“Well…” Shen Xi Fan looked nervous as she explained,
“I checked some books. Longan is good for nourishing the heart and spleen, tonifying the blood, and calming the mind. You’ve lost blood, so I thought it’d be good to add something nutritious to the congee. Did I get it right?”
He nodded approvingly.
“Yes, it’s delicious. Girl, your knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine is impressive. You’re starting to connect theory with practice.”
Shen Xi Fan sat next to him, resting her chin on her hand as she smiled. The midday sunlight filtered through the tree branches, casting dappled shadows on her and partially obscuring his hand.
For a moment, he felt as if she were still in his embrace.
In the afternoon, just as he woke from a nap, he saw a familiar figure standing by the window, gazing outside.
He called out,
“Fang Ke Xin?”
Fang Ke Xin turned around, surprised.
“Senior Brother, you’re awake! Did I disturb you?”
“No.” He struggled to sit up, smiling faintly.
“Thank you. It must have been tough for you that day.”
Fang Ke Xin shook her head shyly.
“I didn’t do much. As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”
Her smile was genuine, her eyes clear. He couldn’t help but notice something different about her today, though he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. In the past, her gaze held a certain complex emotion when she looked at him, but now it was entirely absent.
“Senior Brother,” Fang Ke Xin said, blinking, “can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you like Shen Xi Fan?”
“Ah—” He Su Ye was caught off guard. He had never expected such a question. Embarrassed, he chuckled. “So… you all figured it out, huh?”
She covered her mouth, laughing. “Qiu Tian wasn’t wrong; you two are really slow on the uptake. Never mind, I was just asking. By the way, I heard you’re planning to go abroad?”
“Yes. Was it Qiu Tian who told you?”
“Yep. He’s worried you might steal his job. He said he’s been dreaming lately of someone whispering in his ear at night, ‘Little Tian Tian, your brilliance is spent. Quickly step aside for Comrade Xiao He.’”
He Su Ye sighed in exasperation. “That guy. My research has nothing to do with his. What nonsense.”
“Senior Brother, does Shen Xi Fan know you’re leaving?”
“She probably doesn’t. You didn’t tell her, did you?”
“Of course not. You told us not to, so who would dare? Anyway, I need to get back to school; my advisor is calling.”
“Alright then, take care and get some rest. I’m fine now, and thank you.”
Fang Ke Xin smiled softly, turned to leave, but paused at the door, her hand resting on the handle without turning it.
“Senior Brother, I’m leaving now. Be happy, alright?”
Her voice was low and calm, but it carried a lightness, as though a heavy burden had been lifted. There was a trace of playful reluctance in her tone. Suddenly, He Su Ye understood. She was standing before him, yet it felt as though she was miles away. That feeling was called letting go.
So, this girl had finally grown up overnight, leaving the past behind.
“Fang Ke Xin!” He called after her hastily. “Actually, Qiu Tian, he—”
Before he could finish, she laughed lightly.
“Stop, stop! Someone as emotionally oblivious as you has no right to criticize others. Senior Brother, I’m going now.” With that, she gently pulled the door closed behind her.
From now on, we’ll all be happy. I believe that—always have.
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