When Qiao's father and Tian Wan heard the news, they were terrified and rushed to the hospital immediately.
After hearing Chu Yi explain the whole story, he didn't blame her, but instead comforted her.
"I'm sorry, little one, Qiao Anchen's job is too easy to offend people. Did I scare you this time?"
"No, it's my fault." Chu Yi lost control of her emotions as soon as she said that, but fortunately she quickly regained her composure and smiled at them.
"Fortunately, no vital organs were injured. The doctor said that I just need to rest more."
With elders around, I don't have to worry about many things anymore. Compared to the anxious waiting alone for the past two days, the days that followed were much easier.
Most importantly, Qiao Anchen's health is improving day by day.
Ms. Wenfang and Chutian also frequently came to visit. They would serve a different nourishing soup every day. Her mother would sit by the bed watching Qiao Anchen bury his head in the soup as the thermos slowly emptied, her eyes filled with loving affection.
"Anchen, isn't my soup delicious? That kid didn't inherit a single bit of my cooking skills! I really feel sorry for you." As she spoke, she gently patted Qiao Anchen's head with great affection, as if he had been mistreated.
Chu Yi stood to the side: "..."
After staying in the hospital for about a month, Qiao Anchen's mobility returned to normal, his complexion was much healthier than before, and his wounds healed very well. The doctor said he could be discharged soon.
The policeman named Zhou Jian came several times, and while visiting him, they also talked about official business. The case has been taken over by another prosecutor, and everything is progressing smoothly.
Neither of them could escape the punishment of the law.
After he left, Chu Yi suddenly remembered what happened that day. She had been deliberately trying to forget it and hadn't thought about it for a long time.
Qiao Anchen leaned against the headboard reading a book. He was wearing a hospital gown. After recuperating in the hospital for so long, his skin had become much fairer. His soft bangs fell over his forehead, giving him an air of gentle elegance.
His long, slender fingers turned the pages of the book, his dark eyes focused and calm.
As Chu Yi sat by the bed, gazing at the scene, a thought popped into her head.
"By the way, Qiao Anchen."
"Hmm?" He looked up from the book and looked over.
"If..." Chu Yi began slowly, her voice slightly muffled, "I mean, if it weren't me who was there that day, would you still have rushed up?"
Qiao Anchen paused, his eyes deep in thought, then smiled, patted her head, and said softly.
"have no idea."
"Ah..." Chu Yi responded with a slightly complicated tone, whether from disappointment or something else, then tapped the cover of the book in his hand and winked at him.
"Keep watching, don't worry about me."
“However,” Qiao Anchen tilted his head slightly in the sunlight and said, “I should be more professional and try to take the knife from his hand.”
Qiao Anchen had learned the most basic self-defense techniques. In that situation, if he had reacted a little faster, he could have avoided it. However, at that moment, he completely lost his ability to think.
"I see..." Chu Yi nodded, pretending to be serious, suppressing the smile on her lips, but it all came out of her eyes.
"This kind of unprofessional behavior must not be allowed to happen again."
The day Qiao Anchen was discharged from the hospital was a bright, sunny day. The sky was a washed-out blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds, and the bright, gentle sunlight bathed the earth.
Summer has passed, and the wind carries the coolness of autumn.
Qiao Anchen was wearing a simple cardigan, and Chu Yi was carrying the luggage that had accumulated over this period of time. Qiao's father and Tian Wan were also there, helping to carry the things.
When they got home, there was a large brazier at the door. Chu Tian and Ms. Wen Fang stood there, urging Qiao Anchen to step over it.
The two exchanged a glance, looking helpless, but still did as instructed.
"Alright! May all bad luck be gone and good fortune be avoided!"
As he took a long stride, cheers erupted from both sides. Ms. Wenfang and Tian Wan were clapping, their faces beaming with joy. Chu Yi was also involuntarily infected by their enthusiasm, silently hoping that his life would be smooth and successful from now on.
The two families had a lively meal together and didn't go home until night fell.
That evening, Chu Yi and Qiao Anchen lay side by side in their long-missed home. What was usually an ordinary moment was now filled with a deep sense of happiness.
“Turn around,” Chu Yi suddenly said to him. Qiao Anchen didn’t understand what she meant, but he did as she said.
He had his back to her, revealing his broad back. Chu Yi reached out and carefully lifted his clothes. On the side of his shoulder blade, there was a spot where the skin was different from the surrounding skin. The wound had been scabbed off for a long time, leaving only a hideous, flesh-pink scar.
Chu Yi gently ran her fingertip across it, unable to bring herself to ask, "Does it hurt?"
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Qiao Anchen said, turning around to her, his tone indifferent and casual.
Chu Yi touched it a couple of times, her eyelashes drooping. Suddenly, she leaned over and kissed the hideous scar.
The muscles in front of him trembled slightly, followed by Qiao Anchen's restrained yet warning voice.
"The first day——"
"Okay." Chu Yi put down his clothes and stroked his back twice through the fabric. Qiao Anchen immediately turned around and hugged her tightly.
"Stop moving."
"ah?"
"sleep."
Not long after resting at home, Qiao Anchen resumed work and went back to his job. The chaotic life that Chu Yi had experienced recently began to gradually return to normal, back to normal.
Something seems to have changed, yet everything seems the same.
She and Qiao Anchen haven't argued anymore. Although they rarely quarreled before, they would occasionally have a little spat, but now they are much more harmonious.
Sometimes, Chu Yi would still get so angry at Qiao Anchen over some trivial matters that she would get dizzy, but after calming down and talking to him rationally, the problem would be resolved quickly.
Time marches on, and before we know it, it's Qixi Festival again.
Valentine's Day was as lively as ever. Hotels had launched discounts well in advance, and brands had started their pre-event promotions. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Qiao Anchen was told early on not to work overtime that night and to come home for dinner together.
There were no candles left this year. The candles that Qiao Anchen bought for her birthday were found to have been mostly eaten away by insects when she was cleaning on the first day of the Lunar New Year. She had no choice but to throw them away with a heavy heart and then bought a bunch of insect repellent products online.
As usual, there was no red wine steak, but there was homemade Chinese food and homemade cake.
The dishes were clearly prepared with great care. A plate of fried chicken wings was even arranged on a plate, with a small flower placed on the side as a garnish, just like the standard of a five-star high-end restaurant.
Qiao Anchen looked at the person opposite her, her eyes filled with undisguised smiles. She was always like this, often managing to create special little romantic moments in everyday life.
After finishing their meal, as they were about to cut the cake, Qiao Anchen picked up the knife and was about to start when Chu Yi suddenly stopped him.
"Wait, let me make a wish!"
“…Nobody’s having a birthday.” Qiao Anchen paused, his eyes filled with helplessness.
"They're all cakes, why differentiate between them?" Chu Yi glanced at him, then without saying a word, went to the kitchen, found a small candle, stuck it in the middle of the cake, and told Qiao Anchen to turn off the light.
The entire living room went dark, with only a single bright yellow candle flickering in front of him. Chu Yi clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.
My wish is that for the next ten, twenty years, and even the years to come, I can spend every Qixi Festival with the person in front of me.
"Chu Yi, what did you promise?" Someone whispered in her ear. Chu Yi opened her eyes and saw Qiao Anchen's face illuminated by candlelight, filled with tenderness and warmth.
She thought for a moment and replied, "I won't tell you, otherwise it won't work."
"I just guessed one," he said to her in a mysterious and smug tone, like a child boasting of his achievement.
Chu Yi asked him very cooperatively.
"So what did you promise?"
"I hope to spend every Qixi Festival with you from now on," Qiao Anchen said without hesitation. Chu Yi frowned in annoyance, wishing she could cover his mouth.
"I already said it! Saying it out loud will make it stop working!"
"But only you can grant me this wish," Qiao Anchen suddenly leaned in and gently touched her lips, then asked her.
"First Year of Primary School, are you willing?"
Just like when he proposed to her years ago, he asked her with a solemn and earnest expression.
"First Year of Primary School, are you willing?"
"I do."
She nodded again without hesitation.