That girl... he had only met her once, and her face had already blurred in his memory. He only remembered that the lower half of her face bore a slight resemblance to Yu Mo.
On the day he had walked her home, the evening temperature was low. A gust of wind blew, making the yellow leaves on the trees shiver. People on the road were dressed in all sorts of attire; he was still in short sleeves, while some on electric scooters were already wearing thin padded jackets.
He glanced at the girl beside him. "Put on more clothes. It’s getting cold."
When he spoke, he no longer wore the constant smile he maintained in front of others; in private, his expression was essentially blank. The young girl was keen enough to notice the change.
"Did Jiang Yao bring you? Did he say why?"
"No."
"In the future, find out what kind of dinner party it is before you come. A young girl shouldn't mix with a bunch of old men. Nothing good comes of it."
He spoke without emotion. The way the girl lowered her head reminded him so much of *her* that he couldn't help but say a few more words.
"There’s someone in my heart. You look a bit like her, so I looked at you a few more times. I’m not interested in you, but I didn't want you to feel embarrassed in front of them."
The girl finally mustered the courage to look up, her expression tinged with pride and defiance. "If you don't hate the way I look, maybe I could make you forget her."
Qi Lian looked at her in astonishment. Yu Mo would never say something like that; she was as proud as a peacock.
"But I don't want to forget. I’m happy to let her stay right where she is. She’s quite delicate; I wouldn't feel right if I wasn't looking after her. You’re only in your early twenties. Find someone your own age and enjoy your youth. You only get a few good years; don't spend them trying to save someone else."
The girl bit her lip and remained silent. She didn't want to lose her dignity by being shameless, yet she felt this man was truly wonderful. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Qi Lian stopped and pointed to the gate across the road. "We’re here. I won't go any further."
The girl gave him a deep, lingering look, her words catching in her throat, before turning and walking away.
Qi Lian sighed. How could she truly be like Yu Mo? She walked with the stiff, awkward gait characteristic of young girls, whereas Yu Mo walked with her back as straight as a poplar tree.
There would never be another Yu Mo in this world. Even if there were, she wouldn't be the one held in his heart.
As the autumn wind rose, his only concern was whether she was wearing enough layers.
"There is no one else, Duo'er. I don't have room for that many people. One is enough to be the death of me."
Yu Mo leaned down to kiss his lips. Qi Lian turned his head slightly to meet her, taking her into a tender embrace.
"I love you," she murmured against his mouth.
"I know."
"When did you find out?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but I could feel your dependence on me. When you dumped me, my world collapsed. I felt like a pile of mud, so discouraged I didn't dare think of anything. But that day you called me crying, I became absolutely certain. When you're uncomfortable or not thinking straight, I’m the only one you think of, the only one you act spoiled with. I knew then that it wasn't just an ordinary feeling."
"Actually... back then, I wanted to ask if you could wait for me, give me some time. But I couldn't say it. It was too much to ask of someone."
"So you walked away from my house crying so hard you could barely see the road? Can't you feel how much I love you, Duo'er? I told you, between the world and you, I choose you. I racked my brain and still couldn't understand why you dumped me without a single word of explanation. Was it for my own good? You nearly killed me. It was like you were cutting me one stroke at a time, making me live through a slow execution every single day. If my mind weren't so beyond my own control, if I really could have let you go, I would have found someone else to live my life with. Then the two of us would have been like this forever. I wouldn't have been able to rest in peace even if I died."
His voice was hoarse as he opened his mouth to nip at the flesh of her cheek, leaving behind faint tooth marks.
"Even now, you still don't trust me!" he accused. "When I say I love you, I don't just love your glamour; I love everything behind it that isn't glamorous. I can clean up your messes, catch your vomit—none of it matters, as long as you are you. Remember my words well: from now on, no matter when it is, trust me unconditionally. Can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Why is your face so cold? Why are you only wearing a coat in this weather? Wait until it’s warmer to wear that; you’re so sensitive to the cold."
"It wasn't cold at first, but I couldn't get a taxi today. I was blowing in the cold wind for ages."
Qi Lian stroked her face. "Were you terrified today?"
At the mention of this, Yu Mo’s eyes immediately reddened, her heart still racing with lingering fear. "I was scared to death."
Qi Shuai had sent her a message: *Come to City Third Hospital immediately. My brother had an accident. The situation is very bad.*
She had been stunned into a stupor, reading it twice before she understood. As she rushed out, her whole body was shaking and her legs were trembling; she had nearly tripped over herself in the hallway outside her office.
"Don't be afraid. I told him to exaggerate so I could give you a push. Before you arrived, my heart was hanging by a thread, worried I’d scared you too much."
"How can you be so mean?" she sobbed, burying her face in his chest.
Qi Lian patted her back soothingly.
"Just this once. I’ll be good to you from now on, just like before. I’ll let you walk all over me. But, Duo'er, if I were truly a fool, you wouldn't have fallen for me."
"What exactly happened to your hand?"
"I got distracted while using the drill today, and it went straight into my palm. The doctor said there’s nerve damage. Whether it can be fully repaired depends on tomorrow's surgery. Don't worry, it won't be completely useless. At most, it won't be as flexible as before, but it won't affect my cooking or..."
He pulled Yu Mo closer and whispered something in her ear.
Yu Mo gave him a light swat. "Was I worried about that? Be serious."
"I am being serious. It won't be a big deal. A little less flexibility won't hinder anything. At most, I’ll just direct others to do the work instead of doing it myself. Don't worry, I can support a family no matter what."
"I can support you, and the family too," Yu Mo said with total earnestness.
Qi Lian rubbed his forehead against hers. "So good. I’ll be counting on you then," he teased.
"Brother—?"
Qi Shuai called out uncertainly from outside the curtain.
Yu Mo quickly straightened up, wiped away her tears, and pulled the curtain open.
"Um, I brought your lunch. It’s been a while, don't let it get cold."
Yu Mo hurriedly helped raise the bed and set out the bowls.
Qi Lian instructed Qi Shuai, "Go outside and buy a meal for your sister-in-law."
Qi Shuai agreed with a quick "Got it" and turned to leave.
Yu Mo rushed to stop him. "No, no need. You stay with your brother. I’ll just grab a quick bite outside."
She gave the seated Qi Lian an affectionate glance before stepping out of the ward.
Qi Shuai pulled over a plastic stool from somewhere and sat by Qi Lian’s bed, watching his brother eat with a spoon. His brother’s complexion was still poor, but after half an hour, he looked like a completely different person.
He clicked his tongue twice.
"What are you clicking at?"
"Women really are a man’s adrenaline shot. After all that circling, you still haven't escaped that lady’s palm. Luckily, I have a bit of a brain—unlike that idiot Jiang Yuan, who was so eager to introduce you to other women, thinking you’d moved on. I could tell something wasn't right; it didn't fit your personality. So, what’s the word now?"
"What do you mean 'what’s the word'? From now on, you call her 'Sister-in-law' with a clear conscience. She’s the only one who will ever be your sister-in-law. Don't worry about anything else."
"As if I could if I wanted to," he muttered.
Before Qi Lian could finish his meal, Jiang Yuan rushed in.
"What’s the word? Is it serious?" He swept in like a whirlwind, his voice booming like a great bell.
The other patients in the ward stared at him. Qi Shuai shot him a glare.
"Keep it down," Qi Lian said, moving his lunch box aside and looking up to remind him.
Jiang Yuan stood awkwardly on the other side of the bed, listening as Qi Lian explained the situation again.
Qi Shuai helped Qi Lian lie back down.
Qi Lian said to his brothers, "It hurts like a motherfucker. It’s so painful half my body feels numb."
"Well, no shit. You took a drill to the hand. They’ve said before, the hand is the most painful; you can endure the feet or the arms, but the hand..."
Qi Lian closed his eyes and didn't speak.
Jiang Yuan started rambling, first about how his wife’s prenatal checkups were on the first floor of this very hospital and how he had to wake up early to queue for her every time. Then he moved on to how his wife’s belly was getting big and how he was now in charge of his son’s studies.
He spoke with spit flying. "Holy shit, you guys have no idea. Usually, I look at my son and think he’s the cutest thing ever. If anyone dared to say a word against him, I’d cripple them. But as soon as I start tutoring him, that kid becomes more annoying than a debt collector. He seems so stupid I kicked a leg off the desk in a rage. I tell him to write, and he just won't—he picks at his hands, picks at his eraser... I got so mad I had to give him a hiding. Then my wife gets upset and picks a fight with me, like I’m some wicked stepfather picking on her son. Life is just one headache after another."
Qi Shuai listened with his head tilted back, enjoying the schadenfreude.
Qi Lian was a bit distracted by the pain. He asked Qi Shuai, "How long has Yu Mo been gone?"
"Over an hour, I think."
Jiang Yuan frowned and asked, "Who? Who are you talking about?"
No one ignored him. Qi Lian instructed Qi Shuai, "Give her a call."
Just then, a round-faced nurse came in and shooed Jiang Yuan aside. "Bed 4, changing the IV. Why are there so many people here? It’s so loud, is this a wet market?"
Qi Shuai stood to the side, dialing Yu Mo’s number.
By the time the nurse had left with the empty IV bag, Yu Mo’s phone still hadn't been answered. Qi Lian had been staring at him the whole time, and now his brow was furrowed into a deep knot.
Jiang Yuan stayed for a bit longer and then left to pick up his son.
Qi Lian dozed off. When he was jolted awake by the pain, the sun was already setting. Only Qi Shuai remained, hunched over in front of the bed playing on his phone.
The pain made him incredibly irritable; the wound in his hand throbbed piercingly, each beat tugging at his heart. He kept his eyes closed, his brow tightly knit.
Qi Shuai quietly slipped outside to make a call. He couldn't bear to see his brother like that—silent and frowning, but clearly as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle. This woman was truly a handful; she was practically playing with him.
At that moment, Yu Mo was in the office at Zhongfu. She saw the clients out the door and waited until they were far away before sprinting back to her desk to grab her phone.
She had intended to just grab a quick meal, but before she even got out of the elevator, her phone had been blown up with calls. Old Zhang was on the other end, frantic, saying a document for the afternoon signing was missing and she needed to get back immediately.
It was an urgent, high-stakes situation. She hadn't had time to think; she just hailed a cab and went, thinking it would only take an hour or so.
Who could have predicted that this client would be so difficult, constantly wavering and raising issues? As the account manager, she had no excuse to leave first. Following protocol, her phone had been on silent and left to the side.
She knew Qi Lian would be anxious, and her own heart was racing with worry.
When she arrived at the ward door carrying her laptop, Qi Shuai was standing there. The look he gave her was far from friendly.
"My brother is angry. He’s been in agonizing pain all afternoon, just waiting for you to show up. Have a little heart for him. Even a one-day marriage earns a hundred days of gratitude, let alone you two."
"It’s my fault. I’ll stay with him for the next few days. You’ve worked hard, go back and get some rest."
Yu Mo tiptoed to the bedside. Just as she placed her laptop on the nightstand, Qi Lian alertly opened his eyes and looked at her. His expression was grim, his gaze so intense it felt like it could burn a hole through her.
Yu Mo leaned down, pressing her face against his. "I didn't mean to. Something urgent came up at the company; I was worried sick. I wanted to come back and stay with you."
"I thought you’d run away. One minute you’re saying sweet things to coax me, and the next you’ve changed your mind and bolted."
"I wouldn't. How could I? You asked me to trust you; you have to trust me too."
"Is work more important than me?"
"How is that possible? I was just unexpectedly tied up. I promise it won't happen again."
Yu Mo exhausted every sweet word in her vocabulary before she finally managed to soothe him.
After a while, he said, "Help me sit up. I need to go to the bathroom. If you hadn't come, I was going to explode."
Yu Mo helped him out of bed, holding the IV pole. "Why didn't you say something? Qi Shuai was here the whole time."
With some difficulty, the two of them squeezed into the cramped bathroom with the IV pole.
Qi Lian said, "I didn't want him watching me pee."
He used his right hand to take the IV bag from Yu Mo and held it high, directing her: "You help me. Be careful... watch the zipper. Well? What are you waiting for?"
Yu Mo stood there, staring at him.
There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If you don't help me now, you’ll have to help me bathe later."
Yu Mo hesitantly reached out. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but his gaze was so wicked that her face began to burn.
"Why the look of grim sacrifice? It’s not like you haven't seen your man’s stuff before. Doesn't it even have your name on it?"
Yu Mo felt like she was going to combust. The atmosphere was so thick with intimacy she wanted to turn and run. "Don't say another word! Are you done?"
Qi Lian let out a few low chuckles from deep in his chest. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "How do you define 'done'?"
"Qi Lian!"
"Alright, I’m just teasing. I wouldn't touch you here. Don't be scared."
That night, Yu Mo didn't have a cot to sleep on. The hospital usually registered the number of cots in the morning, and she had arrived too late.
Qi Lian told her to go home and sleep. "My IV is finished, there’s nothing else to do. You can't just hunch over here all night."
Yu Mo ignored him. "I’m staying right here. I have a stool. If I get really sleepy, I’ll nap for a bit; if not, I’ll just play on my phone."
Qi Lian gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her face. "I’m worried you’ll be exhausted, yet you’re still so stubborn. I’d love nothing more than to have you under my nose every second."
He leaned in and whispered in her ear again, "Wait until they’re all asleep, then get in bed and sleep with me."
Naturally, Yu Mo was no match for his persistence.
In the middle of the night, with the bed curtains drawn, they slept tucked together like two spoons.
The ward was filled with the sound of snoring and the occasional low murmur; footsteps echoed in the hallway from time to time.
Yu Mo lay in his arms. If she turned her head just a fraction, she would meet Qi Lian’s waiting lips. They kissed silently in the darkness.
Nothing needed to be said. It was as if the rest of the world had vanished, leaving only the two of them. They were each other's salvation, like the first man and woman created in the world, having hacked through thorns and scaled mountains to finally find one another.
They had crossed the mountains of distance, social class, and culture to fall into each other's embrace.
*I love you—it is the only thing in this world I am certain of.*
***
