In July, City B entered the height of summer. For the 2014 college entrance exam, Ji Wei received an offer from Cambridge.
When the young men from back in the day heard the news, they were all overjoyed. Jin Ziyang couldn’t believe it and exclaimed happily, "Holy shit, Brother Wei actually got in."
This was Ji Wei’s sixth college entrance exam. He had spent five more years than others, doing the same thing day after day.
While his peers had stepped into society one after another, Ji Wei was still carrying his backpack to and from school. He had been laughed at and misunderstood, but in this summer, he had finally achieved his dream.
When Pei Chuan received the call, he was in a rather good mood.
Bei Yao asked him what had happened.
She had recently started her internship as a pediatrician and was also getting busy. After Pei Chuan told her, Bei Yao was full of admiration. "He’s truly persistent. All these years, his dream never wavered."
Pei Chuan said, "Mm." He paused, then added, "Heaven rewards the diligent. With enduring resolve, even the impossible becomes possible."
She nodded vigorously.
Pei Chuan smiled. She thought he was speaking philosophically about life, but in truth, Pei Chuan saw himself in Ji Wei.
A person doing something seemingly impossible, year after year, enduring hardships and setbacks, all because of an unwavering passion. It might look foolish and stubborn, but it meant never giving up.
When Bei Yao first started her internship at the hospital, Pei Chuan happened to be working on a very important project.
His dark pupils fixed on her as he said, "It’s a national confidential project. I might not be able to come home for a month."
At first, she didn’t dwell on what that meant. After all, over the years, the two of them had often been apart. Bei Yao smiled and reminded him, "Then take good care of yourself too. Don’t worry about me."
His gaze flickered slightly, carrying a hint of inexplicable complexity, and he softly acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Bei Yao’s internship caused quite a stir across almost half the hospital.
That year, she was breathtakingly beautiful, with a fair, delicate face, clear, sparkling eyes like pools of water, and eyelashes as light as two delicate butterflies.
She was a girl from the southern regions, and her speech carried a soft, gentle tone, like water flowing past a doorstep or the breeze brushing one’s face in March.
Everyone knew what being an intern meant—fresh out of school, a tender young girl who might not have a boyfriend. Even if she did, graduation often meant long-distance relationships or breakups.
Bei Yao was humble, polite, and very approachable.
The entire hospital was buzzing with the restless hormones of its male staff.
In the neurosurgery department, an enthusiastic female doctor, Dr. Zhang, pulled Bei Yao aside before leaving work on Wednesday. Smiling, she said, "Xiao Bei, do you know our department head, Dr. Zhou?"
Bei Yao thought for a moment. "I think I’ve seen him once. Is he the young, tall, and slim department head?"
"Yes, the one who wears glasses."
Dr. Zhang said, "I think he’s taken a liking to you. He’s been asking about you these past few days. He even asked the other intern girls what you like to eat! Dr. Zhou is not even thirty yet, the hospital’s top golden bachelor. He comes from a good family, studied abroad, and is handsome. So many girls in the hospital like him, but he’s never shown interest in anyone. This is the first time he’s actively sought information about someone. You should consider getting to know him better."
Bei Yao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She said seriously, "Dr. Zhang, I’m married."
Dr. Zhang’s eyes widened in surprise. After a long pause, she said, "You’re so young to be married already."
"Yes."Dr. Zhang felt it was a pity. Director Zhou had such excellent qualifications, and Bei Yao was both beautiful and had a pleasant personality. They seemed quite well-matched, but who would have thought Bei Yao was already married? He couldn't help but wonder what kind of person she had married. However, since they weren't close, it felt inappropriate to ask about her family background.
Soon enough, everyone learned about Bei Yao's marriage. Director Zhou felt somewhat disappointed, but as adults, they knew better than to cling stubbornly to unrequited feelings. He could only offer his blessings with a smile.
Yet, Bei Yao's husband never made an appearance, which left everyone sighing with regret. Her husband had married such a beautiful and gentle wife but was never seen picking her up or sending her flowers—nowhere near as considerate as the eligible bachelor Dr. Zhou.
Pei Chuan had been busy with research during this period. Given the nature of their work, which involved advancing technological progress, once a project was underway, it sometimes became impossible to pause. These past few days, the researchers had been so exhausted they simply dozed off at their desks, unable to return home. Today, with progress finally made, he finally had some free time.
In the sweltering heat of August, Pei Chuan specially ordered custom-made ice cream for her.
It was a Disney princess-themed ice cream, carefully transported in an icebox all the way, with the car's air conditioning on to prevent it from melting.
When he arrived, the hospital hadn't yet closed for the day. Someone glanced out and spotted the silver-gray Lamborghini parked not far away.
A Lamborghini! A luxury car.
Though the color was understated, many who knew their cars recognized it instantly.
At closing time, everyone couldn't resist peeking to get a look.
Soon, the car owner stepped out—a young man with a stern expression, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. He seemed unsmiling and exuded an aloof, cool demeanor.
A very young man.
His dark eyes lifted as he scanned the area, clearly waiting for someone.
Everyone speculated: Who was he waiting for? Before they could reach a conclusion, they saw the usually gentle and quiet pediatric intern, Dr. Bei Yao, skipping over and throwing herself into his arms.
"Pei Chuan, Pei Chuan! I missed you so much!"
In that instant, the icy man broke into a faint smile.
He retrieved the ice cream from the car and placed it in her hands. After she settled into the passenger seat, he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.
Holding the ice cream, she took advantage of his lowered gaze to sweetly plant a kiss on his cheek.
His smile deepened as he returned to the driver's seat.
Neither of them realized how many people were secretly watching.
The man's act of bending over to fasten her seatbelt was heart-stoppingly charming, making several young nurses blush.
How could this be considered inconsiderate? It was clearly the epitome of doting!
From that day on, the rumors in the hospital about Bei Yao's husband being inferior to Dr. Zhou completely vanished.
Some people's affection can be seen in their eyes.
Any superficial fondness pales in comparison to profound love at first glance.
Pei Chuan had been exhausted from days of work at the research institute, and Bei Yao felt heartache for him. "You definitely haven't been sleeping properly. When you're busy, you probably don't even have time to eat."
He found it amusing. In this world, perhaps only she would care so much about whether he ate or slept. Pei Chuan said, "I won't be busy for a while now. I'll spend time with you properly. How are you adjusting to the hospital work? Has anyone given you a hard time?"
Bei Yao replied, "I love it. The children are adorable too. The senior doctors are very kind and have taught me a lot."
Then, suddenly lowering her voice with sincerity, she added, "There's just one thing I'm not used to—I miss you so much."
She rarely spoke such affectionate words. Earlier, when she first saw him and said she missed him, he thought she was just joking. But hearing her say it so earnestly now, Pei Chuan was momentarily stunned.Suppressing his racing heartbeat, he asked with a composed expression, "What's wrong?"
Bei Yao looked somewhat confused and aggrieved as she said, "I've been having trouble sleeping these past few days, and it feels strange. In the middle of the night when I was thirsty, I found no cold boiled water by the bed, the blanket had fallen on the floor, and I kept recalling ghost stories I heard back in middle school."
Actually, there were many more things—no one to hold her and tell her about cultures from all over the world, no one to put on her socks in the morning, having to heat her own milk, and finding nothing but empty air when she reached out her hand.
There was no man who needed her to clumsily yet earnestly tie his tie, and no one to pick out the food she disliked from her plate.
One night, she suddenly understood that strange feeling.
It was a deep-seated attachment that made her feel so aggrieved she wanted to cry.
During her first year of high school, Bei Yao hadn't seen him for a whole year.
Back then, she was angry that Cao Li's arrival had left Pei Chuan without a home, but Bei Yao didn't think a year apart was a big deal because she knew they would eventually meet again.
Later, she occasionally missed him, but it was just a kind of concern—like the concern she felt for her parents and younger brother. It seemed there weren't many things in life that were truly indispensable.
But this past month, not seeing Pei Chuan, she had felt so aggrieved several times in the middle of the night that she wanted to cry.
This delicate and sudden, uncontrollable emotion felt utterly unfamiliar to her.
It was as if he had become an inseparable part of her life. For the first time in her life, she understood the taste of bone-deep longing.
When Pei Chuan said he wouldn't be back for a month, she had been able to smile and cheerfully say goodbye. But if he said it again now, she would probably burst into tears right then and there.
How strange.
He pressed his lips together, trying hard to suppress the turmoil in his heart.
He never thought he would actually achieve such an outcome.
It was... more satisfying than he could have ever imagined.
But seeing her so bewildered now, if he showed even a hint of a smile, she would likely get upset.
Pei Chuan could only force himself to say calmly, "Don't be afraid tonight."
She nodded happily and made another request: "No cold boiled water, I want sour plum soup."
If she asked for the stars right now, he would have to pluck them from the sky. Pei Chuan said, "Okay."
Outside, the August heat was oppressive, and Pei Chuan hadn't necessarily had an easier time than her during this period.
He had drowned himself in work to numb his feelings, but now that she was in his arms—soft and delicate—he cherished her beyond words.
A short absence makes the heart grow fonder. Outside, the greenery was lush, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the city lights shone brightly.
Nowadays, Pei Chuan had become much more open. During her most mischievous moments, Bei Yao even wanted to kiss his imperfect places.
He would often tense up, veins bulging on his arms, and helplessly pinch her cheek to stop her from acting out.
What could he do? He couldn't bring himself to scold or hit her, and he had spoiled this once well-behaved girl until she learned to be naughty.
She mumbled, "So stingy."
This man had principles that were too strong. Once he decided on something, nothing could change his mind.
Just like how he wouldn't let her play with that place—the moment she crossed the line, he would become alert and tense all over.
The young couple tossed and turned for most of the night, and in the middle of the night, Bei Yao, who had a habit of drinking water, got up to have some sour plum soup. After just two sips, she tearfully woke Pei Chuan up.
Pei Chuan woke up and saw her panicked, tear-streaked face. His sleepiness vanished instantly as he wiped her tears away. "What's wrong? Don't cry."
Bei Yao felt that something might be seriously wrong. She said, "My stomach hurts, and I think I'm bleeding."Pei Chuan panicked too this time, seeing that the bedsheet was indeed stained with a small patch of blood.
He rushed Bei Yao to the hospital, where the doctor said with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "She's pregnant, two months along. You two... never mind, the baby is fine. Be more careful from now on."
Before Pei Chuan could recover from his fear, a delightful surprise fell from the sky.
He rubbed his temples, then after a long pause, hugged the stunned Bei Yao and said helplessly, "When I wasn't home, you didn't even notice your period hadn't come?"
Bei Yao felt a bit embarrassed. Girls sometimes forget these things, and she had been too busy thinking about him.
Because of the bleeding, she was somewhat panicked, feeling an unreal sensation.
After a while, Bei Yao gently touched her lower abdomen and showed a somewhat silly smile. "Pei Chuan, you're going to be a dad."
"Mm." His heart warmed, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
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