Section 2

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Zhu Jiu opened her eyes and saw that he was particularly serious in both tone and expression. She was taken aback for a moment, then sat up and said cheerfully, "Where have you been wronged?" She pointed at him and earnestly recited the compliments the nurses in the hospital had given him, "Doctor Ji, handsome and dashing, charming and witty, gentle and considerate, top-notch professional..."

If it were not for the knowledge that he fundamentally does not like women, and that his marriage to her was merely a facade forced upon him by his family, she would truly have been deceived by his behavior

Ji Silang, however, remained motionless, gazing at her with unwavering determination

Hmm... Zhu Jiu turned over, placing his palm over his eyes, and murmured, "I am so sleepy, I will take a nap"

Ji Silang was surprised, "The first time?"

The patient who underwent surgery the day before yesterday is still in a deep sleep. She has undergone routine postoperative examinations and has instructed the nurses to closely monitor the patient's condition at all times

"You really should consider becoming an actor." Zhu Jiu lay back down on the sofa, examining the ring on her ring finger, a very beautiful emerald, which even someone like her, who knows little about gemstones, could tell was a precious item from a long time ago

Zhu Jiu looked at himself in the mirror, and it seemed that this was indeed the case

Last night, she unexpectedly suffered from insomnia again, despite being utterly exhausted. She has been plagued by insomnia for many years; in earlier years, during the most severe episodes, she would stay awake all night and would simply get up to read medical books. No matter how young her body was, enduring this for long periods was unsustainable. Eventually, she began to take medication. Ji Silang, upon learning of this, admonished her, saying that as a doctor, did she not understand the significant harm that medication could inflict on the body? After she moved to San Francisco, living close to Ji Silang's apartment, he often urged her to go for morning runs, and on weekends, as long as she was not working, he would drag her to hike, rock climb, and go on excursions. Ji Silang, upon learning of this, admonished her, saying that as a doctor, did she not understand the significant harm that medication could inflict on the body? After she moved to San Francisco, living close to Ji Silang's apartment, he often urged her to go for morning runs, and on weekends, as long as she was not working, he would drag her to hike, rock climb, and go on excursions. Outdoor activities have always been her passion, and she was happy to join him. Gradually, her insomnia began to ease.

Zhu Jiu could no longer hold back, and with a "puff," she collapsed onto the sofa, lamenting in her heart that she had failed again, unable to deceive him each time.

Zhu Jiu continues to strive, "Oh, still from a prominent family! Feeling wronged? How many women yearn for this!"

She has remembered this kindness for her entire life. However, the things she could do for him are indeed very few. Therefore, when she learned that he was being pressured into marriage by his family and was deeply troubled, she suggested, why don't we pair up? He was very shocked. Although he was born and raised in the United States, he was influenced by his family from a young age and understood what marriage meant for a Chinese woman. However, Zhu Jiu told him that she never intended to get married in her life; she did not care about those illusory reputations. Although he was born and raised in the United States, he was influenced by his family from a young age and understood what marriage meant for a Chinese woman. However, Zhu Jiu told him that she never intended to get married in her life; she did not care about those illusory reputations.

"I still owe you something." Ji Silang shifted the topic, taking an item from his pocket, holding it out in front of Zhu Jiu, kneeling on one knee, gazing into her eyes, and said in a particularly gentle voice: "Miss Zhu Jiu, would you marry me?"

She covered her eyes with her hand, feeling quite tired

This is still the first time I am wearing a ring she said softly as she turned the ring

Zhu Jiu was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said: "Thank you"

She recalled the question that Ji Silang had asked her when she got out of the car, "Is this really the first time you have received a ring"

It is indeed the most beautiful autumn in San Francisco. The street where she lives is very quiet, lined with tall ginkgo trees. During this season, the leaves have turned yellow and fallen to the ground, creating a particularly beautiful scene. Zhu Jiu enjoys listening to the subtle rustling sound made by shoes stepping on the fallen leaves; it is a sound unique to autumn, her favorite season.

The alcohol swab was applied to the wound, and Zhu Jiu did not make a sound. Ji Silang glanced at her, a hint of heartache surfacing in his eyes. He lowered his head and gently blew on her wound a few times, then took her foot, which had been rubbed red by high heels, and gently massaged it.

Zhu Jiu looked at Ji Si Lang's gentle expression and actions, suddenly reaching out to cup his face. Their eyes met, and her dark eyes fixed on him without moving, she murmured softly: "Ji Si Lang, please don't do this, I will fall in love with you."

Zhu Jiu patted her face, trying to pull herself away from her memories. Perhaps some scenes that occurred today overlapped too heavily with those in her recollections, causing her to involuntarily recall certain fragments that lay dormant deep within her heart

She looked up at the golden ginkgo leaves above her head. Before long, these leaves would gradually fall, autumn would pass, winter would arrive, and spring would not be far away

Ji Silang held her hand down and said nonchalantly, "We don't have much at home, but we do have plenty of these things from who knows what era. You can play with it."

Zhu's body stiffened.

Many things, like the seasons, turn a page and become the past

But she did not lie; back then, when that person proposed to her, it was not with a ring, but with a watch that he had crafted himself. The watch face was a deep blue starry sky, which would emit brilliant starlight in the darkness

Zhu Jiu stroked her forehead and said, "Alright, alright, I accept." She reached out to grab the ring, but Ji Silang evaded her. He held her hand and slipped the ring onto her ring finger, then leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her finger.

The next day, she still felt a bit unwell. After some thought, she tied her chin-length hair into a ponytail, securing it tightly with a rubber band. Back in medical school, there was a Japanese girl in her class who would always tie her hair up in a high ponytail before exams while studying in the library. She said that pulling the hair tightly with a rubber band could help one feel slightly more alert when fatigued.

How could it be? She clearly ... ...

As Ji Silang looked up, his expression suddenly changed, and he raised the corners of his mouth, winking at her, "Cut! How was that? Is it enough to win the Best Actor award?"

Upon entering the hospital, she changed into a white coat and went directly to the intensive care unit

Just before the end of work, Ji Silang walked into her office

She recalled something and said, "Jisilang, this ring wouldn't be a family heirloom of yours, would it? In that case, I cannot accept it casually." As she spoke, she was about to take it off and return it to him

Tsk tsk, what an attitude! Zhu Jiu did not argue with him, but she would not truly accept it, as she never wore jewelry in her daily life. She would take it for now and return it to him later

After tossing and turning in bed for a long time, Zhu Jiu got up and rummaged through the bedside table to find some pills that had not been taken for a long time, swallowing them down

Ji Silang, caught between laughter and tears, interrupted her, "Hey! You are reciting your lines!"

After they had dinner, Jisilang drove Zhu Jiu home, while he still needed to return to the hospital. When the car was still some distance from Zhu Jiu's apartment, she asked him to stop the car

Ji Silang turned around, took out a pair of flat shoes from her bag, put them on her, and suddenly said: "Mint, I have wronged you."

Ji Silang shook his head and said, "But not including you." He paused and said seriously, "If you feel troubled, it is still not too late now."

She knew he was implying something, indeed, how could a woman who had been married once before be wearing a ring for the first time

She pointed at Zhu Jiu's small ponytail

Zhu Jiu raised his foot and kicked him, "Go die!"

However, it has all passed.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed nurse nodded and, as she was leaving the ward, suddenly said to her: "Hey, Mint, you look especially, especially youthful today"

There was a sentence she did not say, knowing that he would not like to hear it. In this regard, where can it be considered a grievance? Her life was given to her by him; if it were not for him, she would have died three years ago in the Sahara Desert. It was he who dug her out from beneath the yellow sand. Even though they were both lacking water, he used a small knife to cut his skin, letting his blood drip drop by drop into her parched mouth, sustaining her as she waited for the final rescue.

It was a bit chilly at night, and she tightened her windbreaker. As she reached into her pocket, she touched something; it was the ring that Ji Silang had given her. She took it out and held it up to the streetlight. That rare shade of green was truly, exceptionally beautiful, even making her, who did not usually like jewelry, feel a flutter in her heart. Perhaps it is a natural affection that women have for rings.

Youth? A twenty-nine-year-old woman can be described using many words, yet none of them seem to align with the concept of youth.

After a long while, Ji Silang curled his lips and said: "You won't."

Zhu Jiu also put away his playful expression and said: "Si Lang, you know that no one can force me to do what I do not want to do, you need not feel burdened."

He moved the corners of his mouth slightly, but did not ask again. He took the thin blanket from the sofa and draped it over her.

Zhu Jiu looked at the ring in his hand and his serious expression, glaring at him, "Hey, Ji Silang, you are getting too deep into the role!"