Section 4

"How long until we go back?" Ji Silang asked

You have purchased your plane ticket

Tick, tock

Zhu Jiu said, "I want to return to my country for a while"

Finally, Leo said: "Perhaps you blame me for being meddlesome, knowing that you are getting married and still telling you these things. Please forgive my selfishness; although he is my cousin, you know that we are like brothers. My mother has always regarded him as her son and specifically instructed me to take care of him before she passed away. Mint, whether or not to return to the country to see him is up to you to decide. I assure you, this is the last time I will interfere in your matters"

Zhu Jiu nodded slightly

She held the thin piece of paper, feeling it particularly hot in her hands

One is in the Sahara Desert, and the other is a hospital in a small town in Morocco. It was taken in the autumn three years ago, Leo said

The next photo appears to be taken on a small balcony outside a hospital ward, featuring a man in a hospital gown sitting in a wheelchair. It is also a profile shot; he has his head slightly bowed, with a thin yet still handsome face, his lips pressed tightly together, and his gaze directed downwards, displaying an expression of concentration.

Zhu Jiu fell silent for a moment, recalling the wedding a month later, and felt that he indeed had an obligation to explain to him, "A ... ... friend is seriously ill"

The hospital's name was written on that patient gown, which Zhu Jiu was very familiar with, as she had worn it for several days

Reason

"How could it be..." she murmured

Lying in bed, after a while, she got up again, walked to the study, and opened the bottom drawer of the desk. Inside were some letters, diplomas, medical licenses, and other important items. As she sifted through these documents, she saw a small deep blue cloth bag. She reached out to take it, but hesitated and withdrew her hand halfway. After a moment of hesitation, she ultimately picked it up.

Tomorrow

Leo suddenly grasped her shoulders, turning the two of them to face each other. He clearly saw a multitude of emotions in her eyes: shock, confusion, bewilderment, and even a rare glimpse of being at a loss. He said, "Given his character, he certainly wouldn't want you to know about his serious illness, including the matter of him seeking you out three years ago. He would definitely be furious with me for taking matters into my own hands. However, whether he can wake up this time is still uncertain..."

"Such a valuable item, please take good care of it." Zhu Jiu placed the ring into his palm

This is ... ... " she looked at Leo in shock

The note contains the name of the hospital and the room number, as well as a name and phone number. Below that name, it is noted: If returning to the country, contact his secretary

It seems to carry the scent of dust

Ji Silang frowned as he looked at her. In the end, he said nothing and withdrew his fingers

So many years have passed, yet that moment remains as clear as yesterday, untouched by even a speck of dust from the passage of time

It was the coldest winter in Heidelberg, with the outside blanketed in white snow and the night silent. Inside, however, it was as warm as spring. In front of the blazing fireplace, he held the watch to her ear, allowing her to hear the ticking sound of the hour hand. He gazed into her eyes and said, "For every minute and every second of the rest of my life, I want to spend it with you. Zhu Jiu, will you marry me?"

There are also those two photos

Upon returning home, she was still quite alert. There was still more than half a bottle of wine left. Even in such a chaotic moment, she still restrained herself and reminded herself that she had to go to work tomorrow

When will we leave

This is destined to be another sleepless night, with memories surging forth like the tide in the dark of night

He left a note and then departed

About a week

The sound of the hands gently turning is particularly crisp and melodious in the dark night

How could this happen

"Three years ago, when you went missing in the Sahara, he went to look for you." Since he had made up his mind to show Zhu Jiu the photos he had secretly taken, Fu Yunshen no longer bothered to heed Leo's confidentiality advice

Zhu Jiu watched him chatter incessantly, and eventually she could no longer hear what he was saying, as a buzzing sound filled her ears

Japanese cuisine is her second preference after Chinese food; despite living abroad for twelve years, she still cannot bring herself to enjoy Western cuisine. Ji Silang once teased her that she excels in many areas, but when it comes to food, she is rather finicky. She did not tell him that, in fact, during her first three years studying in Germany, she was spoiled by Chinese delicacies in Heidelberg, which ruined her palate.

F & Z. 2003

This bag has not been opened for a long time

That was the most beautiful proposal she had ever heard

How could this happen

If she did not understand Leo's character and also knew that he would not be bored enough to specifically come from Germany to say things that do not exist to deceive himself, she would truly doubt that all of this was false

She took out the half bottle of wine that Ji Silang had brought last time but had not finished from the wine cabinet and walked towards the balcony. The strong tequila poured down her throat, invigorating her and making her feel more awake.

He knows some of her past, so there is no need to lie or evade.

She poured the contents of the bag out, and under the warm yellow light of the lamp, a watch lay quietly in her palm, its black leather strap and silver dial encasing a whole expanse of deep blue starry sky

The day after, at noon, Zhu Jiu Yue Ji Si Lang had a meal and invited him to a Japanese restaurant near the hospital

Regardless of his surprise, she then asked him to help take over the patient she was currently responsible for.

Zhu Jiu stared at the phone screen, switching between two photos countless times, as if unconsciously, her gaze vacant.

She turned it over, revealing a silver back engraved with a few small words

For some reason, Ji Silang suddenly guessed something, "That person?"

She remembers every character, every pause at the end of each sentence, and his gentle gaze very clearly

She stood on the balcony for a very long time

There was a moment of silence

Her hand could not help but tremble slightly