“You miss home, don't you?” He Su Ye took her hand. “If you want to go, I'll take you to see it. But the New Year atmosphere is still better back home.”
Shen Xi Fan felt a stir in her heart; words came to her lips, but she didn't know how to express them. She gently picked up a piece of herb called Dang Gui (angelica sinensis), placed it in her palm, and softly said, “In another half year, I'll be just like it—so what about you?” (The name 'Dang Gui' sounds like 'should return' in Chinese, symbolizing reunion.)
“Silly girl!” He Su Ye smiled reassuringly. “What do you think?”
Dang Gui, Dang Gui—“A weary traveler longs to return home, thinking most of the old house where his parents live.” She couldn't help but fall in love with this name.
She wondered which ancient person had given such a name to this Chinese herb. Was it a loving mother who longed day and night for her child's return, or a wife yearning for her husband's return? Whoever it was, such sentiment and longing reached straight to the heart.
Perhaps she was truly exhausted, or perhaps it was the effect of the herbal medicine. Sleepiness soon overtook her. In a haze, she felt someone gently kiss her lips. She chuckled softly and fell back asleep.
Thus, she had a dreamless night.
* * *
The next day, she was awakened by the morning light.
Everywhere was white. The bright sun shone on the snow, emitting a faint halo—so pure and flawless. Shen Xi Fan took a deep breath, feeling an indescribable lightness.
But with such heavy snow, how did He Su Ye manage to come last night?
A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen—the rich scent of rice, interrupting her thoughts. She hurriedly slipped into her shoes and ran to the kitchen, finding He Su Ye holding bowls and chopsticks. Seeing her, he asked, “You're up? How are you feeling now?”
She touched her forehead and let out a sigh of relief. “I'm fine. I feel much better now. What did you make? It smells so good!”
“Vegetable porridge,” He Su Ye replied, lifting the pot lid. Shen Xi Fan took several deep breaths of the aroma, feeling satisfied. He couldn't help but laugh. “Silly girl, stop getting lost in the smell. Go freshen up.”
The vegetable porridge was refreshing and fragrant. She finished one bowl and asked for another. He Su Ye watched her with a smile. “Don't eat so fast, or your stomach might feel uncomfortable.”
Because it was made by him, it tasted especially good.
He had done so much for her, yet he felt it wasn't enough—that he hadn't been good enough to her. Meanwhile, she had always harbored doubts, constantly fearing, worrying, and feeling anxious about their future together. This illness was born out of inner turmoil.
Those heavy academic tasks were really nothing. The ascetic, self-tormenting lifestyle was just the result of a nagging sense of loneliness. It turned out she had lovesickness. Because she missed him, she felt lonely, afraid, restless, helpless, and out of control. And he was the medicine to cure her.
If she owed him so much love, then she would use a lifetime to repay it.
She put down her chopsticks, looked at him with determined and sincere eyes, and told him softly, word by word, “He Su Ye, I want... to be with you forever.”
The hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, followed by the crisp sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking together. A complex emotion surfaced in his eyes—joy, touched, or perhaps something else. Shen Xi Fan couldn't discern what it was. She simply let him stand up, walk over to her, and gently embrace her.
He Su Ye whispered a single word in her ear, but it was more moving and sincere than any vow.
He said, “Okay.”
A promise for a lifetime.
* * *
This winter, in a foreign land, she finally understood that in the world of love, happiness would always accompany her—that in love, there would ultimately be everlasting companionship and mutual support.
She met him in such a splendid time, fell in love with him, and then decided to spend her life with him.
From this moment on, her life was complete, with no more regrets.
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