Chapter 58

After Chen Jingbai's follow-up visit, the doctor said there was nothing wrong and his hearing had basically recovered to its original state. However, the doctor advised him to have regular check-ups in the future and to go to the hospital in Rongcheng for examination after returning to Rongcheng.

During his month-long stay in the capital, Chen Jingbai went for a follow-up medical check-up every other week. In his last week in the capital, he also toured the city with everyone.

He and He He bought a lot of postcards of scenic spots, got them stamped, and sent them back to Rongcheng.

It was summer vacation, and the streets of the capital were crowded with people. Some tourist attractions were packed with people, but they stayed for a long time and did not miss a single famous attraction.

When they returned to Rongcheng, they had more luggage than before they came, and it contained a lot of local specialties from the capital.

After a two-day train journey, they returned to Rongcheng, weary from their travels.

People from the Cheng family came to pick them up. The jeep was cramped and barely had enough seats. After dropping off the three members of the Chen family at home, the car took Cheng Sulin back to his maternal uncle's house.

He He was the last to get off the bus, carrying large and small bags back to the military compound.

Today is Monday, a workday. Besides his maternal grandparents, only Cheng Fang, who is still on summer vacation, is at home.

He He took out the items one by one. She mainly bought food: Poria cocos cake, pastries from Daoxiangcun, and pickled vegetables from the capital. She bought several portions of each, because she had four uncles in her family, otherwise there wouldn't be enough to go around.

She also made clay masks and postcards, and showed the photos she took to her grandparents.

Grandpa and Grandma were all smiles as they flipped through the pages.

“Our little flower is so pretty, she’s so photogenic, just like your grandma when she was young. When I was young, I went to have my picture taken, and the photo studio owner even put my picture on the window for advertising.”

He He: "Grandma is really something else. I never got that kind of treatment."

Grandpa also said, "The capital has changed so much over the years, I almost don't recognize it anymore."

He He asked curiously, "What was the capital city like when Grandpa saw it before?"

Her grandparents had told her the same thing before, but that was when she was little. Now that she's been to the capital, hearing it again might give her a different feeling.

As soon as she asked, her grandfather started talking animatedly about his trips to the capital, while her grandmother would occasionally add her own comments.

This was the first time Cheng Fang had heard this. His grandparents never talked to him about these things at home. If it weren't for his cousin, his grandparents probably wouldn't have said a word.

After her grandparents finished speaking, Cheng Fang, with a mouthful of poria cocos cake, leaned over to He He and said, "Sister, can you give me a few postcards? I want to take them to school to show my classmates."

"Take them, I have plenty." He He was very generous; she bought a lot of postcards, a thick stack, and wasn't worried about them all being taken.

Cheng Fang: "I really want to go to the capital for a visit too."

He He: "After you finish your college entrance exam, I'll have your uncle take you."

Cheng Fang then approached her maternal grandparents and asked, "Grandma, can my parents take me with them?"

Grandma smiled and said, "When you get into a university like your sister's, or even better, your parents won't take you, but Grandma will."

Cheng Fang dared not agree to this. Her grandparents were so old, her family would definitely not allow her to take such a long train journey.

He He tidied up the scattered items and waited for her other uncles to come and collect the things she had brought back.

After school started, she took the only box of Poria cocos cake that hadn't been divided up and went to the dormitory to distribute it. She also brought postcards, two for each person, so they could choose freely. One was the one she had carried back herself, and the other was the one she had mailed home from the capital and stamped.

Everyone was excited to receive the things she brought from the capital, and in their excitement, they gave her a bear hug.

He He almost lost her balance and fell backward, but Fang Ya'er caught her in the end.

Speaking of Fang Ya'er, last semester she took her roommates to Rongda University and had a meal with Chen Jingbai's roommates at the university cafeteria. She hit it off with a male classmate, and they're now chatting enthusiastically.

He He was pulled aside to talk about fun places in the capital. Today was the first day of school and everyone had returned to school early. Classes wouldn't officially start until tomorrow, so everyone had plenty of time to unpack.

Back at school, she resumed her daily routine of attending classes diligently. With her studies demanding, she reduced the number of manuscripts she collected from her classmates and actively encouraged them to write longer articles.

She earns more by writing long articles. Her classmates have been writing for a long time, so the manuscripts they give her are fine, and she doesn't need to spend a lot of time screening her classmates' manuscripts.

There are no field trips for second-year students in the Chinese Department of National Taiwan Normal University. Students are assigned to primary and secondary schools for teaching internships starting in their third year.

Chen Jingbai was much busier in the architecture department of Rongda University next door. Starting in his sophomore year, his teachers took him on field trips, and he went with the school to cities with many well-preserved ancient buildings to learn from their experience.

He He rarely saw Chen Jingbai, who had the opportunity to study away from home once a semester. This was something Chen Jingbai had told her before he left.

Chen Jingbai went there in mid-November and didn't return until the end of December.

As soon as he got back, he came to the Normal University to find He He.

After class, He He lay on her dormitory bed, leisurely reading a book. When the dormitory supervisor came to call her, she was a little surprised, immediately climbed off the bed, and got dressed.

Her roommates all teased her.

"Wow, wow, wow, it's so different when your boyfriend comes back! He's practically crawling on the ground."

"Haha, I've never seen you so efficient before class."

"It's different when this person comes along."

He He put on her shoes and said, "Stop laughing, stop laughing. Didn't you all do the same when your partners came? You're just making fun of me. Think about yourselves too."

"Is Xiao He shy? Is she starting to fight back?"

"Go on, stop teasing Xiao He, her boyfriend is waiting."

He He opened the dormitory door again. "Then I'm leaving, bye-bye. You guys go to the cafeteria for dinner yourselves. I should eat with Chen Jingbai."

"Let's go, let's go."

He He happily went downstairs and saw Chen Jingbai standing by the flower bushes.

Many people came and went, but He He spotted him immediately because of his refined demeanor.

When did you get back?

"I just arrived at noon today." Chen Jingbai handed He He a well-packaged item. "These are local specialties I bought here: beef and Taigu cakes. They're very famous there."

He He's eyes lit up with surprise, "Wow, is it delicious?"

Chen Jingbai: "I ate quite a lot over there, it was very delicious. Have you eaten yet? I'll take you to eat."

The sunset was just beginning to appear on the horizon; it was the perfect time for dinner.

He He shook her head: "We haven't eaten yet. Where should we eat? In our cafeteria?"

"Let's go to a restaurant. You're tired of eating in the cafeteria all the time. I'll take you to something nice." Chen Jingbai: "Do you want me to put the food up first?"

"I'm too lazy to climb the stairs, I'll leave it with the dorm supervisor for now and pick it up when I get back." With that, He He ran off.

After He He returned, the two went to a small restaurant outside the school. Now there are more and more delicious restaurants outside the school, and she and her roommates often go out to have a good meal together.

The two ordered two dishes and a soup, and chatted casually as they ate.

He He listened intently as Chen Jingbai recounted his experiences on this field trip, her face showing she couldn't get enough of it.

After finishing their meal, the two strolled along the street under the streetlights.

He He: "Are you still very busy?"

Chen Jingbai replied, "Yes, so I still can't take care of you."

He He lowered her eyes and said, "Oh, I see. It feels like it's not easy to see you."

Chen Jingbai reassured him, "Things will be fine once this busy period is over. But I'll be at school for a while, so you can come find me if you miss me."

"Okay, how is your ear now? Do you need to go to the hospital for a follow-up appointment?"

"The doctor said it's not necessary. Just be careful and don't injure your ear again." Chen Jingbai looked at He He with gentle eyes.

Now he doesn't have to get close or speak loudly to hear her clearly; he can easily hear her speak, and that feels great.

"That's good." He He's lips pressed down in a corner that Chen Jingbai couldn't see.

She had thought Chen Jingbai was busy, but she hadn't imagined he was this busy, so busy that it was difficult to even see him.

Although she was very happy that he came to see her as soon as he returned to Rongcheng and brought her a gift from afar, she couldn't be happy again when she thought that things would still be like this in the future and that it would be difficult to see him even once.

Moreover, starting in her junior year, she will also be assigned to a school for an internship, and it's unclear where she will be assigned. It's possible that she won't be assigned to the city center, which would make it even harder for us to meet.

He He lost interest in strolling along the street. "I'm a little tired. I have an early class tomorrow, so I want to go back and rest."

Chen Jingbai keenly noticed her change and asked, "Are you feeling unwell? I sense you might be a little unhappy?"

He He didn't want to say, "I'm not unhappy, my legs are just tired from walking."

Chen Jingbai guessed, "Is it because we rarely see each other that you're feeling uncomfortable?"

"How did you know?" He He's eyes widened, and she asked instinctively.

She was slightly surprised, wondering if she had been too obvious or if Chen Jingbai was just too accurate in his prediction.

"I know you too well." Chen Jingbai smiled faintly as he led He He to a secluded corner.

"I know I'm busy, but I promise you, I'll make more time for you in the future. No matter how busy I am, I'll definitely be there if you come looking for me." Chen Jingbai patted He He's head. "Of course, class time doesn't count; we can't skip class, right?"

Seeing his sincere expression, He He reluctantly agreed, "Okay then, but you have to make more time to spend with me. I want to see the lions next week, so you can come with me to the zoo."

Chen Jingbai smiled and said, "Okay, I promise you. Besides the zoo, is there anywhere else you'd like to go? I'll definitely go with you next weekend."

He He couldn't help but smile. "Let me think about it some more. I'll tell you when I've made up my mind."

Chen Jingbai: "So, have you forgiven me now?"

He He glanced away from him, saying, "We'll see. It depends on your performance. If you don't perform well, I'll get angry."

Chen Jingbai chuckled softly, "Okay, whatever you say."

Before his hearing improved, when he stood face to face with He He, he would stare at He He's lips in order to understand what she was saying.

Now that his ears were healed, he no longer needed to stare at her lips, but his gaze still habitually lingered on them.

Having not seen each other for a long time, and having not kissed in a long time, Chen Jingbai suddenly felt a little nostalgic.

Want a kiss?

He He turned her head away, "No."

"Really don't want it?" As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jingbai bent down and pressed his lips to He He's lips.

Even with gentle crushing, it remains as soft as ever.

He He clenched her fists and placed them on her chest, trying to push the person away; she hadn't agreed yet!

At this moment, both of her hands were held, and the back of her head was also controlled by Chen Jingbai's other hand.

In the dimly lit corner of the alley, sticky, panting breaths lingered for a long time.