Chapter 2, Returning Home

It was rare for her to take the initiative to speak. Fei Nuo glanced at her, then at Yang Shuru, who also showed a look of surprise, and continued to converse with her: "I moved with my family when I was seven, so I don't speak very well. Later, when I went out to study, I just stopped speaking."

At first, Pan Xinian was doing everything possible to adjust her breathing and emotions. Feino and Yang Shuru accompanied her in conversation, trying to divert her attention. Just as her breathing had finally stabilized with great difficulty, at that moment, a drunken guest passed by the door of the private room, seemingly tripped by something, and lingered at the entrance for a long time without moving. Suddenly, like a clap of thunder, he slammed the door fiercely.

Just before leaving, Fei Nuo turned back to take another look. Pan Xi Nian was still standing in the same place, gazing towards the door, his expression somewhat blurred, filled with reluctance and sadness, as if enveloped entirely by a profound sense of loneliness.

Feino had spent several years in Germany, and his tastes had become quite eclectic. However, this time, the hired help for preparing three meals a day specifically chose someone from his hometown, simply because she could cook authentic dishes from their region

Pan Xinian seemed to tremble slightly, instinctively grasping his arm. Feino only said softly: "Take your time, there are six steps."

completely devoid of vitality

On the day Feino picked up Pan Xinian from the hospital, Cheng Lang specifically took them to the hospital entrance

Feino was taken aback for a moment, then smiled again, finding it amusing: "I don't know what happened, I just said it without realizing it."

The dishes she prepared are very delicious, and I want to thank her tomorrow

In the evening, Fei Nuo called home again. The person who answered the phone was Yang Shuru, who awkwardly said that Pan Xinian was asleep. Fei Nuo glanced at his watch; it was 7:30 PM. He knew she was sulking, so he let it go.

The first meal we had together took nearly two hours, but it ended peacefully nonetheless. Fei Nuo noticed that Pan Xi Nian was still feeling down, but she was just trying to put on a brave face and cooperate with him and Yang Shu Ru, or rather, with anyone else, because she didn't want to be a burden. Seeing her being so understanding made Fei Nuo feel a bit bitter: the last time he saw Pan Xi Nian, before the incident, she was not like this.

But no matter how sad it was, it has still passed.

Dinner was naturally impossible to have, so the car went straight to the hospital. After administering an injection, they managed to calm down the trembling Pan Xinian, who then fainted in Yang Shuru's arms. The on-duty emergency doctor happened to be the same one who had participated in the initial rescue. Upon seeing Pan Xinian's condition and asking where she had been that evening, his expression darkened. He reiterated that she should not be taken to unfamiliar and noisy environments and must avoid stimulation. Finally, pointing to her head, he exclaimed, "She has a blood clot this big in her head! She needs to stay in the hospital tonight, and we will wait for Cheng Lang to examine her tomorrow."

She gently nodded again, ate the fish in the bowl, and after finishing, raised her head and said: "I would like to have another piece of lotus root"

Fei Nuo was discharged from the hospital to recuperate, which Cheng Lang did not agree with. On one hand, her emotional state had been unstable since her admission, and there was a risk that emotional agitation could further compress the nerves due to blood clots in her head, which would be detrimental to future surgeries. On the other hand, it was also due to a bit of selfishness from a friend: for Fei Nuo, being a university lecturer and a landscape designer at this busy age, it was indeed too exhausting to also take care of a girl she had hardly seen before, who was now blind. Even if she hired private nursing at a high price, it would not be as convenient as being in the hospital.

Pan Xinian initially kept his head down and remained silent. After a long while, when Yang Shuru also entered the room, he finally lifted his head and looked in the direction of Fei Nuo with his lifeless eyes: "Are there still flowers in the room?"

The meal was consumed very slowly—after sitting down, Pan Xinian resolutely refused to let Yang Shuru feed her, insisting on eating by herself. She could not see and did not know where the bowls and dishes were, yet she still needed Nuo and Yang Shuru to tell her one by one what dishes were available, what she wanted to eat, and what she did not want, before they could serve it into her bowl. After several rounds of this, even the most delicious dishes had gone cold.

That night, in the late hours, Pan Xinian was awakened by a nightmare, while Fei Nuo and Yang Shuru remained awake throughout the night

Two people brought together by an accident, sitting together for the first time to have a meal after more than a month

Fei Nuo was not unaware of his friend's intentions, but he also had his own plans. After agreeing to provide Pan Xinian with a home, he had a conversation with Yang Shuru, who informed him that Xinian hardly ate anything, saying that she was afraid of the smell of the hospital and also fearful of the footsteps of strangers. Therefore, whenever a nurse opened the door to check on her, she would immediately wake up.

Pan Xinian and the nurse Yang Shuru, who had been taking care of her since her admission, were sitting in the back seat. Upon hearing the question, Pan Xinian, who had been gazing out the window, turned her gaze back and shook her head: "It's fine, not cold. How about you, Miss Yang?"

A few words, yet they served as the final judgment of the night. Upon hearing this, Pan Xinian fixed his gaze, but still looked away, quietly and submissively nodding towards a corner of the wall, indicating his acceptance: "Alright, I understand."

Feino glanced at her; she was holding Yang Shuru's hand, looking around anxiously, her eyes unfocused, clearly searching for someone. He walked over, gently patted her, and then said: "Xinian, be good, I will come to pick you up tomorrow"

In the exchange of questions and answers, a long-forgotten dialect seemed to flow out as naturally as ever. At first, Fei Nuo himself did not notice it, until Pan Xi Nian paused his chopsticks and looked at him with a hint of surprise, prompting Fei Nuo to ask, "What’s wrong?"

What happened? After Feino finished explaining, he turned around and saw two people suddenly change their expressions.

Despite all the calculations, as soon as she got off the car and before even entering the restaurant, the sounds of voices and traffic from the street made Pan Xinian turn pale. Feino was instructing the waiter to park the car and momentarily overlooked her, but Yang Shuru, being observant, seized her hand to check her pulse. Sensing something was amiss, she quickly began to gently massage her back, saying: "Xinian, don't be afraid, we are all here, breathe slowly, take your time..."

During the first week, Fei Nuo made a phone call home every day as promised. The conversations were brief, merely exchanging reassurances before hanging up. Fei Nuo felt that ever since Pan Xi Nian moved in, his ability to discern nuances in people's tones had improved significantly. Even the same phrase "I am doing well, nothing much is happening" could convey a range of emotions, from bitterness to sweetness, which was unimaginable just six months ago

"It is probably because you are eating hometown cuisine, and you are both from the same place," Yang Shuru said with a smile

I understand. After saying that, the call was disconnected. There was no further response.

Then let's go out to eat He quickly made up his mind

The day before yesterday ... ... No, it was the night before the day before yesterday that I stopped eating ... ...

He bid farewell to Cheng Lang and drove away from the hospital. The past week had seen continuous heavy rain, and the temperature had dropped sharply. Fei Nuo was worried that she might catch a cold from the wind, so she turned on the air conditioning. No one spoke in the car, and the shallow sounds of the three people's breathing echoed in the sealed small space. After a while, it was still Fei Nuo who broke the silence: "Xi Nian, are you cold?"

In almost the same instant, Pan Xinian's entire body spasmed as he sprang up from the chair, then he shivered and hugged his head, shrinking back into the chair. Half a word "Ah!" escaped his throat, only to be abruptly cut off as if by an invisible knife.

Pan Xinian suddenly interjected, "I thought you wouldn't speak."

This time, he was gone for two weeks. On the morning of his departure, he accompanied Pan Xinian for a routine check-up. Everything was stable; the blood clot had not worsened, but there was also no improvement. The opinion that "surgery is not yet suitable" remained unchanged. After hearing the doctor's opinion, Pan Xinian did not say anything, but the disappointment in his expression was hard to conceal. On the way back, he kept his head down and did not say a word.

Although Feino is single, he has never been willing to compromise on his lifestyle. Two years ago, when he received the official offer letter from T University, he immediately rented a duplex apartment in a prime location in the city, living alone.

Where in this world are there truly miracles? She is indeed a strong girl

This is the only conversation among the three individuals during this journey

Yang Shuru remained silent, merely gesturing "hurry up and go in" without waiting for Fei Nuo to respond, and quickly led Pan Xinian into the restaurant. As soon as they entered the restaurant, the sound of voices mixed with the heat from the food rushed towards them, causing Pan Xinian to sway slightly, with beads of sweat quickly forming on his forehead.

On the second and third days, it remained the same. Pan Xinian's distant cousin was also actively contacting Feino to discuss the specific time for their meeting in T City. With one side being cold and the other warm, Feino found himself caught in the middle, which truly left him feeling both amused and exasperated

Pan Xinian's condition is improving day by day, and Feino is about to go on a business trip again

Fei Nuo smiled gracefully and slightly nodded, saying: "Thank you for the compliment"

Fei Nuo had long been accustomed to being a bachelor, rarely cooking at home. When it came to meals, he habitually opted to eat out. Considering Pan Xi Nian's visual impairment and emotional instability, he specifically reserved a familiar restaurant, requested a small private room, and took care to select the dishes. After Pan Xi Nian had taken a nap, the three of them finally set off.

Pan Xinian nodded

She is afraid of farewells, yet she still bids him farewell

Seeing this, Fei Nuo naturally extended a hand to support Pan Xinian, nodding slightly at Yang Shuru: "I will help her, you take the luggage, it’s no trouble."

Thinking of this, Fino couldn't help but gently lift the corners of his mouth, they had arrived home

Since he decided to have Pan Xinian move in, the first floor has completely transformed within a month. All the wooden and metal furniture has been moved to the second floor, leaving the first floor with minimal furnishings; all decorations have vanished, and even the floor lamp has been removed, leaving only the chandelier and wall lamps to maximize the available space. The sofa and coffee table are made of rattan, while the dining table and matching chairs, as well as the TV cabinet and audio rack, have all been replaced with reinforced plastic, each piece featuring smooth contours and a lightweight texture, ensuring that even if one were to bump into them, it would not hurt. Moreover, the legs of the tables and the corners of the chairs are wrapped in fabric, just in case someone accidentally kicks their toes. Glass and porcelain tea sets have been stored away, replaced by bamboo and lacquerware. The entrance between the living room and kitchen originally had a half-step difference; fearing she might misstep, it has been leveled.

Regardless of how lengthy and slow the progress is, Fei Nuo remains patient in doing this task, preparing soup for Pan Xinian, watching her finish it, and then saying: "Aunt Xu steamed a fish, I have removed the bones from the belly, would you like to have a piece?"

After finishing, he asked: "What about the fava beans?"

I bought a bouquet of camellias. He composed himself and responded

Fei Nuo smiled: "Good"

I think it is just right

"Good." She nodded obediently

Pan Xinian nodded slightly

Her nightmare lasted for almost a week, during which she gradually adapted to the unfamiliar environment and began to be able to sleep well; Yang Shuru's job was to accompany her, and they also hired a part-time worker at home, allowing her to catch up on a few hours of sleep during the day. Although her days and nights were reversed, at least she had sufficient sleep and good meals; only Fei Nuo had to work and return home to care for patients with whom he had no closeness. This past week turned out to be more exhausting than the previous month combined. Although she could catch up on a few hours of sleep during the day, and despite the reversal of her day and night, she at least had enough sleep and good meals; only Fei Nuo had to work and return home to care for patients with whom he had no closeness. This past week turned out to be more exhausting than the previous month combined.

Fino's attention was entirely focused on Pan Xinian, and only after seeing her get into the car did he say, "She is their only daughter, and I will take good care of her on their behalf"

At that time, he was conducting a site visit for a project with the client. When the first phone call rang, he paid it no mind and dismissed it, planning to call back after finishing the site inspection in about fifteen minutes. However, the phone continued to ring insistently. Fei Nuo realized something was amiss, and upon answering, he heard Yang Shuru's panicked voice: "Mr. Fei, Xi Nian refuses to eat anything, and we can't even drag her to the hospital. Aunt Xu and I have no way to help! Do you think we should call for an ambulance?"

This time, he shook his head again

However, there is no rush to let her know about any of this. After entering, Feino simply guided her through the spacious living room, reminding her of the positions of the furniture, occasionally asking her to stop and feel where things were, before leading her to the bedroom

No one expected that this was just the beginning of this dreadful night

He remembers that Ai Jing loved camellias the most in those years. After the new house was built, many different varieties were planted in the garden. He visited their home several times, but only encountered the blooming season once

The journey that was originally supposed to take six hours only took a little over four hours, but by the time I got home, it was already around eight or nine in the evening. As soon as I opened the door, Yang Shuru, who heard the noise, rushed out and shook her head vigorously at Fei Nuo, saying: "She was fine before, but suddenly she refused to eat. No matter what I asked, she wouldn't say anything... After I called you, she started crying in her room..."

Yang Shuru was quite outspoken: "Mr. Fei, your accent has changed."

The plane arrived the next day, and the train schedule was also inconvenient. Therefore, Feinoso borrowed a car from the client, hurried back to the hotel to pack a few things, and drove back alone.

At this moment, Feino realized something was amiss. He called the waiter and led them to the reserved room. Once the door was closed and they were seated, Pan Xinian leaned back in his chair as if drained of strength, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word for a long time

After sending her home, Fei Nuo took his luggage and prepared to leave. The noise of him going downstairs was heard by Pan Xi Nian, who walked out of her room, leaning against the door and looking at Fei Nuo, who was still on the stairs: "Thank you for taking me to the hospital today, be careful on the way back." She could now distinguish the source of sounds; if it weren't for her scattered vision, no one would believe that such a beautiful pair of eyes had gone blind.

This room was originally an independent suite, designed to be a guest room. Now, the old furniture has been removed and replaced with two new beds, perfectly accommodating Pan Xinian and Yang Shuru.

Cheng Lang has known him for nearly thirty years and has thoroughly experienced his stubborn ways. Moreover, the situation is now set in stone; any words would be futile. He can only sigh inwardly and shake hands with him: "You shouldn't use the dead as an excuse all the time. Your biggest flaw is that you appear cold on the outside but are soft-hearted inside. Others see you as a formidable cold-faced demon, but who knows you are an incorrigible do-gooder. Well, while others may not give up until they hit a wall, you hit the wall and still refuse to turn back. Feino, I must say, I am deeply impressed by this aspect of you; such a fool is rare in this world."

Fei Nuo poured the stir-fried broad beans from the spoon into his own bowl and said, "There is no time today. In the future, whatever you like to eat or dislike, you can tell me or Aunt Xu. This place is now your home, so don't be too constrained at home, okay?"

Well, I can smell it now. The season of camellias has long passed. Thank you

Fei Nuo was just sulking with him, if it weren't for Yang Shuru finding him in a frenzy

Fei Nuo understood that this was mostly a psychological issue, one that could not be healed overnight, and it might even leave scars for a lifetime. From a medical perspective, Cheng Lang's advice was certainly correct, but every time he saw Pan Xi Nian gradually losing weight, he felt it was better for her to stay in a place outside the hospital. However, ever since he and Pan Xi Nian made the agreement to "go home," she seemed to sense something, becoming more cooperative with the treatment than ever before, no longer crying, and starting to eat. By the week before her discharge, all her health indicators had returned to a remarkably stable level, almost like a miracle. However, ever since he and Pan Xi Nian made the agreement to "go home," she seemed to sense something, becoming more cooperative with the treatment than ever before, no longer crying, and starting to eat. By the week before her discharge, all her health indicators had returned to a remarkably stable level, almost like a miracle.

Feino lost his luggage and turned back; hearing the approaching footsteps, Pan Xinian furrowed his brow in confusion. At that moment, Feino had already walked up to him: "No need to see me off, it's alright. The weather has cooled down recently, we can sit in the yard for a while and take a walk outside."

Although there was air conditioning in the car before, it was non-stop all the way. Now that we have finally arrived home, I can relax my nerves a little, and the sweat immediately comes pouring out. Feino glanced at Aunt Xu, who also had a face full of sorrow, let out a heavy sigh, and walked into Pan Xinian's room

One day, he received a long-awaited phone call. The caller was a distant relative from the Pan family, with whom the Pan family had almost no contact. There was also a seven or eight-year-old boy living in another city. It took considerable effort for Feino to confirm that Pan Yue had such a relative, which ultimately led to this phone call

She treated him politely yet distantly, cautiously, like a wary little animal. Feino did not mind this; upon hearing her say so, he even smiled a little: "You should rest for a while. Later, we can go have dinner. Do you want to eat at home or go out? I know the food at the hospital is terrible, and now that we are out, you can have whatever you want."

I also do not speak well

Although they lived under the same roof and spent every day together, Fei Nuo knew that Pan Xi Nian was not particularly close to him. He was neither anxious about it nor did he take it to heart, understanding the situation well. However, seeing her come out specifically to see him off and bid farewell still made Fei Nuo very happy. He put down his luggage and gently touched Pan Xi Nian's hair, saying, "I will. I will call back every day. If you need anything, you can tell Miss Yang or Aunt Xu. If you feel like going out for a walk, let them accompany you as well. I will be back in half a month."

Fei Nuo returned home late at night. He had forgotten to turn off the air conditioning in the living room before leaving, and as soon as he opened the door, a rush of cool air greeted him. After turning on the lights, the illumination fell upon the empty floor, as if in an instant it splashed golden radiance, yet it remained ultimately cold

He intended to encourage her to speak more, and she seemed to sense this, making an effort to lift her spirits a little from her gloomy expression: "Anything is fine."

It was indeed about the relatives and the adoption issue. Fei Nuo felt a heaviness in her heart—he had witnessed her stubbornness before. If they really called an ambulance and forcibly took her to the hospital, it would only provoke her emotions, and with such forceful measures, who knew what might happen. So he said: "Don't force it, wait for me to return"

The nurse who came was carefully helping her into the car. Cheng Lang casually pulled on Fei Nuo and said in a lowered voice: "Fei Nuo, oh Fei Nuo, you just won't listen to advice"

Good

Upon hearing about the hospitalization, Pan Xinian, despite feeling weak and powerless, immediately exclaimed, "I do not want to be hospitalized!" The expression of panic was evident.

After briefly explaining the situation to the other party, there was a silence on the phone, so quiet that even the sound of breathing disappeared. Empathizing with the other person, Feino understood that this news would be difficult to digest immediately. After a pause, he said: "His grandfather and your father's grandfather were full brothers, which makes him your uncle. They will come as soon as possible, and I will try to return before they arrive."

The next day, Fei Nuo left work early, taking care of matters at home before going to pick someone up. He had previously spoken with Cheng Lang over the phone and learned that it was merely a temporary anxiety attack, and there was no stimulation to the blood clot; he was already able to be discharged and return home for recuperation.

Hanging up the phone, without paying attention to the concerned or surprised gazes of other colleagues, he simply said: "There is an urgent matter at home, I am afraid I have to rush back temporarily"

After this phone call, Feinuo thought about it all night. The next morning, he got up early and made a call home. Once connected, he informed Pan Xinian about this matter.

After a day and night of turmoil, Pan Xinian appeared surprisingly well, still not speaking much. This had become the norm between the two of them, and Fei Nuo did not press her too hard. Only after arriving home did he inform her that they had hired a part-time cook to prepare meals, and they would no longer be eating out.

The other party expressed their willingness to adopt Pan Xinian over the phone and stated that they would come to T City next week with a lawyer to discuss the specific steps. Their attitude was very firm and clear, with no hesitation whatsoever, indicating that they had contacted us only after thorough consideration.

Aunt Xu spoke well; I listened to her for the entire afternoon today. If you want to say something, you can discuss it with her when she comes over tomorrow.

Having spent too long in a state of illness, Pan Xinian's steps were somewhat unsteady. Although Yang Shuru was an excellent caregiver, she was, after all, a woman; one hand supported Pan Xinian while the other had to carry a box, making her appear to be struggling.

As someone just reached the doorway, a pillow was thrown over: "Get lost!"

The furnishings in this room are minimal and light, with the exception of a crystal vase on the bedside table, which holds a cluster of white camellias. After she settled down by the bed, Fino said, "The room is empty; once you gradually adapt and discover what you like, you can slowly add things."

When did this happen