After talking with Doctor Zheng for nearly two hours, He Qingshi remembered he had something to do that evening and left early.
Doctor Zheng hadn’t charged him a consultation fee either time. This wasn’t a transaction between doctor and patient, but a heart-to-heart talk between an elder and a junior.
In front of Doctor Zheng, He Qingshi didn’t need to hide anything; he could tell him all his thoughts. He trusted Doctor Zheng deeply. It was his patience and persistence that had helped He Qingshi climb out of the mire.
When they were done, Doctor Zheng saw He Qingshi out. He said with deep feeling, “Perhaps you still need a catalyst to push you, before you can completely untie that knot in your heart. Don’t rush, take it slowly.”
He Qingshi replied with humble courtesy, “I’ve troubled you.”
Just as he was about to walk to the parking lot, footsteps sounded behind him. The sharp click of high heels tapped across the floor.
Then a cool, clear female voice called out, “Teacher Zheng.”
He and Doctor Zheng turned simultaneously to see the female doctor, Wei Shuangsheng, whom he had met once before, walking towards them.
Doctor Zheng smiled, his hands clasped behind his back, and glanced at He Qingshi. “My student.”
Wei Shuangsheng stopped before the two men and spoke directly. “Teacher Zheng, I have a patient on hand, a bit tricky. I need your advice.”
Doctor Zheng nodded. “We’ll talk in my office later.”
He then pointed to He Qingshi beside him. “Let me see a patient off first.”
“A patient?” Wei Shuangsheng’s sharp, disdainful gaze fell on He Qingshi. She said coldly, “It seems these days, no one can avoid having something wrong with them!”
He Qingshi: “…”
Doctor Zheng frowned, displeased. “Shuangsheng, watch your words!”
Wei Shuangsheng shrugged. “I’ve sent the materials to your email. I’m in a hurry to go out.”
With that, she turned to leave. He Qingshi promptly called out to her, “Doctor Wei.”
“What is it?” Wei Shuangsheng raised an eyebrow, her attitude rather poor.
He Qingshi could sense it. This female doctor seemed to despise him. Whether it was her expression or her tone of speech, everything radiated thick contempt.
He Qingshi had a good temper and didn’t lose his cool. He was more concerned about Jiang Nuan.
“I wanted to ask, has my student been coming recently?”
Wei Shuangsheng said, “She ran off after two counseling sessions. I’m planning to drag her back now.”
He Qingshi: “…”
Huo Chuxue had already spent the whole afternoon at Lan Yi’s house. She had some rare free time today and came to see Xiao Qingtian.
Xiao Qingtian had learned to crawl and was rolling all over the floor.
She played with the child all afternoon.
By evening, the child was tired from playing. He drank his milk and fell asleep.
Only then did Huo Chuxue free up some time to talk with Lan Yi.
Lan Yi saw things with perfect clarity. She could tell what was on Huo Chuxue’s mind, knew what she was thinking. She had always been fond of this girl and wanted to matchmake her with He Qingshi. Since Huo Chuxue was interested in him, that was naturally even better.
Lan Yi smiled and said to her, “Give Qingshi a call and ask him to come over for dinner.”
Huo Chuxue immediately responded, incredibly fast, “He probably hasn’t gotten off work yet. I’ll send him a text.”
She pulled out her phone and immediately sent a message to He Qingshi.
She waited and waited, but there was no reply from the other end. Her phone remained utterly silent.
At first, she was patient, but gradually she couldn’t sit still. Without He Qingshi’s definite answer, every minute and second before that was agony for her.
She wanted to give him enough time to think, but her heart was anxious and impatient. She couldn’t wait; she always wanted to know the answer immediately. That’s why she was testing him now.
She kept pulling out her phone to check. Lan Yi saw it all.
Lan Yi asked, “He hasn’t replied?”
Huo Chuxue felt somewhat deflated. “No. He probably hasn’t seen it yet.”
Lan Yi glanced at the wall clock and said, “It’s already 5:30. He should be off work by now. Let me give him a call.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she stepped aside to make the call.
A moment later, Lan Yi returned holding her phone. “Traffic is bad. He said he’ll be a bit late.”
Only after hearing this did Huo Chuxue relax and set her heart at ease.
Knowing He Qingshi was coming, Gui Shu specially cooked his favorite braised prawns.
He Qingshi arrived just in time. Gui Shu had just finished cooking when he showed up.
The rain was heavy. In the short time it took him to park, he got drenched. His white shirt was stained with patches of wetness.
Lan Yi hurried to get him a dry towel. “Such heavy rain, and you didn’t think to bring an umbrella? Look, your clothes are all wet. Quick, dry off.”
Huo Chuxue asked directly, “Is the rain heavy outside?”
It was completely making conversation for the sake of it. If the rain wasn’t heavy, would his clothes be wet?
He Qingshi swept a glance at her, his expression indifferent, and gave a slight nod. “Mhm.”
Distant and aloof, not warm in the slightest.
He Qingshi took the towel and wiped himself down haphazardly a couple of times before hanging it to the side.
Seeing he was done, Lan Yi hurriedly called everyone over. “Come, come, come, let’s sit down and eat.”
Huo Chuxue set the bowls and chopsticks, then directly took the towel and started drying He Qingshi’s hair for him. “Your hair is still wet. You don’t even know to dry it properly.”
He Qingshi: “…”
As the towel covered his head and she had just rubbed it twice, He Qingshi grabbed her wrist. “I’ll do it myself.”
His voice was cool and detached, his tone almost stiff.
Huo Chuxue’s hand froze instantly, her heart tightening. She was about to let go when she heard Lan Yi say, “Qingshi, let Doctor Huo dry it for you. Girls are more meticulous; they’ll do a cleaner job.”
He Qingshi: “…”
What kind of logic was that? Could he not even dry his own hair now?
With Lan Yi backing her up, Huo Chuxue’s confidence instantly skyrocketed. Her words became much firmer. “You need to dry wet hair quickly, or you’ll catch a cold. If you don’t take care of your health like this, you’ll suffer for it when you’re old.”
He Qingshi: “…”
It was completely the tone of a doctor lecturing a patient.
Seeing He Qingshi being put on the spot, wanting to resist but having no way to, Lan Yi and Gui Shu couldn’t help but find it amusing and oddly comical.
The meal was harmonious and warm. Huo Chuxue was very talkative, chatting about this and that with the elderly couple. She could keep up with any topic, making the two of them laugh constantly.
Xiao Qingtian nestled in Lan Yi’s arms, biting on his pacifier, his pair of pitch-black little eyes darting around.
He seemed to understand the adults’ conversation too. When Huo Chuxue reached a funny part, he would also laugh along with everyone.
He Qingshi watched quietly, feeling for a moment as if he had returned to the past. Back then, every meal had this kind of warm atmosphere.
Ten years had passed in a flash since Su Miao left. He hadn’t eaten such a warm dinner in ten years.
Knowing Huo Chuxue was here tonight, he hadn’t planned on coming at all, which was why he hadn’t even replied to the text. But Lan Yi called him later, insisting he come to the house. After much persuasion, he was worn down and had no choice but to agree.
He truly hadn’t expected to see this scene.
——
After dinner, Huo Chuxue was playing with Xiao Qingtian. The big one and the little one were having a great time. The child was tickled into giggles by her.
To avoid an awkward staring contest with Huo Chuxue, He Qingshi deliberately retreated to the kitchen to help Gui Shu wash the dishes.
Gui Shu wouldn’t hear of him lifting a finger; he wouldn’t even let him touch a bowl. He Qingshi could only stand idly by.
The kitchen was narrow to begin with, a tiny space. It was fine for one person, but naturally cramped for two. Gui Shu hurriedly shooed him out, gesturing, “Son-in-law, go out and watch TV with Doctor Huo. I can manage here.”
He Qingshi remained unmoved, standing his ground.
Seeing he couldn’t be moved, Gui Shu gave up and focused on washing the dishes.
The faucet ran continuously, the sound of water flowing.
Even so, He Qingshi could clearly hear Huo Chuxue’s voice coming from the living room.
“Qingtian, smile! Wave your hand…”
“Shake hands, good friends, we’re good friends now!”
“Our Qingtian is so wonderful!”
…
After Gui Shu finished washing the dishes, He Qingshi helped him put the bowls and plates away in the cupboard one by one.
Gui Shu dried his hands, leaned against the kitchen counter, and gestured to him, “Doctor Huo is very good.”
It was an abrupt statement, opening with just that. He Qingshi didn’t know how to respond.
The old man was honest and straightforward, rarely heard to praise anyone. Even if he admired someone, he wouldn’t say it out loud. This time, he had broken precedent by praising Huo Chuxue to his face.
He Qingshi couldn’t help but smile. “How is she good?”
Gui Shu gave a simple, honest smile and said succinctly, “She’s a good person.”
He Qingshi: “…”
That really was a comforting answer!
Everyone knew Huo Chuxue was good. How could he not know? Such a bright, radiant woman, always full of strength, optimistic and upward-looking, like a blazing fire that could easily ignite others.
It was precisely because she was too good that he didn’t dare to hold her back.
Gui Shu said to him with deep feeling, “Son-in-law, Miaomiao has been gone for ten years. You can’t guard that loquat tree for the rest of your life.”
Ten years. It was really too long! So long that the cells in a person’s body had long since been replaced. And his heart had lain dormant for ten years.
He thought he would remain this barren and desolate forever. Little did he know that in the tenth year, an oasis had appeared in the desert, and a withered tree had met spring once more.
He Qingshi unconsciously clenched his fist. He turned to look at Gui Shu, his throat tight. “What are you trying to say?”
Gui Shu gestured, cutting right to the heart of it. “Son-in-law, I understand your nature. You’re not the kind of person who would let a stranger eat at your home. So, right from the very beginning, you were already mistaken.”