1
The Shiquanhe River originates from a glacial lake on the back side of the famous sacred mountain Mount Kailash. In Tibetan it’s called Sengge Zangbo, while its Chinese name actually sounds quite magnificent. In this semi-desert and desert region with arid climate and little rainfall, unlike other plateau rivers, it doesn’t run dry and disappear. Instead, it flows serenely, stretching 405 kilometers within Chinese territory, becoming a precious gift from nature to the Ali region with its harsh living environment.
When passing through Shiquanhe Town, where the Ali Prefecture administration is located, the river becomes gentle with the terrain. The water flows murmuringly, flowing slowly into the distance, without the rushing momentum of the upstream sections that pass through high mountain gorges.
Dusk on the plateau comes much later than inland. Usually the sky doesn’t completely darken until around 10 p.m. Although it was already 5 p.m., there was no sense of approaching twilight at all. Large masses of white clouds gathered and dispersed in the sky, opening and closing, slowly shifting positions. Prayer flags hung on the small hills outside town, fluttering in the wind with bright and rich colors. Mountain ranges rose and fell in succession, their lines as clear as if carved.
This was scenery that Zuo Xuejun had long grown accustomed to the point of not noticing, except at this moment Zuo Si’an stood by the river. Sunlight shone down through gaps in the clouds with clear trajectories, enveloping her in bright light, making everything look different from usual.
He involuntarily stopped, standing more than ten meters away from her. Even for people as close as father and daughter, sixteen years was enough to become a huge chasm lying between them.
On the eve of the Spring Festival thirteen years ago, Zuo Xuejun, holding the idea of reconciling with his wife, ignored his colleagues’ advice and braved violent snowstorms to catch a passing truck, risking the long journey home. As he neared home, his feelings became timid. The abundant oxygen at low altitude produced inexplicable anxiety in him. He became increasingly uncertain whether he could persuade his wife to agree to transfer jobs and take their daughter away from Hanjiang City.
When he entered the house and saw Gao Xiang kissing Zuo Si’an, he was so shocked he couldn’t believe his eyes. He immediately flew into a rage and struck Gao Xiang. However, Zuo Si’an’s reaction made him feel as if he had been immersed in an icy river. Standing before him was a tall, aloof young woman who neither feared his rage, felt embarrassed about what had just happened, nor showed any joy at seeing him return.
Before she turned fourteen, she had always been a sweet, clingy little daughter. All he had to do was dote on her without restraint. He could never bear to truly get angry with her. Even though he had abandoned his responsibility to care for her and left for Ali without saying goodbye, she still remained attached to him, traveling long distances to see him, trying hard to smile, tugging at his sleeve and begging him to come home early. He hadn’t been prepared to face this change, let alone to open his mouth to criticize or discipline her.
When his wife came home that evening, the two of them shut themselves in the bedroom. There was no intimacy after a long separation, but rather another fierce argument with voices kept deliberately low. He accused her of being “irresponsible toward their daughter, inviting a wolf into the house,” while she retorted sarcastically, “A responsible father probably wouldn’t just leave when his daughter needed him most.”
When the argument was on the verge of getting out of control, the bedroom door was pushed open. Zuo Si’an appeared in the doorway, standing quietly, looking at them with vacant eyes. After they fell silent in dismay, she said wearily: “Don’t argue about me anymore. I can’t bear you being so responsible for me. Whether you want to stay in Ali,” she indicated her mother, “or you want a divorce, you can discuss and decide for yourselves. I have no opinion. My only request is please don’t use me as an excuse.”
She turned and went back to her room, refusing to communicate with them further.
He and Yu Jia both withdrew their gazes, seeing the same heavy exhaustion in each other’s eyes. After that they didn’t argue. In the end, they still went through divorce procedures on the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday. He returned to Ali and, except for a few business trips and returning inland for his mother’s funeral, never left this plateau again, nor did he ever see his daughter again.
At this moment, Zuo Si’an seemed to sense something and came back to herself. In the bright sunlight, she looked young, with a serene expression, strangely unfamiliar, yet unmistakably connected to him in some way.
He walked over: “You’re dressed too lightly.”
She smiled: “The sun is very warm.”
“You need to pay attention to sun protection. The ultraviolet rays are very strong.”
“Yes, I know. Aunt Shi told me you had an episode of high-altitude heart disease once. How is your health now?”
“That was several years ago. My condition isn’t serious—just insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. As long as I pay attention to rest, there won’t be any problems.”
“This illness is still related to high altitude. Even just considering your health, it would be better to live inland, wouldn’t it?”
Zuo Xuejun laughed: “I’ve gotten used to this place. Going to the plains would actually be uncomfortable. Not to mention anything else, where inland can you find completely unpolluted air and water like here?”
Zuo Si’an turned to look at the Shiquanhe River. The water was clear, presenting a deep blue color close to seawater: “Last time I came it was already evening, and I left the next day. I’ve always wanted to see what this river looks like.”
“When you came last time, it was late April. The river water had probably just begun to thaw. In about another half month, Shiquanhe Town will enter winter and the river will start freezing again.”
“The city where I live has a climate somewhat like Hanjiang City. The four seasons are very distinct—hot summers, cold winters, high humidity.”
“Why did you decide to study medicine?”
She didn’t seem very willing to answer this question, and he immediately realized his daughter’s avoidance. He quickly said: “Studying medicine is very good. I just remembered that when you were little, you were especially afraid of injections. I really can’t imagine you becoming a doctor.”
She thought, she was more than just afraid of injections—at one time she had been afraid of entering hospitals to a pathological degree. However, she didn’t want to explain her life to her father. She just smiled slightly: “Dad, everyone has their own reasons for choosing where to stay. Sometimes there’s no way to explain, and no need to explain. But you and Aunt Shi are husband and wife, and you have a child together. It’s best to communicate well and respect each other’s ideas.”
Zuo Xuejun’s dark face showed a hint of pallor. His facial muscles twitched slightly. One could see he was struggling to control his emotions as he stared at her blankly. Zuo Si’an had once suffered deeply because her father’s gaze avoided looking at her. Now she equally couldn’t bear such a heavy and painful stare and almost wanted to turn and walk away.
She suppressed this impulse and forced a smile: “I don’t want to interfere in your marital affairs either. Let’s talk about something else, like your current interest in Ali folk customs research.”
“Xiao An, you don’t need to worry about stimulating my heart. My body isn’t that fragile.”
“That’s good then. Coming here this time, I simply wanted to see you. I’m living well. I hope you can live well too. It’s that simple.”
“After you left, I sat alone on Crafts Street for a long time. Gao Xiang was right. You came all this way to see me with great difficulty, and I didn’t behave much better than I did fifteen years ago. No wonder you got angry and left.”
She shook her head and said objectively: “I wouldn’t say I was angry. After being separated so long, it’s normal to have difficulty finding topics to discuss.”
“God knows how much I wanted to talk properly with you, to understand your life situation. At first I didn’t dare to speak up. It seemed like whatever I wanted to ask, I felt I had no right to. I once thought I would never see you again. That you were willing to call me once a year to say hello was already the greatest tolerance toward me. When I learned you were coming to see me, I…” Zuo Xuejun’s voice choked. He quickly turned his head away, waiting for his emotions to settle somewhat before continuing, “I don’t deserve you treating me so well. When you needed me most, I wasn’t by your side. I know that no matter what I say now, it’s too late. I just want you to know that it wasn’t as your mother said back then—I didn’t choose Tibet aid work out of consideration for my own future.”
“My mother was still quite fair. She didn’t badmouth you in front of me. She just said you’re a civil servant, and in official circles this kind of thing isn’t a secret at all. Even if transferred back to the provincial capital, you would still have to face a lot of gossip and pressure. It’s different from her working in a research institution where the environment is relatively simple.”
“No, she misunderstood me.”
“Then what would you want her to tell me? Tell me honestly that my situation was very bad, that I couldn’t be placated with candy, new dresses, and amusement parks, that I was no longer a sweet, lovable daughter, that whoever lived with me would find it very difficult, so you chose to go far away to Tibet?”
Zuo Xuejun said with difficulty: “Xiao An, all these years, I’ve never forgiven myself.”
“It’s all in the past. There’s no need to bring it up again. If you absolutely need me to say I forgive you before you can let go, I’m happy to say it.” She looked at Zuo Xuejun and said clearly, “Dad, I forgive you.”
However, Zuo Xuejun showed no expression of having a burden lifted or finding comfort: “You’ve always been a kind child. I don’t want to transfer the burden on my heart to you. If I could do anything to remedy or recover all that, I would do it without hesitation. But the fact is, my most beloved daughter was hurt, and I was completely powerless. Later you made such a great sacrifice for me…”
“Of course you couldn’t accept it. Forgive me for being so naive at the time. I thought it was the only choice I could make. I didn’t realize at all that it would be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. I didn’t understand that until I grew up.”
“No, Xiao An, I know you did that because you loved me.”
“Unfortunately, not all love is accepted. Sometimes love is a burden that only makes people want to escape.”
“I’m sorry. I did escape. My choice was cowardly. I may have fled from you, but I’ve never been able to escape regretting what I did.”
That dark period of time was brought up again and again. Zuo Si’an could no longer maintain her calm. The frightened child that had lurked in the depths of her heart for so long seemed to awaken with the memories, wildly crashing about inside her body trying to break out. She could only clench her hands into fists, struggling to control herself, saying coldly: “Stop talking, Dad. When I was fourteen, I really did need my father to explain why he left without a word. When I was sixteen, I really did need to know whether I was the culprit behind my parents’ divorce. At thirty, I don’t want to pursue things I can no longer accept or understand anymore.”
“I understand, Xiao An. These years I’ve missed you terribly. Shi Wei blames me for not loving Xiao Qi. I don’t know what to say. Every time I see Xiao Qi, it’s like seeing you as a child. Having escaped my responsibility to you, I can no longer casually play the role of father. I can’t love this child the way I loved you. Even getting close to her makes me uncomfortable… This is the punishment I deserve. If I stay here and let mother and daughter return inland, perhaps it would be better for them.”
Once suppressed emotions begin to release, there’s no easy way to stop them. She stared expressionlessly at the Shiquanhe River ahead: “You’re too persistent about self-punishment, but what meaning does that have for me? I can’t possibly feel compensated because you choose to neglect your wife and aren’t close to your younger daughter.”
“I know I can’t compensate for anything.”
He didn’t speak for a long time. Zuo Si’an’s emotions calmed slightly. She looked back at her father. He had been looking at her sorrowfully all along. His slightly cloudy eyes reflected her image, such a small one. For an instant, she almost mistakenly thought she saw herself as a child. She thought that the forgiveness she gave so readily couldn’t free her father, and her uncontrollable anger would only evoke more painful memories and bring more harm. They had forever missed the possibility of comforting and supporting each other. She again doubted whether coming back this time was correct. At this moment, Zuo Xuejun’s face twisted again, but he still struggled to force a smile.
She asked sensitively: “What’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“It’s nothing, nothing.”
“Does your heart hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt, really. Don’t worry about me.”
He looked as if nothing was wrong. She steadied herself and saw that her father’s hair was gray, the wrinkles on his face were deep, completely unlike his former self. His smile couldn’t hide the sorrow contained in his eyes. The bit of turbulent emotion remaining in her completely dissipated at this moment, leaving only the same heavy sadness as her father’s.
“Dad, please promise me that you’ll immediately get a thorough physical examination and develop the habit of carrying medicine with you at all times.”
Zuo Xuejun’s mouth opened, about to speak, but suddenly froze. His face showed distortion again. This time he could no longer control himself and fell backward.
Zuo Si’an caught him in one motion, quickly laying him flat on the ground. Half-kneeling, she patted his shoulder: “Dad, Dad.”
However, Zuo Xuejun had already lost consciousness and didn’t respond at all. She turned her head and called loudly for help: “Quick, someone come! Help me call emergency services.”
Some people stopped to watch, whispering to each other, but no one responded. Zuo Si’an called out again while pressing one hand on Zuo Xuejun’s forehead and using her other hand to lift his jaw, tilting his head back to open his airway. She bent down, placing her face near his nose and mouth, and found he had no spontaneous breathing. She reached to feel his carotid artery—there was no pulse either. She immediately took off her coat, folded it to elevate his legs, unbuttoned his clothing to expose his chest, clenched both hands into fists, and struck his chest three times in succession. Then she placed both palms together and began rhythmic impact compressions on his chest. After thirty chest compressions, she took a deep breath and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. However, the oxygen content at high altitude was already low, and the compressions had consumed a lot of physical strength. After just two breaths, she was already breathless and unsupported, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
At this moment, a hand supported her. Gao Xiang said urgently: “I’ve already called 120. The ambulance will be here soon. Hold on.”
She nodded and began chest compressions again, then mouth-to-mouth breathing, while checking her father’s vital signs. She fell into a state of emotional suspension, mechanically and repeatedly completing CPR, completely forgetting she was on a plateau and had already exhausted her physical strength, not even aware that the person lying on the ground was her father.
The ambulance finally arrived with its siren wailing. Medical personnel jumped out of the vehicle and took over. By this time she was nearly depleted and couldn’t stand up on her own. Gao Xiang picked her up and they got into the ambulance together.
2
Zuo Xuejun was not out of danger at Shiquanhe Town Hospital. The doctor told Zuo Si’an that the emergency measures and CPR she had taken bought time for the rescue effort, but besides the heart attack, Zuo Xuejun had a more serious problem—intracranial bleeding. His left limbs were paralyzed, his pupils dilated, and he was in a deep coma.
Zuo Si’an requested to see all his physical examination results. The doctor was somewhat displeased: “I’ve already told you the results.”
“I’m sorry, doctor. I’m a neurosurgeon in the United States, so I need to see his electrocardiogram, blood pressure, kidney function, CT, and MRI examination results.”
The doctor was somewhat surprised and looked her over. Without another word, he brought the examination results. After carefully reviewing them, she said: “His intracranial bleeding is in the right basal ganglia region. The bleeding volume is over 80 milliliters. A mass has already formed and broken into the ventricle. The brainstem is obviously compressed. There are indications for surgery. A craniotomy must be performed immediately to clear it and eliminate the possibility of brain herniation.”
“Our hospital doesn’t have the conditions to perform craniotomy surgery. Such patients must be transferred.”
“If you don’t have the conditions for craniotomy, you could try minimally invasive removal.”
The doctor smiled bitterly: “The hospital does have a basic set of equipment for minimally invasive intracranial hematoma removal, but there was originally a neurosurgeon who came for Tibet aid work here. He returned inland over half a month ago, and the new doctor hasn’t arrived yet. I’m a general surgeon. I’ve observed that doctor performing surgery but have never personally done this type of operation. I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until he’s transferred to a hospital in Chengdu.”
“How long will that take? Will there be time?” At this moment, Shi Wei arrived at the hospital with Zuo Siqi. She immediately asked.
The doctor couldn’t answer this question. Shi Wei grabbed Zuo Si’an: “Xiao An, have you done this type of surgery?”
Zuo Si’an’s face was pale: “I’ve done many cases of this surgery, but…” She looked down at her hands, which were trembling slightly. She knew she was still in a semi-collapsed state, couldn’t stand steadily, and on top of that, the person lying in the hospital bed was her father. She was clear about all possible potential risks and complications. She really couldn’t be certain whether she could perform such a surgery.
Gao Xiang helped her sit down: “Stay calm. Take deep breaths.”
She sat down and, following his words, closed her eyes, trying hard to persuade herself to calm down. However, her mind was in chaos. For a moment she couldn’t settle down. She said painfully: “I didn’t even notice his brain pressure was high, and I still stimulated him knowing he had heart problems. I can’t forgive myself.”
Shi Wei quickly said: “Xiao An, you can’t think like that. Precisely because you’re a doctor, you saved his life. Right now he can only count on you. Is this surgery very complex, so you’re not confident?”
She shook her head: “From my second year as a neurosurgery resident, I began performing extradural and subdural hematoma removal surgery under the guidance of attending physicians. I’ve participated in high-difficulty craniotomy surgeries. This time it’s just minimally invasive hematoma removal. Although there’s no three-dimensional surgical equipment, it’s not a very big problem. Generally speaking, it only takes a little over half an hour to complete. But…”
Shi Wei held her hand and looked at her earnestly: “That’s good, that’s good. Xiao An, you must save your father.”
For a moment, she couldn’t speak.
Regional leaders all rushed over upon hearing the news and asked the hospital director about the situation. The director said: “We’ve also contacted major hospitals. The doctors there also say the hematoma must be surgically cleared as soon as possible. Looking at Secretary Zuo’s condition, I’m afraid he’ll have to be transferred to Chengdu.”
The regional leader frowned: “There won’t be a flight to Chengdu until tomorrow morning. Can Old Zuo hold on?”
“Logically speaking, surgery within 24 to 48 hours is acceptable.”
In the silence, Zuo Si’an spoke: “No. The optimal surgery time is within 12 hours. The requirements for surgery timing are even stricter in high-altitude oxygen-deficient areas. Looking at the amount of bleeding my father has, if we don’t surgically remove the hematoma soon, brain herniation may occur. After that, his language and physical activity abilities will be difficult to restore.”
“But we currently have no doctor who can perform this surgery.”
“I graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States and have a medical license for the state of Maryland. I’ve been working as a neurosurgery resident at a hospital in Baltimore for three years. Since last year, I’ve been independently performing brain surgeries. I can perform this surgery for my father.”
Everyone looked at her. The leader pondered silently. The director hesitated: “Even if you have an American medical license, whether you can perform surgery in China has no precedent. We must ask for instructions.”
At Shi Wei’s insistence, after a series of requests for instructions and discussions, the leadership approved Zuo Si’an to perform the surgery. She signed a series of documents, her hand holding the pen involuntarily trembling again.
Gao Xiang squatted in front of her and pressed her hand. She looked up at him blankly: “Gao Xiang, I’m afraid my decision is wrong.”
“You need to trust your own judgment.”
“But…” She paused for a while, finally saying bitterly, “More than half a month ago, I performed a craniotomy on a patient with craniocerebral injury. He died on the operating table.”
Gao Xiang froze: “From when you started studying medicine until now, he can’t be the first death you’ve witnessed, can he?”
She shook her head: “But he was the first patient who died during my surgery. In the routine case error analysis that followed, an attending physician raised different opinions about my treatment method. I was suspended from surgery and could only participate in rounds and outpatient clinics.”
“And then?”
“The formal investigation conclusion came out. I was found to have no obvious errors, and my work was restored.”
“If I haven’t misunderstood, that means you made no mistake at all.”
“But I didn’t feel relieved. Since I started medical school, I’ve heard professors say that as a clinical surgeon, sooner or later you’ll face the moment when a patient dies in front of you. However, I didn’t expect the impact would be greater than I imagined.”
Gao Xiang had no idea she had returned to China to visit relatives while facing a professional crisis: “Witnessing death does bring pressure. You need to relax.”
“I can’t relax, and I’ve started doubting my own judgment. I had no choice but to tell my director that I needed time to adjust before starting surgery again. I didn’t expect…” She glanced toward the hospital room, “I would have to operate on my own father.”
“Xiao An, you’re not planning to give up your medical career because of this, are you?”
“Of course not. All the rigorous training I’ve received was for independent medical practice.”
He looked at her: “Years ago when I took my son to New York for surgery, the chief surgeon was a cardiac surgery authority. When he discussed the surgical plan with me, he said something that left a very deep impression on me. He said surgery is a science, but even more an art. The surgical process is one where a doctor’s professional accumulation and clinical judgment undergo a chemical reaction. I don’t understand medicine, but I understand that the judgment and confidence he emphasized are both indispensable for a doctor. You said yourself that you’ve already done quite a few high-difficulty surgeries. So don’t doubt the long-term training and judgment ability you’ve received because of this.”
Zuo Si’an said nothing, but he saw from her eyes that she was still in tremendous struggle.
“Xiao An, from birth to age four, my son underwent three open-chest surgeries.”
She froze, her face twisting somewhat: “Why are you telling me this?”
“Every time he had surgery, I was the one who signed. Of course, the feelings of being a patient’s family member are different from being the chief surgeon. I just want to tell you that I know the enormous pressure of having a loved one’s life in an unknowable state, and I also know all doctors try to avoid operating on immediate family members. You have a choice, Xiao An. You don’t have to perform this surgery.”
“If Dad’s situation continues to be delayed, there may not be immediate life-threatening danger, but we’ll definitely miss the optimal surgery time. I can’t let him take that risk.”
“Since you’ve already made your decision, under the current circumstances, you are first and foremost a doctor. He’s your father, but even more so, he’s a patient who needs your treatment. Xiao An, I believe in you.”
His gaze was steady, his hand holding hers gentle and calm. Under this gaze, she slowly calmed down, nodded, stood up, and walked toward Shi Wei.
“Aunt Shi, I must explain to you the risks that may exist with the surgery.”
After a period of time, Gao Xiang watched Zuo Si’an. She seemed to suddenly enter a doctor’s state. From body language to facial expressions, she showed none of her earlier hesitation and anxiety. She appeared gentle, composed, and professional. A few days ago at Liu Wan, it was precisely this naturally revealed state that made him and Mei Yi immediately trust her. At this moment, Shi Wei standing before her was similarly listening attentively to her words, no longer panicked.
However, watching the once overly sensitive, introverted girl complete such a transformation filled Gao Xiang with nameless sadness.
Zuo Si’an entered the operating room while they waited outside. Zuo Siqi had long since fallen asleep lying on a bench. Shi Wei took off her coat to cover her and kept staring blankly ahead. Gao Xiang comforted her: “Don’t worry. Xiao An said Secretary Zuo’s condition isn’t serious.”
Shi Wei turned her head, tears glistening in her eyes: “I’m an unqualified wife. This whole time I’ve been arguing with him endlessly, completely failing to notice his poor health.”
“Secretary Zuo has lived at high altitude for years and has a history of heart disease. No one could predict an onset. If you blame yourself for this, Xiao An will blame herself even more. After all, her father collapsed while talking with her.”
“No, no, no. Xuejun’s health problems weren’t just a matter of one or two days. This matter absolutely can’t be blamed on her. If she hadn’t been by his side, I can’t even imagine what would have happened.”
“Right, no one can be blamed. Shi Wei, remember that. Let’s just patiently wait for the surgery to end.”
The surgery ended after forty minutes. Zuo Si’an came out looking exhausted and nodded. Only then did Shi Wei’s heart, which had been hanging suspended, settle down. She rushed over and hugged her.
The next day, accompanied by medical personnel, Zuo Xuejun flew to Chengdu. His family went along with him. After examination, his intracranial hematoma drainage was stable. He was basically out of danger and had regained consciousness. Shi Wei decided to stay and care for him herself, asking Zuo Si’an to take Zuo Siqi to book rooms at a hotel next to the hospital to rest. But Zuo Siqi immediately refused: “No, I want to stay with you and keep Dad company.”
“Xiao An, then you and Gao Xiang go rest.”
Zuo Siqi had been curiously observing Gao Xiang all along. She suddenly said: “Uncle, I’ve seen you before, in my mom’s photo album.”
Gao Xiang was slightly surprised and nodded with a smile: “Right. I came to Ali before with your mom and your sister.”
“Yes, there are many people in the photos. There’s my sister, and a bald uncle who looks funny when he smiles because his mouth goes crooked. He came to my house later too.”
Shi Wei explained: “She’s talking about Old Zhang. Old Zhang is now a famous hardcore traveler in the circle. He came to Ali again three years ago, still as witty and cheerful.”
Zuo Siqi continued: “Oh right, there’s also a pretty auntie with long hair. Mom said she was your girlfriend.”
Gao Xiang didn’t want the little girl to continue asking about the pretty auntie’s whereabouts. He smiled and asked: “Does your mom’s album have a photo of her standing on an off-road vehicle?”
Zuo Siqi nodded vigorously: “Yes, yes! Her hair was flowing and flowing, like it was going to fly away. She looked so spirited and beautiful. How did you know?”
“I took that photo for your mom.”
“Really? I always ask Mom why she can’t stay like that. She says after having me, my wings haven’t grown properly yet. She feels it’s too lonely to fly alone, so it’s better to walk holding my hand.”
Shi Wei shook her head with a smile: “Xiao Qi is a complete chatterbox. She has nothing better to do than flip through my photo album. She can look at any random photo and ask a hundred thousand whys. If I directly say I’m old and can’t fly anymore, she won’t accept it. I have to answer completely and to her satisfaction before she’ll give up. You two go. Otherwise she can keep you talking endlessly.”
Coming out of the hospital, Zuo Si’an said to Gao Xiang: “I plan to wait until Dad is completely out of danger before going back. You can return to Hanjiang first. Don’t worry—I absolutely won’t go to Hanjiang again.”
Gao Xiang frowned at her: “Do you think I came here to monitor you and won’t rest until I escort you onto the plane back to America?”
She said uneasily: “No, but you have your work. There’s no need to stay here long.”
“I’ll handle that myself. You don’t need to worry about it.”
His attitude suddenly changed from the gentleness in Shiquanhe Town to cold and hard. He looked like he no longer wanted to communicate with her. She had no choice but to say nothing more. The two of them walked to the hotel across from the hospital, booked two rooms, and each went in. She was already exhausted, but still had to force herself to stay alert to call the hospital supervisor to arrange leave, then call to change her flight ticket. After handling all this, she took a shower, collapsed on the bed, but couldn’t fall asleep for a while.
She couldn’t help remembering that fifteen years ago, after returning from visiting her father in Tibet, she had also waited in Chengdu for a connecting flight, staying at a hotel near the airport. Gao Xiang’s room had also been next to hers. And that time, heartbroken by her father’s attitude, she had cried uncontrollably in his arms.
Zuo Si’an was thirty years old this year. Fifteen years was equivalent to half her life.
She suddenly realized that at almost every moment she couldn’t face, he had been by her side. Was this coincidence, or fate’s strange arrangement?
She thought she would never be able to figure out the answer.