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Discharge was scheduled for Friday morning. Xu Yu changed her clothes and went out. Zhu Wenxu met her in the elevator, immediately took her luggage, and went back into the elevator to go down.
"Have a good rest during this period. I have hired an aunt to take care of you."
Zhu Wenxu was worried that he was too tired. He knew that his sleep quality had seriously deteriorated, and that cooking without enough rest would be too damaging to his spirit, so he immediately found an aunt with good cooking skills.
The hospital elevator was filled with disinfectant, and the iron elevator was polished to a shine. My thin figure was reflected in it. I thought I had gained a lot of weight recently, but now it seems that I haven't gained any weight at all.
Xu Yu took a deep breath and said, "I want to go back to Tingfeng."
The space was silent, with only the roar of the elevator descending. The distance to the fifth floor suddenly slowed to a century.
"when?"
Xu Yu: "Tomorrow."
Zhu Wenxu: "I'll ask Zhou Ming to take you there."
No further questions, no attempts to persuade him to stay, except for the faint sigh at the end of the voice.
With the current relationship, Xu Yu could have held his hand tightly to reassure him, saying she wouldn't be gone for long. But Xu Yu found herself becoming less and less able to lie to Zhu Wenxu, even hesitant to lie to him even if it meant comfort.
"Should we go have hot pot?" Xu Yu felt a slight chill before even leaving the hall. "It would be warmer."
Zhu Wenxu held his hand and said, "I know a family. Let's go together now."
Assistant Zhou drove to the end of the food street. Worried that Xu Yu might get carsick due to poor health, he didn't say a word along the way.
"We want half a chicken, vegetables, tofu, beef, and whatever else you like, with clear soup for the base. Oh, and we want beef rolls, not marinated with chili peppers." Zhu Wenxu asked Xu Yu after ordering, "What else would you like to order?"
Xu Yu shook his head: "Eat first."
"That's all." Zhu Wenxu said, "No need for drinks, just bring me a pot of hot tea."
The waiter responded and went downstairs with the menu.
"Have you eaten here before?" Xu Yu asked, "This restaurant looks like it's been around for a long time."
"I came here when I was in school." Zhu Wenxu poured tea. "The food street hadn't been built back then, and there wasn't much to eat around here. The snack stalls were always being chased by the urban management. If you wanted to eat, you had to rely on luck. If you couldn't find any, you could only come to these shops."
"Have you been here for many years?"
Zhu Wenxu: "For several years, my household registration has been in Tingfeng, but I grew up in Qingying."
No wonder Xu Yu thought he was stable here.
"How long will you be here?" Xu Yu asked, "Will you come back to Tingfeng?"
"Of course, the headquarters is over there, but only part of the industry is here." Zhu Wenxu said, "But I won't go back for the time being."
Xu Yu advised: "Don't work too hard."
Zhu Wenxu's words circled around and he abruptly changed the question: "When you return, contact my assistant Wang Li. She works at headquarters. If Xi Jiang embarrasses you, she will help you."
"Thank you, you've been really nice to me."
Zhu Wenxu couldn't hide his feelings for Xu Yu at all. If this were at home, he would definitely kiss her again. The environment restrained his impulse, so he could only express: "I am willing to treat you well for the rest of my life."
A lifetime is very long, very far, an undefinable number. Xu Yu listened and laughed, but knew in his heart that it was impossible, impossible to maintain such a willing and giving emotion forever.
At this point, the waiter started serving the dishes. Their soup was a chicken broth base, and it was delicious. Xu Yu poured it into the dish, and Zhu Wenxu added seasonings between cookings. The flavors were not overpowering, and it was very fragrant when mixed with rice.
Xu Yu stared at his face and suddenly felt that he was different. Sometimes he kept strangers away and acted aloof, but sometimes he could completely blend in with the common people, making it impossible to associate him with the upper class.
"Eat more meat." Zhu Wenxu picked up some food for him, "Eat slowly and don't make it too spicy."
Xu Yu also picked up some food for him: "You should eat more too."
Zhu Wenxu smiled as he ate. The meal took nearly two hours. On the way back, the wind was so strong that Xu Yu's hair was messed up. When he got home, Zhu Wenxu left first because of the meeting.
Xu Yu called Wang Li and answered, "Are you okay? I said I'd call you this afternoon. Fuwa said you're much better and are ready to be discharged."
"I've been discharged from the hospital." Xu Yu said, "What are you busy with?"
"Isn't it about the urgent meeting? Our boss is like a pain in the ass. He accepted an outsourced photo shoot order and asked me, a former paparazzi, to switch careers and become a female celebrity wedding photographer. I didn't sleep all night and just arrived today."
Xu Yu understood him very well: "You finish your work first, and then when you are not busy, we can have a meal."
"Why do you sound a little nasal? Do you have a cold? Take care of yourself, and don't let me ask you to drink when you can't."
"How is that possible? I'm not that weak. You go ahead and do your work." Xu Yu hung up the phone.
He sniffed, feeling a little short of breath, drank a cup of hot water, found the suitcase under the bed, and began to pack his few clothes.
I took a look at the tickets and bought a high-speed rail ticket for tomorrow. By the time I got there, it was almost dark.
When Xu Yu was alone and quiet, he usually didn't think about anything, his mind automatically emptying. But now, his thoughts were a mess, as complicated as a ball of pencil thread, and he couldn't figure out what was so complicated.
The truth about the car accident must be on Tingfeng.
When Zhu Wenxu came back, Xu Yu had already fallen asleep. Because of his illness, he had to fall asleep immediately when he felt sleepy, otherwise it would be difficult to fall asleep later.
He was still thinking about how to say a few words to Xu Yu and how to comfort him with actions, but when he stood at the door and took a look at his sleeping profile, he suddenly felt very happy.
He closed the door, sat down on the sofa, took out his cell phone and dialed the number on the other end.
"Does it have to be like this?"
The person on the other end of the phone was certain: "He will find out eventually."
"I…I don't want him to go through this alone."
"So you want to get involved? Like Xi Jiang? Interfere with his past? Interfere with his future?" The other person's voice was very quiet. "He has his own future. Whether it's you or not is up to him to decide. If you really love him, you have to let go."
"……I see."
Zhu Wenxu buried his face in his hands and hung up the phone without saying a word. When he looked up, his palms were wet and his eyes were red.
Unable to sleep, he opened the refrigerator and saw that it was full of mineral water, then he stopped again.
The next morning, Xu Yu woke up at 5:30. Zhu Wenxu wasn't home, probably going to work as usual. He changed his shoes and carried his luggage downstairs. Overnight, the wind blew, and the petals of the city fell to the ground.
He went downstairs, found a porridge shop, had breakfast, and took a taxi to the high-speed rail station.
He quite likes Qingying. It is more comfortable here and the pace of life suits him. If possible, he really wants to settle down here.
After paying the fare, he turned the corner and bought some snacks at the supermarket, hoping to eat something when he was bored on the road. There were local specialties on the display cabinet in the middle, so Xu Yu bought two boxes.
After leaving the supermarket, Xu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He stared at the tall buildings of different heights in the distance, wondering whether he should give Zhu Wenxu a call.
Worried that he was too busy to answer the call, Xu Yu glanced at his phone and finally sent a WeChat message to Zhu Wenxu: [I'm leaving.]
The car stopped not far away, and the passenger seat rolled down and looked towards the supermarket entrance.
The phone dinged.
He lowered his eyes, his body sank, and his remaining strength was drained away bit by bit.
He wasn't sure if Xu Yu would come back after she left. Would she contact him again? Would the next time they met, would she assume that they had broken up?
The answer was obvious, but he didn't want to admit it.
Zhu Wenxu thought so, but his finger had already dialed Xu Yu's number. After two rings, the other end said, "Hello."
Thirteen hours without seeing each other felt like three or four years.
Zhu Wenxu suppressed his emotions and said, "Didn't I tell Zhou Ming to take you there?"
"It's work hours now, and it will disturb Assistant Zhou's work." He said, "I can handle it alone."
"Xu Yu..."
"I wish you the best." Xu Yu said sincerely, "Thank you."
There was a moment of silence, and then the phone was hung up.
Xu Yu put away his luggage, put on his headphones, and closed his eyes in his seat to rest. It was difficult to fall asleep because of all the noise: external audio, TV dramas, children crying, the constant exclamations and compliments from adults chatting, and the jarring sound effects of games.
When he arrived, he was exhausted and took a taxi to stay in a hotel nearby.
It was his first time staying in a hotel and he wasn’t used to it. He couldn’t fall asleep after eating.
The next morning, with dark circles under his eyes, he bought some steamed buns, bought some cold medicine, renewed his room rate, and went back to sleep. Fortunately, he was able to get a short nap. When he woke up, fine raindrops were falling outside the window, covering the entire city.
Xu Yu checked his phone. There were several missed calls: from Wang Li, Assistant Zhao, and even Xi Jiang, but not from Zhu Wenxu.
Not in the mood to make a phone call, he took two cold medicine pills and continued to sleep. He fell asleep again, but this time he woke up when it was dark and his nose was still a little blocked.
He threw the mineral water into the kettle, heated it up and took it out to drink. He drank it too quickly and choked and coughed continuously, and spilled a lot of water on himself.
Xu Yu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and changed his clothes.
He sent a message to Shu Wei: [Shu Wei, where are you celebrating Aunt Mu's birthday tomorrow?]
Shu Wei replied immediately: [In the courtyard, Master doesn't want to go to the store, saying it's troublesome.]
[This is the location.]
[Okay, I'll be there.]
The next day, Xu Yu woke up at noon. His cold had almost healed, so he packed up and went downstairs. He left his luggage in a large locker at the supermarket and took a taxi to the courtyard with his gifts.
It has been almost four months since I left Tingfeng. The interior of the courtyard has been renovated and is cleaner and brighter. Several people are kneading dough in the hall.
Shu Wei stepped forward anxiously: "Mr. Reporter, why don't you hold an umbrella? You'll catch a cold if you get caught in the rain."
Xu Yu explained: "It's not far, so I thought I wouldn't get too wet."
"You haven't gotten too wet yet." Shu Wei said, "Wait a minute, I'll get you a towel."
Axin brought you a cup of hot water and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Reporter Wang."
"No trouble." Xu Yu took the hot water, "Do you need my help?"
The first time is new, the second time is familiar, so they didn't hesitate: "Come and knead the dough, we will make dumplings."
Xu Yu washed his hands and found a stool to sit down. He could cook and made beautiful dumplings, and people teased him for being dexterous.
After cooking a large pot of dumplings, Xu Yu went to the bathroom and sneezed. A Xin found a stool and sat down next to him, a little embarrassed: "Can I add you on WeChat?"
Xu Yu smiled and said, "Of course."
Fine rain was falling and fog was rising. Xu Yu had taken some medicine so that he was not dizzy. After adding Axin on WeChat, he casually looked through Axin's circle of friends and found that he had a lot of work, including an advertisement for a psychology clinic.
He suddenly remembered that Axin said that his sister was a psychologist.
"I've been doing some small business lately, wholesale candy and stuff, so you can definitely contact me."
Xu Yu: "No problem."
The dumplings were cooked for half an hour, and several bowls were placed on the table inside. Aunt Mu and Uncle Liang were very happy to see him, greeted him and sat down together.
"I'm very happy that everyone came to see me. After all these years, I'm still proud of you."
Uncle Liang also smiled: "Feel free to eat today. You've worked hard. I'll make sure you're full."
Everyone applauded, ate dumplings happily, and then shared what they had seen and heard recently. Some people got promoted and got a raise, some were about to get married, and they were all talking about their bright futures.
Xu Yu was infected and ate an extra dumpling.
"Mr. Reporter, I'm glad you're here. Let me toast you on behalf of everyone."
Shu Wei brought the wine, and Xu Yu was too embarrassed to bring the mineral water. After drinking a glass, he felt a burning pain in his stomach.
Fortunately, no one asked him to drink again after that.
After eating dumplings, it was time for cake. Aunt Mu put on a paper crown, closed her eyes and made a wish. Shu Wei tapped the cake on the tip of her nose.
Faced with Shu Wei's mischief, Aunt Mu laughed out loud, and everyone laughed too, smearing cream on each other's bodies. In a moment, everyone was running in the yard, and some even hid in the rain to avoid being attacked.
Aunt Mu smiled gently: "My life is neither too long nor too short, but in my life, being able to see the smiling faces of children is also a great happiness."
Xu Yu understood what she meant and took out his gift.
"I've been choosing for a long time and want to give it to you."
Aunt Mu took it gently and her eyes widened when she saw the scarf: "So beautiful."
"It looks a lot like you." Xu Yu said, "The first time I saw it, I thought of you."
"Is it expensive, kid?"
"It's not expensive." Xu Yu put the box in Uncle Liang's hand, "This is my uncle's."
"I got a present even though it's not my birthday?" Uncle Liang said with tears in his eyes. "You are such a good kid."
Xu Yu was very happy: "As long as you like it."
The birthday party was still going on, and someone pushed out a speaker to sing a song. Xu Yu felt a little dizzy and tried to find an excuse to leave. Uncle Liang found him an umbrella, but he didn't want to disturb his mood, so Xu Yu didn't let him see him off and left secretly.
Although he didn't drink much alcohol, it still had an effect. He kept feeling dizzy and was afraid that he would faint. He went home, took some cold medicine, and wanted to have a good sleep.
But he couldn't get a taxi and didn't want to stay in the rain any longer, so he wanted to find a place to shelter and rest. Before he even got there, he bent over, leaned against the bus stop pole, and started vomiting violently.
Dizziness set in. He saw the rain slanting down, and transparent jellyfish emerged, undulating in the cold rain.
The low beam headlights shone over him, the car stopped, and the window rolled down. He tried to look carefully at the direction the jellyfish was heading, but it was a little blurry, and he had no idea who was coming towards him. The other person didn't care whether he wanted to or not, and just picked him up.
Xu Yu felt his eyes heavy, and he fell asleep with his head tilted.
fever.
Thirty-eight degrees five.
Xi Jiang wiped the rain off his face and watched the nurse give him an IV drip. Assistant Zhao opened the prescribed medicine and brought him a cup of hot water.
"I'll do it." Xi Jiang moved aside Assistant Zhao and fed the medicine to Xu Yu.
Assistant Zhao looked as if he had seen a ghost, but he didn't dare to say a word.
Xu Yu had a fever for three days, and Assistant Zhao was ordered to take care of him at all times and stay by his bedside except when sleeping.
After Xu Yu woke up, Assistant Zhao beside him immediately brought him a glass of water: "Mr. Xu, you're awake! Would you like some water, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Yu tried to open his mouth and found that his throat was extremely painful. He took the water and took a sip: "Am I in the hospital again?"
"Yes, you have a fever," Assistant Zhao said. "Would you like something to eat?"
Xu Yu closed his eyes, then opened them again: "I want to eat some buns and soy milk."
"I'll go buy it now." Assistant Zhao ran out immediately.
Xu Yu stared at his back, pulled out the needle, started to change clothes, put on a disposable mask from the drawer, took the medicine on the table and left through the back door of the hospital.
The luggage in the supermarket had been there for more than 24 hours, so Xu Yu called the staff and they quickly opened the cabinet door.
Xu Yu rummaged through his luggage in the rest area and found a business card for the psychological clinic in a small bag.
——Ruyuan Psychological Clinic.
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