Chapter 38

Fortunately, there weren’t many people around the school, and it wasn’t yet time for the hospital shift change. Under the broad daylight, Song Shuling could carry Ruan Zhen step by step toward the small house behind the playground.

Ruan Zhen felt too embarrassed to face anyone, as if he were being watched all the way. The old basketball hoop creaked in the wind, as if whispering to the ping-pong table, staring at these two shameless adults and the bewildered yellow dog trailing behind.

The dog was puzzled. Ruan Zhen hadn’t fallen, so why did he need to be carried?

Anxious, the yellow dog quickened its pace, looking up and barking at Song Shuling.

“Should I bribe it?”

Song Shuling kicked open the half-closed door, laid Ruan Zhen on the bed, and then turned to affectionately pat the yellow dog’s head.

The dog strained to look at the bed.

“He’s fine, don’t worry,” Song Shuling chuckled, “go play, good boy.”

The dog glanced a few times, wagged its tail, and slowly walked out.

Then, with a click, Song Shuling locked the door.

Ruan Zhen sat up abruptly, clutching the blanket. “What are you doing?”

“I missed you.”

Song Shuling returned, sitting on the edge of the bed, his amber eyes fixed on Ruan Zhen. “Why do I still miss you even when we’re together?”

Both of them were breathing slightly faster.

Ruan Zhen was nervous, while Song Shuling was just being his mischievous self. Ruan Zhen was fine, but Song Shuling wouldn’t let go, insisting on carrying him in to show off his strength.

He took Ruan Zhen’s hand and placed it on his chest. “Can you feel it?”

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve. They followed the local custom, pasting couplets and door gods at noon on New Year’s Eve, without setting off fireworks. The red firecrackers would be saved for the fourth day, when Zhang Laotou would be discharged, and they would set them off together.

But the air already had the scent of fireworks, a faint smell of gunpowder that wasn’t unpleasant, mingling with the distant mountains and the scent of pine trees, a unique festive atmosphere of the twelfth lunar month.

Ruan Zhen swallowed. “Yeah.”

“Then, how do you feel?”

Song Shuling looked at him, still smiling. He seemed particularly happy today, laughing non-stop.

Ruan Zhen answered honestly. “It’s big.”

There was a moment of silence.

Song Shuling stopped smiling.

After a pause, he said, “I was trying to let you feel my heartbeat.”

Ruan Zhen’s fingertips contracted, finally sensing the warm, strong heartbeat beneath.

It seemed to be beating a bit fast.

But when he was pulled to place his hand there, he really thought Song Shuling was just showing off, as if to say, look, my chest is big.

“I feel it,”

Ruan Zhen forced himself to compliment, “it’s beating fast, really impressive.”

Song Shuling smiled again.

He took Ruan Zhen’s hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently.

From this angle, he could see the other’s slightly trembling eyelashes and the almost reverent expression.

Ruan Zhen was so nervous he felt his tongue was getting bigger.

“Alright, alright…”

He tried to pull his hand back, but couldn’t. He didn’t feel right pushing Song Shuling away in this situation. Honestly, he hadn’t given a definite answer, just a signal that he was willing to accept. How did it end up like this?

“What’s wrong?”

Song Shuling looked up. “Do you want to back out?”

“No,” Ruan Zhen shook his head, “I haven’t said anything yet…”

Song Shuling looked at him, then suddenly pulled Ruan Zhen’s hand, catching him off guard. He stumbled forward and was pulled into Song Shuling’s arms.

“Then say it now.”

But the next second, he was kissed again.

His breath was taken away, his brain oxygen-deprived, only feeling Song Shuling’s thumb caressing his face, strong yet gentle.

Song Shuling’s hand pressed on the back of Ruan Zhen’s head, kissing him for a while before letting go.

Ruan Zhen’s face and lips were red, still in a daze. “I—”

Song Shuling kissed him again.

His shirt was surely wrinkled, his heart beating incredibly fast. Ruan Zhen felt his waist being held tighter and tighter, unable to bear it, he finally started pushing Song Shuling away, shouting in a defeated tone, “Didn’t you want me to say it now?”

Song Shuling’s arm wrapped around him, pulling Ruan Zhen into his embrace, his voice soft and soothing. “Yeah, say it.”

But before Ruan Zhen could speak, he kissed him again.

Ruan Zhen was repeatedly interrupted, getting annoyed, calling him a dog, saying he was shameless.

Song Shuling just laughed.

He even wished Ruan Zhen would curse more, because Ruan Zhen’s vibrant energy was beautiful. If possible, he wanted to swallow every curse Ruan Zhen uttered, keeping them all inside, not letting the mountains and the wind hear.

Today, Ruan Zhen arrived at the hospital three minutes late.

Zhang Laotou didn’t mind, as the aunt in the next bed was performing a string game, and not just him, several children from the neighboring ward had come to watch, all with bandaged arms or legs in casts. It was winter, and as soon as it snowed, the orthopedic ward would get busy.

Ruan Zhen had already peeled an apple when Zhang Laotou noticed.

“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

“No,” Zhang Laotou waved his hand, “the nurse took me earlier… you don’t even need to come to the hospital, it’s New Year’s Eve!”

It was precisely New Year’s Eve, and Ruan Zhen had to come.

Zhang Laotou was recovering well but still needed to be observed in the hospital. The doctor wouldn’t discharge him until the fourth day, so he had to spend the New Year in the hospital. Ruan Zhen came to relieve the nurse, saying it was fine, he would stay the night, and the two uncles could go back and rest.

He took out the insulated box from his bag, filled with dumplings made by the village chief’s family. Zhang Laotou got carrot and beef, and the yellow dog got corn and fresh meat. Everyone was happy, eating until they were full.

The lid was lifted, and steam rose.

There were plenty, so Ruan Zhen shared some with the ward. The hospital had turned on the TV, which was playing a lively program. Zhang Laotou opened the vinegar bottle. “Where’s the yellow dog?”

Ruan Zhen handed him a pair of chopsticks. “Song Shuling is watching him, don’t worry.”

Zhang Laotou said, “Oh,” and started eating the dumplings.

After a few bites, he looked up. “Is Teacher Song staying here for the New Year?”

Ruan Zhen paused. “…Yeah.”

“What’s he doing in this remote place, not with his family?”

“He came this time to take the opportunity to repair the road and the school.”

Zhang Laotou said, “He’s really kind-hearted.”

Ruan Zhen’s head lowered even more.

But for some reason, Zhang Laotou’s talkative side was triggered. He started praising Song Shuling, saying he was good, handsome, and efficient in his work, a tall and reliable figure!

Ruan Zhen was silent for a moment, then poured more vinegar into Zhang Laotou’s bowl.

“How much older is he than you, and is he unmarried?”

“Yeah… nine years.”

Zhang Laotou thought for a moment. “That’s good, he’s young, no rush.”

He had never married, living a carefree life, but as he got older, he often thought Ruan Zhen should have a companion, so he wouldn’t be lonely in the future.

“If there’s someone suitable, you should consider it.”

Zhang Laotou rambled on, and the more he ate, the more he felt the vinegar was sour. He looked up and glared at Ruan Zhen. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Ruan Zhen remained calm. “I’ve already eaten.”

“No wonder,”

Zhang Laotou realized, “I see your lips are red. You must have put too much chili. I made it myself, it’s quite strong!”

This successfully shifted Zhang Laotou’s attention to the chili, and he started chatting with the neighbor about how to make the most fragrant chili oil without it being bitter.

Ruan Zhen washed the food containers, then returned and sat on a small stool by the bed, watching the spirited Zhang Laotou chat with others. They laughed, and the TV played a comedy, but no one was really watching. Everyone was talking, grabbing red envelopes, and waving their hands at their phone screens.

He propped his chin on his hand, smiled softly, and looked down.

Outside, someone set off a firework, a single bloom of golden light that faded, followed by a dull boom.

Just one, Ruan Zhen waited, but no one followed.

The night was pitch black.

The ward’s festive atmosphere gradually subsided.

Since they were still in the hospital, the nurse turned off the lights, and the family members helped the patients with their evening routines before lying down to rest. Some laid on mats on the floor, others on spare hospital beds. When Ruan Zhen stayed overnight, he usually slept on the edge of Zhang Laotou’s bed, taking short naps.

Zhang Laotou tried to shoo him away, but Ruan Zhen didn’t want to leave. He could rest during the day, so it was fine.

Snoring began to fill the room.

Ruan Zhen tucked Zhang Laotou in and sat in the darkness.

In this environment, he couldn’t sleep, so he decided to stay by Zhang Laotou’s side, occasionally dozing off.

The corridor outside was lit all night, and the sound of machines could be heard from the nurse’s station. A leaf of the spider plant swayed as the door opened, and someone took Ruan Zhen’s hand.

“Are you asleep?”

“Yeah.”

Then, his palm was tickled.

Ruan Zhen lowered his voice. “Why are you here now?”

Song Shuling leaned down and whispered in his ear. “To keep you company… you don’t have to rush or leave. I’ll wait for you in the corridor. Whenever you’re tired, you can come out and see me.”

Then, he really did gently let go of Ruan Zhen’s hand.

The ward door closed again, blocking out the last bit of light. On the long bench in the hospital corridor, Song Shuling sat a bit awkwardly, but he still maintained a dignified posture and a gentle expression.

Just one wall separated him from Ruan Zhen.

Ruan Zhen didn’t need to come out. If his grandfather was inside, he could stay, and Song Shuling would wait outside for him.

The ticking of the clock was especially clear in the night.

At the moment the second hand passed midnight, Ruan Zhen, lying on the edge of the bed, opened his eyes and silently wished for a happy New Year.

At the same time, Song Shuling’s gaze lifted from his wristwatch, looking into the vast night.

“Happy New Year, Ruan Zhen.”

The winter night was long, but the dawn came quickly. The sky turned a pale gray, and the nurse pushed the medical cart in, starting the day’s work.

Since it was the first day of the New Year, everyone was in a good mood.

It seemed that all the troubles and pains of the past year were left behind. The sound of fireworks brought a new kind of anticipation.

So, they smiled and welcomed a beautiful future.

Song Shuling couldn’t resist falling asleep around four or five in the morning.

He maintained a sitting position, his head slightly lowered, breathing steadily.

Until his palm was gently squeezed.

He was startled, then relaxed, holding Ruan Zhen’s hand.

Ruan Zhen stood in front of him, smiling.

“Happy New Year.”

Song Shuling looked up. “Yeah, happy New Year.”

“Let’s go,”

Since they were outside, Ruan Zhen quietly withdrew his hand. “Do you want to go back to sleep?”

Song Shuling walked beside him, reaching out to push open the hospital door.

The winter sun was warm, making their cheeks slightly red.

“Sure.”