your grandmother’s house. I forgot to tell you afterward, as one grows old, memory fails — oh, here it is, for treating vomiting and acid reflux.”

Shen Xifan leaned over to look, reading aloud, “Sudden vomiting, accompanied by fever and chills, headache and body pains — Huoxiang Zhengqi San; Vomiting sour and fetid, belching and loss of appetite — Baohe Wan; Vomiting acid and sour, fullness in the chest and hypochondria — Sinisan combined with Banxia Houpo Tang.”

Shen’s mother smirked, “Is this young man a doctor? He doesn’t look like one at all. How do you know such a handsome person? What’s your relationship with him?”

She stuttered, “No, no relationship, just friends.”

After Shen Xifan finished speaking, her heart raced fiercely, almost losing control. She couldn’t stop asking herself, why did he do this, why did he care for her so attentively, quietly, could it be—

A thought flashed through her mind like lightning, this realization made her tremble incessantly, both scared and excited.

Her sister-in-law looked at the prescriptions, “Why don’t I go to the pharmacy in the community and get the medicine first? It might close if we’re late.”

Shen Xifan jumped up suddenly, “I’ll go, I’ll go, I’m familiar with this area, it’s better if I go.”

After another round of excuses, Shen’s father stepped in, “Let Fanfan go, she hasn’t been out much recently, she’s gained weight.”

Walking down the familiar paths, walking home side by side with him, reaching a split in the road at the heart of the community, one turning left, the other right. She never looked back at He Suye’s figure, perhaps because she used to be truly dull, more precisely, blinded by one’s prejudices.

Unknowingly, He Suye entered her life. To her, he was a skilled and compassionate doctor, a friend with whom she could share everything. She felt fortunate to have met such a person in her lifetime but had never considered the relationship between them.

Or perhaps, her feelings towards him — because she was too used to having someone by her side, she always felt everything was taken for granted.

It was only after looking at Banxia that she felt disappointed, the brown spherical object, was nothing like what she had seen before. If it weren’t for the leaf, if it weren’t for the stem, what was this round thing?

Finally, the pharmacist saw her distrustful gaze and explained, “This is Law Banxia, whereas Prepared Banxia is made from the rhizome.”

He Suye had told her before not to judge things by their appearance, Chinese medicine might look unremarkable, but its effects were immense, yet she felt that such a nice name was wasted.

Banxia — it should be like this, blowing a fan and not feeling hot, or cool in the morning and evening, ice cream just released, fruits and vegetables quietly changing seasons, warm, tender, just like how Banxia is defined in traditional Chinese medicine: pungent and warm.

Watching the pharmacist skillfully preparing the medicine, she suppressed a smile, He Suye, how should I describe you?

In the end, she couldn’t help but turn to his apartment downstairs, knowing full well he wasn’t there, yet standing there alone for a long time, foolishly staring.

In the past, the orange light from his window sill would pierce through the thick darkness, casting a warm glow. Every time she came, she would see it as if there was a telepathic connection, she would have a feeling of being awaited.

Turns out, he had been waiting for her for too long.

But now, in the pitch-black darkness, she was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling called longing. It’s not that she hadn’t experienced lovesickness, or missed someone, but never before had she felt longing so sudden, catching her off guard.

It was like winning a jackpot that hit her head, leaving her dizzy. She couldn’t sleep at night because of excitement, waking up in the middle of the night to make sure the prize hadn’t been taken away.

Shen Xifan smiled foolishly as she carried the bag of Chinese medicine, but her heart was filled with a lingering sadness. Could it be that I’m being too presumptuous? He Suye always seemed fine, and very amiable. What place do I hold in his heart after all?

She couldn’t help but send him a message, just asking when he would be back. But after waiting for a long time, there was still no reply. She set her phone to vibrate and unknowingly fell asleep in a daze.

When she woke up in the morning, her phone was still empty, and so was her heart, instantly feeling desolate.

Burying her head in her arms weakly, she let out a long sigh, the long-lost feeling of longing pouring out uncontrollably, almost overwhelming her.

She went to the temple to burn incense, according to Shen’s mother, it’s called making a vow. Praying for safety before leaving.

Strolling through the courtyard, she savored the magnificent architecture of the temple, admired the exquisite sculptures of the deities, and appreciated the still colorful murals, allowing the ancient music of the temple, which had experienced vicissitudes, to brush over her soul. Devoutly, she even restrained her breath, lightening her footsteps.

The elderly with white hair, holding long joss sticks, were just praying for their children’s safety; the middle-aged women kowtowing were just praying for their children’s success in their studies and their husbands’ good health. She prayed for her parents’ safety and well-being.

And there was He Suye. She prayed for his safe return.

In the end, she couldn’t help but give him a call.

At that moment, Shen Xifan was in the woods behind the temple, where there weren’t many trees, but abundant bamboo, lush and verdant, rustling in the breeze. Many elderly people were meditating, her voice was very light, very low, but it couldn’t hide her joy.

It seemed very lively where He Suye was, she could hear the whistling wind and bustling voices. She couldn’t help but ask curiously, “He Suye, it’s so noisy, what’s going on?”

A clear voice came from the other side, “I’m talking to you with my phone clipped between my ear and shoulder right now. Both my hands are busy with needles. This patient has had arthritis for several years, and recently it’s been damp here, with a strong wind, seems like it’s going to rain heavily.”

Shen Xifan felt embarrassed, “Am I bothering you then? Should I hang up?”

“It’s okay, where are you now?”

“Huatai Temple, there’s a large bamboo forest behind it, the air is very fresh. My mom said to make a vow before leaving for safety. By the way, when are you coming back?”

“Another three days, did you get a protective charm? The protective charms blessed by the abbot here are very effective.”

“I didn’t even know such a thing existed! No, I didn’t.”

“Don’t worry, wait for me to come back, we’ll go together, alright?”

Her heart pounded hard, “Okay, by the way, I messaged you yesterday, why didn’t you reply?”

He Suye sounded surprised, “When was that? I didn’t receive it, the signal here is too poor, I have to move around to get it.”

Shen Xifan smiled, “Come back earlier, I’ll wait for you.” Then she realized how ambiguous that sounded, hastily adding, “I mean… what I meant was, I’ll wait for you to come back to get the protective charm.”

He Suye chuckled, “Got it.”

After hanging up the phone, she leaned against a bamboo tree and laughed softly. Broken bamboo leaves occasionally fell, and the resounding sound of the temple’s bell echoed. She folded her hands together, calming her mind and praying sincerely.

On the way back, she received a call from Lin Yishen, asking her to meet up.

Lin Yishen still looked lively, smiling as he told her, “I’ve resigned.”

A mouthful of tea choked her throat, causing a violent cough. Shen Xifan widened her eyes, utterly incredulous, “You, resigned? Are you kidding me? Senior Brother, you’re not following me so closely, are you!”

Lin Yishen raised an eyebrow, “If that news isn’t shocking enough, then let me tell you another one.”

Shen Xifan nodded, “I promise not to drink tea this time.”

“Well, the other news is that I resigned to study abroad, mainly because I feel like I’ve grown to like you more than just a little, I’m sorry.”

Shen Xifan stood there stunned, then dreamily uttered a few words, “Can I refuse!”

He squinted and smiled, “Of course, we believe in equality and democracy, but unfortunately, I’m also in the same school as you, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Business Administration.”

She smiled, “Anyway, welcome. But, sorry!”

— Because the one I like is someone else.

He Suye received the call from the school Red Cross very late.

Recently, he noticed he often made mistakes in actions related to ropes, like pulling down a pen holder while taking off a wire or tripping over a power cord and spilling things on the table. He carefully analyzed it and found it was due to cognitive defects, a lack of logical thinking causing an extremely poor understanding of cause and effect—a postnatal disadvantage.

It was all because of that offer, making his mind restless and his thoughts scattered.

The phone call temporarily calmed his chaotic thoughts. The school Red Cross organized medical teams every year to provide medical services in mountainous areas. He visited that place two years ago and was very familiar with it.

In that small mountain village where terraced fields and unfamiliar rice paddies stretched out, every household raised chickens and ducks, with pigs covered in mud. He fetched water, made fires, treated villagers’ illnesses, and taught classes. Most people there were very poor, unable to afford expensive medicine or hospital stays. The only doctor in the village was just a quack, not even knowing how to disinfect before administering vaccines.

The air there was fresh, though conditions were extremely harsh. But he liked seeing the children calling him “big brother,” asking him math questions, and villagers thanking him with fresh vegetables, while the elderly invited him to drink rice wine in the evening.

There was a thought that crossed his mind—he wanted to stay in that small mountain village for a lifetime.

When he returned that time, he was scolded by his counselor and boss. His roommates didn’t hesitate to drag him to the women’s dorm to weigh him, and he ended up losing ten pounds. There were still patches on his ankles; the foundations of the mountains were unstable, prone to landslides.

Later, he got busy and gradually forgot about that place. Perhaps it wasn’t because of being busy, but because that person was no longer important, and all the pain went away with it, memories becoming insignificant.

It wasn’t that he was heartless, it was because she wasn’t worth his demeaning himself. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

In the rice cooker, he was stewing chicken soup with Astragalus and Chinese yam.

Astragalus tonifies Qi, raises yang, benefits the stomach, and stabilizes the exterior. It also promotes diuresis and reduces edema. Chinese yam tonifies Qi and nourishes yin, strengthening the spleen, lungs, and kidneys.

It was said that bridesmaids were more exhausted than brides at weddings, running around, taking care of everything, and too busy to even eat a meal. Even though that little girl promised confidently that she had ample experience, he still worried.

Perhaps, besides preparing extra meals for her and Qiu Tian, he also needed to prepare some adhesive bandages or something. According to Su San, one of Shen Xifan’s high-heeled shoes had straps, and walking too much could easily chafe her feet.

He sighed, thinking, “This wedding is exhausting, thank goodness I’m not getting married.”

Wait, getting married? Me? With whom?

A figure flashed through his mind, and he held his breath for a moment, hastily opening the lid, and accidentally burning his hand again. But the aroma of the chicken soup filled the air, making him smile involuntarily.

He was already eager to see her in a wedding dress.

Qiu Tian—He shouted in his mind—I regret it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have let you tie me three times. At least I could still win against you three times.

The next day, He Suye was awakened by a phone call early in the morning. Qiu Tian shouted from the other end, “Come to Li Jie’s house and see if he can marry Su Meimei dressed like this?”

Li Jie shouted helplessly, “I am as charming as Pan An, a pear blossom presses a sea of flowers, why do I look so ugly in this outfit!” But Qiu Tian was not interested in his self-deprecating jokes and continued to tease, “Are you sure you want to get married dressed like this? Do you want to wear another green hat?”

He Suye listened with extreme speechlessness and immediately took a taxi to Li Jie’s house. Sure enough, aside from the disheveled groom, Qiu Tian had made himself shine brightly. He sighed, “Qiu Tian, you look like a goldfish!”

In the end, they chose a set of the most decent and conventional wedding clothes from among the many. He wondered, “Didn’t you guys try on the clothes before? Why is today so chaotic?”

Qiu Tian was quite helpless, “I did remind him like this, but this guy refused to cooperate!”

Li Jie was even more helpless, “My mom suddenly brought so many clothes, I’m under pressure too!”

But when the three of them finally came out, the young and old of Li’s family were stunned. Li’s cousins almost stared blankly, “Oh my god, these three could star in a youth idol drama.”

It was early in the morning, the dawn was clean and gentle, with a faint mist and the fragrance of plants in the air.

Walking into the courtyard outside, Qiu Tian hung on He Suye in an unflattering manner, leaned close to his ear, and chuckled, “Sharp Corners, do you think Xifan will be infatuated when she sees you?”

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pushed Qiu Tian away, “Stop talking nonsense, be a good groomsman, and don’t cause trouble.”

Qiu Tian’s head still didn’t leave his shoulder, “Sharp Corners, why haven’t you confessed to her yet? Do it now! Quickly!”

He Suye smiled wryly, somewhat helpless, “Qiu Tian, when we used to have goldfish at home, I loved them so much. When it was my turn to feed them, I would sprinkle a little bit, and the fish would rush to eat it all. Then I poured in a whole packet, and in the end, the fish died from overeating. It’s the same situation now; I can’t ignore her feelings and impose my will on her. And… ” His voice lowered, “The situation is very chaotic right now, it’s not the right time. She still has unresolved issues, and besides, I’m greedy. I want her to love me wholeheartedly, not just have a little bit of goodwill.”

Qiu Tian sighed, “I wish Fang Kexin would stop looking at you all the time, she seems to have a lot of hostility towards Shen Xifan?”

He Suye smiled, “That’s your business, take care of your people and lock your doors.”

Truly arriving at Su San’s house, he felt like the one who would be infatuated wasn’t Shen Xifan, but himself.

In a light pink dress, a crystal headpiece, and high heels, her slightly curled hair and light makeup, holding pastries and candies, she immediately smiled when she saw them, “The groom’s here to steal the bride!”

Qiu Tian whistled mischievously and said with a smirk, “Let’s not steal the bride, let’s steal the bridesmaids instead!”

A slight blush swept across her face, like the peach blossoms of April, while her fair porcelain-like neck radiated with a dazzling charm at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows, shining like sunlight.

Unable to describe his feelings, he felt a tightness in his throat and couldn’t help but turn his face away, yet his peripheral vision involuntarily glanced over.

Su Shan shouted from the room, “Xifan, I’m nervous, I’m scared, can we not get married?”

Qiu Tian laughed heartily, “Too late, too late, even if today were a kidnapping, I’d still take you back.”

Li Jie, feigning helplessness on the side, said, “Shen Jiejie, please let him go. I’m old upstairs and have no young ones downstairs. I’ll raise a yellow dog until I’m old. If I marry this wife, I’m still hoping to serve her tea, massage her back, and pamper her with good food and drink for the rest of my life!”

Shen Xifan giggled, “Su Shan, do you want to sign a post-marriage contract now? We can all be witnesses.”

In the end, Su Shan walked out herself, her eyes red, and threw herself into her parents’ arms, crying bitterly. Shen Xifan was amazed, “Why didn’t you cry when we were teasing you just now? Now it’s like the floodgates have opened.”

Li Jie, at a loss on the side, tightly held a pack of tissues and handed them over one by one attentively.

He Su Ye took the dress paper bag she was carrying, “The deep bond between parents and children is like this. My cousin cried so heartbreakingly when she got married, and her husband felt like he was a tyrant who abducted a maiden.”

Shen Xifan smiled, “I guess if I get married, I’ll cry uncontrollably too. I can’t bear to leave my parents.”

Qiu Tian, seeming somewhat sentimental, said, “If I get married, my parents will cry tears of joy.”

Then the groom carried the bride out, got into the car, returned to the groom’s house, and finally drove to the hotel. The wedding procession occupied most of the main roads of the city, grandly and majestically, reminiscent of ancient royal wedding processions.

After getting out of the car, Shen Xifan and Qiu Tian were kept busy, helping the newlyweds touch up their makeup, collect red envelopes, and distribute wedding candies, and by the time the wedding started, their throats were dry as if on fire, yet they still had to toast with the newlyweds and shield them from alcohol.

The festivities didn’t end until after two o’clock in the afternoon, and there was still another event in the evening, leaving the two of them feeling gloomy and wanting to cry.

Qiu Tian choked up, “I didn’t even get a taste of the shark’s fin soup.”

Shen Xifan was in agony, “I’ve been eyeing that roast suckling pig for so long, but when I finally went to get some, all that was left was the skin.”

Qiu Tian slumped on the couch, looking at He Suye with puppy eyes, “Sharp horns, if I had known, I wouldn’t have tried to be tough. I’d have let you be the best man and gone to feast!”

Shen Xifan pointed at him and laughed, “He Suye, with your looks, who would dare to invite you as the best man? You’d overshadow the groom too much!”

He could only ask, “Aren’t you two hungry? I have food at my place!”

As a result, these two sneaked away from the newlyweds and went to He Suye’s house.

All the dishes just needed to be reheated in the microwave. He Shouzheng carried two large food containers and boasted, “Uncle, I packed these dishes for you.” Then he looked at Qiu Tian, “Uncle, eat less, don’t snatch Sister’s food!”

Chicken soup stewed with Chinese yam and astragalus, braised mushrooms, braised eggplant, and cold beef salad. Qiu Tian waved his hand, “Bring another bottle of Pepsi!”

He Shouzheng obediently poured a glass of juice for him and said seriously, “Uncle, men should drink less cola.”

Shen Xifan was happily indulging in the chicken soup, and He Suye asked, “Do you want an apple? Or an orange?”

With a mouthful of meat, she couldn’t speak, so she raised her hand and made a gesture. He Suye smiled, “Orange? I’ll make it into juice for you.”

Shen Xifan nodded in satisfaction, and Qiu Tian exclaimed in surprise, “You can understand this too? Sharp horns, you could be an animal trainer!”

Shouzheng blinked, “Isn’t it said that women are tigers? – Oh! Uncle, this was what my dad said!”

The commotion was even more intense and busier in the evening. Shen Xifan felt like her legs were about to give out, yet she had to force herself to stay alert. When the banquet was dispersed, she looked at her feet again. Several places were rubbed raw, causing her to suck in a breath of cold air from the pain.

As she hesitated whether to change out of her high heels, He Suye pushed the door open, holding a small box in his hands and sighing softly, “Qiu Tian said your feet are hurt, so he asked me to take a look.”

He knelt halfway down and carefully took off her shoes, his movements natural as if he were treating a patient. Shen Xifan didn’t detect any ambiguous atmosphere and simply complained, completely in a girlish manner. Her delicate foot, akin to a piece of white jade, rested on He Suye’s knee, with several abrasions visible.

He first lightly wiped them with alcohol, then took out a small bottle and applied some brown powder. Shen Xifan asked curiously, “What is this?”

“My grandfather made it, Sanqi powder. The main ingredient of Yunnan Baiyao is Sanqi.”

“That… specifically for treating cuts, bruises, scrapes, and wounds?”

“It stops bleeding and disperses blood stasis, not only for external injuries but also internal ones, without leaving bruises. It treats coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, and sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage.”

“It’s so miraculous! Then give me a little more. If I get a cut in the future, I can just apply it, right?”

He applied a little Sanqi powder to the wound, then covered it with a band-aid and checked again, “It’s okay now, it’ll be better in two days. In the future, wear less of these types of shoes. They’re easy to rub…”

Before he finished the last word “foot,” Fang Keyin pushed the door open. Upon seeing them, she immediately froze, and then quickly closed the door again. Shen Xifan was puzzled, “What’s wrong, Fang Keyin? Is something the matter?”

Fang Keyin stood silently at the door for a while, until Qiu Tian called her before she came back to her senses. The scene just now kept replaying in her mind like a thorn, piercing her heart, impossible to shake off.

Why have I silently waited by your side for so long, waiting for the past to pass, waiting for the future to come, yet still unable to see the glimmer between us?

As long as you treat me well, even a little, it’s enough for me to let go.

The wedding chamber was filled with joyous revelry. People in the medical profession often marry later than usual, and working in hospitals can be quite stressful, so whenever there’s a happy occasion, the celebrations tend to be especially lively.

The new bedroom had been decorated with numerous obstacles by those mischievous friends. There were apples, red dates, and cherries strewn all over the floor, and the bride and groom had to eat their way through them before they could proceed. Li Jie and Su Shan had drunk quite a bit of alcohol and couldn’t resist teasing each other, leaving them exhausted.

Finally, Li Jie lost his temper. He raised his eyebrows, pushed Su Shan against the wall, and pressed his entire body against hers. Then he shouted at the crowd of cheering onlookers, “Those who are truly in love, leave now.” He followed it up with a passionate kiss, sending everyone present into a frenzy of excitement.

Qiu Tian, who was hiding in the corner, sighed, “I’m getting old. I can’t handle such intense excitement anymore. I’m going home to sleep. I have surgery tomorrow, and if I anger the boss, I’m done for.”

Upon hearing this, the others bid farewell to the newlyweds one by one, their fists pounding heavily. “Li Jie, well done!”

Shen Xifan was preparing to stand up to say goodbye, but her feet were sore, so she decided to stay put in her chair. A hand reached out to her, “Let me help you back. Can you walk?”

It was already late at night. When they got out of the taxi, only the lights of the security room in the neighborhood were on, and the streetlights were dim.

Seeing Shen Xifan limping, he couldn’t bear it. “Forget it, I’ll carry you. At this rate, you won’t even make it to your doorstep by dawn.”

Shen Xifan felt indignant. Originally, she wanted to glare fiercely at him, but she was too exhausted to muster any energy. She looked at him pitifully. He Suye sighed, “Don’t be stubborn, I’ll carry you.”

As He Suye carried her, the faint scent of alcohol and the delicate fragrance of a young woman on her body seeped into his back. His body temperature seemed to rise like burning charcoal, and suddenly he felt an impulse to hold her tightly, to ask her if she had any feelings for him.

Suddenly she spoke, like a bucket of cold water, chilling him to the bone. “He Suye, I’m going abroad to study.”

His forehead felt scorched from the hot night, sharp pains shot through his throat, and his fingers suddenly felt cold and stiff. “Congratulations. Which country are you going to?”

Shen Xifan didn’t notice his unusual reaction and spoke casually, “The U.S.A, Cornell University, one of the Ivy League schools.”

His suspicions turned out to be true, and he suddenly felt a sense of being ignored, a bitter feeling surged up in his heart. “Oh, congratulations. I’m also going out for a while.”

“Where to?”

“The school is organizing a medical team to provide medical assistance in rural areas.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I don’t know. According to past practice, a small number of people will be selected to stay for a longer period. I might be chosen.”

“Will life in the rural areas be very hard, with no food and no clothes?”

“Silly girl, it’s not as unbearable as you imagine. It’s just definitely not comparable to big cities.”

He didn’t immediately agree to join the school’s medical team, nor did he think about staying longer. His response at the time was to consider it and give an answer later, but now he had made a decision.

He was just being a bit stubborn, a bit temperamental. He was annoyed by her unilateral decision, but he didn’t have the right to interfere with her. But why couldn’t she have told him earlier? It would have made him feel like he was a somewhat special presence to her compared to others.

He wanted to bet a little. Without him, would she miss the days when he was by her side?

Suddenly, Shen Xifan’s phone rang. She answered it slowly, speaking very softly and cautiously.

She patted He Suye’s shoulder, indicating that she needed to get off. Then she stood on the flower bed and sighed deeply, “I have to face the person I least want to see tomorrow. What terrible luck.”

“Your ex-boyfriend?” he guessed.

“Correct!” Shen Xifan’s face showed no signs of despondency, but rather a hint of cunning. “Even if he didn’t look for me, I wouldn’t have actively sought him out. And then I quietly dumped him the same way he did to me back then, haha, it feels so satisfying! But, is it a bit cruel?”

He Suye watched Shen Xifan as she talked incessantly, her lips slightly curled upwards, her mood unaffected by the phone call just now. She was completely different from the girl a few months ago, with red-rimmed eyes, feeling downcast, and asking him what to do.

This was the only comfort in his low mood. She had already moved on from the past, even though she was preparing to leave.

He asked himself if he could forgive his childish stubbornness for a moment. He wanted to know, in her heart, how much he mattered. As for her studying abroad, there was still plenty of time for that.