Chapter 44 The Feeling of Someone Taking Over
After three months, Lin Xili should go back.
As Huo Nanchen had instructed, she had to return to the Lixiang Township Health Center for a thorough re-examination of her hyperthyroidism.
To confirm whether the condition has fully healed and whether it will recur.
With the Spring Festival approaching and the forensic department's training coming to an end, she was relieved of her duty assignment.
She started refreshing the page long in advance, her fingertips repeatedly swiping across the screen.
During holidays, the number of high-speed trains to Maluan County increases significantly, and tickets are easier to book.
Finally, I managed to snag a high-speed rail ticket back to Maluan County.
Huo Nanchen came to Hong Kong last time to celebrate her birthday.
Since then, the two have rarely exchanged WeChat messages.
Perhaps they couldn't find anything to talk about, or perhaps they were just too busy.
Training and pursuing a doctorate almost drained all her time and energy.
Lin Xili stared at the successful ticket purchase screen, and a thought popped into her mind.
One thought was tentative, the other harbored a secret expectation.
She opened the long-dormant chat window, her fingertip hovering over the screen as she carefully considered her words.
A line of text was slowly typed:
I managed to snag a high-speed train ticket to Maluan County for 5 PM on January 25th. I'm going back to celebrate the Spring Festival and have a follow-up checkup for hyperthyroidism.
After sending the message, she paused for a few seconds, then added a sentence, carrying a hint of expectation that she herself was unaware of:
"Would it be convenient for you to pick me up at the high-speed rail station?"
She wanted to know that feeling. The exit was crowded with people, but there was one person who had come specifically for her.
For the past two decades, no one has ever waited for her at the station exit, and no one has ever said to her, "You're back."
The message was sent, and the wait became long. She was a little uneasy, repeatedly locking and unlocking her screen.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't too long.
Huo Nanchen's reply popped up: 【Okay.】
There were no further inquiries, no enthusiastic responses.
But this word made Lin Xili's tense shoulders relax instantly.
She let out a long breath, and a sense of peace washed over her.
On the day of departure, Lin Xili walked briskly. She had carefully chosen a gift for Grandma Huo: a thick and soft wool cardigan.
She also prepared a New Year's gift for Huo Nanchen: a dark blue silk tie with a low-key and elegant pattern.
She felt that it suited him well.
The high-speed train sped along, and the scenery outside the window rushed past.
The announcement came over the loudspeaker—the next stop is Maluan County.
Lin Xili's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably by half a beat.
She pulled her suitcase and joined the surging crowd as she walked towards the exit.
As she walked towards the exit, she saw him in the distance.
The figure stood outside the turnstile, wearing a dark down jacket, his posture upright and exceptionally tall.
It stands quietly in the midst of the noisy crowd.
His gaze was fixed intently on the direction of the exit.
So this is what it feels like to have someone answer your call—a sense of belonging.
She walked toward him, and just then, a girl ran past her.
With light steps and a joyful laugh, the girl rushed into a boy's arms.
The two embraced tightly, their laughter crisp and enthusiastic, a testament to the exuberance of youth.
Lin Xili paused slightly in his steps.
Her gaze swept over the couple.
Looking back at Huo Nanchen's quiet figure, a strange sense of loss arose in my heart.
Their reunion was destined to be silent.
She walked up to him, looked up, and met his dark eyes.
She said softly, "I'm back."
Huo Nanchen's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, seemingly sweeping over her slightly rosier complexion than when he left.
He reached out and naturally took her suitcase.
The voice was calm: "The car is parked in the parking lot."
His warm, broad, and strong hands brushed against the back of her hand as he took the lever.
A faint electric current surged through Lin Xili, and he subconsciously curled his fingers.
Arriving at the parking lot and getting into his familiar SUV, Huo Nanchen didn't start the car immediately.
He took a thermos from the passenger seat and handed it to her: "Eat something first. It'll take another hour and a half to drive back."
"Grandma's chicken porridge."
Lin Xili was stunned. She took the insulated bag, which was still warm.
She opened it, and inside was a well-sealed insulated container. As soon as she unscrewed the lid, a burst of hot air enveloped her face.
It was the savory aroma of shredded chicken mixed with the sweetness of rice porridge; he had even thought of preparing this.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Does the health center close on holidays?" she asked, breaking the silence in the car.
"Working as usual," Huo Nanchen replied briefly, his eyes fixed ahead.
Township health centers actually need more staff during holidays, since more people return to their hometowns for the holidays.
Lin Xili finished eating the porridge and then covered the thermos.
Huo Nanchen skillfully started the car, and the vehicle smoothly drove out of the parking lot.
Returning to Lixiang Town, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is already strong.
Red lanterns hung along both sides of the bluestone street, and the sound of firecrackers echoed intermittently.
The streets were bustling with people, much more lively than usual.
Most of them were young people returning to their hometowns and residents buying New Year's goods.
The car stopped in front of the small building, and Grandma Huo, who had already heard the commotion, came out to greet her with a smile.
She grabbed Lin Xili's hand and looked him up and down.
"Oh my, we're back from Xili! You look much better! Come on in, it's cold outside!"
Back in the familiar room on the second floor, Lin Xili put down her luggage and first took out the cardigan for Grandma Huo.
The old man touched the soft, warm fabric and couldn't stop smiling.
She kept saying, "You've gone to so much trouble, you've gone to so much trouble."
Then, Lin Xili took out the exquisite paper bag from the box.
She handed it to Huo Nanchen, trying to sound as natural as possible: "This is... a New Year's gift for you."
A hint of surprise flashed in Huo Nanchen's eyes. He took the paper bag, opened it, and inside lay a dark blue tie.
He stared at her silently for a few seconds. Then he looked up at her.
A fleeting emotion flashed across her eyes, too fast for her to grasp.
In the end, it all boiled down to two clear words: "Thank you."
Just then, Grandma Huo seemed to remember something.
She smiled mysteriously, then turned and went into her room.
A short while later, she came out carrying an antique-style rosewood jewelry box.
She opened the box, and inside lay a jade bracelet.
It has a delicate texture, a warm and lustrous color, is as white as solidified fat, and has an oily sheen.
It's obvious at a glance that it's top-quality mutton fat jade, even better than the one my mother, Song Yuan, collected.
"Xi Li, this is from Grandma."
Grandma Huo picked up the bracelet, pulled Lin Xili's wrist, and was about to put it on.
Lin Xili was startled and instinctively pulled her hand back.
She repeatedly refused, saying, "Grandma, this is too precious! I can't accept it!"
"Expensive? What's so expensive about it!" Grandma Huo playfully patted the back of her hand, the force very light.
"These were bought a long time ago, when they were cheaper!"
She lowered her voice: "This is something our Huo family has passed down to our daughter-in-law, you should accept it!"
A family heirloom? Lin Xili's mind was shaken.
Her gaze suddenly fell on Huo Nanchen, filled with questioning and helplessness.
Huo Nanchen met her gaze, remained silent for a few seconds, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
Then, she nodded slightly: "Grandma gave it to you, so I'll accept it."
Lin Xili looked at Grandma Huo's earnest and kind gaze, and then at Huo Nanchen's calm profile.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally stopped refusing and let Grandma Huo slip the warm jade bracelet onto her wrist.
The bracelet was the perfect size, fitting snugly against her wrist. It felt cool to the touch, then gradually warmed up.
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