Chapter 66 Even after the sun shines, it will continue to dry out and wither. ...
Spring passed so quickly, and summer and graduation season arrived in a grand manner.
From that day on, Jiang Xiliu stopped locking him in the house. The door that used to be tightly locked is now often left open, but Jin Zhao doesn't know if anyone is guarding the door.
Because he doesn't like going out much.
He never mentioned going back to the lab again.
Jiang Xiliu must trust him; she was even worried that he would be too bored at home, so she got him a dog.
Labrador, a very well-behaved and very intelligent dog.
Its name was given by Jin Zhao, and it was called Xiao Da.
Jin Zhao often sat with Xiao Da in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, lost in thought, feeling the light from outside fall on them and then disappear completely.
After the light fades, Jiang Xiliu will sit for a while longer before going home.
Jiang Xiliu treats him very well, and now she doesn't let him cook, but she doesn't come back for meals very often either.
Jin Zhao has hired a cook for his family, and he sometimes chats with her.
The aunt has a child about the same age as him. From what the aunt said, Jin Zhao learned that the job market this year was not good. Her child had not missed either the fall or spring recruitment season, but still hadn't found a suitable job.
The auntie would occasionally worry about her own child, and after she finished worrying, she would look enviously at the man who was listening quietly.
She sighed silently: When will her children be able to live such a life where everything is done for them?
It was just an ordinary night.
Jin Zhao was already asleep when Jiang Xiliu returned.
Jin Zhaoben was a light sleeper, so he woke up as soon as Jiang Xiliu entered the room.
"It's so late today." Jin Zhao wasn't complaining. He propped himself up in bed and looked towards the door. "Have you been very busy lately? Don't work so hard."
Jiang Xiliu had already walked to the bedside. She reached out and turned his face towards her.
She leaned down and bit Jin Zhao's soft lips.
It has a subtle aroma of alcohol and peach.
Jin Zhao leaned against the headboard, tilting his head slightly upward. He licked his lips to confirm the taste of alcohol, and asked hesitantly, "Do you have a business dinner tonight?"
"Hmm." Jiang Xiliu took off her clothes and said to him before entering the bathroom, "Don't sleep yet, I have something to tell you in a bit."
Jin Zhao gripped and released the bed sheet beneath him, the color of which was unknown. He softly hummed in agreement, though it was unclear whether Jiang Xiliu heard him.
Jiang Xiliu still didn't like to close the door. Jin Zhao listened to the strong sound of water and began to wonder what she wanted to say to him.
My brain, still sluggish from just waking up, began to function.
Jin Zhao raised his hand, touched his face, and then lowered it again.
The wound on his forehead has healed and shouldn't have left an ugly scar, but he hasn't had a good appetite lately and hasn't been eating much, so he's become excessively thin.
Jin Zhao was unsure if he had become uglier this way.
Men and women have different aesthetic standards. The other day, the auntie who cooked for him even praised his good looks.
When Jiang Xiliu came out of the bathroom, she brought a damp smell to the room.
Jin Zhao sensed it. He slowly got out of bed, walked to the spot that smelled damp and fragrant, and asked, "Why aren't you drying your hair?"
Jiang Xiliu shoved a hairdryer into his hand and bossed the man who had just gotten up, "You blow-dry it."
Jin Zhao skillfully adjusted the temperature and fan speed to her preferred settings, lowered his head, and gently grasped the ends of her hair.
When he is doing something seriously, he is always quiet and focused, and Jiang Xiliu likes him very much.
Jiang Xiliu's gaze slid down his face, noticing his prominent Adam's apple, the fingers tucked in her hair, and his swaying pajamas...
The corners of her lips curled up slightly.
After Jin Zhao turned off the hairdryer and the room became quiet again, Jiang Xiliu began to speak to him: "Peking University is about to hold its graduation ceremony."
I don't know how Jiang Xiliu did it, but after Jin Zhao submitted his thesis, he defended it online.
Jin Zhao was stunned for a moment, but quickly composed himself: "Really? That's good."
Jiang Xiliu asked him, "Do you want to go?"
Although she didn't restrict him from going out, she almost never asked him this question, as if she were inviting him.
Jin Zhao was naturally very tempted.
Whether it was Jiang Xiliu's invitation or attending the graduation ceremony.
but.
He walked to the bedside and sat down, looking into the void. His lips moved slightly: "Let's just forget about it."
The room lights are warm, which makes people feel soft.
For example, right now, Jin Zhao's features, which have become even sharper due to his thinness, are facing the light. His slightly parted lips beneath his high nose look soft in the glow of the light.
That is indeed the case.
Jiang Xiliu hadn't liked looking into his eyes lately, but today she did, and they were moist.
He said he didn't want to go, but his lifeless eyes were full of longing.
"Aren't you going?" Jiang Xiliu gave him a heads-up, "You're an outstanding graduate this year."
Jin Zhao had a long preparation time and had done a lot of work in the lab, so even though the finishing work was a bit rushed, his paper still stood out among a bunch of papers that were pieced together from English to Chinese, Chinese to English, and then from English to Chinese.
Seeing that Jin Zhao still didn't speak, Jiang Xiliu continued, "I will go on stage to present certificates to outstanding graduates."
Jin Zhao's breathing became heavier. He slowly lay down, curled up, and sought the most secure position.
The mattress next to him sank slightly, and a warm touch landed on his face, forcefully turning him in another direction.
Jiang Xiliu's fingertips slid across his thin eyelids, then moved slightly to the side: "Why are you crying? Why have you become so prone to tears?"
As she spoke, her breath sprayed intermittently onto Jin Zhao's face.
Therefore, Jin Zhao knew that she was looking at him from a very close distance.
Jin Zhao kept his lips tightly closed, seemingly unwilling to answer her question.
No man wants to reveal his vulnerability to his lover, even if that vulnerability is impossible to hide.
"Do you hate me?" Jiang Xiliu's tone was laced with sarcasm. "You've been having a hard time pretending all this time, haven't you?"
She thought he was crying on purpose.
Or rather, she felt it was normal for Jin Zhao to hate her, so she believed his previous calmness was all an act, and she was always on guard against him.
"No." Jin Zhao only said these two words.
I don't know if he's saying he doesn't hate her, or if he's saying he's not pretending to be very hard-pressed.
Or both.
He was so badly injured because of the sharp weapon on the bedside table.
He was the one who took the weapon, and he was the one who grabbed the person first, so it seems he can't blame anyone else; it's all his own fault.
Seeing that he was finally willing to speak, Jiang Xiliu let go of his hand and wiped the tears on her hands onto Jin Zhao: "You're coming with me. This is not something to discuss."
Jin Zhao's mental state was actually very bad; his weight loss was not simply due to a poor appetite.
After returning from the hospital check-up last time, the doctor subtly suggested that Jiang Xiliu pay more attention to his mental health issues.
Jiang Xiliu happened to be quite busy at that time, and only remembered this matter now that she has some free time.
Originally, Peking University invited Jiang Fuhuai, who was available this time, but in the end, Jiang Xiliu was the one selected.
She's about to officially take over, so this is barely a decent opportunity to make an appearance.
Upon hearing this, Jin Zhao still shook his head: "I'm not going."
People who resisted and made a fuss about going back to school a few months ago are now resisting going to school with the same attitude.
Jiang Xiliu was unhappy to see him like this, because she knew he wanted to go, but he didn't want to go like this.
"Don't throw a tantrum," Jiang Xiliu said coldly. She had already said, "I didn't give you a choice."
Jin Zhao stopped moving, his eyes just staring blankly into space.
He was like a broken branch, detached from the trunk, so he could no longer absorb nutrients. No matter how much rain fell from the sky, it could only wet the surface.
When the sun shines, it will continue to dry out and wither.
If God were to be kind and try to keep this broken branch moist for a long time, it would not regain its vitality; instead, it would start to mold because of the dampness.
Jin Zhao is getting moldy. He's become picky; he used to eat anything, but now he's often picky about food.
Jiang Xiliu clearly disliked him, but she didn't have much time to care about or figure out what he wanted, so she just kept watering him.
The mold spots weren't washed away by the water; instead, they became more and more noticeable.
Jin Zhao's face was very pale, unusually so: "I'm not going."
Jiang Xiliu was furious. She cursed him a few times, but seeing that he was still lying there motionless like a corpse, she got out of bed in anger and slammed the door shut.
This was the first night without Jiang Xiliu by his side since he was injured.
The doctor told Jiang Xiliu that he had become very dependent on her after his injury, and that his family needed to spend more time with him.
Jiang Xiliu didn't deliberately make time to stay by Jin Zhao's side, but she would return here every night, no matter how late it was.
The proximity and convenient commuting meant that her relationship with Jin Zhao wasn't entirely for him.
Jin Zhao lay on the bed, counting to 601 in his mind, then slowly got out of bed and groped his way to open the door.
He stood at the door and called out, "Xiao Da."
The little dog, which usually barks twice when he calls its name, was very quiet, Jin Zhao thought a beat late.
The puppy probably needs rest too.
Yes, the puppy is most likely sleeping.
Therefore, Jin Zhao subconsciously ignored the fact that Xiao Da was not an ordinary puppy, and also ignored the sensitivity of the dog's ears.
He was tense all over, leaning against the door.
It's summer, so why do I feel cold? He raised his hand and lightly touched his forehead.
No fever.
Not wanting to go back to his bed where he was all alone, Jin Zhao took a few steps forward and, relying on his memory and intuition, walked to Xiao Da's nest.
He just sat there, leaning against the wall, eyes open, looking like he wanted to sit there all night until dawn.
To avoid disturbing the puppy's good sleep, he didn't even reach into the kennel to touch it.
If he reached out, he would find that there was no sign of the puppy in the kennel.
The living room was brightly lit. Jiang Xiliu, who had been sitting on the sofa with a cold expression, finally couldn't stand it anymore. She let go of Xiao Da's mouth and let the silly dog run to Jin Zhao's side with a "da da".
Xiao Da didn't go into the doghouse, but lay down at Jin Zhao's feet, its wagging tail brushing against Jin Zhao's legs.
Jin Zhao lowered his head, his hand grasping at empty air. He paused, then moved to the side without changing his expression, finally managing to touch the fluffy fur.
Feeling its owner's touch, the Labrador made a very soft, subtle purring sound.
The man and his dog huddled together in the corner.
One didn't want to go back to their room, and the other didn't want to go back to their nest.
They looked as pitiful as if they were homeless and wandering the streets.
Jiang Xiliu was so annoyed that his brows were practically tied in knots. Wasn't the reason he was sent to the graduation ceremony to make him look like a living person? Why does he look even more dead now?
She couldn't figure it out.
Jiang Xiliu has already decided to attend, so there's no reason to serve a dish to someone else after it's been prepared.
She stood up from the sofa, and upon hearing the noise, both the man and the dog looked up in her direction.
The light footsteps stopped.
Jiang Xiliu squatted down, deciding to ask him one last time.
Before she could speak, Jin Zhao hesitated for a moment before speaking in a dry, stilted manner.
I thought you had left.
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Author's Note: [Question mark] The young lady laughed angrily: This is my house! If I'm leaving, I'll throw you out! [Angry]
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