Chapter 4, Change.

Early on Saturday, Fei Nuo drove Pan Xi Nian out. Originally, Fei Nuo intended to have Yang Shu Ru accompany them, but it was Pan Xi Nian who said, "Sister Shu Ru has taken care of me for so long, and she has hardly had a day off in the past few months. If she goes with us today, it would mean we are having fun while she still has to work. Can we let her stay home to rest or do something she wants to do?" Her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated by Fei Nuo, who granted Yang Shu Ru the day off as she wished.

Indeed

Pan Xinian could not see, so Feino took her to touch the flowers and leaves of each plant, informing her one by one about what each plant was. Before the incident, her home was also filled with flowers and trees, but that was all her mother's concern, and she rarely paid attention to it, only recognizing a few types of plants that were most commonly grown at home. Therefore, when her fingers brushed against the fine, velvety surface of the maple leaves, the serrated edges of the bay leaves, and the acorns hidden deep within the oak leaves, each was a novel sensation.

I saw you sleeping on the road and did not wake you. Did you sleep well

In this way, the posture and atmosphere between the two individuals appeared somewhat strange. Feno quickly noticed Pan Xinian's discomfort and said, "When I was studying in Germany, every summer I would go hiking or climbing with my classmates. In the woods of the mountains, one could smell the scent of plants and soil, and now that scent has returned."

"It is essential to go out more often; one cannot stay cooped up at home all day long, as even without illness, one can develop problems from being confined." At this point, Cheng Lang glanced at his wife and Fei Nuo, "Fei Nuo, Xiao Tong, with autumn approaching and the leaves yet to fall, how about we take a weekend trip to the countryside for a hike and a picnic while the weather is still nice? Xi Nian should join us as well; appropriate outdoor activities are very important for her, and it would be a good way to relax. What do you think?"

"It is always necessary to be alone." Feino said after a moment of silence

The day before, Fei Nuo spoke with Cheng Lang over the phone and learned that her health check results were very good, but she was feeling tense. Assuming she was still worried about the surgery, he said: "Cheng Lang mentioned that your physical condition is excellent, and the surgery will go smoothly. I will be back on Monday, so if you need anything, feel free to call me anytime. Also, if you go out for a walk, be sure to keep warm and avoid catching a cold."

You need not worry too much; the other party is merely following quietly. I have been going about alone for quite some time, and nothing significant has happened.

Ji Xiaotong leaned over to take a look: "Fei Nuo, you are making sandwiches again. After spending so many years in Germany, you've learned both the good and the bad."

Unprecedentedly, the office door was ajar, which also indicated that there were others inside. It was not the scheduled time for the janitor to clean, and he did not share the office with anyone. Feno felt somewhat displeased, yet his expression showed no emotion. He simply pushed the door open, curious to see who this uninvited guest, who had taken the initiative, might be.

Pan Xinian took the handkerchief and clenched it in his hand, while Feino averted his gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone was watching, and when he turned his gaze, he found it was Ji Xiaotong—she had been intently observing him and Pan Xinian. Upon seeing Feino looking at her, she did not look away; instead, she gently shook her head as if lost in thought.

As they were about to part ways, Cheng Lang called out to Fei Nuo. Seeing the latter stop in confusion, he smiled again and said, "It's nothing, you don't look too well. Don't push yourself too hard. Xiannian's surgery is approaching, so you must take care of yourself even more."

He himself does not notice these subtle changes, yet they are observed by others one by one. One day, after a meeting in the courtyard, as he was about to leave, he was suddenly called out: "Fei Nuo, are you alright? How come I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've lost weight again?"

Where are you going to ask?" Feino frowned upon hearing this

Has Teacher Pan and Sister Ai both left, leaving her all alone

Feino turned his head to look at Pan Xinian and asked in a harmonious tone: "Xinian, how about going to the Forest Park?"

Thus, the complex gazes of my colleagues earlier all found their explanations. The current situation is entirely unexpected, but upon reflection, having traced it back to its source, I nodded in a rather rational and polite manner: "Very well, please take a seat"

During the weekend, Cheng Lang and his wife visited the Fei family and stayed for lunch. Aunt Xu spared no effort in preparing a table full of unique hometown dishes, which left Cheng Lang, who had been away from home for many years and married a local lady from T City, singing praises and seemingly wishing he could leave his tongue at the Fei household.

After exercising, a flush of color rose to her cheeks. When she heard Fino's question, she simply shook her head and said, "Not tired"

Mrs. Ji Xiaotong, Cheng Lang's wife, said after listening, "Then let's go to the Forest Park. I haven't been there in the second half of the year, and I don't know if the leaves of the maple trees have turned red yet"

I just forgot to say thank you, so I am giving it to you now. Thank you.

Cheng Lang nodded and smiled, saying: "Xi Nian, you are very brave. I have seen the footage taken a few days ago, and the condition of the blood clot is improving, showing a trend of reduction. If this trend continues, the most optimistic scenario is that it will naturally reduce and be absorbed. Otherwise, once the size of the blood clot stabilizes, we can also consider a surgical option."

The essence of this statement was quickly grasped by Fei Nuo, who glanced at Cheng Lang and couldn't help but smile: "She is Teacher Pan's daughter, and still a young girl." After saying this, he naturally looked for Pan Xinian's figure, observing her and Ji Xiaotong seemingly engaged in conversation, with a slight curve of his lips revealing a warm smile.

I have said what I needed to say, and since you are aware of the situation, the measure is in your hands. Cheng Lang paused for a moment, then added, However, it is worth mentioning that I heard the affair between Teacher Pan and Sister Ai caused quite a stir at school back in the day, yet after all these years, haven't they managed to move on? Ultimately, it is not such a big deal.

The stalemate lasted only a moment, and over there, Pan Xinian also realized that he had overreacted, his face flushed instantly, his hand reaching out in the air, trying to find Feino's hand: "I... I didn't hear your voice..."

Cheng Lang expressed his disbelief upon seeing Fei Nuo, furrowing his brows and saying: "Just now, Xiao Tong was also discussing this matter with me. From a doctor's perspective, she is a blind orphan, and you are with her day and night, taking care of her. The patient will psychologically depend on you and subsequently develop feelings. There are countless cases of this fledgling mentality; otherwise, how do you explain the frequent occurrences of patients marrying the nurses who cared for them after recovery? Secondly, there is nothing inappropriate between us. Xi Nian is indeed Teacher Pan's daughter, and I believe you regard her merely as a junior. However, she is already eighteen or nineteen years old, a young lady, not a five or six-year-old child. She may not see you purely as an elder... Xiao Tong mentioned that her attitude towards you is unusual. If you want her to be independent after the surgery, then it would be wise to create some distance between you two. Otherwise, it may lead to complications later on, which would not be good for either of you."

The person asking the question was a colleague from the same department, He Cai. Fei Nuo paused and nodded, saying, "It's nothing serious. There have been a lot of things going on lately. Once this busy period is over, it will be fine."

Cheng Lang turned his head slightly to look at him: "That may be what you say, but it would be better if you truly think that way. In that case, Fei Nuo, let me say something that may not be pleasant to hear: do not spoil Xi Nian too much, otherwise, you might find it hard to part ways later on"

At this, Pan Xinian nodded more emphatically: "Alright"

Cheng Lang patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry about it, after all, I am just a doctor. If I know anything, I will tell you, but still, I must reiterate, you need to be careful yourself"

Until he arrived at the door of his office

Cheng Lang refers to the marriage of Pan Yue and Ai Jing, during which Ai Jing had just graduated from university. When they first met, they were still somewhat in a teacher-student relationship. Transitioning from a teacher-student dynamic to becoming spouses was indeed a remarkable story in that era, which was conservative in both social customs and academic culture.

However, the other party was clearly very experienced, and more importantly, extremely cautious. Several times, Feno attempted to pull the person out to ask for clarification, but he had already evaded first.

Fino vaguely sensed that something was amiss, but he was simply too exhausted, and the effects of the cold medicine left him somewhat dazed, so he did not have the energy to pull someone over to inquire about the reason.

She spoke earnestly, and Feino smiled, softly saying: "Silly girl, still so polite. You should rest well, and we will talk when I return"

The initial cause was his realization that someone was following him. It was manageable at school, but whenever he went out alone or attended social gatherings with friends, the feeling of being silently followed was inescapable. At first, he suspected that he was simply too tired lately, but one day he actually saw a man with an utterly unremarkable appearance following him—this man's face had appeared too frequently and inexplicably in his life recently. It was then that he realized the previous discomfort of being followed was far from just an illusion.

You can rest assured about this

Since you say so, it means we will let it go. Then, Xinian, we have agreed that when your surgery is successful next spring, we will come back here to fly kites

Upon returning to City T, Feino first went to the school. One reason was that the school was closer to the airport, and the other was that there were still some documents left in the office that he wanted to retrieve before going home. From the moment he entered the office building to the short journey to the office on the third floor, Feino suddenly realized that everyone he encountered was looking at him. Their gazes were mixed with various emotions: curiosity, confusion, unfamiliarity, and even a hint of incomprehension, yet no one actually called out to him. They simply cast their silent glances in his direction.

As winter approaches day by day, Pan Xinian's health condition is also improving day by day. After another consultation in the ophthalmology and neurology departments, her surgery date is tentatively scheduled for late December

Not long after, Feino set off northward to meet with the client for the project in a certain city. The schedule was tight, and there were many matters to attend to. Additionally, due to the unsuitable weather, Feino was slightly unwell, having caught a mild cold. Everything else was manageable; he suppressed it after taking some medicine. However, after being exposed to the wind, he lost his voice. As a result, when he called home, he could not hide it from Pan Xinian. Upon hearing his voice, the tone on the other end of the line tightened: "What happened to your voice?"

Ji Xiaotong glanced at Fei Nuo with a smile and said, "You want Fei Nuo to teach you? His kites are flown exceptionally well"

At the dining table, Cheng Lang saw Fei Nuo skillfully serving dishes to Pan Xi Nian, appearing to be quite familiar with her tastes, indicating that the rapport between the two had been established through their shared life. Noticing the glance Fei Nuo cast in his direction, Cheng Lang remarked: "It seems that Xi Nian has gradually begun to adapt."

Feino smiled and said, "You truly are a couple of one mind, as your questions are identical. In fact, things have been quite good lately; the patients at home are stable. Perhaps it was due to the lack of sleep for a while, and now that I have relaxed a bit, I have actually lost some weight"

As two individuals were chatting while returning to their department, they happened to encounter Huang Daheng, who was there to pick up his wife. Upon seeing each other, he remarked, "Feino, I hadn't noticed it before, but how come you've suddenly lost weight?"

"Eat and sleep more." Huang Daheng patted his shoulder, "If you encounter any difficulties, you must speak up. Do not bear it alone, as it may lead to your own downfall."

As they continued along the path, a group of people strolled slowly beside the stream that meandered through the entire forest park. The weather was pleasant, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tall trees' branches, casting a warm glow on the pedestrians and the flowing water. Accompanied by the low-growing maple trees flanking the walking path, the scenery was indeed a delightful interplay of reflections and responses. Botany was originally a part of Fei Nuo's studies, and Ji Xiaotong was also a plant enthusiast. Whenever she encountered lush or rare flowers and trees, she would stop to admire and identify them, inevitably steering the conversation increasingly towards plants. Botany was originally a part of Fei Nuo's studies, and Ji Xiaotong was also a plant enthusiast. Whenever she encountered lush or rare flowers and trees, she would stop to admire and identify them, inevitably steering the conversation increasingly towards plants.

Fei Nuo gently grasped Pan Xi Nian's wrist, guiding her hand through his arm, hoping she would link her arm with his to walk together, which was much more comfortable than simply being supported. However, he did not expect that as soon as his hand touched Pan Xi Nian's wrist, she recoiled as if electrocuted, her movement so abrupt that even Fei Nuo was momentarily taken aback, and he instinctively withdrew his hand as well

Pan Xinian was momentarily taken aback, but then the desire on her face became unmistakable. Feino, seeing her like this, also said: "You are her doctor, so we will certainly follow your medical advice"

Cheng Lang laughed heartily: "Then it's settled. Do you want to choose the place, or shall we? Does Xi Nian have any places in mind that he would like to go to?"

However, no matter how vivid the sensations may be, they cannot compensate for the regret of not being able to witness this moment's scenery with my own eyes: the varying shades of gold on the branches of deciduous trees, the red of the maple, combined with the emerald green of the pines and cypresses, set against the azure sky adorned with delicate clouds, create an incredibly brilliant and flourishing atmosphere of late autumn

I heard from Lao Huang some time ago that the last time you took leave was due to a family issue. How is it going? Has it been resolved?

She is currently on leave from school due to illness, and she will naturally return to her studies once her health improves

Cheng Lang suddenly laughed. After laughing, he said: "Speaking of which, when we were at that age, Sister Ai really took care of us"

Her husband is not only the associate dean of the School of Architecture but also a long-time alumnus of T University, having studied there from undergraduate to graduate level. He is aware of every significant and trivial matter within the department; when Fei Nuo decided to return to China to teach at T University, he was also one of the interviewers. Since he has a good personal relationship with the couple and knows that her question is purely out of goodwill, he did not conceal anything: "There is a patient at home, but their condition has stabilized recently"

The chief surgeon, like Fei Nuo, also holds a doctor's degree from Germany and is recognized as the best surgeon in the entire hospital. However, as the date of the surgery approaches, Pan Xinian inevitably reveals signs of tension and anxiety. Regardless of whether it is Fei Nuo, Yang Shuru, Aunt Xu, or the couple Cheng Lang, their attempts to comfort and reassure seem to have little effect.

Later, they found a flat piece of grassland near the river to sit down and prepare for lunch. Ji Xiaotong, whose primary occupation was a gallery agent, was also a competent housewife, and the lunch boxes she brought were a feast for the eyes, simply beautiful to behold. Upon seeing this, Fei Nuo could only smile: "Well, with Xiaotong around, what more do we need to cook?"

Taking advantage of Ji Xiaotong showing her the camellias, Cheng Lang walked over to Fei Nuo, patted him on the shoulder, and moved to a position with the wind at his back before looking at the two people in the distance and saying: "If the current recovery status is maintained, the earliest we can perform the surgery is by the end of the year. But have you thought about what will happen after the surgery?"

You also know that since the incident with Teacher Pan, I have hardly been busy with anything else for the past six months

She nodded but still did not speak. Cheng Lang had seen many patients and understood their mindset. With a smile, he changed the subject: "I have wanted to ask you several times while at the hospital, but I always forget. What do you usually do at home? Do you stay at home all day? Do you ever go out for a walk?"

"Indeed, it is Cheng Lang," Ji Xiaotong pointed to the person beside him, "He said that your father taught you both how to fly kites, but he could never do it as well as you. He even asked me if your father passed down some secret skill to you."

I myself am fine, but in a couple of days I will be going on a business trip for about a week, and perhaps I will feel better when I return. Recently, Xiaotong often goes to see Xinian, and if you have told Xiaotong, please ask her not to mention it to Xinian.

Fei Nuo's official position is that of an associate professor in the Landscape Department of T University School of Architecture. Since the incident involving Pan Jia, during this period while the university is still in session, he has had to balance his work with the responsibility of caring for Pan Xi Nian, and unknowingly, he has lost weight in the process

Fei Nuo, however, was unwilling to follow Cheng Lang's lead and continued: "This is going off on a tangent"

Fino laughed and said, "Where did you hear that I can fly kites?"

Fei Nuo was unwilling to let her worry, only saying that he hadn't slept well the previous night and that his throat was a bit uncomfortable. Pan Xi Nian sounded somewhat skeptical, but seemed to have other, greater concerns on her mind, as each of her words was delivered with a sense of distraction and hesitation.

I am

Fei Nuo had no experience with such a situation; in fact, he was completely at a loss regarding the root cause of the matter. On one hand, he said nothing about this strange phenomenon in front of Pan Xinian, while on the other hand, he still sought out Cheng Lang and briefly explained the situation.

After the car came to a stop, Pan Xinian was still asleep, while Cheng Lang and Ji Xiaotong had already gotten out of the car. Fei Nuo softly called out to Pan Xinian a few times, then gently patted her shoulder: "Xinian, we have arrived"

At the beginning of Cheng Lang's words, Fei Nuo was still listening attentively, but later he couldn't help but smile. Once Cheng Lang finished speaking, he remarked: "If you are concerned about her and my reputation, then there is no need to worry; as for feelings, in my eyes, she has always been the little daughter of Teacher Pan and Sister Ai. Her current dependence on me is merely due to being in an unfamiliar environment, without other relatives or friends, confined to such a small circle. Once she can see others and returns to a normal living environment, everything will naturally be fine. You and I have also been through the ages of eighteen or nineteen, and we didn't encounter someone treating us well without thinking about how to respond, did we?" Her current dependence on me is merely due to being in an unfamiliar environment, without other relatives or friends, confined to such a small circle. Once she can see others and returns to a normal living environment, everything will naturally be fine. You and I have also been through the ages of eighteen or nineteen, and we didn't encounter someone treating us well without thinking about how to respond, did we?"

She nodded slightly, and suddenly felt the clothes covering her body, which took her by surprise. Only then did she fumble to lift her coat and hand it back to Feino

Pan Xinian put down his chopsticks and, as was his habit, turned his face towards the source of the sound: "It's much better than it was at the beginning. As long as I don't go to unfamiliar places, neither home nor the hospital can pose a challenge to me"

On the other hand, in an unexpected situation, Fino discovered that something was amiss

Isn't it the elderly person at home

Pan Xinian almost simultaneously opened his eyes, just waking from a short nap. For a moment, his eyes were unfocused, and it took him a while to turn his face to look at Feino, his eyes gradually becoming clear: "Hmm? Have we arrived?"

Feino looked at Pan Xinian with a hint of surprise, soon noticing a tuft of dandelion fluff caught in her bangs. He couldn't help but chuckle, brushed it away for her, and then took out a handkerchief to offer it to her: "It's autumn, and dandelions are everywhere. If you sneeze, your eyes will turn red. Here, wipe them."

During lunch, there was much laughter and joy, making the meal exceptionally pleasant. However, Pan Xinian seemed a bit out of place, and Feino naturally took care of her. To the onlookers, it appeared as if they were a family who had always lived together. After finishing the meal, Ji Xiaotong looked at the sky and said: "Xinian, when your eyes are better, let's come here to fly kites next spring, shall we? This area is less crowded, but it's a great place for kite flying."

There are a total of three people in the room, and only Huang Daheng is known to him. He nodded towards Huang Daheng, who had a furrowed brow and a worried expression, before turning to the other two unfamiliar individuals dressed in police uniforms. Upon seeing Fei Nuo enter, they also stood up from the sofa, and one of them took out his identification and said in a formal tone: "Are you Fei Nuo?"

"Xiaotong, you really betrayed me in front of Feino!" Cheng Lang deliberately raised his voice with a hint of exaggeration.

Next weekend will be a perfect day with clear skies, ideal for an autumn outing. A few days after the weekend weather forecast was released, Feino began preparing the necessary items for the outing together with Pan Xinian. Initially, Pan Xinian found it somewhat difficult to adapt to the various trivial matters before the trip, but as everything fell into place one by one, he unknowingly became invigorated, bustling about, as if he had completely forgotten about the inconvenience with his eyes

Fei Nuo was lost in thought as he gazed at the sky at the end of the treetops, when suddenly he heard Ji Xiao Tong's voice: "Ah, there are early-maturing camellias here. Xi Nian, come, over here."

Ji Xiaotong laughed, and even Pan Xinian laughed. Fei Nuo, however, said seriously: "Listen to his nonsense; it is clearly his own indulgence in play. This new thing for two days, that one for three days. Without perseverance, how can one accomplish anything well?"

We have received a report stating that you are suspected of unlawfully occupying another person's property and illegally restricting another person's personal freedom. We would like to have a conversation with you to understand the specific circumstances and hope to receive your support and cooperation

Sister Xiaotong, I cannot ... ...

Ji Xiaotong led Pan Xinian to a cluster of camellias, where the dark, double-petaled flowers bloomed among the pure white fingers, enough to dazzle the eyes

They met with Cheng Lang and his wife’s car halfway, and they smoothly arrived at the suburban forest park. Since they got up early, Pan Xinian dozed off during the journey, her head nodding unconsciously, her brows slightly furrowed, and her lips pouting, making her whole face look like a little bun. Fei Nuo couldn't help but laugh at the sight, and instead of waking her up, he covered her with his coat when they stopped at a red light

At this moment, Pan Xinian raised his head and looked around, clearly searching for Feino's presence. Although Feino's face still bore an expression devoid of emotion, recalling Cheng Lang's lengthy remarks earlier, he couldn't help but feel a slight heaviness in his heart upon seeing Pan Xinian's yearning gaze.

Pan Xinian appeared somewhat surprised and momentarily could not respond. Cheng Lang then asked, "What’s wrong? This is good news, isn’t it?"

Pan Xinian said earnestly: "Turn on the TV to listen to the news, Feino bought me an audiobook, and if I want to read, I just open it to listen. It is read a bit slowly, and I always feel anxious inside, so I tend to listen to music more. Sister Shuru and Aunt Xu take care of me from morning till night, patiently accompanying me in conversation... Sometimes Feino also takes me out for a walk"

Fei Nuo nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, I am aware of it."

Noticing the intentions of the other people at the table, Pan Xi gently nodded and said, "Alright"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Lang and Ji Xiaotong quickly exchanged glances. This subtlety did not escape Fei Nuo's notice, but he said nothing. He opened the red wine he had brought and, during the interval of letting it breathe, turned to ask Pan Xinian: "After walking all morning, are you tired?"

This statement is indeed the truth. Cheng Lang furrowed his brows and pondered for a long time: "In any case, this matter is not right."

Xinian said he has never eaten anything I made, and this is the only thing I can make

The Cheng couple are regulars here, and after gathering, they will lead the way. Originally, Cheng Lang and Fei Nuo were walking in front, while Ji Xiaotong was supporting Pan Xinian from behind, chatting about each other's recent situations along the way. However, as they walked, Ji Xiaotong began to feel fatigued, stopped, and called out to Fei Nuo: "Fei Nuo, could you lend a hand?"

Fei Nuo denied it, and He Cai seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he said: "That's good. It's good that the old man is fine. You must take care of yourself as well, don't let taking care of others make you fall ill. Oh, once you finish this busy period and have some free time, we should play cards together again. Ever since you took leave last time, the bridge game hasn't been held again."

"Alright... I will definitely do it," Pan Xi responded in a youthful voice

Cheng Lang was also taken aback after hearing this: "You are just a scholar, an outsider, and you haven't been back for many years. Who would hold a grudge against you? Otherwise, think again, have you had any recent disputes or arguments with anyone?"

Fei Nuo nodded with a smile and said, "Certainly, certainly"

Fei Nuo said: "Do not climb the mountain, nor go to the water's edge, the path is a bit easier to walk, hmm?"

The more she spoke, the lower her voice became, until it was barely audible. Fino noticed that sweat was even beading on her forehead, so he once again reached out and gently held her hand. The back of her hand and her fingertips were icy cold, and they even trembled slightly. It was not until Fino said, "It’s alright, it was also my fault for not speaking up," that Pan Xinian managed to calm down.

Pan Xinian took a deep breath, and his tense face relaxed slightly. It seemed he was about to speak, but unexpectedly, he suddenly let out a huge sneeze, startling the birds in the forest, which took flight in a flurry.

I am just afraid that it will be too late if something happens! Cheng Lang, seeing that Fei Nuo remained calm and indifferent, let out a heavy sigh and said, "In any case, be careful recently. I will see if I can help you find out what exactly is going on."

After finishing these remarks, Fei Nuo was already prepared to hang up the phone, even saying "goodbye." However, he was abruptly stopped by Pan Xi Nian's sharp and urgent call of "Fei Nuo." That voice was filled with great unease, and Fei Nuo was unsure where such emotions stemmed from. He simply patiently brought the receiver back to his ear and calmly said, "Xi Nian, I am here."