Xiao Liu slung the luggage onto his back while Zhou Runqing pushed her mother out of the ward. Lin Yuqiu followed slowly behind him, feeling a lightness she had never known before.
She still remembered when her mother had first been hospitalized at the small subdistrict clinic. Back then her mother lay paralyzed and unconscious, and all the chaos had fallen on her shoulders alone.
Clutching receipts, running up and down the corridors, keeping vigil day and night in the ward by herself and the helplessness and bitterness of not being able to scrape together the medical fees only she knew what that felt like.
Now someone was lifting the heavy luggage for her, sharing the burden of caring for her mother.
Looking at the tall figure of the man ahead pushing the wheelchair and sensing the gossiping glances from the nurses around them she couldn’t help feeling a little self-conscious.
Her mother had woken up and would be moving into a better rehabilitation center. To her, nothing could be more fortunate than that.
As they stepped out of the dim hospital corridor, the sunlight seemed to celebrate with them, spilling over the tiled rooftops and casting a warm orange glow along the mottled walls.
The heavy stone in her heart finally dropped. Bathed in the warm sun, her whole body felt soft and light, like a quilt that had soaked up a full day’s sunshine. Even her steps became easier.
At the hospital entrance, Zhou Runqing instructed, “Xiao Liu, bring the car over.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Xiao Liu hurried toward the parking lot with the luggage in both hands.
Inside a coarse nylon mesh bag were pots, bowls, and utensils far less neat than other people’s luggage.
They clanked noisily as he walked, and with each bigger step the sound rang out like mismatched bells.
Hearing the clatter, Lin Yuqiu felt an indescribable wave of embarrassment.
She hurried after him. “Xiao Liu, I’ll carry it.”
He grinned. “No need, Comrade Lin. You and the commander just wait here.”
Once Xiao Liu left, the quiet seemed filled with the sound of her own accelerated heartbeat.
She didn’t dare lift her head. But when she turned, she still caught sight of the tall, unfamiliar figure standing behind the wheelchair.
Seeing her mother’s questioning gaze, she walked over with a gentle smile and took her mother’s hand. “Mom, we’re going to the rehabilitation center.”
Her mother, now slightly improved, could make faint sounds. A soft smile, once so familiar, rested at her lips.
Her mother formed the word “he” with her mouth clearly asking who the man behind them was.
Lin Yuqiu felt both gratitude and helplessness toward Zhou Runqing, yet didn’t know how to explain.
By chance she glanced up at his clean-cut profile. The sharp line of his jaw carried the distinctive sternness of a soldier.
As if sensing her gaze, he looked back.
For a split second, that handsome face so striking it made her breath hitch regarded her from above. His gaze was like the edge of a narrow blade, slicing swiftly across her heart and leaving behind a strange tingling.
She quickly looked away. After a pause, she bent toward her mother and said softly, “He’s my brother’s comrade-in-arms. He was the one who delivered my brother’s compensation.”
Perhaps reminded of her eldest son in uniform, her mother’s eyes reddened instantly, misting over with grief too deep for words. The air seemed to congeal.
Zhou Runqing lowered his gaze slightly. From the corner of his eye, he noticed her furtive, flustered glance after speaking. He did not expose their true relationship. Instead, he steadied the wheelchair and said calmly, “Auntie, please rest assured. From now on, I will take good care of Xiaoqiu.”
His tone carried a steady conviction that inspired trust. Like a small stone dropped into still water, it stirred ripples in her heart an unfamiliar reassurance mixed with flustered unease.
Lin Yuqiu quickly looked at her mother. Her mother smiled gently at her, eyes full of tenderness and guilt for being a burden.
The once-strong, gentle mother in her memory now appeared so fragile. Her heart tightened painfully.
Soon Xiao Liu drove up and stopped at the entrance.
Zhou Runqing pushed the wheelchair forward, helping her mother into the car first. When it was Lin Yuqiu’s turn, he reached out instinctively to steady her.
She glanced at his long, powerful hand and said politely, “No need, thank you.”
She stood on tiptoe, gripping the doorframe and pushing off the vehicle’s edge but she misjudged the jeep’s height. Losing her balance, she tipped backward and collided with a broad, solid chest.
Her cheeks flushed hot. Turning her head, she apologized softly, “Sorry”
But as she turned, the corner of her lips brushed against his jaw.
From the crisp white collar of his shirt drifted a faint, forest-like fragrance, mingled with the warmth of his breath. It was so pleasant her breathing slowed.
She quickly turned away, lowering her head like a flustered quail, pink blooming along her cheeks.
To Zhou Runqing, that blush resembled the red lychees of summer on the island fresh, dewy, temptingly sweet.
He allowed himself one more discreet glance before looking away.
One hand steadied her waist, the other gently supported her arm, lifting her halfway into the car.
After closing the door, he walked toward the passenger seat.
When a sweet voice suddenly called out from the hospital entrance.
“Runqing.”
He stopped and turned.
Lin Yuqiu, curious, looked out the window and recognized the beautiful female doctor from the ward.
She was no longer wearing her white coat, but casual clothes, a Red Cross medical kit slung over her shoulder.
A pale moon-white sweater and a light yellow checked skirt outlined her graceful figure. In the evening glow, she looked like gentle moonlight soft and captivating.
Lin Yuqiu lowered her eyes to her own coarse work clothes, frayed at the cuffs and hem.
Labeled with a “capitalist” stigma, she could no longer wear the dresses she once loved.
She suppressed the pang of loss and looked up again.
The doctor’s eyes lit up as she hurried toward Zhou Runqing, her voice bright with unmistakable joy.
“Runqing, it really is you. Did you come to pick me up?”
From the tone soft, almost coquettish Lin Yuqiu sensed a familiarity reserved for someone special.
Once, she herself had spoken like that to Xie Qingwei.
Suddenly she wanted to see what expression this still-strange fiancé of hers wore but his back was to her.
She heard him reply evenly, “Not today. I’m here to discharge an elder.”
The doctor glanced into the car, meeting Lin Yuqiu’s gaze. Her expression froze briefly before she forced a faint smile. “Runqing, and who is in the car?”
He turned, catching Lin Yuqiu’s gaze before she could hide it. His tone was direct, leaving no room for ambiguity.
“My fiancée.”
She hadn’t expected him to be so frank.
She saw the doctor’s face stiffen the disbelief, the hurt, the unwillingness, and the forced composure all giving her an inexplicable sense of guilt.
If not out of gratitude, Zhou Runqing would not marry her. And she knew she was marrying him for her mother’s treatment.
“When did you get a fiancée? I didn’t know. Auntie never mentioned it.”
“It was just decided.”
“Congratulations.”
With reddened eyes, the doctor turned and left in haste.
Zhou Runqing opened the car door and got in.
Xiao Liu, evidently familiar with the doctor, glanced at him as if wanting to speak, then coughed lightly and started the engine.
Lin Yuqiu stared at the back of Zhou Runqing’s head in the front seat, recalling the doctor’s intimate tone.
But what right did she have to ask?
Author’s Note: hello my babies please treat me a medicine for my fast recovery thank you so much for your deep understanding i have so many novels that completely done, thank you so much for supporting my work. We love you always. Thank you!