Chapter 68 Dinner Together While having dinner together, she felt that he…

Xie Jingzhi's rough, cold hands gripped He Ming and Zhu Liushuang's hands tightly together. His cloudy eyes darted around, glistening with tears. His pale lips moved slightly, uttering faint sounds.

Zhu Liushuang's throat tightened, and she quickly leaned closer, only to hear him mumble, "Ah...Ming...Shuang...you must...be...good..."

He tightened his grip on her hand, his hard nails chafing her skin, causing a slight pain. Zhu Liushuang instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but the man behind her realized his lapse and murmured, "Sorry."

His warm breath brushed against the back of her neck, a stark contrast to the cold air in the ward. His hand was still holding hers, but the grip was lighter than before.

Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but turn her head, and they happened to meet eyes. A ripple had appeared in those usually calm phoenix eyes, and the corners of her eyes, which slanted towards her temples, were tinged with red.

"Grandpa, don't worry, we'll be fine." She heard his voice choke with emotion. Though it was a lie, it came out with utmost sincerity.

The fingers hidden beneath the large hand twitched subtly, scraping against the man's palm. Zhu Liushuang silently turned her head, then moved her lips: "On the day you leave the ICU, my senior and I will come to pick you up."

The old man's hazy eyes suddenly brightened, and a clear tear rolled down his cheek. Then, a smile appeared in his eyes.

The nurses came to urge them on, and Zhu Liushuang and He Ming reluctantly got up to leave. They probably didn't realize that their hands remained clasped together until they left the ICU.

He took her hand and led her out of the ward and down the corridor. Only after they reached the automatic doors did the man belatedly release her hand.

"Sorry, the situation was a bit unusual just now, please excuse my rudeness." He Ming coughed and explained awkwardly to her.

Zhu Liushuang's eyes were still filled with tears, the bright lights of the corridor reflecting in them. Her mind was as hazy as the light, still not quite back to her senses.

"No...it's nothing." The warmth of his touch still lingered in her palm. She hid the hand he had held behind her back and said carelessly, "I don't mind. It's what I should do. Don't worry, senior, I'll be a great actress."

There's no better way to put it than "playing along." Everything she did for him could be attributed to the needs of the "performance."

He Ming raised his eyes, gave her a deep look, and said nothing.

After a long pause, he finally said, "It's lunchtime, would you like to eat together?"

Hearing his question, Zhu Liushuang was surprised. She had been to the hospital so many times, and he hadn't invited her to dinner once. Remembering that she had told her mother to leave her some food before leaving, she decided to decline.

But then He Ming spoke again, "Grandpa's condition is stable now, so I don't need to be at the hospital all the time. It's really troublesome for you to keep running back and forth to the hospital and bringing me things every few days..."

Zhu Liushuang wavered, blinked her eyes and said softly, "It's no trouble at all, no trouble at all."

"I did all this willingly for you!" She longed to tell him this so directly.

"The food downstairs at the hospital is so-so, but there's a pretty famous Huaiyang cuisine restaurant a few hundred meters away, is that okay?" He Ming searched for the restaurant's name on Dianping and handed his phone directly to Zhu Liushuang.

"Oh, oh, okay." In an instant, she lost the ability to refuse.

"Let's go then. Take my car first, and come back to get your car after we finish eating."

"Senior, wouldn't it be more convenient for me to drive there myself?"

"The restaurant is located in a lane, in a rather remote location, so I'm afraid you might have trouble finding it."

"It's okay, just send me your location."

...

In the end, He Ming couldn't refuse her and sent the restaurant address to her WeChat.

Before parting, he told her that if she really couldn't find him, she should just wait for him at the entrance of the alley.

————

Zhu Liushuang has a good sense of direction, which is considered good among girls. However, the light was dim in the evening, and the streetlights in the alley were scarce under the dark blue sky, so she could hardly see the winding stone path.

To avoid wasting time, she simply parked her electric scooter in an empty space outside the alley and waited for He Ming to come and pick her up.

A night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead. She pulled her sun-protective clothing tighter around herself, feeling a bit chilly, so she found a sheltered spot under the eaves. While waiting for someone, she took out her phone to text her mother.

"Mom, I won't be home for dinner. Please remember to pack my dinner in a lunchbox and put it in the fridge for me to eat at work tomorrow."

Just after she sent the message, heavy footsteps approached from afar and then stopped in front of her.

"Where did you park the car?" He Ming asked.

Zhu Liushuang pointed to the electric scooter under the streetlight not far away: "There."

"Okay, let's go, the restaurant is just ahead."

Two sets of footsteps sounded, one after the other. Zhu Liushuang followed beside He Ming, two steps behind him.

The dimly lit alley was deserted, with only the two of them. From her angle, she could see his strong shoulders and sharply defined profile. The early autumn night was chilly, and he was still wearing short sleeves, with a few stubborn strands of hair sticking up unruly at the back of his head, bouncing with each step.

Zhu Liushuang found it inexplicably amusing, her gaze lingering on his head.

The man walking ahead unconsciously slowed his pace, put his hands in his pockets, and whispered a reminder: "Turn left ahead and go straight for about ten meters. Remember to watch where you're going..."

"Oh," Zhu Liushuang replied blankly. She thought to herself: How did he know I was daydreaming while walking?

The restaurant's location was quite secluded. The two entered through a wooden door, walked through a small courtyard, and then through a small garden before finally finding the place to eat.

Upon entering the restaurant, uniformed waiters led them to a private booth. The interior was decorated in a purely Chinese style, with bamboo screens separating the booths to create a more private space.

Soft music played over the restaurant's loudspeaker, with flute music blending with the sound of flowing water, bringing tranquility to the guests who entered.

"Please scan the QR code to order. We offer complimentary tea; you can choose whatever you like." The waiter placed a tea menu on the table.

Zhu Liushuang glanced at it and said, "Jasmine tea, please."

He Ming didn't look at the order form and said directly, "White tea."

"Please wait a moment, both of you."

After the waiter left, He Ming gestured with his chin towards Zhu Liushuang: "Scan the QR code and see if there are any dishes you like."

Zhu Liushuang picked up her phone and scanned the QR code. Looking at the dazzling array of menus, she was at a loss: "Senior, I've never eaten Huaiyang cuisine before. Could you recommend one?"

He Ming said unhurriedly, "Soft-shelled eel, crab meat lion's head meatballs, braised shredded tofu, white-robed shrimp, Pingqiao tofu, and... these are all their specialties. Take a look at the recommended signature dishes and order whatever you like." After saying that, he seemed to suddenly remember something and added, "If you can't stand ginger, then don't order the lion's head meatballs and shrimp, as the ginger flavor is quite strong."

"How did you know I don't like ginger?" Zhu Liushuang suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

The man casually said, "Last time at your grandfather's house, I poured your mother a cup of ginger soup..."

So, he still remembered this, and remembered it so clearly! More importantly, she never said she hated the taste of ginger.

"Is it that obvious?" Zhu Liushuang puffed out her cheeks and asked.

“A little.” He Ming joked with her, “It’s like I’m handing you a cup of poison.”

Looking at his relaxed lips, Zhu Liushuang could tell he was in a good mood. Taking advantage of the time while ordering, she quickly lowered her head to hide her embarrassment. After some deliberation, she ordered only three dishes.

He Ming also scanned the QR code, and after she finished ordering, he asked hesitantly, "Are you done ordering?"

"Hmm, it's too much for two people. I don't eat much..." Zhu Liushuang said.

"Don't worry about saving me money. I promised to treat you to dinner." He Ming pulled down the menu and added two more dishes that he had tried and thought were good.

"We need to save money..." Zhu Liushuang said earnestly, resting her chin on her hand. "Dr. Xie has been in the ICU for over twenty days now. The daily expenses must be very high, right?"

“The expenses are indeed quite high, but when he is discharged from the hospital and the bill is settled, medical insurance will probably reimburse more than 90% of it,” He Ming said calmly. “So, there’s really no need to save me money.”

"So much!" Zhu Liushuang exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. "My mother only gets one-third of her medical expenses reimbursed each time she's hospitalized."

“People over seventy years old and with more than thirty years of service have a higher reimbursement rate…” He Ming patiently explained to her.

While we were chatting, the waiter brought two cups of tea to the table: "Please enjoy your meal. Our dishes are all freshly made, not pre-made, so the wait time is a bit long. However, there aren't many customers today, so we will serve you your food as soon as possible."

They were seated right by the window, through which they could glimpse the night view. Zhu Liushuang rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window, where the laurel trees, adorned with pale yellow blossoms, stood gracefully, exuding a rich fragrance.

"Do you often eat at this restaurant, senior?" Zhu Liushuang asked casually.

"No, I've been here a few times with colleagues."

"How is Huaiyang cuisine different from the local cuisine of Gucheng?"

"It's about the same... I've been to Jiangdu a few times on business trips before, and I felt that the food there was a bit saltier. This restaurant has been localized, so the overall taste is milder."

“Yes, Lin Hui told me that my senior likes to eat light food,” Zhu Liushuang said with a smile.

He Ming explained, "My stomach isn't very good, so I can't eat strong-flavored food."

"Jiangdu is about a three-hour drive from Gucheng, right? I often heard about it in classical poems when I was in school, but unfortunately I've never been there," Zhu Liushuang said with regret. "I was so envious when I listened to your radio show, senior. Have you traveled all over the country already?"

Looking at the girl's envious expression across from him, He Ming suddenly froze. The warm yellow light of the restaurant blurred her features, but her wet, sparkling eyes were captivating.

“I don’t have much free time after starting work. Going to different places and experiencing the local customs and culture can really relax me.” He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said thoughtfully, “Actually, expenses in the off-season are not very high. You can take your annual leave when it’s a good time to travel and see the world.”

"Yes, yes, I'll save up more money," Zhu Liushuang said excitedly.

They rarely sit facing each other like this, chatting so casually. It's as if they've known each other for a long time, without having to rack their brains or feel nervous or restrained.

Zhu Liushuang found that talking to He Ming was a very comfortable experience. He was expressionless and spoke in a calm tone, yet he was patient and attentive, responding to every word she said. Even if they couldn't be partners, being friends with someone like him would be wonderful.

As the hourglass on the table ran out of sand, the waiter carried a tray into their private room.

"Braised dried bean curd strips, soft-shelled eel, and Pingqiao tofu. Please enjoy your meal. Two more dishes will be served shortly."

The woman, who had only eaten a bagel for lunch, looked at the fragrant dishes on the table and her mouth watered. She lowered her head, gently stirred the dried tofu strips on the plate, picked up a piece with her chopsticks, put it in her bowl, and ate it slowly.

While eating, her gaze occasionally swept over He Ming, then immediately looked away, as if afraid he would catch her stealing glances. The person opposite her ate slowly and deliberately, scooping up a small half-bowl of tofu soup and putting it into his mouth spoonful by spoonful.

Seeing that she kept eating dried bean curd strips, He Ming said, "Don't stick to one dish. Leave some room for other things. Try this soft-shelled eel; it tastes pretty good."

His voice was deep and calm, gently brushing past her ear, making Zhu Liushuang's heart skip a beat. She picked up a piece of glistening eel meat and took a bite, pretending to be calm.

The fresh, fragrant, and oily flavor filled my mouth. He probably ordered this dish for her?

"When I heard the name, I thought it was some kind of very long fish, but it turns out it's an eel!" she said with a light smile.

"Hmm, farmed eels usually have a muddy smell. These eels are supposedly bought from street vendors, so they don't taste off. Eat more..."

Zhu Liushuang said "okay" very softly and continued to eat the dishes on the table in small bites. When eating with He Ming, she behaved extremely reservedly, trying her best not to make a sound.

The dining table fell silent, broken only by the occasional soft clinking of chopsticks and spoons.

Then the waiter brought out a dish of three-layered duck and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

When the whole large basin was brought out, Zhu Liushuang was very curious about the three sets of ducks.

"Three heads, so is this dish made by stuffing three ducks together?"

He Ming put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "Domestic duck, wild duck and a pigeon. Debone them, then put them in a skewer and stew them in soup. That's considered a skillful dish in Huaiyang cuisine."

It looks expensive. Zhu Liushuang silently complained in her heart. She seemed to have just glanced at the price of this dish at the very end of the menu, more than 500 yuan! It would be such a waste if she couldn't finish it.

"That sounds complicated, so I'll have to eat more." She chuckled and reached for the three-layered duck with her chopsticks.

The meal lasted for over an hour, and five dishes for two people was definitely too much. By the end, Zhu Liushuang was feeling a bit choked up, rubbing her round belly. There was still half a dish on the table, and she stared at the mostly uneaten duck and eel, sighing inwardly.

It would be such a waste if it collapsed!

He Ming seemed to hear her thoughts, and asked her before leaving, "Want some takeout?"

Wishing you double happiness! Frugality and thrift are truly admirable qualities!

Without hesitation, she nodded. "Okay. Waiter, could you please bring two takeout boxes?" she called out, looking up. Turning back, she seemed to see a faint smile playing on He Ming's lips. In the blink of an eye, that almost imperceptible smile had vanished.

Is it just her imagination?

Looking at his aloof and cold eyes, she became even more certain that she had been seeing things.

Carrying two takeout boxes, Zhu Liushuang walked out of the restaurant, turning left and right along the long stone path, a deep sense of reluctance welling up in her heart. She loved eating with him, loved walking with him in the cool evening breeze, and loved listening to his calm breathing.

Unfortunately, her bald index finger constantly reminded her that they were a couple in name only. Their relationship now was probably only slightly closer than that of ordinary friends.

My footsteps stopped outside the alley, where the sounds of car horns rose and fell.

Zhu Liushuang got on the electric scooter and put on her safety helmet.

He Ming helped her hang the takeout box on the hook. As he bent down, she heard his voice again: "Liu Shuang, Grandpa's condition is stable now. So I plan to go back to work after my leave. From now on, my hospital visits will be at different times each day, so you... don't need to come every day anymore."

“But…” Zhu Liushuang opened her mouth, but her voice choked in her throat.

“If it happens to be Sunday when I visit, I’ll let you know in advance. I’ve seen you post about dessert tables on your WeChat Moments several times; those were all orders from Sunday deliveries, right?” He Ming paused and said, “Once Grandpa is out of the ICU and fully conscious, I might bother you repeatedly.”

So now he wants her life to get back on track and stop revolving around him for the time being?

Zhu Liushuang gave up struggling. She fastened the strap of her helmet and replied in a hoarse voice, "I understand, senior."

The streetlights cast long shadows of them. Zhu Liushuang lowered her head, looking at the overlapping shadows, swallowing her worries.

When they ate dinner together, she felt that they were very close.

And now, suddenly, I feel like I've been pulled very, very far away.

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Author's Note: Tip: Dr. Xie cannot be weaned off the ventilator because she underwent a tracheotomy, after which she cannot speak. Therefore, she is fitted with a voice valve. The voice valve helps improve the patient's swallowing and breathing functions. It also helps tracheotomy patients communicate with their families, which aids in the patient's recovery.

[Milk tea][Milk tea] To eat more and avoid waste, we both stuffed ourselves until our bellies were round! Such thrifty little ones! [droopy-eared rabbit head]

The next chapter will probably be a little angsty. [shrug]