Chapter 28 A Peculiar Cohabitation Life
The car slowly came to a stop in front of the small building.
"Let's go up." Huo Nanchen unbuckled his seatbelt. "I'm going back to the health center; I have outpatient appointments this afternoon."
After getting out of the car, Lin Xili did not go straight into the house.
She stood there, watching him turn the car around and drive towards the health center.
She turned and went upstairs back to the room she was temporarily staying in. The room was still tidy, even a little deserted.
But at this moment, she no longer felt alone.
She knew that in a little while, someone would bring her warm food.
She also knew that the man who had arranged everything would come back here after get off work.
She walked to the window, pushed it open, and the wind, carrying the scent of grass and earth, immediately rushed in.
Looking out at the bright sunshine and the clearly defined outlines of the distant green mountains, she suddenly felt that coming to this small town for recuperation was the right decision.
She took out her phone, set an alarm for 2 p.m., and then took out the professional book she was reading halfway through from her canvas bag.
She sat down on the chair by the window, the sunlight falling on the pages of the book and on her, warm and cozy.
At 2 PM, the alarm I set on my phone went off right on time.
Almost at the same second, the sound of a motorcycle engine approaching from downstairs came from afar.
Immediately following was the restaurant owner's familiar loud voice.
"Miss Lin, the food delivery is here!"
Lin Xili put down her book and ran downstairs quickly.
The shop owner handed her an insulated bag with a smile on his face.
"Dr. Huo instructed that it must be delivered on time. Eat it while it's hot. Oh, no, Dr. Huo said it shouldn't be too hot. This is lukewarm, which is just right."
"Thank you, boss."
As Lin Xixi took the insulated bag, the warmth in her heart spread once again.
Back in the room, I opened the insulated bag.
The simple two dishes and soup were indeed served warm, and the aroma instantly filled the entire space.
She sat by the window, eating little by little.
They were eating a lunch that had been meticulously prepared by another person.
For the first time, she felt that in this unfamiliar small town, in this marriage that began in absurdity...
She seemed to have found a sense of security she had never experienced before.
Just then, the phone rang; it was Grandma Huo.
She put down her chopsticks, swallowed the food in her mouth, and answered the phone, "Grandma!"
"Xi Li, did you experience any discomfort after drinking that iodine-131? Sigh, you have to be quarantined, and Grandma can't take care of you."
Grandma Huo's worried voice came through the receiver.
Before drinking it, Lin Xili searched online for what symptoms might occur after drinking iodine-131, and the internet did indeed mention that some uncomfortable symptoms might occur.
However, Huo Nanchen explained very clearly earlier that it was just an isolated case; two hours have passed, and she hasn't felt any discomfort.
"Grandma, don't worry, I'm fine. I'll come see you again after these two weeks!"
Grandma Huo finally smiled: "Then be careful. If anything happens, remember to call Nan Chen. You're married now, don't be so formal. We're all family."
"Okay, Grandma, I understand."
"Okay, then you should eat well."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Xili couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.
The days following iodine-131 treatment unfolded slowly and peacefully, like the morning mist in Lixiang Town.
Every morning, when the clock strikes 6:30, Lin Xili gets up on time.
Huo Nanchen had already gone out for a run, leaving her alone in the house.
After a quick wash, she chose to take a walk alone on a quiet path around the house.
The morning light was just beginning to break, and the air was fresh.
She walked slowly, deliberately avoiding encountering elderly people taking an early morning stroll or parents dropping their children off at school.
If she occasionally catches a glimpse of someone in the distance, she will stop in advance to make sure she maintains a safe distance.
This proactive avoidance is not out of resentment at being excluded, but rather a conscious sense of responsibility towards oneself and others.
She enjoyed the tranquility of being alone, watching the sunrise gild the distant mountains and listening to the birds singing in the branches, feeling more at peace than ever before.
I usually return from my walk around 7:30.
By this time, Huo Nanchen would usually have already returned from his run, taken a shower, and was preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
He was wearing a cotton T-shirt and sweatpants, his back to the stove as he busied himself.
Breakfast is simple: different kinds of multigrain porridge, boiled eggs, steamed sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, etc., accompanied by a plate of blanched vegetables.
The two sat facing each other, eating quietly.
Occasionally, Huo Nanchen would ask her, "How are you feeling today?"
His concern was always like this: simple, pragmatic, and without any sentimentality.
Lin Xili would usually shake her head slightly or say "It's okay".
Whether it was a placebo effect or not, she felt that her hyperthyroidism symptoms were further controlled after taking the medication.
I can hardly feel my hands shaking anymore, and my irritability and hunger have also lessened considerably.
After breakfast, Huo Nanchen changed into his usual shirt, trousers, and leather shoes, and then drove to the health center for work.
Lin Xili returned to her room on the second floor and began the most important part of her day—self-study.
She devoted all her energy to preparing for her application to pursue a part-time doctoral degree.
More and more professional books and printed documents gradually piled up on the desk and the floor.
She was immersed in the complex chemical equations, the precise principles of instruments, and the intricate case analyses.
She no longer felt bored, nor did she feel anxious or wasted her time due to being forced to "suspend her duties".
Around 11:30 a.m. sharp, the sound of motorcycles and the restaurant owner's booming voice would come from downstairs: "Miss Xili, your food is here!"
Lin Xili went downstairs to take the insulated bag, thanked them, and then returned to her room to eat alone.
The food was still light and delicious, with just the right amount of portion.
She sat by the window, eating while watching the clear sky and the occasional bird flying by.
She felt deeply grateful for Huo Nanchen's quiet thoughtfulness.
In the afternoon, she continued to spend time with her books.
Sometimes when I get tired of watching, I'll go up to the second-floor balcony to look into the distance and stretch my muscles a little.
In the evening, Huo Nanchen returned home from work. He would first go to his room to change his clothes, and then go straight into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Dinner is the time they spend the most time together during the day.
When the food was served, the two remained mostly silent, but that silence was no longer the initial awkwardness and estrangement; it was more like a comfortable tranquility that had developed after a period of adjustment.
He would push her favorite dishes a little closer to her.
After finishing her meal, she would proactively clean up the dishes and utensils, take them to the kitchen to wash them, and then put them in the sterilizer.
This is a peculiar form of cohabitation.
They slept in separate rooms, maintaining a safe distance, yet through the warmth of two meals together, they forged a subtle connection that was similar to but transcended that of ordinary roommates.
Lin Xili often reflects on the tremendous changes that have taken place in the past month or so when the night is quiet.
From a forensic doctor at the Xiangjiang City Justice Bureau to being jilted at her engagement, suspended from her job, and fleeing in panic to this small town.
Now, she is legally married to a man who is almost a complete stranger, and they live a regular and peaceful life.
Fate's arrangements are sometimes truly unbelievable.
At certain moments, watching Huo Nanchen's busy figure in the kitchen and receiving his brief WeChat messages about his life arrangements, she would feel an unprecedented sense of peace.
That sense of security didn't stem from love—at least she wasn't sure what it was yet.
It's more like finding a rock to stand on when you're adrift and helpless.
Knowing that there is someone who will plan your treatment when you are sick, arrange your meals, and give you enough space and respect when you are silent.
She doesn't know if it's because she lacked parental love and care since childhood, but at least for now, she enjoys her current life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com