...
At 10 p.m., Meng Yang spoke with Liu Zhi on the phone from the balcony and explained the situation. Liu Zhi reacted very emotionally when he mentioned his plan to resign. Meng Yang had rarely seen her like this.
"Meng Yang, you don't need to sacrifice everything for me," Liu Zhi sighed. "It's not worth it."
“You deserve it,” Meng Yang said firmly. “In heaven and earth, only Liu Zhi truly deserves it.”
Meng Yang spoke without a hint of joking; he was very serious, so serious that it made him sound somewhat childish.
Liu Zhi chuckled softly.
Am I really that good?
"What's wrong with you?" Meng Yang retorted. "Why are you so insecure again?"
"I'm just embarrassed," Liu Zhi said, "not because I lack confidence."
"Do you think I'm worth it?" Meng Yang suddenly asked.
“It’s worth it,” Liu Zhi replied quickly. “You’re very good, very good, very good.”
Meng Yang's ears turned red. She was tired of hearing these kinds of words, but she felt a little embarrassed when Liu Zhi said it this way.
“Then you should think, I’m great, and I like you,” Meng Yang said. “Then you must be even better.”
Liu Zhi chuckled, her voice still as alluring as ever, even through the screen.
“Hmm,” Liu Zhi said, “If someone as good as Meng Yang likes me, I must be just as good.”
“Right, right?” Meng Yang smiled, a little smug.
Liu Zhi could imagine Meng Yang's expression just by hearing her voice. Now, she suddenly really wanted to pinch Meng Yang's cheeks.
She cleared her throat and said, "Meng Yang."
Meng Yang stopped laughing and waited for Liu Zhi to speak.
“I’m telling you, it’s not easy to work at the affiliated hospital. Your job is something many people dream of,” Liu Zhi said. “Your uncles and aunts will definitely miss you when you come to Yancheng.”
“My mom has no objections.” Meng Yang leaned on the railing. “What can I do if she’s like me?”
Where is your father?
Liu Zhi's words exposed Meng Yang's true colors.
Meng Yang was silent for a while before saying, "So, are we just going to break up like this? It'll be so hard to even see each other."
These days, Meng Yang occasionally wakes up during his night shift and stares blankly at the empty room.
She missed Liu Zhi's hugs so much, and she missed the days when she could see Liu Zhi as soon as she opened her eyes.
"I haven't figured out a solution that satisfies both sides yet, but I will definitely give you an explanation." Liu Zhi lowered her head and said earnestly, "I have to wait until Grandma is feeling better."
“Liu Zhi.” Meng Yang looked at the crescent moon overhead.
"You'll be hospitalized for a year eventually, right?"
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement.
"I survived this year and chose to join the second batch of counterpart support."
Liu Zhi's knuckles tightened as she gripped her phone. She had so much to say, but it was all stuck in her throat.
It seems that all these years it has been Meng Yang who has been making one-sided sacrifices, while she has been walking her own path and has never stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
She felt unworthy of Meng Yang's affection.
To date, Liu Zhi has still not found a solution that satisfies both sides.
Chapter 51 Reunion
Grandma was transferred to a regular ward a week later, and her condition was basically stable.
The aftereffects of the cerebral hemorrhage are quite severe; Grandma can only move her left side with difficulty. Lying in the hospital bed, she couldn't stop crying when she saw Liu Zhi. She wanted to speak, but could only move her lips.
With tears in her eyes, Liu Zhi held her grandmother's hand.
Grandma waved her hand using the few fingers she could move.
Liu Zhineng understood what her grandmother meant; her grandmother wanted her to return to work in the capital.
"I'm not busy," Liu Zhi said. "Grandma, I'm not busy."
Grandma still waved her hand, silently shedding tears.
Mr. and Mrs. Liu couldn't help but turn their backs.
Grandma held Liu Zhi's hand tightly, reluctant to let go. Liu Zhi let her hold it, tears streaming down her face.
Grandma was exhausted and soon fell into a deep sleep again. Liu Zhi closed the door and followed his parents into the corridor.
"Xiao Zhi, what are your plans for the future?" Liu's mother asked.
"I've applied for the counterpart assistance program, and I'll be returning to work at a rural health center near Yancheng," Liu Zhi said.
"Is there any subsidy for this aid?" Liu's mother asked.
“It was voluntary,” Liu Zhi replied.
Mr. Liu tightened his grip on the coat he was wearing.
"Xiao Zhi, this is not worth it." Liu's father hesitated before speaking.
"My application has been approved," Liu Zhi replied firmly.
Liu Zhi clearly understood her parents' perspective; they were accustomed to putting their own interests first.
She doesn't like this way of analyzing things.
"Getting into Capital Medical University wasn't easy," Liu's mother said anxiously. "Why did you decide to come to a rural clinic?"
Liu Zhi did not want to answer her mother's question.
"Are you trying to make your resume look better?" Liu's mother said. "You could try applying to grassroots health centers near the capital..."
Liu Zhi interrupted her.
"Why do you always like to think about things from the perspective of self-interest? Isn't that a bit narrow-minded?"
"What do you know? A lot of people just hang out..."
"Mom," Liu Zhi sighed, "I've thought it through and made my decision."
"Your decision is wrong!" Liu's mother said sternly.
“Staying at the Capital Medical University Affiliated Hospital for a longer period will allow you to accumulate experience, making it much easier to advance your professional title when you come back,” said Liu’s mother. “Do you know Old Li’s daughter? She’s a doctor at the People’s Hospital, and her monthly salary is…”
"Mom." This time, Liu Zhi's tone was filled with a lot of helplessness.
“It’s a volunteer activity, not a matter of fame or fortune,” Liu Zhi said. “Don’t associate everything with profit.”
Liu's mother was speechless for a moment.
"Dad, do you think so too?" Liu Zhi asked.
Mr. Liu stammered, unable to speak, and finally let out a heavy sigh.
Liu Zhi didn't say anything more and went out through the corridor.
In late spring, Yancheng had many sunny days.
The hospital's landscaping is excellent; it's full of life as far as the eye can see.
Liu Zhi stayed in the shade of the tree for a while, gradually calming down.
She remembered that she hadn't completed her handover procedures yet, so she opened her phone and looked up flights for the next week, preparing to fly from Yancheng to the capital this weekend.
After booking the plane tickets, Liu Zhi took a screenshot and prepared to send it to Meng Yang. However, she hesitated when she reached the step of editing the image.
At the same moment, Meng Yang stared at the chat window, somewhat puzzled.
A short while later, Liu Zhi received a message.
Meng Yang; "?"
Liu Zhi typed a message, read it once, and then deleted it.
Meng Yang: "?"
"Is something the matter? Just say it," Meng Yang replied. "It's uncomfortable for me to watch you keep talking like this, in such a discontinuous way."
Liu Zhi: "It's nothing."
Meng Yang: "..."
After a while, Meng Yang sent a picture of an oil bottle, and Liu Zhi understood what she meant.
"I have something to do, I'll talk to you later," Meng Yang replied. "Bye-bye, Silent One."
Liu Zhi did not reply.
That evening, Meng Yang called Liu Zhi again, but Liu Zhi still wouldn't tell her the truth. The more Meng Yang pressed her, the tighter her lips remained. This troubled Meng Yang so much that she couldn't fall asleep until late into the night.
On Saturday, Liu Zhi embarked on his journey back to the capital.
The plane landed at exactly 2 PM. Liu Zhi got home from the airport at nearly 4 PM.
As the elevator ascended, Liu Zhi was still somewhat dazed.
After only two weeks apart, she could feel that trepidation of returning home.
The house was quiet, but when I opened the door, three little heads peeked out from under the shoe cabinet.
Liu Zhi bent down and opened her arms to hug the baby. The baby cautiously took a few steps toward her, and Liu Zhi took off her mask, revealing her entire face.
"Milkball," Liu Zhi called it.
The milk ball immediately took off charging over.
Liu Zhi picked up Gege again, but Lihua sat on the insole, unmoved.
The baby girl has become much stronger, and the princess has recovered very well; the wound on her face is almost invisible. Pear Blossom remains the eldest daughter in the family, leading her two younger brothers with an even more commanding presence.
She'd been away from home for the past two weeks, and Meng Yang had been sleeping in Liu Zhi's room. The three little furry kids had also moved into her room. The once tidy room was now a mess.