Encounter
The July sunlight, like shredded gold foil, scatters across the willow trees. The branches stretch out in the blazing light, each leaf coated in a translucent halo. They sway gently in the breeze, like thousands of nimble butterflies fluttering for flight.
Sunlight penetrates the layers of branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. As the branches sway, the light and shadows dance with them, like a breathing painting. The distant chirping of cicadas adds a touch of laziness and leisure to this summer scene. Under the scorching July sun, the willow trees quietly tell the story of midsummer.
Before the cicadas' chirping reached the branches, the morning breeze, laced with the dampness of the grass and trees, brushed against Gu Hanzhi's temples. On the first day after finals, she had purposely risen early, folded her school uniform pants deep in her closet, and changed into her washed-out wide-leg jeans. The hems of her pants swayed gently with her steps, as if echoing the faint, almost quivering joy in the air.
Her black short-sleeved shirt was neatly tailored, and on her shoulder was a metal badge in the shape of a ginkgo leaf, a small find she'd found at a flea market during last year's school anniversary celebration. She'd specially worn light purple sneakers for her bike ride.
She mounted her bicycle, the crisp jingle of the bell startling two sparrows from the roadside bushes. The asphalt road meandered forward, still stained with last night's dew, reflecting the gradually brightening sky. The wheels rustled over the fine gravel, creating a rustling sound that blended with the distant barking of dogs, creating a unique summer melody.
Gu Hanzhi let the bike coast slowly, her hands resting loosely on the handlebars. The morning breeze caressed her arms, sweeping away the fine beads of sweat from her skin. She looked up at the specks of light filtering through the branches and leaves. Those dancing dots resembled the punctuation marks dancing on a test paper, now transformed into free spirits. The wild roses by the roadside were in full bloom, their pink and white petals drenched in morning dew, swaying gently in the wind, as if waving to her.
Turning a familiar street corner, she heard the distant cries of a breakfast stall. She slammed on the brakes, the tires scratching a shallow rut on the ground. She took a deep breath, the aroma of fried dough sticks and the scent of grass filling her nostrils. Then, startled, she realized her stomach was growling. Gu Hanzhi smiled, locked the car, and walked toward the direction of the aroma. The morning light stretched her shadow long, casting a comfortable silhouette on the ground.
The morning sun slanted across the asphalt road, like a layer of flowing gold foil. Gu Hanzhi hummed a tuneless little tune, and the bicycle chain made a light clicking sound.
Comfort is always beautiful but short-lived. As Gu Hanzhi turned the corner, a snow-white figure suddenly darted out. It was a snow-white cat with a faded red bell tied around its neck. It arched its back in the middle of the road, its amber eyes wide open. Gu Hanzhi slammed on the brakes, the rubber tires screeching against the ground, but inertia, like an invisible hand, pushed her forward.
The bicycle slid crookedly for half a meter before its metal frame slammed heavily onto the gravel road. Gu Hanzhi felt a burning pain in her knee. Looking down, she saw a large tear at the knee of her light blue jeans, a few tiny grains of sand embedded in the bleeding wound.
The white cat had come close at some point, its bell tinkling faintly. It tilted its head, staring at the blood drop on Gu Hanzhi's knee, then suddenly extended its pink tongue and gently licked it. Gu Hanzhi gasped in pain, only to find the white cat's wet nose rubbing against her fingertips, its throat purring ingratiatingly. Life is full of unexpected moments, but it also hides unexpected tenderness.
Sophora japonica blossoms rustled onto the asphalt as Shen Zhihe came running, his steps scattering silver-like specks of light. A corner of his white hoodie was lifted by the wind, his gray sweatpants rustled with his hurried steps, and his white sneakers slammed heavily over gravel, sending up a cloud of dust. Sweat from his forehead trickled down his jawline, leaving dark streaks at his collarbone. In his hand, he clutched a half-eaten sausage—a snack for the stray cats.
"Hanzhi!" A hoarse cry, laced with panting. He knelt on one knee, the warmth of his palm transmitting through the cat's soft fur, his fingertips, stained with grass, trembling slightly. The orange cat curled obediently in his arms, its pink paw pads still stained with wet dirt, and purred ingratiatingly. When Shen Zhihe looked up, beads of sweat still clinged to his eyelashes, his dark pupils filled with regret: "It's all my fault for not keeping an eye on it. It had to chase butterflies onto the road."
The words stopped abruptly. His eyes were suddenly fixed on the bloodstain on Gu Hanzhi's knee - a large patch of dark red was stained on the dark blue jeans, like a blooming poppy, winding down the trouser leg. Shen Zhihe's Adam's apple rolled, and when he stood up, he brought a gust of wind and swiftly straightened the bicycle that had fallen on the roadside. The sound of the metal frame colliding startled the sparrows on the branches. He gently put the cat into the basket, and then pulled off the drawstring of his hoodie and tied it to the handlebars to prevent the cat from jumping out.
As Shen Zhihe turned, he leaned over and lifted her up horizontally. His muscles were taut beneath his cotton sweatshirt, and his warm breath brushed against Gu Hanzhi's burning ears. The girl gasped softly and subconsciously clutched the fabric across his chest, her fingertips touching her rapidly beating heart.
The bicycle chain creaked, the wheels rolling over the pile of locust flowers, raising a fine, fragrant mist. Gu Hanzhi sat on the front bar, clearly feeling the heat coming from behind her. Shen Zhihe's strong arms practically encircled her. "You really don't need to go to the hospital!" She struggled to get off, but the stinging pain in her knee froze her movements. "It's just a scrape. I'll just go home and apply some iodine..."
"Don't move." Shen Zhihe suddenly tightened his arms. When the bicycle turned the corner, the faint scent of cedar on his body mixed with the salty taste of sweat hit his face. "I'll pay for the medical expenses, just as an apology." The hot temperature of his palm came through the thin fabric. Only then did Gu Hanzhi realize the bloody marks on his neck caused by cat claws. It must have been left when he was chasing a cat.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long. The orange cat dozed in the basket, its tail swaying gently as the car swayed. Gu Hanzhi gazed at the interlaced shadows of the trees on the ground and suddenly whispered, "Then... thank you." The wind blew the locust blossoms past her ears, and Shen Zhihe's response was so soft that it was almost inaudible: "I should be the one to apologize."
When they arrived at the hospital, the hot temperature of Gu Hanzhi in Shen Zhihe's arms could be felt through Shen Zhihe's hoodie. The strands of hair on her forehead stuck to her pale face, and the blood oozing from her knees was dripping down through Shen Zhihe's fingers.
The fluorescent tubes in the hospital corridors hummed, and the scent of disinfectant mixed with traditional Chinese medicine filled the air. Shen Zhihe carried someone through the waiting area, and patients on the metal chairs looked up. An elderly woman smacked her lips and whispered something, causing a young couple to hurriedly look away. Even the treatment cart pushed by the nurse on duty paused in the aisle.
"I can walk on my own. There are so many people watching." Gu Hanzhi's voice was as light as a falling leaf, with a shattered end due to pain. She tried to push herself up, but was stopped by Shen Zhihe's tightened arms.
"Don't move." Shen Zhihe's jaw was tense, his Adam's apple rolling as he swallowed down his anxiety. "Your injuries are already serious. Walking more vigorously will only make the bleeding worse." His breath swept across her red earlobes. The person in his arms was incredibly light, as if she would break into pieces in his arms if he exerted a little force.
Gu Hanzhi chuckled: "You care about me so much."
Shen Zhihe blushed a little: "I just don't want to worry that you will suddenly come to my cat."
Gu Hanzhi was a little angry: "Am I so scary in your eyes? But——"
"You like cats."
"I like it." Shen Zhihe nodded, "It's very cute."
Gu Hanzhi raised an eyebrow: "The one who sticks to you the most?"
"It was before." Shen Zhihe's eyes darkened.
Gu Hanzhi suddenly became serious, "From now on... don't think of me as someone who would harm small animals."
Shen Zhihe was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Okay."
The door to the orthopedics clinic was ajar, the electronic screen displaying "Clinic 3." Shen Zhihe pushed the door open with his knee, and the smell of cold air wrapped in medical tape hit him. When the doctor on duty looked up, he was carefully placing Gu Hanzhi on the examination bed, his bloody fingers leaving dark marks on the white sheets.
"Fell off a bicycle?" The female doctor, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, lifted up Gu Hanzhi's trouser leg to examine the wound. Shen Zhihe stared at the skin and blood on the white knee, a rusty taste rising in his throat.
"Let's get an X-ray first." The female doctor tore off the diagnosis sheet. "Family members, please pay the bill."
"He's not..." Gu Hanzhi spoke weakly, Shen Zhihe holding her shoulders. When he took the list, their fingertips touched, and the cool warmth of her wrist made his heart tremble.
"Wait for me here." Shen Zhihe lowered his eyes to look at Gu Hanzhi, his Adam's apple rolling in the cold wind. As he turned around, he heard the rustling sound of fabric rubbing against each other behind him, like the soft pads of a kitten rubbing against silk.
A long line formed at the payment window at the end of the corridor, the incandescent light casting a pale halo above the crowd. Shen Zhihe fished through his pockets, the countless bills in his pocket, his fingertips touching the sweat-soaked edges. The elderly man at the front of the line was counting coins. The crisp clinking sounds mixed with the rhythmic ticking of a distant monitor, rippling the silent corridor.
The scent of disinfectant filled the corridor. Amid the steady ticking of the monitor, the attending physician removed his stethoscope and glanced at the figure pacing back and forth in the waiting area outside the ward. The young man's neck was still stained with rainwater, and his knuckles were white as he gripped the thermos. It was obvious that he had been standing at the emergency room door for a long time.
"Your boyfriend really cares about you." The female doctor tucked the medical record folder into her arm, her tone full of familiar teasing, "Unlike the one in my family who just sits on the balcony smoking and drinking all day." As soon as she finished speaking, the monitor suddenly made a short beep, and Gu Hanzhi's originally pale cheeks instantly flushed, like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow.
"Doctor..." She subconsciously clutched the corner of the quilt and whispered, "He...he's not my boyfriend." Her tone was soft and tender, a girl's only lingering shyness. A ray of sunlight shone through the window, gilding her eyelashes.
"Oh, that's not all?" The female doctor smiled and raised her eyebrows. She suddenly leaned closer and said in a low voice: "In my opinion, it's just a layer of window paper away." Before she finished speaking, deliberately subdued footsteps were heard outside the ward. The two smiled at each other. Gu Hanzhi hurriedly pulled the quilt to cover her hot face, but she couldn't hide the smile that overflowed from the corner of her mouth.
The incandescent lights in the clinic hummed overhead. Shen Zhihe's knuckles turned white as he clutched the bill. The soles of his sneakers scraped against the corridor, thick with the smell of disinfectant. When he rushed into the clinic, the female doctor was throwing an iodine-soaked cotton swab into the trash can, and the metal tray made a crisp clinking sound.
With the hum of a conveyor belt, the X-ray film slowly emerged. The female doctor held the film close to the viewing light. Swelling soft tissue blurred the silver-gray lines of bone. She tapped the knee joint with her fingertips. "The little girl had a serious fall. The knee injury has affected her entire leg." The medical pen scratched across the report. "Periosteal contusion with ligament strain. She won't be able to walk for at least a short time."
Gu Hanzhi clutched the bottle of warm water handed to her by Shen Zhihe, her knuckles squeezing the bottle so tightly that it trembled: "My leg...can it be okay?" When she looked up, the medical light cast a fine shadow on her eyelashes, like a frightened butterfly.
"Take anti-swelling and painkillers regularly, and combine them with physical therapy." The female doctor pulled a rehabilitation manual from a drawer, the pages rustling with the smell of ink. She adjusted her glasses, which had slipped down. The cold light reflected from the lenses swept across the tense expressions of the two men. "As long as you strictly follow the doctor's instructions, the prognosis for recovery will be good."
Shen Zhihe stroked the edge of the examination bed, the metal railings feeling cold. He remembered Gu Hanzhi's curled-up appearance after falling, and his Adam's apple rolled. "Do you need a wheelchair?"
"If you're concerned, you might need it." The female doctor tore off the report, leaving the jagged edge of the page hanging between them. She tapped the note section repeatedly with the tip of her silver-gray pen, leaving raised ink marks on the paper. "I recommend renting a wheelchair." Rain slanted across the glass outside, blurring the outline of her white coat. Only the sound of her knuckles tapping against the paper was clear.
As Shen Zhihe pushed Gu Hanzhi through the hospital's revolving doors, dusk was dyeing the floor tiles a honey-colored hue. He lowered his eyes to look at his bandaged knee, his Adam's apple moving. "I'm so sorry. If it weren't for my cat, you might not be in such a serious situation."
Gu Hanzhi smiled and tilted her head back, her hair brushing against his wrist as he held onto the wheelchair. "Oh, it's okay. You've already paid for me, and I want to thank you." She shook her phone, and the screen showed Shen Zhihe's transfer interface, with three apologetic kitten emojis following the number.
.
Shen Zhihe let out a soft laugh, but then immediately changed his expression and said, "Do you want me to give you a wheelchair?"
"I have a wheelchair at home, so I don't need you." Gu Hanzhi's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the bandage, and suddenly looked up as if remembering something. "By the way, how did you know where I live? I filled in the information when I paid the fee, and the junior high school sent me back..."
"I always passed by your house after school in junior high school." Shen Zhihe's voice was so soft that it seemed to be melted into the wind. "Back then, you always bought osmanthus cakes at the corner of the alley."
Gu Hanzhi's breath hitched. The rustling of sycamore leaves, the rustle of school uniform skirts brushing against bluestone slabs, and the hem of a white shirt that always disappeared around the corner suddenly surged back from the depths of her memory.
Shen Zhihe stood up straight, his ears reddening: "Then I'll take you home?"
The bicycle chain made a subtle sound in the twilight. Gu Hanzhi sat in the back seat, the night wind whistling the collar of Shen Zhihe's hoodie, and the familiar scent of soapberry mixed with the scent of grass wafted in her face. She clutched the corner of his clothes and suddenly said, "It's just that your cat suddenly ran over here. Why do you owe me such a big favor?"
The vibration of the wheels rolling over stones rippled through the frame. Shen Zhihe was silent for a long time, then slammed on the brakes at a red light. "Because... I still owe you a favor from junior high school."
Gu Hanzhi's nails dug into her palms. She remembered that rainy day in junior high school, when Shen Zhihe had saved her from the abyss countless times, yet she pushed him away time and time again.
The bronze gate of the Gu family compound glowed warmly in the twilight. Shen Zhihe locked his bicycle under the wisteria trellis and gently helped Gu Hanzhi to her feet. As he turned around, holding the calico cat dozing in his arms, Gu Hanzhi suddenly called out to him, "Shen Zhihe."
The boy turned around and the street light made his shadow very long.
"Next time, don't let your cat out again."
Shen Zhihe smiled, his eyes curved into the same bright crescents that Gu Hanzhi had when she was a freshman: "Okay."
The evening breeze, wrapped in the scent of wisteria, swept across the porch. The calico cat's tail brushed the back of Gu Hanzhi's hand. She watched the boy's back gradually disappear, and suddenly felt that the pain in her knees was no match for the quiet thawing of a place in her heart.
Gu Hanzhi held onto the wall and moved forward step by step with difficulty. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her pale face, and every step she took seemed to be in great pain.
Gu Songyi, who was reading in the living room just after entering the house, looked up and saw his sister's appearance, and the book fell to the ground with a "bang". He rushed over in two steps, holding Gu Hanzhi firmly, and said in a voice full of anxiety: "Sister, what's wrong with you? Did you fall off your bike?" His eyes quickly scanned Gu Hanzhi's body, trying to find any injuries.
Gu Hanzhi nodded gently, forced a smile, and tried to speak in a relaxed tone: "It's nothing serious, you just need to use a wheelchair for a short time." She didn't want to make her brother worry too much, but her slightly trembling voice still revealed her discomfort.
Gu Songyi stamped his feet anxiously, his brows furrowed into the shape of a "川" character: "This is not a big deal! If I had known, I would have just gone for a walk with you." He patted his head regretfully, feeling full of self-blame.
Gu Hanzhi felt a surge of warmth in her heart as she watched her brother anxiously. She raised her hand, gently rubbed Gu Songyi's head, and said softly, "Songyi, are you worried about me? Don't worry, I'm not that fragile." Her eyes were full of doting, as if it wasn't herself who fell and got hurt, but this worried brother in front of her.
Gu Songyi pouted, his eyes slightly red: "Sister, you must be careful next time. If you get hurt again, I will be heartbroken." As he said, he carefully helped Gu Hanzhi to sit down on the sofa, then ran to pour a cup of warm water, and did not forget to blow it before handing it to Gu Hanzhi.
The last rays of sunset shone on the brother and sister, a warm and beautiful scene. In this small room, the warmth of family love dispelled the haze of pain, making every moment especially precious.
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