Chapter 22: What Season Is This?
“Your illness is just a seasonal flu…”
These words were like a bolt of lightning exploding in Chen Jianing’s mind, shattering all her chaotic thoughts. A projector started playing in her head, replaying scenes from the past: from her tearful discovery of being infected with “RSA,” to her sobbing alone at night, unable to breathe, to that awkward kiss with Lu Li.
“The recurring fever is just because the source of the virus hasn’t been completely eliminated, and the body aches are most likely psychosomatic…” She couldn’t hear what the experts were saying anymore. Chen Jianing was completely overwhelmed by a surge of joy. Overjoyed, she immediately thought of her parents. Then, she wanted to tell Lu Li the news, without a moment’s delay.
She wanted to tell him personally that she only had the flu!
After the experts left, Chen Jianing got out of bed, ignoring the nurse’s attempts to stop her, and rushed out into the fifth-floor corridor, excitedly searching for Lu Li. Look, Lu Li! Look at me! I’m going to live! Chen Jianing reached the large window at the end of the corridor. She could see the snow-covered Mulan Fourth Hospital. For the first time, she found the color of the snow so pure and beautiful. For the first time, she realized that it snowed in Mulan City too.
Where are you, Lu Li?
Chen Jianing searched the entire fifth floor, but she couldn’t find Lu Li’s elegant figure. She impatiently headed towards the fourth floor, not even bothering to wait for the elevator. Halfway down, her excitement cooled down a bit, and she started to think about what to say when she saw Lu Li. Should she tell him the truth directly or tease him? Since it was just a common flu, did their three wishes still count? Was Lu Li still her boyfriend?
She decided to tell him the truth. Lu Li had been worried about her for over a month, and Chen Jianing didn’t want to see his worried expression anymore. She felt that he looked particularly pitiful and heartbreaking when he frowned. But was Lu Li still her boyfriend?
Her steps gradually slowed down. Chen Jianing stopped between the fifth and fourth floors, her face filled with confusion.
It should… it shouldn’t count, right? After all, it was just a ridiculous act she did because she thought she was dying. A girl should have self-respect, how could she casually become someone’s girlfriend? Chen Jianing thought to herself. But thinking about Lu Li’s meticulous care for her these past few days, she felt reluctant and hesitant. What if… she meant what if, what if one day Lu Li was no longer so gentle with her, how would she feel?
Among all the people she knew, Lu Li was different. Only Lu Li knew all her habits, only Lu Li had seen her at her worst and most vulnerable, and only Lu Li… had kissed her, held her hand. At some point, Lu Li had become the most special person to her.
The memories of the past month were so profound that they would be etched in her mind forever, more profound than the first nineteen years of her mediocre life. There was always a period in life that held precious memories, perhaps this was it, perhaps it was back then.
If Lu Li was really not her boyfriend anymore… her heart would definitely ache, wouldn’t it? Chen Jianing squatted in the stairwell, suddenly understanding the meaning of the poem “The nearer home, the more timid the heart.” She had been so eager to see Lu Li just now, but now she was filled with trepidation.
Let’s, let’s give Lu Li another chance. Considering how much effort he put in, I’ll, I’ll be merciful and let him continue being my boyfriend. Chen Jianing continued to find excuses for herself. It was her giving Lu Li a chance, not her being reluctant to let him go. After all, she was Chen Jianing, how could she be reluctant to let go of a man?
Chen Jianing finally made up her mind. She even rehearsed what she would say and how she would say it, ready to go find Lu Li and have a good talk with him. The young nurse hurried over and stopped her. “Miss Chen, you still need to stay in the hospital for observation for a few more days. You can’t walk around freely yet, your fever hasn’t subsided…” Really? So she still had a fever. Chen Jianing touched her forehead. It was burning hot, but she didn’t feel dizzy or lightheaded at all. Instead, she felt full of energy.
“Have you seen the boy who came with me? Where did he go?” Chen Jianing asked.
“He seems to have gone downstairs.”
Chen Jianing went down to the third floor and saw Lu Li. He was standing on the outskirts of a crowd, silently listening to the conversation ahead. His back was straight, his hands clasped behind his back, leaning against the wall with a hint of laziness. Chen Jianing’s heart pounded. She didn’t rush to call out to him. Now that the moment had arrived, she had forgotten all her rehearsed lines.
As she hesitated, the crowd gradually dispersed, and Lu Li stood up straighter. Chen Jianing felt that it was time. She cleared her throat and walked towards Lu Li. At that moment, a beautiful and slender figure emerged from the dispersing crowd, like a bird flying into the forest, and embraced Lu Li lightly and gracefully. Chen Jianing’s pupils constricted slightly, and her footsteps involuntarily stopped.
Who… was that?
A tall, beautiful girl, radiating a gentle aura, hugged Lu Li. Although she was wearing a mask, Chen Jianing could tell that she must be a very pretty girl, perhaps similar to her, but taller, with a better figure… She was definitely not Lu Li’s sister, at least they didn’t share any physical resemblance. The girl’s eyes held a deep affection, like a clear pool. Perhaps men couldn’t discern such a gaze, but Chen Jianing, as a woman, could read the unmistakable longing in her eyes. She often heard her roommates say that it was easy to tell if a girl was in love. You just had to look at her eyes. The eyes of a girl in love were like water, rippling with the slightest breeze.
Chen Jianing’s throat suddenly went dry. What shocked her most was that Lu Li actually hugged the girl back. Without hesitation, without any awkwardness, he embraced her gently, a familiar embrace.
Chen Jianing retreated to the corner and stared blankly at the couple, a sudden sense of amusement washing over her. What was this? Was she the only one who was taking this seriously? Was she the only one… who had been foolishly thinking about her relationship with Lu Li? Perhaps in Lu Li’s eyes, their relationship was just a false promise, and he had his own true love. Yes, why not? Why would a boy like Lu Li choose her?
Chen Jianing turned and walked back to the fifth floor. As she passed by the window, she saw the snowflakes falling outside again. But this time, she no longer found the color of the snow beautiful. She only felt the coldness of the snow, the lifelessness of the pale earth.
“Miss Chen, are you alright?” The young nurse, like someone who had experienced heartbreak before, kindly supported her, her words filled with concern.
Chen Jianing nodded expressionlessly. She didn’t dare to speak, afraid that her emotions would betray her if she did. She waited for the elevator silently, a thought echoing in her mind: Did I just get dumped?
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