Chapter 59 The Date She's only sixteen...
"How come I didn't know? Didn't you tell me before that you often hung out with Xie Shijin in class?"
Ni Jiaqi looked surprised.
But it's normal that he didn't know.
Cheng Shiyun was in the science class, and he was in the humanities class; they weren't even on the same floor.
Moreover, ever since she was called in by her teacher for allegedly dating someone in the third year of junior high school, Cheng Shiyun has distanced herself from him and won't let him come upstairs to play with her.
Cheng Shiyun tugged at the teddy bear's ears, squeezing them until they were all crumpled: "...Do I have to tell you everything? This is my privacy."
"Such a small person, yet you're already talking about privacy..." Ni Jiaqi pursed his lips, then suddenly paused, sniffing, "What were you cooking in the kitchen just now?"
"!"
Her soup!
Cheng Shiyun jumped up from the sofa and rushed to the kitchen in her slippers.
"It smells so good, are you making soup?" Ni Jiaqi followed him in and leaned over to ask, "What kind of soup?"
Cheng Shiyun stirred the casserole with a spoon: "Yam and pork rib soup. It's good for the spleen and stomach, can supplement calcium, and helps with bone repair."
The milky white broth was bubbling, the yam was soft and tender, and the pork ribs were tender and juicy. It looked quite appetizing, but Ni Jiaqi couldn't resist asking, "Can we drink it?"
Without even looking up, she retorted, "...You can't drink it. It's poisoned with rat poison, it'll kill you."
“I’ll drink it even if it’s pesticide.” Ni Jiaqi took a soup spoon and scooped a spoonful from the pot.
Cheng Shiyun was furious and was about to yell at him when Ni Jiaqi suddenly frowned.
Cheng Shiyun's heart tightened, and she looked at him nervously: "How is it? Doesn't it taste good?"
"It's not that it tastes bad..." Ni Jiaqi smacked his lips twice. "You didn't add salt?"
"Let it go."
Cheng Shiyun picked up another spoon, took a small sip, and frowned. It was indeed a bit bland.
But she quickly regained her composure: "It's better to eat lighter foods; you can't eat heavy salt or oily foods while you're recovering."
"Recuperating?" Ni Jiaqi seized on the key point, narrowing his eyes warily. "Who did you make it for?"
"It's not for you anyway." Cheng Shiyun snatched the soup spoon from his hand, preventing him from dipping it in and contaminating her soup. "Why aren't you home yet?"
Ni Jiaqi said, "Why go home? My parents are coming over for dinner tonight."
Two days ago, his parents also came to the hospital to visit Cheng Shiyun, but she was not awake at that time and did not see Uncle Ni and Aunt Ni.
After her death, Uncle Ni and Aunt Ni gave their family a lot of help, and Cheng Shiyun remembered their kindness.
Ni Jiaqi persisted: "If I don't get to drink it, who will?"
"Mind your own business." Cheng Shiyun pushed him out of the kitchen. "Get out, get out, you're affecting my performance."
Cheng Shiyun ate dinner early tonight and took out a thermos from the cupboard. Her mother bought it a few days ago when she was hospitalized to bring food to her father.
She carefully washed the thermos, and after the pork rib soup cooled down a bit, she scooped the soup into the thermos one spoonful at a time and tightened the lid.
The couple were chatting with Uncle Ni and Aunt Ni in the living room when Cheng Shiyun walked to the door with her hands behind her back and said, "Mom and Dad, I'm going out."
Ran Hongyin turned to look at her: "Where are you going?"
"Go to the hospital to see Xie Shijin. I'll be back soon!"
Cheng Shiyun spoke very quickly, afraid that her parents would ask more questions, and as soon as she finished speaking, she opened the door and ran downstairs.
We arrived at the hospital a quarter past six.
The weather forecast predicted rain, but the weather was actually exceptionally good today. The fiery sunset was breathtaking.
The colorful rays of the sunset shone through the glass windows into the hospital corridor, casting a warm glow on the cold tiles.
Cheng Shiyun stood at the door of the ward, took out a small mirror to look at her face, and then tidied the stray hairs on her forehead. Only after confirming that she looked good did she knock on the door.
"Who is it?" the old man asked.
Cheng Shiyun called softly, "Grandma?"
"It's Yunyun, come in quickly."
Cheng Shiyun pushed open the door.
The girl wore a light blue dress that reached her knees, revealing her slender and straight calves. Her skin, which had never been exposed to the sun, was fair, translucent, and delicate.
She peeked in, her long, black hair sliding down her shoulders and falling to her chest, looking clean and well-behaved.
Xie Shijin rarely saw her wearing a skirt, and he also rarely saw her with her hair down.
At school, Cheng Shiyun always wore her school uniform and had her hair tied in a high ponytail. When she slept on her desk, the ends of her hair would fall onto his desk. When she turned to explain a problem to someone else, the ends of her hair would brush against his shoulder. He always thought she was patting him, which caused several misunderstandings.
If it weren't for looking good, who would want to wear their hair down in this sweltering heat?
Cheng Shiyun walked in with light steps and greeted everyone with a smile: "Good evening, Grandma. Have you had dinner yet?"
"I've already eaten, I just ate." Grandma beckoned to her, "Come and sit down."
As she approached, she saw the lunchbox on the bedside table; her grandmother had just put away the bowls and chopsticks.
Cheng Shiyun was annoyed; she was late.
Seeing her with her head drooping and looking listless, her grandmother couldn't help but tease her, "Is it very hot outside? Why do you look so listless?"
Cheng Shiyun shook her head, her voice muffled: "It's not hot, the sunset is beautiful."
The girl didn't seem happy, and Xie Shijin noticed it. He said, "Grandma, why don't you go back and rest?"
Grandma got up and packed her things: "Okay, okay, I'm leaving now."
She's too old to stay up all night, but Xie Shijin felt much better after waking up today, and the doctor said she doesn't need anyone to stay with her tonight.
After the door closed, only the two people remained in the ward.
Cheng Shiyun sat on the chair her grandmother had just sat in, legs together, left foot crossing over right foot, looking dejected.
Xie Shijin leaned against the headboard with two pillows behind her back and asked, "What did you take?"
She was also carrying a bag in her hand.
Cheng Shiyun slightly raised her chin, her eyes looking disappointed and depressed: "...It's nothing, you've already eaten."
"I'm not full."
Cheng Shiyun's drooping lips instantly turned up: "Really?"
Xie Shijin nodded seriously: "Really."
The gloom on Cheng Shiyun's face vanished instantly, and she stood up abruptly like a wound-up toy: "I brought you yam and pork rib soup!"
The little top started spinning.
She deftly pulled over the small table next to the bedside table and set it up, opened the lid of the thermos, and took out a spoon from her pocket and arranged it.
After doing all this, Cheng Shiyun noticed his right hand wrapped in gauze and looked up at Xie Shijin: "Is your hand inconvenient?"
Xie Shijin hummed in agreement: "It hurts a little."
Cheng Shiyun looked at his other hand: "Does your left hand hurt too?"
A little.
He picked up the spoon with his left hand and put it down again, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as if he were overwhelmed.
Cheng Shiyun frowned and asked him with concern, "Is it that serious?"
Her heart felt like it had been squeezed tightly again. Cheng Shiyun felt sorry for him and, afraid that she would cry again, quickly opened her pocket to look for something: "Hey? Why didn't you bring anything?"
She opened the bedside table drawer again and searched around.
Xie Shijin looked at her, who seemed to have grown six hands, and asked, "What are you looking for?"
"Looking for straws," Cheng Shiyun said. "Didn't Grandma buy any straws?"
“…There’s no straw.” Xie Shijin glanced at her. “Is your hand injured?”
"No," Cheng Shiyun blinked.
Xie Shijin turned his head away.
He was wearing a blue and white striped hospital gown, his long, straight, dark eyelashes drooping, and his expression remained as serene as ever.
His expression was indifferent, and Cheng Shiyun couldn't tell whether he was in real pain or faking it.
...Was he faking it?
Cheng Shiyun preferred that he was faking his pain, as it would make her feel a little better: "Then... I'll feed you."
Anyway, he got injured because of her, so it's perfectly reasonable for her to feed him.
Cheng Shiyun sat down on the edge of the bed, picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of soup, carefully blew on it before holding the spoon to Xie Shijin's lips: "Ah—"
Xie Shijin lowered his eyes and paused for a moment.
Cheng Shiyun's arms were getting tired from holding it up, and she urged, "Hurry up and drink it."
Xie Shijin shifted his gaze to her face, looked at her for about two or three seconds, and then opened his mouth to drink.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the soup, and Cheng Shiyun immediately asked, "Is it hot? Is it good?"
"It's not hot." Xie Shijin pursed her lips. "It's sweet and delicious."
Cheng Shiyun: "Huh?"
Yam and pork ribs aren't corn and pork ribs, so how could they be sweet?
Did she put sugar in instead of salt?
Xie Shijin gave a slight smile: "Did you make it?"
"How did you know?" Cheng Shiyun's face flushed with agitation.
Xie Shijin replied calmly, "I guessed."
I guess she put sugar in instead of salt.
He didn't say anything, not wanting to damage her self-confidence.
Cheng Shiyun fed him the drink spoonful by spoonful until he finished it.
It was drunk clean, not a drop was left.
Xie Shijin even gave it a five-star review. Her first time cooking was so successful, it seems she has the potential to be a master chef!
After putting away the thermos and wiping the small table back in its place, Cheng Shiyun sat down on the edge of the bed again, cupping her face in her hands as she looked at him: "When are you going to be discharged?"
She has a lot of wispy hairs on her head, which look fluffy and feel nice to the touch when the light shines on them.
Xie Shijin couldn't touch her, so he looked at her a couple more times and said, "The check-up will be done the day after tomorrow."
She's so cute.
She cupped her face in her hands, behaving obediently like a kitten.
Cheng Shiyun's eyes sparkled, and she said excitedly, "Then I'll come tomorrow and the day after."
Xie Shijin said, "No need, it's too much trouble for you to travel back and forth."
A little sweat beaded on her forehead, and a few strands of hair clung to her cheeks. She didn't seem to mind her busy work: "It's no trouble at all. If I were hospitalized, wouldn't you come to see me?"
The boy calmly lowered his eyes: "Come."
He will not leave; he will stay by her side every step of the way.
Cheng Shiyun snorted lightly: "That settles it then, I'm happy to run."
She then carefully took his injured right hand in hers.
He needs to use his right hand to unbutton clothes, put on clothes, write, and use chopsticks. Fortunately, the doctor said that his fractured bone had not shifted and that with proper rest, it would not affect his future life.
Cheng Shiyun asked curiously, "Does your maternal grandmother also feed you?"
"..."
I won't feed them.
His dominant hand is his right hand; his left hand was not injured.
He gave a barely audible "hmm," lying.
Cheng Shiyun sighed, "Grandma, you've had a tough time."
Xie Shijin nodded.
Grandma worked hard, and so did he. He pretended to work hard.
Cheng Shiyun thought to herself, "I hope you get better soon so I won't have to worry so much."
She went back and checked her predisposition to keloid scarring.
Keloid scarring is mostly related to genetics. After an injury, the wound heals and forms raised scar tissue. However, Xie Shijin only broke the skin on her finger joint. The wound was not deep, and as long as she takes good care of it in the future, it will not leave a scar.
She bought a lot of scar-fading cream and applied it after the scabs on his hands fell off, but she didn't know if it would work.
At 7:30, Ran Hongyin called.
Cheng Shiyun answered the phone and heard Ran Hongyin say, "Your dad will come out to pick you up right away."
"No need," Cheng Shiyun refused. "I'm not a child. I can just take a taxi home myself."
Ran Hongyin's tone turned serious as she instructed, "Be good and stay in the hospital. Don't wander off."
"Okay, okay," Cheng Shiyun said, drawing out her words.
This incident really frightened her parents, but it was purely accidental; the couple were just overreacting.
It takes about twenty minutes to get to the hospital from home by taxi.
Cheng Shiyun frowned: "I don't want to go home."
Could she sleep on the floor here?
She rested her chin on her hand, like a child, her pink lips slightly pouting.
Xie Shijin stared at her.
Cheng Shiyun looked up and found Xie Shijin looking at her lips.
His gaze was fixed intently on her lips.
Her heart skipped a beat, and Cheng Shiyun's cheeks quietly flushed.
Did Xie Shijin want to kiss her?
Why didn't he say that?
As soon as he spoke, she... she sat on the bed.
This way it will be more convenient for him.
Cheng Shiyun kicked with her left foot and then her right foot.
When she turned into a kitten, she liked to put one paw on top of the other, tuck it in, and lie on the stove watching him cook kitten food.
He wanted to kiss her.
But she's only sixteen.
How should he bring it up?
After a moment of moral turmoil, Xie Shijin's eyelashes trembled, and he looked away.
Cheng Shiyun gently bit her lower lip, her soft lips sinking slightly into her teeth: "My dad should be here soon... Shall I go downstairs?"
She stood up, and Xie Shijin turned her face to meet her inexplicably aggrieved expression. Her heart felt like a lump of whipped and deflated cream.
"I'm leaving?" She moved slowly.
Aren't they going to try to keep her here? Fine, it's just her imagination; Xie Shijin doesn't really want to stay with her.
Doesn't she look good today?
As she reached the door, she turned back and said, "...She's really gone."
Xie Shijin sighed and threw back the covers.
"Come on up, let me hold you for a while."
...
Xie Shijin was discharged from the hospital two days later on the morning of the next day.
During lunch, Cheng Jinghua mentioned that he would visit him another day. Cheng Shiyun couldn't wait and insisted on taking them there after lunch.
There's no time like the present, today is an auspicious day!
The couple couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they had no choice but to agree.
As they left, Ran Hongyin and Cheng Jinghua were carrying several large and small bags. Cheng Shiyun went over to help, but when she picked one up, she stumbled from the weight and exclaimed, "Carrying so much stuff?"
Ran Hongyin pulled the door shut and locked it: "After all, we're going to visit someone, how can we not bring something?"
Cheng Jinghua said, "Your mother also said we didn't buy enough."
That's not a bit less.
We bought milk, fruit, various calcium supplements, vitamins, fish oil, and a massage device. The massage device is for my grandmother; she has back problems.
Cheng Shiyun flipped through the papers and suddenly said, "Don't take the fish oil. He's allergic to seafood and can't eat it."
Cheng Jinghua was taken aback: "Really?"
The couple exchanged a glance, and Ran Hongyin's eyes held a subtle expression: "Then put it back."
After getting ready, the three of them headed to No. 132 Xuezi Road.
Upon entering the residential compound, Ran Hongyin looked around at the building: "Which building number is it, and what is apartment number 100?"
Cheng Jinghua freed one hand and reached into his pocket to take out his phone: "Let me check the address Officer Yang gave me earlier..."
Ran Hongyin patted the back of his hand, and Cheng Jinghua looked up. She raised her chin.
Their daughter had already gone upstairs with practiced ease.
Cheng Jinghua: "?"
Ran Hongyin said seriously, "It's quite normal for a classmate to know where he lives."
Cheng Jinghua nodded: "Yes, yes, maybe they asked beforehand..."
Upon reaching the sixth floor, Cheng Shiyun knocked on the door.
Xie Shijin opened the door.
His right hand was in a cast and sling around his neck. He lifted his eyes, looked at the girl behind them, and smiled: "Teacher Cheng, Teacher Ran, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, good afternoon," Cheng Jinghua asked. "Is Grandma home?"
"exist."
Xie Shijin stepped aside to let the family of three in.
"Oh my, why are you carrying so much stuff?" Grandma came out to greet them when she heard the noise, and quickly took the bags from Cheng Shiyun's hands. "We don't need anything at home, you're too kind."
"It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't mind," Cheng Jinghua said with a smile.
Cheng Shiyun opened one of the bags: "Grandma, this is a massager I bought for you. You can use it when your back hurts."
"Okay, okay, thank you, Yunyun, thank you all." Grandma smiled so much her eyes narrowed into slits as she pulled them to sit in the living room. "Please sit down first, I'll go get you some water."
Cheng Shiyun said, "I'll go, Grandma, please sit down."
She rushed to the kitchen, expertly opened the cabinet above, found three cups, and poured warm water into them.
Seeing their daughter move freely in other people's homes just like she would in their own, the couple looked at each other with mixed feelings.
After running back and forth twice, Cheng Shiyun finally sat down on the sofa and turned to Xie Shijin to ask, "Do you want some water?"
They sat to one side, not too close, maintaining a respectful distance.
Xie Shijin shook his head.
Cheng Shiyun winked at him discreetly, then cleared her throat and said to the adults, "Mom and Dad, Grandma, you two chat. I'm going downstairs to play with Xie Shijin."
"Where are we going to play in this heat?" Ran Hongyin asked.
"Let's buy some ice cream." Cheng Shiyun tugged at Xie Shijin's sleeve, and the boy obediently got up.
Ran Hongyin cautioned, "Don't go too far, be careful of heatstroke."
"Know!"
The door slammed shut.
When they reached the fifth floor and could no longer see their front door, Xie Shijin took her hand.
Cheng Shiyun's heart skipped a beat; her parents were still upstairs: "What do you want to do?"
Xie Shijin's arm was relaxed naturally as he gathered her fingers together in his palm: "Can't we hold hands?"
He had wanted to hold her hand earlier, but she was sitting far away from him.
Cheng Shiyun was speechless. Holding hands was still an option, and she could fool her parents if they saw it.
Xie Shijin's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.
Stepping out of the building, Cheng Shiyun shrank back from the heat outside and regretted, "I knew I shouldn't have come out, it's so hot."
It's only a little past two o'clock now, right when the sun is at its hottest.
In July, the sun was so strong that the asphalt roads would melt, the air was filled with scorching heat, and even the wind was dry.
Cheng Shiyun moved her hand that was being held, looked up and asked, "Where are we going?"
Xie Shijin turned his head to look at her: "I haven't decided yet. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
His brow bones were high, and the sunlight cast deep shadows, making his eyes appear even more profound.
Cheng Shiyun had always thought he was handsome, but now, with the added filter, he looked even better. Just a couple of glances made her heart race, and she stammered, "I don't either."
The two walked aimlessly down the street. Cheng Shiyun was unbearably hot, feeling that the hair on the back of her head was wet: "Are you hot?"
Xie Shijin said, "It's alright."
Your hands are sweaty.
Xie Shijin was still wearing long sleeves, her face was clean and refreshed, but her palms were slightly sweaty.
"Yeah, a little." He was used to this kind of weather and never felt hot before, but now, at this moment, his palms felt like they were burning.
Her hands were so small that he could completely wrap them around her.
They had walked several hundred meters together when Cheng Shiyun grew bolder and stood very close to him, her snow-white arms almost touching his body: "You're holding me too tightly."
"I don't want to let go."
Not only did he not let go, he held her even tighter, wrapping her entire hand in his palm, as if afraid she would run away.
Cheng Shiyun met his gaze, her heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she said dryly, "If you won't let go... then just hold my hand."
Although it was hot at this time, there were quite a few people on the street. Xie Shijin had a cast on his hand, and many people were looking at him.
Cheng Shiyun didn't want him to be stared at like that. Before, when he lent her his shirt, people in the class would look at him with the same eyes.
After taking two more steps forward, Cheng Shiyun originally wanted to find a milk tea shop or snack shop to sit down, but when she lifted the curtain, the shop was full of people and she couldn't find a seat at all.
Other cooler places are either internet cafes or hotels...
She's only sixteen...
Cheng Shiyun blushed slightly, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Let's go to my house."
Xie Shijin lowered his eyes, a hint of surprise in his expression: "Your home?"
“Yes.” Cheng Shiyun said with great interest, “My parents went to your house, so no one is home.”
Cleaner than an internet cafe, safer than a hotel, a perfect date spot!
Cheng Shiyun pulled him toward the teachers' apartment.
Her home and Xie Shijin's home are both on Xuezi Road, and they are not far apart, only a ten-minute walk.
Cheng Shiyun tiptoed to take the key from behind the door number and opened the door.
After Cheng Shiyun passed away, Xie Shijin visited her home twice.
The first time was when he heard that Ran Hongyin was ill, and he came to visit Teacher Ran.
The second time, she came back with Cheng Shiyun, who had turned into a kitten.
The first two times I opened this door, even though people lived there every day, the house seemed to be covered with a thick layer of dust, and the paint on the walls looked faded, giving off a desolate and lifeless feeling.
When Xie Shijin opened the door again, he felt that this house was somewhat different from the one he had visited the previous two times.
Now it's like a succulent that was drying out and wilting, but it has finally been soaked in water and is full of water. You can see traces of happiness everywhere.
Cheng Shiyun pressed down on the bedroom doorknob and called to him, "Come here."
Xie Shijin walked towards her with a smile in his eyes.
The moment the door opened, Cheng Shiyun froze on the spot, her mind going blank.
Aaaaaah!!!
Her blankets weren't made! Her desk wasn't put away!
And underwear too!!!
A white lace bra was casually placed on the bed.
Cheng Shiyun blushed deeply and rushed over to grab her underwear. Xie Shijin had already followed her in, and his gaze paused slightly.
She turned around and, sure enough, found Xie Shijin looking at her hands.
Cheng Shiyun's cheeks were so hot they could fry an egg on them. She quickly turned her hands behind her back and said, "You, you close your eyes, don't look!"
Xie Shijin didn't close his eyes, and his chestnut brown eyes shone even brighter. Cheng Shiyun pushed him and accidentally bumped his arm, causing Xie Shijin to frown.
Cheng Shiyun asked nervously, "Did I hurt you?"
"A little." He wasn't faking it; it really hurt a bit, but the corners of his lips curled up slightly. "What are you holding in your hand?"
"It's nothing!" Cheng Shiyun wanted to die, so she pushed his waist instead. "You go out first, go out quickly, and come back in after I've tidied up."
Xie Shijin was pushed out of the bedroom by her force, and the door slammed shut in front of him the moment he was pushed out.
Facing the closed bedroom door as if in deep thought, Xie Shijin chuckled softly twice.
She seems to really like white.
Last time I bought her a cat bed, the gray one was ten yuan cheaper than the white one. To save him money, she chose the gray one, comforting herself that gray is less likely to get dirty.
He doesn't want her to wash it.
Her dresses were mostly white, and she looked very good in them.
Cheng Shiyun was going crazy. She quickly pulled at the blankets a couple of times, then stuffed her underwear into the closet to hide it. After checking that there were no flaws, she opened the door and explained guiltily, "I usually fold my blankets and don't leave my clothes lying around."
Xie Shijin came in, his gaze sweeping over the hastily made bed before settling back on her flushed face: "Didn't you fold it today?"
"Because today is special. I got up very early this morning to pick you up from the hospital, and I didn't have time to get ready," Cheng Shiyun said. "Please sit down."
There was only one chair, so she let Xie Shijin sit on her bed, then turned on the air conditioner, went out to pour a glass of water, and brought it in.
Her room wasn't big; it was crammed with a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. Xie Shijin was thin, but tall; overall, she was quite large.
So when Cheng Shiyun came in, she saw that his long legs were awkwardly tucked in.
"Have some water." Cheng Shiyun handed it to him with a smile.
It's a cute cat paw cup, the kind she would use.
Xie Shijin took the drink, his Adam's apple bobbing, and commented, "Delicious."
"Plain water tastes good too?" Cheng Shiyun suspected that there was something wrong with his sense of taste.
Xie Shijin said, "The one you poured tastes good."
"..."
The temperature on Cheng Shiyun's face, which had just cooled down, rose again.
-----------------------
Author's Note: A few sweet chapters later the main story will be finished! I'm so happy! [droopy-eared rabbit head emoji]
It's almost the end of the month, time to ask for some nutrient solution! [glasses]
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