He Qingshi had a class on “Appreciation of Poetry and Song Lyrics” in the morning.
After returning from the hospital last night, he hadn’t been able to sleep again. He left a bedside lamp on, lying awake until dawn.
A thread of pain from his teeth tightly wound around him, seamless and inescapable. He simply couldn’t sleep.
The more he forced himself to sleep, the clearer his thoughts became. Long-sealed memories surged forth like a tide, impossible to suppress.
Those hours of torment pushed his emotions to the brink of collapse.
Having slept poorly, dark circles shadowed his eyes, which were also bloodshot.
This morning’s class was a required course for the Chinese Language and Literature major. By the time he arrived, the large classroom was already packed with students.
He walked directly to the podium, opened his laptop and connected it to the projector, cleared his throat, and began, “Let’s start the class. I’ll take attendance five minutes before the end.”
The students below had no objections, as they were already familiar with He Qingshi’s teaching style. Those who were flipping through books continued to do so, those playing on their phones kept playing, and those with their heads down sleeping remained asleep.
In a university classroom, no matter how handsome the teacher or how well he taught, there would always be a portion of students who were just there for show.
The students all knew that Professor He Qingshi from University A’s College of Liberal Arts was methodical and famously strict and rigid. If he said he would take attendance five minutes before the end, he would do so precisely, never forgetting.
Professor He’s classes were always packed. Many female students from other majors attended, mostly drawn by his face. Few listened from start to finish. Although Professor He’s lectures were vivid and interesting, full of classical allusions, unlike the usual dry literature classes.
To borrow his students’ words: Just facing Professor He’s face was enough to be distracted.
As for his own class students, having seen his face so often, they were somewhat immune. A portion of them would actually pay attention in class.
Today’s class was about Su Shi’s “River Town: Dreaming of My Deceased Wife on the Night of the 20th Day of the 1st Moon.” This poem was written by Su Shi in memory of his wife, Wang Fu.
Ten years parted, one living, one dead;
Not thinking
Yet never forgetting…
A thousand miles from her lonely grave
I have nowhere to tell my grief…
…
The poem itself was bleak enough!
It was probably a coincidence that it had been exactly ten years since Su Miao left. Not long ago, he had just returned to Cenling to pay his respects to her.
Two-thirds of the class passed, and it was time for free questions.
A girl from Class 3 asked, “Teacher He, I’ve seen many movies and TV shows. Two people walking hand in hand, but then one suddenly leaves. The one left behind keeps living in the past, unwilling to move on. Is that right?”
He Qingshi had some impression of this girl from Class 3. Her name was Jiang Nuan, and she was the study committee member for Class 3. An excellent student with both good character and grades, a proper top student!
He Qingshi stood beside the podium, his back straight, shoulders relaxed. His eyes were slightly lowered, their light dim, unable to conceal his weariness.
He was stunned. This question seemed directed at him.
He raised a hand to press his temples, thought for a moment, and answered, “Actually, this approach isn’t about right or wrong; it’s a personal choice. Some people can move on, meet the next suitable person, and start another beautiful union. But some people spend their entire lives unable to move on, ending up alone.”
He paused, then continued softly, “I’ve always told you, there’s rarely true ‘understanding’ in this world. What others have experienced, or are experiencing, what they choose to do or not do, their thoughts and actions—outsiders can’t truly empathize. So, never use your own views and ideas to speculate or morally judge them. As long as they haven’t broken any laws or been condemned by morality, the choices of the person involved are not for outsiders to interfere with or judge. So-called ‘for your own good’ is especially unacceptable.”
Jiang Nuan opened her big eyes wide, blinking, listening with great seriousness.
“Thank you, Teacher He.”
“Please sit,” He Qingshi raised his arm slightly. “Next question.”
With five minutes left before the end of class, He Qingshi’s lecture came to an abrupt halt. He strode back to the podium and pulled out the attendance sheet. “Attendance!”
After taking attendance, he turned off the projector and gave official instructions. “The homework I just assigned must be completed by next Wednesday at the latest. The study committee member will collect them all and send them to my email. That’s all for today. Class dismissed!”
As soon as his words fell, the students scattered.
Having suffered from insomnia last night and with his teeth hurting badly, the ninety-minute lecture left him feeling somewhat strained, both physically and mentally exhausted.
He quickly packed his things and left the classroom.
“Teacher He…”
“Teacher He…”
At the stairwell, he heard a student calling him.
He stopped and turned around, seeing Jiang Nuan running towards him from a distance.
The girl was carrying a small bag, running hurriedly.
“Is something wrong, Jiang Nuan?”
Jiang Nuan’s chest heaved, slightly out of breath.
“Teacher He…” She lifted the small bag towards He Qingshi, saying cautiously, “This is kudzu root slices my mother sun-dried herself. Brewing them in water is really good for reducing internal heat. Please take them back and try them. I noticed your toothache has been bothering you for several days.”
He Qingshi stared at the small paper bag, narrowed his eyes, and did not reach out.
His gaze was very cold.
Jiang Nuan felt uneasy inside, her whole body seeming somewhat awkward, nervously clenching her fists.
She had rehearsed those few sentences countless times in her mind. Now, facing He Qingshi, she was still extremely nervous.
He Qingshi remained silent for a long moment, making Jiang Nuan increasingly anxious. “Teacher He, please don’t misunderstand. I just saw your toothache… This thing isn’t valuable… but it really works…”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, becoming incoherent, until it finally faded away.
“Thank you, Jiang Nuan.” He Qingshi was polite and courteous, but his attitude was extremely cold. “It’s nothing serious. It’ll be better in a couple of days. Thank you for your concern.”
After saying that, he didn’t linger any longer and directly stepped down the stairs.
Perhaps this was somewhat unfeeling, but these days, teacher-student relationships were sensitive, and he had to be cautious.
The girl stood frozen in place, her blood surging. Her face flushed instantly, burning hot. A sense of shame rose from the depths of her heart, quickly spreading throughout her body.
——
After leaving the main teaching building, He Qingshi didn’t return to his office. Instead, he drove to First Hospital.
It was noon, but the lobby of the obstetrics building inpatient department was still bustling with people coming and going, a constant stream.
He took the elevator to the 16th floor.
When he arrived, Huo Chuxue happened to be there as well.
Her white coat was clean and tidy, spotless. The collar of her light-colored striped shirt peeked out from underneath, neat and orderly, without a single wrinkle.
No wonder people said the white coat was sacred. Once Huo Chuxue put on this white coat, she was always full of energy and vigor, seeming to have an endless supply of strength.
Huo Chuxue was there for a routine check, three times a day. After all, Zhang Shulan’s situation was special, and the attending doctor needed to closely monitor all her postpartum indicators.
She had also just arrived at the ward not long ago. Gui Shu was feeding Zhang Shulan some porridge.
Since the surgery ended, Zhang Shulan had already passed gas and could eat some liquid foods.
Zhang Shulan’s postpartum recovery was going well. Her complexion was rosy, and Gui Shu was taking excellent care of her.
As soon as the couple saw He Qingshi, Zhang Shulan hurriedly propped herself up. “Son-in-Law, you’re here! Have you eaten?”
Gui Shu quickly stepped aside to fetch a stool for him.
He Qingshi said, “I just finished class and came to see how you are. How are you feeling today?”
Zhang Shulan replied, “I’m doing quite well. Apart from some pain at the incision site, everything else is fine. Doctor Huo is very diligent, coming by several times a day.”
He Qingshi didn’t sit, remaining standing. He looked at Huo Chuxue, his expression grateful. “Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Huo!”
Huo Chuxue gave a gentle smile and said softly, “There’s no need to thank me, Mr. He. It’s my duty.”
Huo Chuxue glanced around the ward. “Where’s the baby?”
Zhang Shulan answered, “The nurse took him for a bath.”
They chatted in the ward for a while. Huo Chuxue said to Zhang Shulan, “If you have any problems, have the nurse notify me. I’m going to get some lunch first.”
Zhang Shulan was surprised to hear this. “Doctor Huo, you haven’t eaten yet?”
Huo Chuxue smiled. “The department was a bit busy this morning. I haven’t had a chance yet. I’m going to eat now.”
Zhang Shulan suggested, “How about I have Ah Gui go out and buy a few dishes? Doctor Huo, you can eat here with Son-in-law?”
“No need to trouble yourself. I’ll eat at the hospital cafeteria. It’s very convenient.”
She naturally wouldn’t agree. The boundaries between doctor and patient needed to be strictly maintained.
He Qingshi stood with his hands in his trouser pockets, his posture tall and straight, appearing particularly conspicuous in the large ward.
He looked at Huo Chuxue, unconsciously holding his right cheek. His words were slightly unclear as he slowly inquired, “I happen to not have had lunch either. Shall we go together, Doctor Huo?”
By all reason, Huo Chuxue shouldn’t have agreed. But for some reason, faced with He Qingshi’s suggestion, she found herself unable to refuse. As if guided by some unseen force, she agreed. “Alright. Last time in Cenling, I troubled you, Mr. He. I’ve been wanting to find an opportunity to thank you.”
Even Huo Chuxue herself felt her words lacked conviction.
He Qingshi’s gaze fell on her neat white coat. “Doctor Huo, do you need to go change your clothes?”
Huo Chuxue looked down at her white coat and smiled. “Mr. He, please wait for me on the first floor. I’ll go back and change.”
He Qingshi said, “Alright.”
——
After leaving the ward, Huo Chuxue returned to the changing room at her fastest speed to change her clothes.
Passing by the nurse station, she saw Qiao Shengxi and Lin Yao chatting.
Qiao Shengxi asked her directly, “Xiaoxue, have you eaten?”
She strode forward, her pace hurried. “Not yet.”
Qiao Shengxi said, “Perfect, I haven’t eaten either. Let’s go together.”
Without even turning her head, Huo Chuxue replied, “No, I’ve made plans with a friend.”
Qiao Shengxi: “…”
Qiao Shengxi called after her from behind, “Who is it?”
But she didn’t hear Huo Chuxue’s response. Huo Chuxue turned a corner into the corridor, and Qiao Shengxi only caught a glimpse of a white figure.
“Hah… leaving in such a hurry!”
Not wanting to keep anyone waiting, Huo Chuxue changed her clothes at her fastest speed and then ran downstairs even faster to meet He Qingshi.
He was waiting for her on the first floor of the inpatient department.
She took the elevator down to the first floor.
It was the lunchtime rush. The elevator was crowded with people. Several familiar doctors she encountered greeted her one by one.
Circling around the inpatient department lobby, Huo Chuxue spotted the man’s tall, imposing, and solemn figure from afar.
He was wearing a navy blue suit today with matching trousers. His back was long and straight, standing out conspicuously at the busy hospital entrance. She spotted him almost immediately.
Every time she saw this man’s back, she felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
She gradually slowed her steps, reached up to smooth her hair, then looked down to straighten her clothes. After confirming she looked presentable, she slowly walked towards the man.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. He.” Her soft female voice suddenly sounded beside him.
He looked at her. “A few minutes hardly counts as a long wait.”
“Shall we go then?”
“Alright.”
“I’m not very familiar with this area. How about you choose the restaurant, Doctor Huo?”
“Since Mr. He has a toothache, how about going for some congee? There’s a very good congee place near our hospital.” Huo Chuxue looked directly at him, her gaze gentle, a light shining in the corners of her eyes.