As soon as Liu Zhi put down Naituan and Gege, Lihua jumped onto the bed with them and lay down on the messy blankets.
Looking at the burglarized room, Liu Zhi felt a headache coming on.
She shooed the pets off the bed, changed the sheets, patted the blankets, and folded them neatly.
While she was doing this, the furry kids would sit in a row on the floor watching her tidy up. Wherever Liu Zhi went, they would look towards her.
After quickly tidying up the room, Liu Zhi prepared some cooked dishes and made porridge.
At 5:30, Liu Zhi went downstairs, holding an umbrella, and headed towards the Capital Medical University Affiliated Hospital.
The capital has been shrouded in continuous rain these past few days, and the gloomy sky is filled with a sense of oppression. Liu Zhi looked up and felt a little breathless.
Wearing Doc Martens, she paid little attention to the puddles on the ground and walked faster than the others. Her trench coat was damp, and the hem swayed with Liu Zhi's steps.
At 5:50, Liu Zhi arrived at the main entrance of the affiliated hospital.
She stood by the green belt, her face hidden by an umbrella.
At 6:07, Meng Yang left the hospital, walking hurriedly.
There were quite a few people around at this time, and Meng Yang didn't use an umbrella, just wanting to get through quickly.
As she approached the main entrance, she turned her head and caught sight of that figure.
Meng Yang gave a bitter smile, feeling like he was going crazy.
In that moment of distraction, Meng Yang stepped into a puddle, getting his shoes and trouser legs wet.
"Meng Yang." A familiar voice rang out, and then she was covered by the umbrella.
Meng Yang felt a lump in her throat, and without caring who was around, she instinctively hugged Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi froze for a moment, then hugged her.
Meng Yang buried his head in her arms and calmed down.
Liu Zhi held an umbrella in one hand and stroked Meng Yang's shoulder and back with the other, her nose touching Meng Yang's hair.
"Alright," Liu Zhi said gently, "Don't block other people's way."
Meng Yang wiped his tears on Liu Zhi's trench coat, sniffed twice, and finally reluctantly got out of Liu Zhi's embrace.
Liu Zhi took her hand, and Meng Yang, in doing so, pulled Liu Zhi's arm into his embrace.
"Okay," Liu Zhi said.
Unable to free her hands, she could only rub her cheek against Meng Yang's hair.
"I haven't been home for the past few days, and my clothes don't smell like me anymore," Meng Yang said in a muffled voice.
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement, her voice rising at the end.
“Our clothes all smell like the same laundry detergent,” Meng Yang said, her eyes reddening.
Liu Zhi understood what she meant.
"Are you so eager to wash my clothes?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang grabbed Liu Zhi's left hand with both of his hands.
"I'm looking forward to Dr. Liu washing my clothes," Meng Yang said matter-of-factly.
Liu Zhi held her right hand tightly, his heart warming as he did so.
"I'll wash it for you." Liu Zhi smiled.
"How long do you want to wash?" Meng Yang pressed his advantage.
Liu Zhi remained silent for a moment, a hint of seriousness creeping into her eyes.
"How long do you want?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang did not answer.
After a long silence, Liu Zhi said, "I'll wash you for as long as I live."
Meng Yang looked into Liu Zhi's eyes, and his nose stung with tears again.
"Is this what you're refusing to tell me?"
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement.
Meng Yang squeezed closer to Liu Zhi, causing Liu Zhi to lose her footing and step into a puddle.
"Walk properly," Liu Zhi said.
"No!" Meng Yang childishly pushed Liu Zhi towards the puddle again.
Liu Zhi was so angry she laughed.
“I’m wearing boots, so my shoes won’t get wet no matter what.”
"My shoes and pants are dirty, you can wash them for me when we get back," Meng Yang said with a smug look.
"Okay," Liu Zhi replied, her voice filled with affection. "I'll wash you."
Meng Yang suppressed the corners of his mouth that were turning up and moved closer to Liu Zhi.
...
When I got home, dinner was already prepared, and taking off my coat felt like shedding all my fatigue.
Liu Zhi's service was impeccable. Dr. Meng sat at the table holding a cat, and the hot dishes and porridge were served one by one.
"Wash your hands and eat," Liu Zhi said to Meng Yang, taking off her apron.
Meng Yang went to the kitchen. The instant noodle pot from last night had been cleaned up, and the stove was spotless.
She washed her hands, feeling a warm glow inside.
After dinner, Liu Zhi indeed did her laundry.
Meng Yang quickly stopped her and shoved all the clothes into the washing machine.
Liu Zhi then realized that Meng Yang had accumulated more than three days' worth of unwashed clothes.
"I didn't realize that," Liu Zhi said. "Dr. Meng actually..."
Meng Yang chuckled, "I only have so few clothes, it would be such a waste to use the washing machine every day, so I thought I'd save them up and wash them all at once."
This is only one of the reasons. The main reason is that during the time Liu Zhi was away from home, Meng Yang couldn't muster the energy to do anything.
Liu Zhi nodded. "I understand."
"Alright, alright." Meng Yang pushed Liu Zhi out of the washroom. "I've turned on the washing machine. You must be tired from the journey. Go wash up first and get some rest."
As he spoke, Meng Yang tiptoed and pecked Liu Zhi on the cheek.
"I'll do it, you go wash up first," Liu Zhi said, pointing to the shoes on the ground.
Before Meng Yang could say anything more, Liu Zhi used her trick and pecked her on the forehead.
Meng Yang pursed his lips and silently walked out.
Fifteen minutes later, Liu Zhi placed the cleaned shoes on the windowsill and returned to her bedroom.
Meng Yang was tinkering with the cat tree in the living room.
"Do you need my help?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang shook his head. "It's getting late. Go wash up."
Liu Zhi nodded.
When Liu Zhi returned after washing up, Meng Yang had already finished his work.
She leaned against the pillow looking at her phone, appearing quite demure, as if she were a completely different person compared to the one who had just gotten off work.
Liu Zhi sat down next to her.
"I'll dry your hair for you." Meng Yang took out the hairdryer and reached for the socket.
Liu Zhi took it and inserted it.
Chapter 52 Little Liu
"Are you leaving on Monday?" Meng Yang asked while drying Liu Zhi's hair.
Liu Zhi nodded.
Meng Yang was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't show it.
"The team will probably set off in early April, soon, you can start preparing." Meng Yang brushed a stray hair from Liu Zhi's forehead.
"It seems like there's not much to prepare," Liu Zhi said. "Most of our things will have to be kept at home; Yancheng has a pretty complete set."
Liu Zhi grasped Meng Yang's hand, turned around, and said, "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for." Meng Yang bent down and touched foreheads with hers.
Liu Zhi put his arm around her waist, and Meng Yang hugged her neck.
“It’s only been a short year,” Meng Yang said, stroking Liu Zhi’s hair. “It will be very soon.”
Liu Zhi took her hand and pressed it against her cheek, without saying a word.
Meng Yang touched her cheek with that gesture.
A year is no small test.
Meng Yang wasn't worried about things like feelings changing; she was just very reluctant to part with Liu Zhi.
"The separation is only temporary, and I can live a good life on my own."
They are all well aware of the current situation.
It was impossible for Liu Zhi to stay in the capital; Meng Yang's resignation was the best way to ensure Liu Zhi's future.
But Liu Zhi refused, her mother did not suggest it, and her father would never agree.
The only way out right now is for Liu Zhi to provide counterpart support, for Meng Yang to become the chief resident and be promoted to attending physician, and finally for them to reunite in Yancheng.
This means they might not be able to see each other for a year.