Chapter Nine, Three-Year Term.

After finishing the last surgery close to midnight, Pei Zhiwei opened his phone, intending to check for any updates on Fu Ling's Weibo account. However, the first message that came in was from Tang Mingming: "I heard that Fu Ling already took back her medical examination report yesterday. What's the situation on your end now?"

Péi Zhīwèi jumped up from the bed as if he had been hit by something, and quickly pressed the stop button. Unexpectedly, he pressed too hard, causing the CD player to suddenly fall down. Because the audio cable was connected to the speaker, it also hit the table leg a few times. The disc was thrown out, leaving a long scratch on the surface, and a small support leg inside the CD player was also broken. He felt something was wrong, so he put the disc back and played it again. Sure enough, after a few crackling sounds, there was no sound anymore. He didn't know if the machine was broken or the disc was damaged - they were both quite old.

That was the first time he felt powerless in his career, and now, he feels powerless about himself as a person.

She tries to be brief in her speech as much as possible. In fact, Pei Zhiwei is not completely out of touch with the world. He knows the general process, but he just feels it's very strange in his heart—don't know why. The time spent with Fuleng and the life he has lived in the past, present, and future seem to be two completely different worlds.

Pei Zhimei, however, felt that she understood everything the boy wanted to say.

Sitting on the bed, thinking back and forth, not knowing how I thought of Fuling going to the hospital to get a physical examination report sooner or later. Pei Zhiwei's mood finally settled down, turned over and fell asleep. The next day, he was naturally in low spirits. Director Xie was full of smiles: "Xiao Pei, I heard that your vacation this time, the marriage is settled, right?"

Oh, where are you from? If you're a local, there's no need to go so far to hold a wedding banquet like us...

Pei Zhiwei can't even blame her, because she also said she really tried.

The dates on the photos are very old, many of them are four or five years old, and some even date back seven or eight years. Some of them have stuck together because they were printed on glossy paper, while those printed on matte paper have been well preserved. What they have in common is Fu Ling's smiling face.

Lowering my head, I found that I had unknowingly taken out my phone and was searching for Fuling in my usual way - first checking Yuan Feng's Weibo, then searching for "Hua Diao Fuling Pig". Fuling's last Weibo post was when they were in Hong Kong, with a photo she took of the night view of Victoria Harbour. He still remembered that night when she snuggled in his arms and murmured, "Victoria is very good at giving birth. She gave birth to nine in one breath. Have you seen 'Young Victoria'? The clothes are very beautiful." ... She had been struggling all night whether to get married or not, but as soon as she talked about the costumes in the movie, she became very excited and even said that she wanted to find a studio with British court costumes for their wedding photos... He still remembered that night when she snuggled in his arms and murmured, "Victoria is very good at giving birth. She gave birth to nine in one breath. Have you seen 'Young Victoria'? The clothes are very beautiful." ...

Next to the coffee table by the window, there is another large and sturdy cardboard box. Fuling is very good at organizing things, putting each item in its corresponding box and categorizing them by weight and size. The cardboard box is extremely thick and was originally sealed with tape. There is a pair of scissors on the table, obviously just opened today.

Everything happened so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

If three months ago Fuling said such words, saying that she couldn't forget that man, Pei Zhiwei thought he would definitely counterattack with more vicious and harsh words. However, now he can't even say a hurtful word to her, and he doesn't even have the thought of cutting off the love with his sword. He just misses her a little bit.

May 7th.

Pei Zhiwei wanted to speak but stopped, the words reached his lips and then he swallowed them back.

Oh, I don't know the specifics of what happened. This morning, I heard from Xiao Zheng that Fu Ling came to pick up her medical examination report yesterday afternoon. So, I wanted to ask you what your plans are, considering her situation is quite troublesome. I just casually heard about it, so how could I know what exactly happened? You should be concerned about Fu Ling's emotions instead of coming to ask me, right?

He felt like he had returned from the clouds to the mortal world, and couldn't help but want to share the feeling of joy mixed with a hint of sweetness with someone. However, he was ashamed to speak it out loud and didn't want anyone to catch a glimpse of his small happiness.

Pei Zhimei closed his eyes, almost afraid to continue reading, like those few months in the emergency room, receiving patients who were already beyond saving, trying every possible method to rescue them, and ultimately feeling the moment of declaring their death.

No.

There was no response when the doorbell was pressed. Pei Zhiwei hesitated for a moment before opening the door with a key. As soon as he entered, he was startled by the sight of a large woven bag blocking the doorway. Pei Zhiwei tiptoed around it and was met with a shocking scene - Fuling was wearing a half-length nightgown, lying face down on the sofa, with her long hair in disarray covering her face, and one arm hanging by her side. The coffee table in front of the sofa was also in disarray, with various items such as cups, bowls, utensils, medicine bottles, insect repellent, iron boxes, power cords, and other miscellaneous items piled up haphazardly on top of it. Her long hair was in disarray covering her face, and one arm was hanging by her side. The coffee table in front of the sofa was also in disarray, with various items such as cups, bowls, utensils, medicine bottles, insect repellent, iron boxes, power cords, and other miscellaneous items piled up haphazardly on top of it...

Pei Zhiwei opened the half-closed opening. The cardboard box had a large capacity. Several clothes on the top were crumpled together, as if they had just been messed up today. The clothes were also very old, men's shirts, men's pants, with a belt stuffed in the corners, and socks and towels were also stuffed in the corners. Pei Zhiwei's heart twitched uncontrollably. He tried hard to control his breathing, move lightly, and continue to move the clothes aside. There was a layer of film underneath, separating the clothes from the items stored below - it was indeed Fu Ling's style. Pei Zhiwei's heart twitched uncontrollably. He tried hard to control his breathing, move lightly, and continue to move the clothes aside. There was a layer of film underneath, separating the clothes from the items stored below - it was indeed Fu Ling's style.

As Pei Zhiwei rubbed the signature on the back of the photo with his fingers, he felt as if there was something in his chest, and in an instant, it burst and shattered.

After a moment of silence and stalemate, a low voice from Fu Ling came: "I thought I could do it, I really tried hard to get out, but I didn't expect it... When I was in Hong Kong, I didn't think so much. When I came back, I found that I really couldn't do it... I'm sorry, Pei Zhiwei, if you want to get married, there are many girls who want to marry you, but... I really can't. I will tidy up your things, come and get them in a few days." I'm sorry, Pei Zhiwei, if you want to get married, there are many girls who want to marry you, but... I really can't. I will tidy up your things, come and get them in a few days."

Perhaps that boy knew that this diary would eventually fall into Fuling's hands, so he dared not reveal even a hint of emotion, often scribbling a few words and then abruptly stopping.

I just had surgery," Pei Zhiwei apologized, "You said that Fu Ling's report has already been taken back, what exactly happened?"

Peter took five days of annual leave in one go. Now he felt a bit embarrassed to apply for someone else's wedding leave. Dr. Li said that as long as he held a wedding banquet for two days, he could get the leave approved. While signing his name, Peter stared at the words "preparing for the wedding" in the reason for leave and fell into a daze. After signing, he flipped the application form back and forth, propping his chin with the tip of his pen. After a long time, he hesitated and asked, "Um, what are the specific details and processes of this wedding?"

The director Xie looked around and saw that there was no one around. He whispered, "Did things not go well over there?" Pei Zhiwei replied, "It's alright." Only then did Director Xie feel relieved. He then urged him to ask about the girl's background and whether the date was set or not. Pei Zhiwei, who was not interested, casually answered a few sentences and then suddenly asked, "Uncle Xie, did you perform a heart autotransplantation and left atrial reduction surgery before?"

A stack of books occupies a corner at the bottom. The top one is "Automation Control". The books below have also turned yellow, resembling professional textbooks. In the center is an exquisitely crafted box, with worn patterns on the corners, indicating a certain history. When opened, it reveals a dense collection of various small gifts: beautiful perfume bottles, all kinds of mobile phone charms, mostly in pairs, as well as kissing pigs, two well-made pens, a ZIPPO lighter, a stack of small cards, and an old peach wood comb... In the center is an exquisitely crafted box, with worn patterns on the corners, indicating a certain history. When opened, it reveals a dense collection of various small gifts: beautiful perfume bottles, all kinds of mobile phone charms, mostly in pairs, as well as kissing pigs, two well-made pens, a ZIPPO lighter, a stack of small cards, and an old peach wood comb... On the right side of the exquisite box is another large cardboard box, which appears to be used for general packaging. Inside are game controllers, a mouse, a charger, and a pair of bracelets, one large and one small... On the right side of the exquisite box is another large cardboard box, which appears to be used for general packaging. Inside are game controllers, a mouse, a charger, and a pair of bracelets, one large and one small...

When Dr. Li said goodbye and left, Pei Zhimei unconsciously stood up, staring blankly at a clump of green leaves outside the window. After a while, the vibration of his phone startled him. He took it out and saw that it was a text message from Fu Ling. Before his smile could even fully form, it was completely frozen by the content of the message.

Dr. Li looked surprised because Pei Zhimei was usually overly strict and cold in temperament, and they were afraid to discuss gossip in front of him. Seeing her dazed expression, Pei Zhimei explained again, "I mean, is there a checklist like surgery?" Dr. Li quickly explained the general process of how the two families meet, how to propose, choose a date, book a banquet, take wedding photos, and so on. Seeing her still dazed, Pei Zhimei explained again, "I mean, is there a checklist like surgery?" Dr. Li then regained his senses and quickly explained the overall process to him.

It's too short and I feel embarrassed.

Dr. Li "Oh" exclaimed, momentarily unsure how to respond, as it was the first time she had seen Pei Zhiwei in such an excited and elated state. She could only resort to using some generic and standard phrases, asking, "Have you set a date?"

That was the three-year period for Ye Yang and Fu Ling.

On that page, there was still a photo, as usual, it was a photo of two people. The boy's face was shining with a strange light—what people commonly call a "reflection of light." Fuling's face, on the other hand, looked much thinner than before. Behind the photo, there were the date and the names of the two people.

The luckiest thing is to have found a girlfriend who is a thousand times better than me, not minding my shortcomings, and I hope she is even luckier to find a husband who is ten thousand times better than her.

However, he continued to scroll down mechanically, as if performing routine surgeries he had done year after year, day after day. He almost knew the next step to take with his eyes closed. He then opened a stack of old photos, unconsciously calculating how many photos were in the nearly ten centimeters thick stack and how long it would take to take so many photos.

Yuan Feng's old door remained tightly closed, and it was unclear what he was doing. Before going to sleep, Pei Zhiwei habitually pressed the play button on the CD player, as if knowing that tonight was another night that required music to fall asleep.

Pei Zhimei was so angry that she rolled her eyes: "Let's get to the point. Weren't you just complaining that I disturbed your peaceful dream? And now you're so energetic."

Director Xie's attention was quickly drawn over, and his expression turned serious: "We need to determine the condition as soon as possible, perform the surgery early, as the risk increases the later it gets. Look for the clinical report of the surgery from two years ago and study it carefully. You were supposed to be the first assistant that time, but you missed it because you were in Hong Kong. If the patient decides to have the surgery here, you will assist me this time."

At home, she has a background. Her hair is tied up in a ponytail. On the side of the court, there is a tall boy holding a basketball under his arm, with his other hand resting on Fuling's shoulder. He has a bright smile, and his eyes radiate a gentle light.

August 14th.

Most of them are trivial matters like this. The owner of the diary went from being restless and desperate in the early stages of illness to accepting reality a year later, struggling to maintain his life under the earnest hope of his parents and girlfriend. When Pei Zhiwei read it carefully, he could tell that the owner of the diary was a big boy who never understood the sadness of spring and autumn. However, this carefree tone became depressed after more than a year.

Have all the parents seen it?

I always wonder how long Fu Ling will miss me after I die. It's not good to dwell on it for too long. If I hope she will never forget me in her lifetime, does that make me a despicable person?

Pei Zhimei remembers the date he met Fu Ling, which was also January 7th, at last year's annual meeting of Southern Telecom.

He caressed the CD player with great regret. It was given to him by his elder brother when it was outdated. He had used it for many years, and it was the classic model of Marantz. Whether it was classical music or popular songs, it performed extremely well. It could be described as transparent, pure, smooth, and mellow, using words commonly used in movies, without exaggeration.

Depressed.

Péi Zhīwèi furrowed his brows, vaguely feeling that something was amiss. Before he could figure it out, the phone had already been dialed. Tái Míngmíng yawned repeatedly and said, "Director Péi, what time is it? Do you think everyone can work continuously for 36 hours like you?"

Four words, he consciously spoke steadily and calmly, without any emotional leakage. There was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time. He tried hard to identify, but didn't know if he really heard Fuling's breath.

This feeling, when asked to describe it, I am unconsciously deeply manipulated by it.

Dr. Mao came in to request maternity leave, and Dr. Pei readily approved. However, soon after, Dr. Ma received a request for marriage leave, which put Dr. Pei in a dilemma. After all, it was a joyous occasion, and it was awkward to prevent someone from getting married. Dr. Pei looked troubled, and Dr. Ma had to lower the request: "Can I take two days off this year first? At the very least, I need two days to hold a wedding banquet. We can postpone the honeymoon a little later."

I have graduated. Today, my classmates came to the hospital to bid me farewell. If I were still in school, I would have graduated today as well.

In the upper left corner, there is a line of small characters written crookedly and twistedly:.

At the bottom of the cardboard box, there is a small metal box containing a thick notebook. Each page contains very little content, ranging from a hundred or so words to just a few sentences.

Three years, Fuling, let's make a deal. You can only think of me for a maximum of three years, not even one day more. Don't hinder me from finding a good family to reincarnate into. Hahaha.

Pei Zhimei clasped her hands together, alternatingly pinching the back of her hands. After a while, she reluctantly uttered an "um" and her smile appeared very forced. Seeing that Dr. Li seemed to have realized something, she quickly added, "It's not Dr. Tai. We broke up a long time ago."

Yesterday, he and Dr. Li spoke vaguely. Today, the whole hospital knows that he is getting married, and the bride is not Tang Mingming. However, Pei Zhiwei is not worried at all. Tang Mingming has grown up in the applause of the crowd since childhood, and her ability to handle trivial gossip behind the scenes is much stronger than his.

Sorry, I regret it. I don't want to get married anymore.

Péi Zhīwèi doesn't know how to express his emotions. He smiles without smiling, chuckling twice. In Director Xie's eyes, he appears embarrassed. Gossip spreads quickly in the hospital. Tái Míngmíng and he have been the focus of the hospital in recent years, such as being selected as outstanding young talents. Tái Míngmíng comes from a family of doctors. His most famous deed is delivering a baby with a foot-first presentation right after passing the college entrance examination.

One is Fuling, while the other is not his Pei Zhiwei.

She didn't say everything, but Pei Zhiwei understoodーーshe still couldn't forget that "he", even in a marriage that didn't involve emotions, she couldn't accept it.

Pei Zhiwei had already heard of this story before he met Tai Mingming. When they started dating, their friends, whether willing or not, would always praise them as "a perfect match."

This kind of thing cannot be planned. Dr. Li is younger than him, but he has the appearance of an experienced person. Colleagues usually feel more awe towards him than anything else. Now Dr. Li has realized that he also has a bit of humanity and couldn't help but smile. "It has to rely on impulse. I have been talking with my boyfriend for many years. Originally, we planned to prepare this and that first. According to those plans, we wouldn't get married even at the age of thirty! Just a few days ago... the feeling came, and getting married has to rely on impulse!"

These words made Pei Zhiwei feel slightly settled - he had not expected to bring up the topic of marriage with Fuling so soon, or rather, marriage was never part of his original life plan. Dr. Li's words brought him comfort, although he still didn't understand why, on that night overlooking the flowing lights of Victoria Harbour from the Tai Ping Mountain, such thoughts suddenly emerged.

In the half that is spent with Fuling, there is only a comfortable, smooth, and stable feeling. Time passes like feathers gently gliding over the water, leaving only a few shallow ripples. Suddenly, it floats away lightly. The other half, however, is filled with urgent and pressing dangers, like being between a rock and a hard place. Every second, one can hear the beating of their own heart, one after another, unable to speed up or slow down.

Péi Zhīwèi pondered and thought that Tái Míngmíng's words should be true. He sent a text message to Fú Líng asking if she had gone to sleep, but he didn't receive a response for a long time. Péi Zhīwèi still felt uneasy, so he drove to Fú Líng's residence. As expected, he saw that the lights in her one-bedroom apartment were still on.

June 28th.

Pei Zhimei suddenly stepped on the accelerator and returned to his own home, which he had rarely visited in the past few months.

I really want to go play some ball again.

He knew what all these bits and pieces in the cardboard box were, and he knew what the suffocating feeling of being tightly bound was. He knew who the sweet smile with a hint of baby fat in the yellowed photo was for, and he knew that this warm moment only allowed for two people.

Even if you miss and worry, you can only stop here. When a relationship between a man and a woman reaches this stage, if you continue to inquire about the reasons, it will seem like persistent entanglement and inability to let go.

The scorching heat of the summer night seemed to have infected him. He vividly remembered every frown and smile of Fuling back then, remembered her various coquettish and playful gestures, remembered her silence and perseverance when they first met, remembered her smiling with her head lowered, neither speaking nor complaining. Sometimes, she probably didn't even realize how much she enjoyed daydreaming, often revealing a dazed and confused expression... Looking back now, Pei Zhiwei thought, during those times, she probably remembered the "him" from before. Sometimes, she probably didn't even realize how much she enjoyed daydreaming, often revealing a dazed and confused expression... Looking back now, Pei Zhiwei thought, during those times, she probably remembered the "him" from before.

You should be clearer about this than me. You are getting married, aren't you? Could it be that you are already having different dreams under the same roof?

I'm sorry, but there is no content provided for me to translate. Please provide the content you want me to translate.

On January 7th, Ye Yang and Fu Ling.

The CD player continues playing from the last stopped position, as a gentle male voice softly sings:

I wish I had been stabbed to death back then. It's causing me to be in a state of neither moving forward nor backward now. If I were a man, I would have driven Fuling away. The problem is, I can't get rid of her!

After finishing the last surgery, it was almost ten o'clock. When he drove out to pick up his car, he didn't know which way to go. He drove onto the tree-lined road outside the hospital and then turned onto a main road. The direction to his home and Fuling's residence diverged. He parked his car at the intersection and happened to see a convenience store on the side of the road. He had never bought anything here before, except for the time when Fuling came for a physical examination a few days ago and insisted on eating ice cream here. He got out of the car to buy it, but she called him back and said she wanted Baixi; then he walked two steps and she called him back again, saying she wanted Baixi's vanilla flavor; then he walked two more steps and she said she wanted coffee flavor...

Pei Zhiwei remembered that night, Fuleng was in his arms, with such a graceful and charming demeanor, murmuring in a low voice, "You fool, stop it."

Until someone knocked on the door to discuss the patient's condition, Pei Zhiwei finally put down his phone. For a moment, he even wanted to call back and ask what happened to Fuling. They were fine on their way back from Hong Kong, why did something happen just after they separated for less than half a day... Looking at the X-ray film that had been handed to him, he sighed silently and sat down dejectedly.

The patient has not been examined yet," Pei Zhiwei carefully chose his words and said, "She just found out, and she is also young. It seems... I haven't heard of any previous health issues being discovered, so I speculate that the condition is not very serious."

Mom told dad: The money we prepared for your son's wedding has been spent on medical treatment!

Well," Pei Zhimei blushed slightly, and after a moment, she whispered again, "Actually, I didn't expect it to happen so quickly."

Pei Zhiwei's heart suddenly lifted, and then he thought that Fu Ling had already received the medical examination report. He was so scared that he rushed over in three steps and two steps, and had to avoid the suitcases, slippers, buckets, shoe racks, and so on on the ground... Fu Ling usually even folds the plastic bags she buys online neatly in one place for future use. When has Pei Zhiwei ever seen her make the room so messy?

The last diary entry was on January 7th, which was more than two months after the previous entry. The content written on that day was:

You are right, two years ago, there was a case where the effect of the in-situ autologous transplantation surgery on left atrial reduction was very significant. However, the risk of this surgery is too high. The valve surgery must be completed during the same period when the heart is removed, and at the same time, the heart must be protected. The patient from two years ago had a 20-year history of illness, severe enlargement of the left atrium, and significant compression on the surrounding bronchi, lungs, and left ventricle, causing the patient great suffering. Have you encountered such a patient recently? I don't seem to have seen... Have you encountered such a patient recently? I don't seem to have seen...

This feeling makes one's heart beat rapidly, and fills one's face with joy as if basking in the spring breeze...

Not local. Pei Zhiwei paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue because he suddenly realized that despite being together with Fu Ling for a long time, he had never asked her where her hometown was.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the issue of death. For me, death is already inevitable.

Pei Zhimei had no choice but to lower his voice and say, "Director Tai, please."

This feeling is like a whirlpool spinning me around, incomprehensible, unpredictable...

In the diary, it is recorded that the cause of the illness is liver failure. Pei Zhiwei understands the clinical manifestations of this disease - the patient will experience obvious symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and then bleeding, bruising... Pei Zhiwei only feels breathless. He regrets opening this diary. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have known that there was once a man who had devoted deep affection to Fu Ling. From this diary full of hesitations, he reads the longing for life, the attachment to love, and many things that were clearly not written down but Pei Zhiwei can deeply empathize with, deeply suppressed...

Without hesitation, he lifted up Fuling's face. Fortunately, it was warm. Upon checking her breathing, he found it to be even. Pei Zhiwei breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the medicine bottle on the table, and realized it was only calcium tablets and vitamins. There was a small gap around her waist, so Pei Zhiwei sat there and moved her slightly inward. She didn't notice, just twisted her body and buried her head to continue sleeping.

I am a little worried about her.

On January 7th, Ye Yang and Fu Ling.

No problem, theoretically I should be able to overcome my drowsiness to pay attention to the movements of my ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend!

Péi Zhīwèi frowned, feeling that these questions were a bit tricky. The doctors in the department all knew Tái Míngmíng, and in the future, they would inevitably have to meet Fú Líng. He didn't know how to introduce Fú Líng for a moment. Saying they just met didn't seem good, and saying they knew each other for a long time also seemed inappropriate. He was tangled in his heart, and suddenly Dr. Lǐ laughed, "No wonder Director Péi never takes a vacation. These days... ... Did you go to propose?"

Listening to his serious and seemingly irrelevant inquiry about the current popular styles for wedding photos and the unique features of several honeymoon destinations, Dr. Li suddenly realized something and tentatively asked, "Director Pei... are you also planning to get married?"

Pei Zhimei furrowed his brows tightly, holding onto his phone for a long time. He only slightly loosened his grip when sweat stains appeared at the edge of the screen. He took a few deep breaths, adjusted his breathing, and then dialed back and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Pei Zhiwei accidentally slipped off the sofa and half-knelt on the ground, staring straight at the date and name on the photo.

Pei Zhiwei reached into his pocket, and the ring he had bought for marriage fell there, lonely and hot, as if it burned his hand. He suddenly withdrew his hand - he didn't know how things had suddenly turned out like this. He had never thought about marriage specifically, but he suddenly proposed to Fu Ling that night, if that could be called a proposal. In just two or three days, he had already entered the state of preparing for the wedding, but he didn't expect Fu Ling to suddenly change her mind.

After returning from Hong Kong, Pei Zhiwei first sent Fuling home, and then went straight to the hospital, which had become a habit over the years. Fortunately, there were no major events these days, only two female doctors, one applying for marriage and the other applying for pregnancy - the department staff were already tense, and things like marriage leave or pregnancy had to be applied for three months or even six months in advance. Female surgeons were even rarer, and now that they had gathered together, Pei Zhiwei was in a difficult position. Fortunately, there were no major events these days, only two female doctors, one applying for marriage and the other applying for pregnancy - the department staff were already tense, and things like marriage leave or pregnancy had to be applied for three months or even six months in advance. Female surgeons were even rarer, and now that they had gathered together, Pei Zhiwei was in a difficult position.