Chapter 68

  That night, the five of them finally gathered at Liao Shi's small quadrangle courtyard. They returned late today and the night market had also ended. There were very few things left in the house, clearly not enough for them to eat.

  Liao Shi bowed her head to tie the apron, revealing a neck as white as jade, and said: "Go to Aunt Zhang's house to see if there's anything that can be taken, and borrow some first."

  He Sheng responded, and ran out in a familiar way. Zhang Ayi's family were all farmers who grew many things. Sometimes on rainy days when they couldn't go buy vegetables, they would go to their house to borrow some. Liao Shi also often checked their bodies for free, so this family didn't want to accept money from them. Over the years, they had become accustomed to helping each other out like this.

  After carrying a basket of things back, He Sheng took the water basin and sat in the yard to wash vegetables. After washing, he took them one by one to the kitchen. With dirty things on his face, Liao Shi naturally raised his hand to help him wipe it off. He Sheng didn't avoid it either. The tacit understanding and closeness between the two were accumulated day after day.

  It's a heartwarming scene for anyone, but for Yuan Zhi, it's like being stabbed with a needle. The child who used to only revolve around him suddenly ran off with someone else, and this kind of contrast made it really hard for him to accept.

  He Sheng ran out again and seemed to have just remembered the three of them, smiling awkwardly, "Why not go inside and sit? The food will take a while to be ready."

  Yuan Zhi didn't say a word, his eyes were cold and indifferent, but from time to time, a thread of indescribable sadness flashed through.

  He Shou also disapproved, looking at He Qian with a scowl. At this time, he walked up and poked her forehead, saying angrily: "What's wrong with you? Why are you getting along so well with that person? Have you forgotten your roots in just three years?"

  His words were not ordinary, and He Sheng's smile suddenly solidified, his face darkening. Without directly answering those questions, he said in a low voice: "You'd better go inside and sit down!"

  Then she turned around and hid back in the kitchen.

  "What's wrong with this girl? Is she out of her mind? Why is she being so stubborn?"

  Gu Wei said: "You haven't experienced what she has, so your words are completely unfounded. If unfortunately one day you also reach the gates of hell and are pulled back by someone else, try expressing your opinions again!"

  Then turned to Yuan Zhi, patted his shoulder encouragingly and said, "You have to give He Song time."

  "But no one gave me time." He said heavily.

  The dishes on the table are very simple, mostly vegetarian, but I guess they don't have much appetite either, and no one will really care about anything.

  Gu Weizi occasionally discussed a few work-related things with Liao Shi, and He Shousi listened curiously and would also interject to ask a few questions. The meal was not too awkward after all.

  Just as it was about to end, Yuan Zhi, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said: "Dr. Liao, I want to take He Song away as soon as possible, what do you think?"

  Several people stopped their chopsticks and looked at him with different expressions.

  Liao Shi came back to himself and smiled, "He Song's home was there anyway, going back for a trip is not excessive."

  Yuan Zhi shook his head, "It's not just going back once, it's that after going back, I won't be coming back again."

  Liao calmly stared back at him, "I don't allow it."

  "If it weren't for this car accident, He Sheng would never have come to this place three years ago."

  "It's a pity there are no ifs, three years later, He Sheng belongs here, I don't care about her past, I only care about her future." Liao Shi turned his head to look at the stiff and almost petrified He Sheng beside him, "And you? What do you think?"

  He Shuang's hand holding the chopsticks tightened, this question had been discussed with Yuan Zhi in the suite that afternoon, he was very clear about what she meant, and couldn't understand why it was brought up again in front of everyone. She was hesitant and annoyed, not because of the answer, but because she was afraid that if she gave an answer, Yuan Zhi would definitely get even angrier in front of so many people, and she didn't want Yuan Zhi to be angry, as had always been the case.

  Liao Shi didn't urge her either, fiddling with the bamboo chopsticks in front of him, seemingly carefree. However, the calmness on his face gradually dissipated as the prolonged silence dragged on.

  The room was very quiet, with everyone waiting for her answer.

  He Sheng furrowed his brow and said in a low voice, "It's too late today, can we talk about it tomorrow?"

  Liao Shi didn't say a word, but Yuan Zhi said, "No way!" He looked deeply at He Sheng, "Are you coming with me or not?"

  He Shuang swallowed hard and opened her mouth with difficulty: "I can't leave."

  Yuan Zhi didn't get angry, but He Shou Si jumped up and pointed at He Song, "Do you know what you're saying? Do you still want to stay here? He Song, isn't your brain the one that hasn't recovered from this car accident?"

  He Shuangbai's face turned pale and he shook his head, repeating, "I can't leave."

  Yuan Zhi pressed down He Shou Si, who was about to say something else, and calmly said: "I'll give you three days. Three days later, I'll leave. If at that time you still have this answer, I respect your choice. In the past, everyone forced us, now finally no one is left, can't let me force you."

  He Sheng's eyes flashed as he lowered his head, and something surged up from the bottom of his pupils.

  Yuan Zhi stood up and pushed He Shou Si, "Let's go!"

  "What's going on? Are you just leaving like this?"

  Gu Weila pulled him one and frowned: "Don't say anything more."

  They could still hear He Shouci's shouting even after they had walked very far away.

  Only two people were left in the house, with a dimly lit round light bulb on their heads, and the dishes on the square table that had been steaming hot were now cold, looking almost no different from when they were first served.

  He Sheng sat still, his fingers occasionally scratching his knees, and his mood was very low.

  "Don't you want to go with him?" Liao Shi stuffed a cold, hollow vegetable into her mouth.

  He Sheng shook his head, "No."

  "To be honest."

  He Sheng looked at him with a weak and helpless expression, "Will you let me go?"

  "No." Liao Shi put down his chopsticks and wiped his hands, "I gave you a chance last time, asked if you wanted to go back to three years ago, you told me very firmly that you wouldn't leave."

  He Xiang smiled wryly and said, "Mm, so I'm not leaving."

  Three years ago was too far away, time can't be turned back, so she couldn't leave.

  Liao Shi ignored her tear-stained face and didn't care that she sat at the table like an idiot, not moving a muscle. He got up and cleared the bowls and plates, taking them all to the kitchen to wash.

  Standing in front of the sink, turning on the faucet, staring blankly at the clear running water gushing down, then picking up the nearby dish soap and squeezing some into it.

  As the snow-white foam began to surge up, slowly overflowing his hand, Liao Shi's calm face was like being heavily hammered, shattering into pieces, revealing obvious fatigue and sorrow.

  He had buried someone in his heart, thinking that with the passage of time, this person would decay and rot, leaving only a vague impression that could not be grasped. But unexpectedly, today, without any warning, he found that she was still alive, and still very beautiful.

  After that day, Yuan Zhi didn't specially find He Sheng privately to say anything. He would just arrive at the medical hall on time and sit aside watching her busy with work. Sometimes when she was too busy, he would even lend a hand to help. It seemed as if he was making an effort to observe He Sheng's life over the past three years, trying to understand how she had spent those years when he wasn't around.

  In the clinic, there were also several other unmarried young girls. Yao was the one who had the least resistance to Yuan Zhi, so Yuan Zhi spoke to her the most, but the content never left He Sheng.

  Yao Yao, who didn't understand the situation very well, said regretfully to He Sheng: "Actually, this man is not bad either. He's handsome, gentle and considerate, and most importantly, he likes you so much. If Dr. Liao was a bit more rubbish, you could have followed this person without any worries."

  "He can find someone much better than me."

  "It's also." Yao Yao quickly replied: "You're so wooden, you can't control him at all. But people like that are only fun to watch from afar, it's not fun when you get close. Try living with him for a few months, no, just one month is enough, and this guy will definitely turn around and kick you."

  He Sheng revealed a smile that was even uglier than crying. How could she tell her that she had lived with Yuan Zhi for several years?

  He not only didn't get tired of it, but also took good care of himself.

  She turned her head to look at the door, and that man was leaning against the door, with the outside sunlight spilling all over him. His flawless face had a hint of laziness, and he bowed his head, carefully helping to sort out the tickets in his hand.

  He Shengcai finally reacted, and it seemed that she hadn't taken a good look at Yuan Zhi in three years. His strict handmade tailored suit, neat and clean short hair, and his previous bangs that almost covered his eyes were now swept up, revealing a smooth forehead like jade. The contours of his face were even more profound, and the arrogant and overbearing boy in her memory had become a mature and elegant successful man.

  She should be proud of herself, but for some reason she felt like crying.

  Two days later, an unexpected person arrived. He Sheng used to go to the restaurant every day to buy food and chat with Chen Jiaoyan. Since they met, they had no other contact information except for running into each other. Chen Jiaoyan was a bit worried, so she came over on purpose to take a look.

  Chen Jiayin wouldn't know that He Sheng still goes out to buy food, but because of Yuan Zhi almost following him everywhere, she didn't go to their house. She was very clear that the current Chen Jiayin wouldn't want any entanglements with people from her past, and she herself was just an accident.

  Many things are just so coincidental, destined to meet the people who need to be met, no matter how long and arduous the journey is, they will still meet at some point, unavoidable and inescapable.

  Years later, Chen Jia Yin finally bumped into He Shou Si, who hadn't gone out to play because of a cold. The two were stunned as if struck by lightning and stood there for a long time before regaining their senses.

  He Shouci's eyes widened in shock and his face was filled with incredulity, "Little Parrot... you're here too?"

  Chen Jiayin looked at He Sheng in a flustered manner, already understanding why she had suddenly disappeared, but it was too late.

  She swayed, took a step back, lowered her head, and shook her hands violently as she tidied up the hair by her ears. "Mm, I just got here not long ago, that... my family still has things to do, you guys... you're busy, I'll leave first."

  "Halt!" He Xiu rushed over to intercept her, his nasal voice trembling with excitement: "Where have you been all these years? I've looked for you in many places but couldn't find you. I even thought you'd gone abroad, did you know that?"

  Chen Jiayin withdrew her hand and looked around at the crowded area, where there were medical staff, familiar faces like He Sheng and others, and more patients who had come to see a doctor. Some people's faces showed impatience due to the commotion.

  "Don't block here." She turned sideways, her face looking unpleasant as she walked out, "Let's talk outside."

  He Shou Si followed closely behind, keeping pace with him step by step.

  The queue of people waiting to register at the clinic slowly moved forward again, and the murmurs caused by the sudden incident earlier also quickly disappeared as if nothing had happened.

  Yuan Zhi walked up to He Sheng who was holding a broom with a heavy heart, "Have you two been together all along?"

  "No, it was just recently that I ran into Jia Yun." She bit her lip, "Has He Shou always been looking for Jia Yun?"

  "Uh-huh." Yuan Zhi responded faintly, "Never gave up."

  He Sheng's eyebrows furrowed even tighter, and after a while, she said in a low voice: "But Ke Jia has already had children."

  They all knew that Chen Jia-yin left that year because of a child, and now she has a child again, so... "Is she married?"

  "Hmm!"

  He Shousi didn't come back after going out with Chen Jiayin that day. Later, he ran into Gu Wei, who said He Shousi was drunk and in a bad mood, kept saying it hurt but didn't specify where.

  It's clear that he already knew the truth, and Gu Wei couldn't help but sigh upon hearing the whole story.

  Yuan Zhi's three-day deadline was approaching quickly. In front of the clinic, there was a small playground, and not far behind them was their private car.

  He put his hands in his pockets and gazed at He Song, who was looking down and saying nothing.

  "Shall we go?" The question had become much calmer by the time it was spoken.

  He Sheng shook his head, "Not going!"

  "Are you sure?"

  "Hmm!"

  "Will you regret it later?"

  "No regrets!"

  A soft voice that seemed like it would disappear with a gentle breeze, and the next second would spit out the answer he wanted, but after waiting for a long time, nothing had changed.

  Even if he knew the answer, Yuan Zhi still couldn't help but change his expression. He turned his head and spat out a breath of air, "Give me a reason!"

  He Sheng stared at the shadows of the two people on the ground, thought for a moment, "In these two years, I often think about my future life, no high education, and my hands are also disabled, what should I do? Later, in the clinic to help them, do some things that can be done, day by day, suddenly feel that this is also good."

  She smiled, "Liao Shi also took good care of me. I owe it to him that I'm doing well now. When he went out for medical visits, he would often take me with him. Actually, I wasn't much help to him, but I knew he was afraid I'd get bored. Isn't that what relationships are all about? Accumulating over time, being meticulous and detailed!"

  Her gaze suddenly dimmed, "Whether it's one person or two, I've never thought of... you!"

  He Sheng's voice was not loud, but when it entered Yuan Zhi's ears, it shook his eardrums and pierced inward like a needle.

  There are green trees planted on the edge of the playground, with a small body and twisted branches. Several sparrows perched on top, chirping away.

  "So you don't want me anymore!" When he said this, his throat felt dry and painful as if someone was strangling him.

  "Mmm!" He Song swallowed his saliva repeatedly, his voice was so hoarse that even he himself could barely hear it.

  Many years ago, I met a little girl from the mountains, and in my heart, a flower bloomed. The flower is not fragrant, nor beautiful, but it's exceptionally aromatic.

  The flower is still fragrant, but the person is gone, dig a hole, he wants to go bury!

  He Sheng had always been quite weak, but on this day he showed the greatest cruelty to Yuan Zhi.

  "Ah, okay!" Yuan Zhi nodded and took a step forward, gently stroking her hair as he always did. His voice trembled with emotion, "My little kid is still so great! I've been observing Liao Shi, she's pretty good too, although not as good as me. But brother will give you a big red envelope later!"

  He Shuang's body shook like a hiccup, and then calmed down again.

  "Good!"

  The author has something to say: I reckon some friends will suspect the direction of the ending, so I declare in advance that He Sheng and Yuan Zhi will be together, really!

  The new article will start serialization next Monday.

  2. The new female protagonist's personality is vastly different from He Song's. At the beginning, she is obedient and violent, with a rebelliousness unique to adolescence. After experiencing major events, she becomes calm, low-key, and indifferent. In the future, I may not write articles anymore, but if I do, I will definitely try multiple styles, whether it's character personality or subject matter. It's unlikely that I'll always be writing about He Song, but I'm already happy that you like this article!

  New pit: l3l4