Two days before school started, Bo Xinghang quit his job and spent those two days at home. When Doctor Ji finally had a few days off, Bo Xinghang suggested, “Come with me somewhere.”
Following the GPS, Ji Wenzhen circled around a few times before turning onto an unpaved road that hadn’t been maintained in ages. The rocks embedded in the dirt were large and numerous. By the time the GPS announced, “You have arrived at your destination,” Bo Xinghang felt nauseous from all the jostling.
It was a remote place. After parking, he looked up to see a large sign that read “Psychiatric Hospital.”
The location was indeed isolated. Besides the narrow, naturally formed path they had taken, the hospital was far from any commercial or residential areas, surrounded by woods and a few scattered small houses.
Despite its isolation, the place didn’t seem shabby. The sound of birds chirping nearby added to the rare sense of tranquility.
Very nice.
Bo Xinghang placed the fruit tray he had brought on the bedside table and raised an eyebrow. “How did you find such a good place?”
Nan Ming, sitting on the bed, smiled at him. “I didn’t find it. Qian Qian did.”
“Qian Qian?”
Bo Xinghang shifted his gaze to the girl sitting beside Doctor Ji.
The girl had grown noticeably in the few months since they last met. She had gotten taller, and much of her youthful innocence had faded. Sitting there with a stern expression, she looked quite intimidating.
But she was still just a kid. When Doctor Ji pulled a candy out of his pocket like a magician, her eyes lit up immediately.
Bo Xinghang held back a laugh and turned to look at him.
In truth, compared to Qian Qian, Nan Ming had changed even more.
His complexion was much healthier than before, no longer pale and bloodless. His hair had been cut shorter, just enough to cover the tips of his ears. His mental state had stabilized as well. According to his doctor, Nan Ming was now able to stay lucid most of the time.
It seemed like this was indeed the right place for him.
Bo Xinghang pulled out his acceptance letter and handed it to Nan Ming. “I got into R City University.”
Nan Ming took the letter and smiled, his eyes crinkling. “That’s amazing.”
Then he waved to the girl. “Qian Qian, come over and see how awesome your Gege is.”
Qian Qian, already won over by Doctor Ji’s candy, didn’t know if he was truly awesome, but with the candy in her mouth, she coolly said two words: “Not bad.”
Not bad. Just like a review.
Bo Xinghang couldn’t help but laugh.
They chatted a bit more, catching up on recent events and discussing Bo Xinghang’s plans for the future. Nan Ming didn’t have much to say about his decision to pursue a career in law, merely patting his shoulder and offering a “Good luck.”
Before they left, Doctor Ji went downstairs to bring the car around. Bo Xinghang jokingly asked Nan Ming, “Why didn’t you ask me how things are going between me and Doctor Ji?”
“Do I even need to ask?” Nan Ming replied with a helpless expression, pointing to his own collar and then to Bo Xinghang’s. “You didn’t cover it up.”
Bo Xinghang was stunned for a moment, then looked down at himself.
Nan Ming clicked his tongue. “Next time you see me, make sure to cover up with an extra layer or two.”
Bo Xinghang blushed deeply at those words.
By the time he came out, the sky had already turned dark. Although their conversation hadn’t lasted long, the journey had been so winding that it was already late when they arrived at their destination.
He glanced at the time and realized it was too late to head back.
Bo Xinghang took Doctor Ji’s hand and shook it gently. “It’s dangerous to travel at night. If we get lost, there won’t be anyone to call for help. How about we stay here for the night?”
Doctor Ji had the same thought. He wrapped Bo Xinghang’s hands in his own, rubbing them to warm him up. “Hmm. Why are your hands so cold? Are you cold?”
Bo Xinghang shook his head and answered honestly, “No, I’m not.”
The temperature here was much cooler than in the city. He had felt a bit chilly when he first stepped out, but once inside the car, he was fine since Doctor Ji had turned on the heat.
Bo Xinghang leaned in and bit Doctor Ji lightly on the collarbone, then grumbled, “Doctor Ji.”
Ji Wenzhen: “Ouch.”
Bo Xinghang bit down a bit harder. “Do you know how embarrassed I was just now!”
Doctor Ji let him bite and wrapped an arm around his waist. “What happened?”
Just thinking about it made Bo Xinghang frustrated. He muttered, “Are you a fucking dog?”
In situations like this, he could stay calm and unfazed in front of Xu Yi, allowing casual teasing without a change in demeanor. But if it were Nan Ming… his ability to handle it was zero.
Their relationship was complicated, and just the thought of it, especially the dynamic between an elder and a junior, made him blush.
Bo Xinghang sat up, poked at the bite mark with his finger, and threatened, “Just wait until tonight. I’ll get you back for this.”
But who would really be getting back at whom? Doctor Ji’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he replied in a hoarse voice, “Mm.”
Despite his bold words, nothing ended up happening.
There were very few places to stay in this area, and even with GPS, the nearest guesthouse was still an hour away. The road was poorly lit, so Ji Wenzhen had to drive slowly in the dark. By the time they arrived, it was already quite late.
The guesthouse had only a few rooms, just three including the owner’s, but in such a remote place, that was enough.
They booked only one room, ignoring the looks the owner gave them, and climbed the wooden stairs to the upper floor. As they neared the top, Ji Wenzhen suddenly gripped Bo Xinghang’s hand and asked, “Are you scared?”
Bo Xinghang squeezed back. “Are you?”
Ji Wenzhen chuckled softly. “No.”
Bo Xinghang tightened his grip even more as if trying to fuse their hands together, but his tone was light. “Then why should I be?”
Author’s note:
It’s finally finished.
This novel means a lot to me. It’s my first completed work. Even though I know it has many flaws and could be better, I’m still very happy.
From the initial rush of publishing without care, through the low points when the excitement faded, and the struggles to keep going despite delays, I’ve finally reached the end after more than half a year.
A lot happened during this time, and I learned a lot too.
The updates for this novel were too sporadic, wearing down readers’ enthusiasm. I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for giving me the strength to keep going. And I also want to apologize for the long, inconsistent updates that tested your patience.
There’s not much else to say, except what I’ve always said: “As long as someone’s reading, I’ll keep writing.”
I don’t know if anyone has made it this far, but I always think, if someone really does find this novel and reads it to the end, I don’t want to disappoint them.
With that in mind, I wanted to give this story a proper ending.
Translator’s note:
There’s one more extra that the author posted on Weibo.
