Chapter Seventy-Two: Chu Lin's Tomb

A week after being discharged from the hospital, my parents returned to City B, and Professor Huang also took my grandmother back to their suburban villa. Everyone wanted to give Chu Zhen and me enough space.

My supervisor told me to rest at home for a while longer, but I tend to overthink things when I'm at home, so I decided to go back to work to keep myself occupied.

The day before I went to work, I asked Chu Zhen to accompany me to Chu Lin's grave. It was the first time for both of us to visit.

Surrounded by green trees, which remain lush and green even in winter, the cold stone tombstone doesn't seem so heartbreaking.

Chu Lin's grave is in a quiet spot, surrounded by evergreen pines and cypresses. The photo on the tombstone was taken at an amusement park.

“I chose this photo because I hope he can have a happy smile in it.” Chu Zhen put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t cry. This child is very sensible. He probably doesn’t want to see you unhappy.”

"Did you choose the burial plot?"

"No, I asked Chen Weiqi to pick a good spot. This is my first time here. Come on, let's have some KFC with our son!" Chu Zhen placed the family bucket in front of the grave and handed me a chicken leg. "He always fights with our son for the food, but you can have it today!"

I took a bite with tears in my eyes. A living child was left forever in this cold, lifeless place.

"Chu Zhen, let's plant a circle of flowers next time we come, so this place will be full of life all year round."

"good!"

We spent the whole morning at Chu Lin's grave, and finished a whole family bucket of food.

"Lin Dang, have you rested well? The project isn't in a rush right now, and it's not something that can be rushed. You can rest for a few more days," the director asked me with concern.

"You're completely healed, so don't worry!"

"With a head injury, how can it heal so quickly? Don't push yourself too hard!"

"Director, can you wish me well? I'm very sharp." After reporting to the director and then going to HR to cancel my leave, my work officially began.

During my hospitalization, my department hired an intern, who, coincidentally, was also from the Journalism and Communication Department of the Teachers' College, and her advisor was Professor Huang. She was in her early twenties, without makeup, with her hair in a ponytail, wearing a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers. I seemed to see myself in her younger days.

“Teacher Lin, my name is Ling Yiyi. I heard about your deeds when I was in college. You have always been my role model. I really never thought I would be able to work with you.”

She was a very cheerful girl. I smiled at her and said, "Don't call me Teacher Lin, just call me Lin Dang."

"No, no, no, you are my idol, I can't call you by your name directly."

“I’m older than you, so just call me Sister Lin Dang. Also, could you please stop using the ‘you’ (formal) form of address? It makes me sound really old!” I remembered when I first started my internship, following behind Chu Zhen and constantly calling him “Teacher Chu”. I even argued with Chu Zhen about using the “you” form of address. The Ling Yiyi in front of me is just like me back then.

"Okay, Sister Lin Dang~" Ling Yiyi seemed very satisfied with the address and went to her workstation outside with a happy face.

At lunchtime, Chu Zhen appeared at the office door on time. Previously, he had been told to be discreet, so he always got out at the intersection in front of the newspaper office. The most conspicuous time he'd been was after they learned Amy was coming to the newspaper. Today, he actually came directly to the office door. Chu Zhen was already handsome, and now, at the peak of his masculine charm, he exuded male allure.

"Sister Lin Dang, is this your boyfriend? He's so handsome~" Ling Yiyi looked like a lovesick girl, just like me. If I didn't know that my parents only had me, I would really think she was my lost sister.

"Hello, brother-in-law!"

I'm speechless. This girl's ability to recognize relatives is truly amazing. However, Chu Zhen seems quite satisfied with this title, as it's rare to see him smile at a girl he's just met.

"Yiyi, why don't you come eat with us?" I quite like this girl, and it seems Chu Zhen feels the same way, so I invited her to eat with us.

"No need, I don't want to be a third wheel. You guys go ahead and eat! If you really want to treat me, could you get me a milk tea?"

"Aren't you afraid of gaining weight? Girls rarely drink milk tea."

"It's okay, I'm not afraid. Sister Lin Dang, you should drink more too, you're too thin."

"See? Everyone says you're thin. Eat more." Chu Zhen was worried that food outside wouldn't be nutritious, so he decided to pick me up for lunch every day from now on. The cleaning lady who used to only clean the house is now a full-time caregiver. Chu Zhen rented an apartment for her nearby so she could take care of us more easily. However, whenever he has time, Chu Zhen prefers to cook for me himself.

"Chu Zhen, do you have any leads on the food hygiene news? Where do you plan to start?"

"Don't worry, I'm here. I've been keeping an eye on things. All you need to do now is rest and recover."

"I'm fine, but I feel that there has been no progress in investigative journalism in recent years, which has deviated from my original intention to do journalism."

"Okay, I'll tell you about the current progress and future plans when I get back tonight. Now, eat well and then take a nap." Chu Zhen served me another bowl of soup. In his mind, soup seemed to be the most nourishing thing.

After being forced to drink three bowls of soup by Chu Zhen, I only walked from the living room to the bedroom before Chu Zhen made me take a nap. Strangely enough, I've been feeling sleepy lately, and I wonder if it's a side effect of damaging my brain.

"Sister Lin Dang, how did you and Master Chu meet?" Ling Yiyi asked me with a gossipy look as soon as I arrived at the office that afternoon.

"Master Chu? You knew him before?" I was surprised. How did she know Chu Zhen's nickname?

"Yes, I know him. Teacher Chu is the producer of the program 'Before Dawn.' And during your hospitalization, there were many stories about you two in the newspapers, especially about the name of Master Chu. By the way, everyone envies you so much for having a boyfriend like Master Chu who takes such good care of you."

"Everyone? What do you mean?" I was stunned by what Ling Yiyi said.

"Many colleagues visited you when you were hospitalized, and I went too. No matter who came to see you, Teacher Chu stayed by your bedside. They say that true friendship is revealed in times of trouble. At that time, your life was hanging in the balance, and you still had such a devoted and handsome man by your side. Anyone would envy that!"

I was wrong. Ling Yiyi is not like I was a few years ago. I wasn't as gossipy as she is now.

"Sister Lin Dang, you are so lucky. The way God Chu looks at you is so doting."

"You can even read eyes?"

“Of course, for journalists, insight is the most important thing,” Ling Yiyi said proudly.

"Alright, get to your workstation and get to work. Here, take your milk tea!"

"No, you haven't told me about your relationship with Master Chu yet!"

"Are you complaining about not having enough work? Should I get you to cover more news?"

"Fine, fine, you can't keep putting your subordinates under your thumb like that." Ling Yiyi complained as she left, and I finally got some peace and quiet.