Chapter 4

After that day, I never saw Xie Shuyan again.

Even though I couldn’t see him, I would still catch snippets of conversations about him.

Either he was attending an academic conference or conducting research at the experimental base.

He would come once a week to check on the ward and guide the medication plan.

During the intervals between chemotherapy, patients could be discharged and go home.

So until I was discharged, I never saw Xie Shuyan again.

On the way back, I received a call from my high school monitor.

“Meng Tingyue! Are you still in Beijing? How’s the treatment going?”

The other end of the line was bustling and lively.

The class committee member’s voice chimed in, “Why didn’t you tell us about your illness? If the monitor hadn’t mentioned it, we wouldn’t have known.”

I had a decent rapport with my high school classmates and occasionally kept in touch with the monitor over the years.

I chuckled, “I didn’t want to bother everyone.”

“That’s not the way to put it. How about this, where are you staying? We’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Unable to refuse their kindness, I gave them my address.

Over the years, my family had spent a lot of money on my treatment.

Thanks to my bestie’s help, I found a relatively affordable place in the capital and rented it.

It’s on the first floor, with a yard facing south. If I were in good health, I could plant some flowers and even keep a dog.

Most of my high school classmates stayed in our hometown, while the rest scattered across the country.

So not many came this time.

Just five or six of them.

They carried bags of ingredients inside, “We wanted to have hot pot, but since it’s hot, let’s stir-fry some dishes instead.”

Wearing a thick knitted hat, I smiled and said, “No worries, we have air conditioning. I want hot pot too.”

Everyone bustled into the kitchen.

The house instantly became lively.

It vaguely felt like we had just graduated.

The monitor asked while picking vegetables, “Have you contacted Xie Shuyan?”

I was stunned for a second, “What?”

“Ah, you don’t know he’s an expert in hematology? Specializes in lymphoma, it’d be great to ask him.”

“Oh, I–”

I really didn’t want to have too much to do with Xie Shuyan.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

The monitor wiped his apron and got up to answer the door.

Immediately, I heard my classmates’ excited shouts.

“Xie Shuyan! You finally made it!”

“Oh wow, Professor, long time no see.”

“Come in, sit down. Meng Tingyue wants hot pot, you’re the expert, can she have it?”

I stood there dumbfounded, my face without a mask, suddenly exposed to the scorching sunlight, filled with anxiety.

I hadn’t expected them to contact Xie Shuyan.

And to meet him like this, without having washed my face or worn a mask.

Xie Shuyan looked at me calmly and said in a mild tone, “Have clear broth hot pot.”

“Alright, alright, listen to the professor, no spicy pot!”

Everyone got busy again.

Xie Shuyan took the slippers handed by the monitor and changed into them.

Then he handed a bag of fruits to the classmates in the kitchen.

The monitor tried to lighten the mood, “Oh well, it’s all in the past now.”

“Let bygones be bygones, Xie Shuyan, you’re magnanimous, don’t hold grudges against Meng Tingyue.”

“Come help pick vegetables.”

Xie Shuyan was handed a colander filled with water spinach.

He was pushed to sit across from me on the sofa.

In an instant, only the two of us were left in the living room.

The air conditioner in the corner made a clattering noise.

Avoiding his gaze, I hurriedly fumbled for the mask behind me, ready to put it on.

With a snap, Xie Shuyan broke the stem of the water spinach and said lightly:

“Since I’ve already recognized you, is there still a need to cover up?”