Ripples

The planned summer stargazing trip, like a seed quietly planted, took root in their hearts under the warm spring sun, bringing a subtle, sweet anticipation. However, life doesn't always move in a straight line; sometimes, unexpected ripples appear.

That morning, Lin Zhiyi had just arrived at the publishing house when she received a call from Dr. Chen Xu. His tone was as gentle as ever, yet carried the meticulousness characteristic of a doctor: "Ms. Lin, I apologize for bothering you. A supplementary medication that we used to keep on hand has had its formula adjusted by the manufacturer, and the old version has been discontinued. The new version requires a dosage adjustment based on individual reactions, so I think it would be best if he could come over today so I can make an assessment."

Lin Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat. She knew Lu Shixu's dependence on and sensitivity to drugs; any slight change could disrupt the balance he had painstakingly maintained.

“Okay, Dr. Chen, I’ll tell him right away.” She agreed immediately.

After hanging up, she immediately dialed Lu Shixu's number. The phone rang a few times before being answered. His voice was slightly languid and hoarse, as if he had just woken up, but he seemed to be in relatively good condition.

"Timeline," Lin Zhiyi tried to keep her voice calm, "Dr. Chen just called and said that one of your commonly used medications has a new formula and you need to go to the hospital to have your dosage reassessed."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a clearer response: "Okay, I understand."

His tone was calm, revealing little emotion. But Lin Zhiyi still caught a glimpse of helplessness or annoyance hidden in that moment of silence—helplessness towards this body that needed constant "adjustment" and "maintenance".

“I’ll go with you,” she said without hesitation.

“No need,” Lu Shixu refused immediately, his tone decisive. “You can go to work by yourself.”

“My morning schedule can be rescheduled,” Lin Zhiyi insisted. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust his ability to handle things on his own; it was just that at times like this, she wanted to be there for him. Not as a caregiver, but as a companion.

In the end, Lu Shixu compromised.

An hour later, Lin Zhiyi took the day off and waited for Lu Shixu, who was walking towards her, at the entrance of the community hospital. He was wearing a simple shirt and trousers, and his face appeared somewhat translucent in the spring sunlight, but his steps were steady.

In Chen Xu's consultation room, the atmosphere was professional yet gentle. He inquired in detail about Lu Shixu's recent sleep patterns, frequency of sudden falls, and energy levels, and then had him perform some simple reaction tests. Lin Zhiyi sat quietly in a chair to the side, not interrupting, but simply listening attentively.

“The new formula theoretically has fewer side effects, but the onset time and intensity of action may differ from the old version.” Chen Xu explained while writing in the medical record, “I’ll prescribe a conservative starting dose for you. Go back and try it for a week. Pay special attention to your body’s reactions during this week. If you experience any discomfort or feel that the control effect is not as good as before, contact me at any time.”

He handed the prescription to Lu Shixu, his tone encouraging: "Don't worry, it's just a small adjustment. Just find the dosage that suits you best."

Lu Shixu took the prescription and nodded: "Thank you."

Leaving the hospital, the sun shone brightly, and the streets were bustling with traffic. The two walked side by side on the way back to Anping Lane, silent for a moment. Lin Zhiyi could sense that although Lu Shixu appeared calm on the surface, the atmosphere around him seemed a little more tense than when they arrived.

"Dr. Chen said it's just a minor adjustment," she said softly, trying to dispel the invisible gloom.

"Hmm." Lu Shixu responded, looking ahead. After a while, he slowly said, "Sometimes I find it...very troublesome."

His voice was soft, like a feather falling, yet it brushed heavily against Lin Zhiyi's heart. She understood that he wasn't just referring to today's dressing change, but to this recurring, ever-present need for attention and adjustment—the coexistence with the disease.

She stopped and took his hand.

Lu Shixu also stopped and turned to look at her.

Lin Zhiyi tilted her head back, looking directly into his clear eyes that were sometimes clouded with gloom, her tone earnest and firm:

"Shixu, do you remember that old wall clock that the old man gave you to repair?"

Lu Shixu's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded.

“It’s old, the parts are worn out, it’s not accurate, and it’s ‘troublesome’ to repair,” Lin Zhiyi said slowly. “But it’s precisely because it’s valued and needed that this ‘trouble’ becomes meaningful. The same is true for you.”

She gripped his hand tightly, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face.

"Maintaining your physical condition may be tedious, and you may feel annoyed at times. But all these 'troubles' are so that you can do what you love, protect the 'timeline' you want to protect, and... watch the summer stars with me."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like a gentle stream, slowly flowing through Lu Shixu's heart. The restlessness and helplessness caused by his illness seemed to be given new meaning and value in her words.

He is not a flawed product that needs fixing; he is a unique being that is deeply loved and deserves all careful maintenance.

Lu Shixu stared at her, gazing at the unreserved sincerity and love in her eyes. After a long while, his tightly pursed lips slowly relaxed, and he took her hand in his own. The deep aura that had enveloped him seemed to gradually dissipate in the warm spring sunshine and her gaze.

“Let’s go,” he said softly, taking her hand as they continued forward. “I’ll make you a cup of the freshly arrived pre-Qingming tea when we get back.”

The ripples subsided.

The sun was still shining brightly.

And they held each other's hands, their resolve even stronger than before.