K《Hibiscus Noodles》

Chapter 9

Doctor Yu was already waiting in the main room. When Jian Rou and Xiao Ju came in, she was studying a strange-looking herb.

When she looked up and saw Jian Rou, she was taken aback. Seeing the surprised look in her eyes, Xiao Ju understood that Jian Rou didn't like her bringing someone else who didn't know the situation. But in an instant, Doctor Yu understood. She gestured for Xiao Ju to sit down and take her pulse, without pressing further about Jian Rou's background.

Xiao Tong, naturally restless, dragged Jian Rou along to go out and play. The two chattered incessantly. Before long, several paper kites soared into the sky together.

"Xiaotong is such a lonely child," Doctor Yu said, as if speaking to himself, yet also expressing his feelings for Xiaoju.

"It's okay, it'll be fine once you start school." Xiaoju looked at Doctor Yu and for some reason, felt that she seemed a little tired.

“Miss Lin, your recovery is going well, but you still haven’t followed my advice to open your heart. You’re always overthinking, which is greatly hindering your recovery.” Dr. Yu looked into Xiaoju’s eyes.

“Some things have been going on at home lately, which are really worrying me.”

"Try to open your heart as much as possible; life is full of disappointments. Based on your pulse, the first phase of your physical conditioning is progressing well. The treatment is as follows: if you feel a slight relapse at the end of a course of treatment, don't worry too much. As long as you persist with the medication, you will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"Dr. Yu, my appearance has indeed changed. Now everyone says that I look a bit like Jian Rou. I wish I were as beautiful as her."

Outside the window, Jian Rou and Xiao Tong were laughing together, Xiao Tong was probably ecstatic. Doctor Yu and Xiao Ju were also drawn to look outside.

"Your appearance reflects your heart; there's some truth to that old saying. Medicine isn't the only solution, after all. Besides, while this medicine is effective, it hasn't been used for very long, so I'm still a little worried. Everyone's constitution is different, so if you feel unwell, be sure to let me know as soon as possible." Seeing Xiaoju's anxious expression, Dr. Yu added, "Don't worry too much. Remember, the most important thing is to relax and relax."

As they were talking, Jian Rou and Xiao Tong had already run into the main room. Xiao Tong was holding a large handful of mulberries, her mouth covered in black berries from eating them.

"The mulberry tree in the backyard is so tall, you..." Doctor Yu's last sentence was completely replaced by an expression with a big question mark.

"Grandma, I didn't climb the tree," Xiaotong blinked her big eyes and confessed without being asked.

Doctor Yu's eyes were filled with both love and worry as he pulled Xiaotong over, saying, "Don't be so naughty, go wash your face."

"Oh!" Xiaotong was happy to run away without being scolded.

"You really love your grandson." Jian Rou looked at Doctor Yu, stuck out her tongue, and felt too embarrassed about how Xiao Tong had been so naughty.

"Children need to be naughty. What joy is there in becoming a little adult if they don't misbehave?" Doctor Yu didn't mean to blame Jian Rou.

"Dr. Yu, we'll take our leave now." Xiaoju stood up.

"Okay, remember to come back for a follow-up appointment." Dr. Yu stood up to see the guest out. "Miss Jian, come visit sometime, Xiaotong likes you very much."

“I like him too, I’ll definitely come again when I have time.” Jian Rou’s signature smile spread across her face.

Xiaoju and Jianrou had just reached the courtyard gate when Xiaotong chased after them from behind.

"Sister Rou, you have to come and play with me." Xiaotong raised her cute little face.

"You can come visit your grandma with me when you have time," Jian Rou said, pinching Xiao Tong's cheek.

"Grandma asked me to give this to you." Xiaotong was still holding a paper package in her hand. "The recipe is inside."

Jian Rou took the paper package, patted Xiao Tong's head, and said goodbye to him.

“It seems that Doctor Yu likes you very much,” Xiaoju said.

Jian Rou smiled without saying a word, and brought the paper package to her nose to smell it.

sixteen

After dinner, the four of them went to watch a Russian ballet performance as planned.

Even after get off work, Lao Wu and the others continued their inspection work. They only exchanged a brief phone call with Luo Xiuqing, so it seemed the work wouldn't be finished until very late. Luo Xiuqing herself was in a state of turmoil, but not wanting to disappoint Xiao Ju, she forced herself to join them.

On stage, the black swan is tempting the prince.

Offstage, Luo Xiuqing suddenly experienced excruciating abdominal pain.

"Jiaming, I have to go to the company. I'm still worried about inspecting the goods." Luo Xiuqing endured the pain and whispered to Jiaming as if she had just remembered something. "Take them home later. Don't wait for me."

“Don’t go. Go again tomorrow morning,” Jiaming protested.

"I have to go now, or I'll be late." Luo Xiuqing was sweating profusely from the pain and left the private room without waiting for Jiaming's permission.

"Brother, where did Xiuqing go?" Xiaoju asked in surprise.

"Xiuqing is going to the company for a bit, he'll be back soon. Let him go, otherwise I'll feel even more uneasy."

Luo Xiuqing took the hat from the cloakroom attendant. From the attendant's astonished expression, he knew he must look terrible. He had to leave quickly; he couldn't frighten Xiaoju. He couldn't die in front of her; she wouldn't be able to bear it.

It turns out that when people are in intense pain, they experience strange hallucinations. The people and objects before Luo Xiuqing's eyes became distorted, and her steps became unusually light, as if she were floating. She had to walk, she had to walk far away, so as not to frighten Xiaoju. Why was everyone staring at her on the street? Luo Xiuqing pondered with difficulty.

Unbeknownst to Luo Xiuqing, she hadn't walked far from the theater before collapsing heavily onto the road. The streetlights were so blinding, but she couldn't close her eyes, she couldn't...

Am I going to die? Like that old man on watch, dying with my eyes open? Slowly, Luo Xiuqing's eyes seemed to be covered by a veil, and everything became blurry.

"Xiuqing, Xiuqing." Someone called softly in his ear.

Luo Xiuqing's throat felt as if it had been slashed open with a knife, and everything before her eyes remained blurry. She could make out that it was Xiaoju calling her. Luo Xiuqing closed her eyes; she had still frightened him.

"Come on, drink up." Xiaoju propped up Luo Xiuqing's pillow.

A sweet aroma wafted over, and Luo Xiuqing suddenly felt incredibly hungry and thirsty. She finished a bowl of porridge in just a few gulps, leaving a lingering fragrance on her palate.

"Xiaoju, you've learned a new dish again."

"This is chrysanthemum soup. When you're better, I'll cook a whole chrysanthemum feast for you." Xiaoju wiped the fine beads of sweat from Luo Xiuqing's forehead and nose. "You're too tired. Get some sleep. It's almost dawn, and tomorrow will be a new day."

Luo Xiuqing, nicknamed "Xiaoju," felt her limbs were very heavy and struggled to lift her arms.

"Xiuqing, don't think about anything, get a good night's sleep, everything will be alright."

"Xiaoju, don't... go." Luo Xiuqing suddenly felt dizzy.

"Okay, I won't leave."

Luo Xiuqing's eyelids felt so heavy, and Xiaoju's cool fingers stroked her face.

"Xiaoju, we'll be together forever." Luo Xiuqing hugged his wife tightly. Yes, everything will be alright.

Seventeen

Why is the rooster's crow so jarring? Is it dawn yet?

Luo Xiuqing struggled in her hazy consciousness, but before she could think, she fell into a deep sleep again.

When she woke up again, it was already dusk. This room gets afternoon sun, so it shouldn't be used as a bedroom, Luo Xiuqing thought she'd tell Xiaoju later. But, the bedroom at home faces north! Luo Xiuqing suddenly woke up with a start. This wasn't home at all. Judging from the furnishings, this should be a hotel room. Why was she here? What happened last night? Where was Xiaoju? Was it all just a dream?

Luo Xiuqing washed her face, quickly packed her clothes, and went downstairs to the lobby.

"Hello sir, your room has been checked out." The waiter took the key from Luo Xiuqing's hand.

When did I arrive here?

"Sorry, there is no record."

Who brought me here?

"The person on night duty has already gone home to sleep. I wasn't the one who received them."

Stepping out of the hotel, Luo Xiuqing felt a sense of unreality, wondering if she was alive or already dead.

As the sun sets, a vast expanse of fiery clouds paints the sky, promising a beautiful tomorrow. Before we know it, it's early summer; the air is beginning to carry the unique scent of summer, warm and languid. Willow catkins drift in the air, like crumbs of cotton candy torn apart by the heavens.

Looking up, Luo Xiuqing had already reached her front door. Another car was parked in the yard; the black car resembled a giant beetle monster, lurking and ready to swallow her whole at any moment.

"We actually have guests." Luo Xiuqing muttered to herself as she pushed open the door.

"Xiuqing!" Xiaoju jumped up from the sofa and buried her face in his chest, tears streaming down her face. "Xiuqing, where did you go? I was so worried about you."

Luo Xiuqing's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, Xiaoju didn't know where she had gone; everything yesterday must have been a dream. He then noticed that besides Jiaming and Jianrou, there were several more police officers in the room. It seemed they were in a great hurry to call the police. Among them was Sergeant Zhang Zhi, whom he knew.