TMI - Chapter 65
Dawn broke early in Jiayi City during the summer.
Before five o'clock, the sky was already lightening.
Unable to sleep, Qin Chaoyi got up, took a shower, and went downstairs to drive to a flower shop where she bought a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.
The city was just beginning to stir.
By the time she arrived at the cemetery, the rising sun had painted the eastern sky in vibrant hues, creating a breathtaking scene.
A gentle breeze stirred, carrying no hint of the day's heat.
Row upon row of gravestones stood solemn and dignified.
Qin Chaoyi carried the flowers and walked with practiced ease to a particular tombstone.
The black-and-white photograph on the gravestone had yellowed with age, but the boy in the picture was strikingly handsome, his dimpled smile radiating warmth and cheerfulness.
She placed the flowers down, but found herself at a loss for words.
It had been many years, yet the first words always proved the most difficult.
She grew older with each passing day, but the person in the photograph remained frozen in time, never aging.
His image was preserved there, as if he'd never grown up.
Qin Chaoyi sat quietly beside the grave, using a wet wipe to polish the photograph until it gleamed. Only then did she murmur, "Brother."
"Are you doing well?" she asked softly. "I'm in a relationship now."
"I only recently realized I like a girl. She's wonderful and so kind. Being with her makes me feel safe."
"She's so good at taking care of people. That day I fell into the water, for a moment I thought it was you who was saving me."
"Later, I kept thinking, if only someone could have saved you when you were little, the way she saved me."
"..."
Qin Chaoyi began to ramble, recounting her experiences on Moon Island and her story with Luo Yue. Many things she couldn't normally say slipped out in the quiet surroundings.
The sun gradually rose, white clouds drifting in the sky, blown by the wind. The sunlight grew warm, but Qin Chaoyi felt nothing. She continued to calmly recount her recent experiences until a black umbrella appeared above her head.
She stopped talking, tilting her head back and squinting through the bright light.
"Instead of wallowing here alone, you should pay more attention to the people around you," a tall, thin man sneered coldly. He wore a black shirt with every button meticulously fastened, a buzzed haircut, and had tanned skin.
"Wu Xintang?" Qin Chaoyi recognized him from her memories.
"It's a surprise you even remember me," Wu Xintang scoffed.
Qin Chaoyi, who had been sitting, stood up to meet his gaze, her posture already weakening her resolve.
"I thought you'd be hiding like a coward, even forgetting your brother's death anniversary," Wu Xintang continued.
"What does this have to do with you?" Qin Chaoyi asked coldly.
He wasn't this sharp-tongued in her memory.
But it had been many years since they'd last seen each other.
"It doesn't concern you," Wu Xintang retorted, his tone equally hostile. "I just think your brother deserved better."
Qin Chaoyi frowned, staring at him.
"He risked his life to save someone who's a coward, shirking responsibility and filial duty, who only knows how to hide and cry," Wu Xintang said, each word a barb. "I wonder if he can rest in peace down there."
Qin Chaoyi: "......"
Normally, she would have snapped by now.
But this was her brother's grave. She forced down her rising anger, barely managing to ask through gritted teeth, "What do you mean by that?"
When did she become a coward, shirking responsibility and filial duty?
If stopping her writing career earlier could be considered running away, it wasn't exactly a lack of responsibility.
She hadn't sworn off writing forever.
As for being "unfilial"—that was absurd.
Not only were Professor Qin and his wife still alive and well, not retired, and far from needing their children around for comfort, but Qin Chaoyi had also made a point of visiting home almost every month to have dinner with her parents, or even staying for a day or two when she could.
How did that make her "unfilial" in his eyes?
Wu Xintang scoffed, refusing to elaborate.
Qin Chaoyi clenched her fists, angered by his expression. "Don't think that just because you're my brother's friend, I won't do anything to you."
"Today is the anniversary of my brother's death," Qin Chaoyi said sternly. "You should have evidence for what you say and do, not just make up lies and slander me here. I don't think you have that right."
Originally, Qin Xi and Wu Xintang had been very close, their friendship as solid as iron and porcelain.
Even in middle school, they had agreed to take the Jia University entrance exam together and then study at Harvard.
Their academic records were excellent, often vying for first place in their prestigious middle school—sometimes Qin Xi won, sometimes Wu Xintang, making it a close competition.
The two families also lived nearby, and after school, they often played basketball together. By the time he was in middle school, Qin Xi had already shot up to 170 centimeters, making the shorter Wu Xintang seem like a dwarf in comparison.
But later, when Qin Xi took Qin Chaoyi out to play, Qin Chaoyi slipped and fell into the water. Struggling, she was spotted by Qin Xi.
Qin Xi couldn't swim either, but he still jumped in, desperately holding her up until a passerby rescued them both.
Qin Chaoyi was still alive, but Qin Xi's life had forever frozen on that day.
Qin Chaoyi still remembered it was a sunny day.
The sky was clear, the air crisp, and the sun shone brightly across a cloudless horizon.
Yet inside Qin Chaoyi's heart, a torrential rainstorm raged, leaving a lasting dampness that never dried.
Years later, Wu Xintang had grown to nearly 180 centimeters tall, while Qin Xi remained frozen at just over 170 centimeters.
Even the photo on his gravestone showed his face as still youthful and innocent.
Not only that, but Wu Xintang had fulfilled his promise to Qin Xi.
He had been admitted to Jia University's finance program, studied at Harvard for three years, and now worked at one of the country's top investment banks. Several high-profile projects currently dominating the market had been backed by him, and he had personally nurtured their growth. His net worth was now likely over nine figures.
He could be considered a dragon among men, a phoenix among women.
Yet Qin Chaoyi still believed he had no right to judge her.
Even if her brother Qin Xi were standing here to scold her, he wouldn't have that right either.
Of course, if Qin Xi could truly stand here and rebuke her, she would be overjoyed.
But in this world, there are no "what ifs."
As she spoke, Wu Xintang stared intently at her, his sharp eyes piercing through her like daggers.
After a long pause, Wu Xintang chuckled mockingly. "I don't have the right to judge, but I can't stand by and watch."
Wu Xintang continued, his voice rising, "Qin Xi is gone because of you. You owe it to him to live well, to make something of yourself, and to take care of his parents. But what have you done? Your parents are both hospitalized, and you're hiding in some backwater town! You don't even know that your household registry is down to just you! How can you live with yourself, knowing you've betrayed Qin Xi's memory?"
His tone had been calm at first, but as he spoke, his voice grew increasingly agitated, rising in volume.
Visitors at the cemetery subconsciously glanced their way. All they saw was a tall figure standing with an umbrella, completely shielding Qin Chaoyi from view.
Wu Xintang's outburst left Qin Chaoyi stunned for a few seconds. In that moment, she could only see the veins bulging at the back of Wu Xintang's neck, even on the back of his hands.
After a moment, Qin Chaoyi finally found her voice. "What... what did you say?"
Both my parents are hospitalized?
When did this happen?
How come I didn't know?
Why wasn't I notified?
Are their injuries serious?
She had clearly spoken to her aunt's husband just two days ago.
If anything had happened in the family, he would have been unable to resist gossiping about it.
Could Wu Xintang be lying to her?
A flood of guesses surged through her mind, and her heart began to race. "My parents are in the hospital? Why? Is it serious?"
Wu Xintang pressed his lips together, remaining silent, as if unable to bear scolding her.
Before her friend's grave, he offered her the last shred of dignity: "If you really want to know, go to the hospital and see for yourself."
Qin Chaoyi tried to walk past him, but Wu Xintang stepped sideways to block her path.
He took a deep breath. "If you truly miss Qin Xi, then live well. Don't waste your life."
Because what you have is something some people can never possess.
Qin Chaoyi had no interest in responding. "Which hospital are my parents in?" she asked. "Jia University Affiliated Hospital?"
Wu Xintang stared at her, noting her agitated state made driving dangerous. He turned and walked ahead. "I'll take you."
Qin Chaoyi was stubborn and proud.
Having just been scolded by him, she refused to ride in his car. "No thanks."
"Qin Chaoyi," he said, enunciating each syllable of her name. "You're liable to get into an accident driving like this."
He continued walking. "Where's your car parked? I'll be your chauffeur. You can give me a ride."
Today was different.
Qin Chaoyi usually spent an entire day sitting by Qin Xi's grave, but today she stayed for less than half a morning.
Wu Xintang drove steadily, and before long they arrived at the parking lot of Jia University Affiliated Hospital.
The place was familiar to Qin Chaoyi, but as she stepped out of the car, she felt a momentary sense of confusion, overwhelmed by uncertainty.
She quickly regained her composure and called her aunt.
Her aunt, busy at work in the obstetrics department, answered between patients, covering the receiver with her hand. "Chaochao, what's wrong?"
"Aunt, which ward are my parents in?" Qin Chaoyi asked. "What happened to them? Why are they hospitalized?"
Her aunt paused, then quickly reassured her, "Chaochao, don't panic."
Qin Chaoyi's eyebrows furrowed so deeply they could have crushed a fly between them, her expression stern and unapproachable.
"Tell me," Qin Chaoyi said coldly. "I need to see them."
"Your father told us not to tell you," her aunt mumbled under her breath, but she obediently gave Qin Chaoyi the department and ward numbers.
Just as Wu Xintang had said, both Professor Qin and Madam Chen were hospitalized, though for different reasons.
Professor Qin had suffered a sudden hypertensive crisis. After a full-body examination, a cyst was discovered in his abdomen, and he was being observed to determine if surgery was necessary.
Madam Chen, Qin Chaoyi's mother, had been struck by an electric scooter while leaving work a few days prior, injuring her back and leg. She had fractured her lower leg.
This incident was precisely what had triggered Professor Qin's hypertensive crisis.
One was admitted to the 5th floor of Building A, while the other was on the 9th floor of Building C. However, to allow them to look after each other, Aunt arranged for both to be transferred to the same ward on the 8th floor of Building A, even placing them in the same room.
When Qin Chaoyi arrived, Wu Xintang wasn't with her.
He had already visited several times over the past few days, so he was furious to learn that Qin Chaoyi had never visited the hospital at all.
Yet, he hadn't anticipated that she was completely unaware of the situation.
Qin Chaoyi stood outside room 8071 in Building A. Before she could knock, she heard Madam Chen muttering, "I can't even move. This is so annoying. If Chaochao were here, at least we could chat."
"Honey, why don't we give her a call?" Madam Chen suggested. "I wonder when she'll bring her girlfriend back? We'll have to wait a while, I suppose. My leg won't be fully recovered for at least three to five months. Sigh."
"Don't call now," Professor Qin said from the side. "I know you too well. Once you start, you won't stop. Wait a few days and call then. If you're bored, read a book."
"You're always talking about books," Madam Chen retorted. "You've read so many in your life, and you still haven't had enough? Let's watch a movie instead."
"..."
Even in the hospital room, the couple couldn't break their habit of bickering.
Just as they were speaking, Qin Chaoyi suddenly pushed open the door.
The previously lively room fell silent.
The faint smiles on Professor Qin and Madam Chen's faces vanished instantly, replaced by a mix of shock and apprehension.
Qin Chaoyi closed the door and walked in with steady steps.
There was no argument, no hysterical questioning.
Qin Chaoyi remained calm. Though surprised, Professor Qin and Madam Chen, seeing her expression, didn't dare speak further.
Madam Chen whispered, "Chaochao, we were afraid you'd worry."
Qin Chaoyi simply shook her head and asked softly, "Are you feeling better?"
Qin Chaoyi's bad temper was a well-known fact among the Qin family, a trait they had inadvertently indulged over time.
Madam Chen had braced herself for Qin Chaoyi's usual outburst, but instead, she found her daughter surprisingly calm, even her tone softer than usual. It was as if a violent storm was brewing beneath the placid surface of the ocean, making both parents uneasy.
Hearing Madam Chen mention their fear, Professor Qin immediately dismissed it. "I'm her father, after all. What's she going to do, fly off to the moon?"
"It's our fault for deceiving her," Madam Chen whispered when Qin Chaoyi left the room. "If she doesn't get angry, she wouldn't be herself."
Professor Qin paused, then shook his head. "She wouldn't dare."
Madam Chen scoffed. "Don't you know your own daughter's temper?"
Professor Qin opened his mouth to argue, but fell silent when Qin Chaoyi pushed the door open and entered.
Madam Chen rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
It was noon, and Qin Chaoyi had brought lunch from the hospital cafeteria—a balanced meal of meat and vegetables, carefully portioned for nutritional balance.
With the hospital beds unable to be combined, the couple usually unfolded the tray table attached to Madam Chen's bed. Professor Qin would carry the tray over, squeezing himself onto her bed so they could eat together.
But with Qin Chaoyi present today, the space suddenly felt cramped.
Qin Chaoyi quietly arranged the meals and handed them their utensils.
When she turned to leave, Madam Chen quickly called out, "Where are you going to eat? There's too much here for the two of us to finish."
Qin Chaoyi pulled up a stool from the corner. "I'll sit here and eat."
Madam Chen finally felt relieved.
But the meal was utterly tasteless.
The food, prepared for patients, was low in oil and salt, lacking any flavor. And with Qin Chaoyi sitting nearby, the atmosphere grew tense.
Even someone as picky about food as she usually was now ate quietly.
Madam Chen couldn't resist speaking. "Chaochao, please don't be angry. We didn't mean to hide anything from you. It's not a serious illness, and in a few days, we'll all be able to..."
Before she could finish the sentence, Qin Chaoyi abruptly set down her chopsticks and interrupted, her voice low. "Do you remember what today is?"
Madam Chen froze. "What?"
Professor Qin frowned, ready to scold Qin Chaoyi for her outburst, but she continued calmly, "It's my brother's death anniversary."
The words hung in the air, and the hospital room fell into a deathly silence.
Qin Chaoyi closed her eyes. "Both of you were sick and didn't tell me. How long were you planning to wait? Until you're discharged with your leg injury? Or after Dad's cyst removal surgery, when no one would be there to care for him?"
Madam Chen timidly suggested, "We could hire a caregiver..."
Her voice trailed off as she met Qin Chaoyi's red, swollen eyes, leaving her speechless.
"Chaochao, don't cry," Madam Chen said, reaching out to wipe her tears. Qin Chaoyi flinched away.
"Even if I can't manage everything, shouldn't I be the one to arrange for a caregiver?" Qin Chaoyi asked calmly. "Why didn't you tell me? Do you think I'm not trustworthy?"
She spoke with open sincerity, her voice even.
Qin Chaoyi had always believed her parents were in good health. It wasn't until she spoke with Professor Qin's primary physician earlier that she learned he had long suffered from severe hypertension. This recent check-up also revealed elevated cholesterol levels, compounded by a lack of exercise, osteoporosis, and chronic back strain from spending years confined to the laboratory.
But Qin Chaoyi knew none of this.
If Wu Xintang hadn't told her today, she might never have found out.
Instead of anger, Qin Chaoyi pleaded softly, "Please don't make me feel like I'm abandoning my duties."
With that, she stood and walked out of the room.
The two remaining in the hospital room exchanged glances.
After a long silence, Madam Chen said gravely, "Chaochao seems to have grown up overnight."
Professor Qin's expression darkened. "She can barely manage her own affairs. Why should she worry about us?"
"Today is also Xi Xi's memorial day, isn't it?" Madam Chen forced a bitter smile. "Living here, we've forgotten even the dates. How could we have overlooked this?"
A peculiar silence settled between them.
Half an hour later, Qin Chaoyi returned to the hospital room, her face fresh and clean, as if she had washed it. But her reddened nose betrayed her recent tears.
Madam Chen wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say. She watched Qin Chaoyi methodically tidy up the remnants of their game on the small table. It was her first time doing it, and she moved slowly, but she did it well.
Several times, Madam Chen reached out to help, only to be subtly rebuffed by Qin Chaoyi. When the table was finally cleared, Qin Chaoyi spoke for the first time: "Are you going to take a nap?"
Since their hospitalization, the two had little to do beyond eating and sleeping. Occasionally, they were wheeled downstairs for a stroll, but only after their aunt or uncle finished work.
The day Yang Shu and Yang Zhi came to visit after returning from boarding school was the only lively day in the otherwise monotonous hospital routine. After that, it was just the two of them, recuperating and resting, and truly bored.
The upside was that their sleep patterns had improved significantly. They fell asleep at regular times now, something they could never manage at home. Now, their sleep schedules were much more synchronized.
"Sleep," Professor Qin declared. "And have you been writing lately?"
Qin Chaoyi replied, "I've started writing again."
"Take your time," Professor Qin said. "Writing is a lifelong pursuit; there's no need to rush."
Qin Chaoyi nodded, refraining from her usual retort of "What do you know about writing, a physics professor?" Instead, she obediently replied, "Okay."
This left Professor Qin somewhat flustered, momentarily at a loss for words. He simply closed his eyes for his afternoon nap.
"Chaochao, where will you sleep?" Madam Chen asked with concern.
Qin Chaoyi shook her head. "I'm not sleepy. You two go ahead and rest."
"But where will you go?" Madam Chen persisted.
Qin Chaoyi thought for a moment. "I'll stay outside. If you need anything, just call me."
Madam Chen suggested she stay in the hospital room, but there was no space for her—no extra bed or even a recliner. Besides, Qin Chaoyi had been pampered since childhood. Her parents had never let her endure such discomfort and couldn't bear the thought of her sleeping on a hard recliner in the hospital.
In the end, Madam Chen insisted Qin Chaoyi go home, repeatedly assuring her that they were perfectly fine.
Qin Chaoyi listened quietly before saying firmly, "If you don't want me to transfer you both back home and hire a private doctor, then stop worrying about it."
Madam Chen: "......"
In the end, Madam Chen arranged for her sister to secure a private suite—a high-end hospital room not covered by insurance.
The hospital fees were exorbitant, but thinking of her daughter, Madam Chen swallowed the cost and moved to the new room that very afternoon.
When it was time to transfer, Aunt came to help.
As she packed, Aunt gave Qin Chaoyi a thumbs-up. "You've really got the knack for this. You've got both your parents cooperating now."
Who knew they hadn't been cooperating with treatment at all before Qin Chaoyi arrived?
Ever since Qin Chaoyi came, both parents had been cooperating perfectly, eager to be discharged as soon as possible.
Along the way, Qin Chaoyi asked Aunt for advice on finding a suitable caregiver and quickly interviewed a few candidates, but none were quite right.
So, for the first night, Qin Chaoyi took on the role of caregiver herself.
Neither patient was particularly fussy. Professor Qin slept soundly, but Madam Chen struggled.
It was said that "a broken bone takes a hundred days to mend," and her fractured limb was slowly healing. The pain intensified at night, making it difficult for her to turn over. Her involuntary sighs didn't escape Qin Chaoyi's notice.
"Would you like to turn over?" Qin Chaoyi asked.
After a moment's hesitation, Madam Chen nodded.
Though thin, Qin Chaoyi was surprisingly strong. She effortlessly helped Madam Chen turn over.
Madam Chen sighed, "You're always the best."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Qin Chaoyi asked.
Madam Chen paused. "Your life has been so difficult. You finally got a chance to rest and even met someone you like. How could I bear to make you worry again?"
Her voice was always gentle, unconsciously taking on a coquettish tone.
Qin Xi was like her, a very gentle person, even as a child.
But Qin Chaoyi, though she looked like her mother, had none of her temperament.
Madam Chen often complained that, despite being born from her own womb, Qin Chaoyi took after Professor Qin—short-tempered and stubborn.
Hearing this, tears welled up in Qin Chaoyi's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
"I'm not unhappy," she insisted.
Madam Chen stroked her face, changing the subject. "You must be quite happy these days, right? You've gained weight."
"What's good about being fat?" Qin Chaoyi retorted. "Look at my dad—he has high blood pressure and snores like a bear."
As if in response, Professor Qin's snoring echoed from the next room.
Madam Chen shook her head. "It's not that kind of fat. You were too thin before, skin and bones. What's attractive about that? Now you look much better."
"Oh," Qin Chaoyi replied.
As Madam Chen spoke, she grew drowsy, mumbling incoherently. She instinctively tried to turn over, but stopped with a pained whimper. Soon, the sound of steady breathing filled the room.
The silence settled in, and night truly began.
Qin Chaoyi let out a quiet sigh of relief.
This day had been packed with too many events, and her emotions were pent up inside her, with no outlet.
Yet she didn't know how to release them.
Tomorrow, she had to go for a caregiver interview.
Last night, she had written her story to a climactic point, and she wanted to continue.
When she took out her phone to check, she discovered it had died and shut down. She immediately found a charger and plugged it in.
A few minutes later, the phone powered on, showing dozens of missed calls from Zhong Ling.
She tiptoed out of the room and called Zhong Ling back.
Before Qin Chaoyi could even process what was happening, Zhong Ling shouted, "Holy shit! If you're not at the cemetery, where the hell are you? You're scaring me to death!"
Qin Chaoyi was stunned. "You're at the cemetery?"
Zhong Ling was on the verge of tears. The cemetery, barely illuminated by feeble lights in the dead of night, rustled with the whispering leaves, like human sobs. The gravestones stood solemn and silent. Zhong Ling covered one ear and snapped, "You didn't answer any of my calls! I thought you'd fallen asleep at Brother Xi's grave. Fuck, it's deserted here in the middle of the night—just a bunch of damn ghosts..."
The terror in Zhong Ling's voice made Qin Chaoyi wince.
Qin Chaoyi told her to drive down and meet her at a restaurant near the hospital.
Zhong Ling, quick to pick up on things, asked, "What are you doing at the hospital? Visiting your aunt?"
Qin Chaoyi sighed imperceptibly. "My parents are sick."
The simultaneous hospitalization of both parents was truly bizarre. Zhong Ling even suggested visiting a temple to pray, wondering if they'd offended some deity.
Qin Chaoyi sat in a private booth, the steam from the hot pot rising in spirals. Yet she had no appetite, simply staring at Zhong Ling as if she were a fool. "No wonder you were scared tonight."
She's always believing in ghosts and deities.
Zhong Ling: "......"
"You didn't go upstairs in the middle of the night, so of course you're not scared," Zhong Ling retorted.
"Then did you see my brother?" Qin Chaoyi asked.
Zhong Ling: "%¥(*&)"
She was just shy of cursing outright.
Qin Chaoyi stopped teasing and gave her a few instructions. After a few drinks and a hot pot to warm Zhong Ling up, they called it a night.
Before leaving, Zhong Ling offered to stay over.
Qin Chaoyi shook her head. "It's fine. No need."
Still worried, Zhong Ling was ushered into the passenger seat. Qin Chaoyi reminded the ride-share driver to drive carefully.
As the car disappeared onto the highway, the bustling city, brightly lit, settled into a quiet. The only sound was the rhythmic screech of speeding cars on the road, reminiscent of a crackling old cassette tape from the 1990s.
Her phone vibrated. Qin Chaoyi opened the message from Luo Yue: [ Did you finish your business? ]
When Qin Chaoyi returned to Moon Island, she told Luo Yue she needed to take care of some business.
She didn't mention attending Qin Xi's memorial day, but during their late-night phone call last night, she assured Luo Yue that she would finish everything today, plan to visit her parents tomorrow for a meal, and arrive on Moon Island no later than the day after tomorrow evening.
After having a nightmare, she called Luo Yue and was gently comforted, her anxiety soothed.
But she never expected something even more distressing to happen.
She recalled her resolute tone during that late-night call, repeatedly assuring the groggy Luo Yue, "I'll be back soon. We'll go out for dinner together when I get there, okay? I haven't tried the local specialties there yet."
She had daydreamed about it so many times.
When Luo Yue asked when she would write her book, Qin Chaoyi replied, "When I'm not spending time with you."
Luo Yue teased, "Don't pull all-nighters."
Qin Chaoyi then asked, "Will you pick me up?"
"Are you taking the ferry or driving?" Luo Yue asked.
Qin Chaoyi said, "What do you want me to do?"
Luo Yue said, "Either is fine."
In the end, Qin Chaoyi decided to drive.
Luo Yue said, "I'll wait for you at the island entrance."
Qin Chaoyi promised again that she would definitely arrive on Moon Island by the evening of the day after tomorrow, and they could even go for a seaside walk after dinner.
Now, those daydreams were shattered. It seemed Qin Chaoyi wouldn't be able to return to Moon Island the day after tomorrow.
Or even the day after that, or the day after that.
She couldn't possibly abandon her sick parents in the hospital and drive back to Moon Island alone.
She would truly become the coward, the irresponsible and unf filial person Wu Xintang had called her.
Long ago, Qin Xi had died saving her.
Now, her parents only had her left.
Staring at the screen, Qin Chaoyi's fingers trembled as she typed her reply: [ Still haven't finished. ]
Luo Yue replied: [ Okay. Have you eaten yet? ]
She didn't ask about any other issues or how many more days she needed, just a simple check-in.
I've eaten. What about you?
Had breakfast earlier. Just took a shower and getting ready for bed.
Oh, so you're not staying up late tonight?
Can't get any ideas. I have my first class tomorrow, so I'm going to rest.
Then get some good rest.
With nothing more to say, the conversation ended.
Luo Yue reminded her to sleep early.
Qin Chaoyi sent an "OK" emoji.
She still hadn't told Luo Yue that she wouldn't be able to return to Moon Island the day after tomorrow.
Guilt tormented her, making it impossible to focus. Only after returning to the hospital room, quickly washing up, and settling into the suite's living area with her laptop did she finally find an escape from her emotions.
She continued writing from where she'd left off last night.
Just as she reached a climactic moment, she suddenly heard a soft voice: "Still not asleep?"
Qin Chaoyi startled violently, nearly dropping her laptop onto the floor.
She turned around to see Professor Qin, who had gotten up in the middle of the night. "Stop writing and go back to sleep."
Her train of thought derailed, Qin Chaoyi closed her laptop and said, "Okay."
After using the restroom, Professor Qin noticed her still sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. "What are you thinking about?"
Fearing his nagging, Qin Chaoyi immediately lay down. "I'm going to sleep now."
Professor Qin: "......"
Having received such a dismissive response, Professor Qin said nothing. He yawned and returned to his room to continue sleeping.
But once she heard his footsteps fade away, Qin Chaoyi's eyes snapped open.
She couldn't sleep.
Qin Chaoyi, who had never broken a promise in her life, realized for the first time how naive she had been.
She had always believed that one should never promise what they couldn't deliver, so she rarely made promises, let alone confidently commit to anything.
But when she met Luo Yue, she willingly and eagerly wanted to be with her, which led her to make this inadvertent promise.
Originally, she was a free person.
Yet unexpectedly, the very person who had created the conditions for her freedom suddenly collapsed.
Only then did she discover that freedom was built upon rules and boundaries.
Now, she could only be confined.
Tormented by the impending broken promise, Qin Chaoyi naturally couldn't sleep well.
When she opened her eyes, the city was just beginning to buzz with traffic. She sat up and casually tied her hair, dazed for a few seconds before snapping out of her drowsiness. She got up and went to check on her two patients.
The doctor had already conducted his routine check-up, finding nothing major.
Professor Qin's abdominal cyst would be reevaluated after one more day of observation before deciding on surgery.
Madam Chen's cast remained in place.
Qin Chaoyi went to the bathroom to wash her face, then fetched water to help Madam Chen wash her face and apply skincare products. She then went downstairs to fetch breakfast.
By the time she finished everything, it was already 9:30 AM. The sunlight outside was perfect—bright but not blinding.
Qin Chaoyi wheeled Madam Chen out to sunbathe.
They encountered some of Madam Chen's former roommates, who eagerly greeted them. Madam Chen smiled and chatted with them, and the conversation naturally turned to her.
Everyone expressed their envy at having a daughter by her side.
After returning from the sunbath, Madam Chen's lips remained curled in a smile.
Seeing them bored, Qin Chaoyi bought a deck of cards, and the three of them played a few rounds of Landlord until the caregiver candidate arrived. Qin Chaoyi then went to conduct the interview.
The day had been a whirlwind of activity.
During her stay at the hospital, Zhong Ling and Wu Xintang came to visit, with Qin Chaoyi playing the role of the perfect hostess, fulfilling her duties as the lady of the house.
It seemed Madam Chen's words had come true—Qin Chaoyi had grown up overnight.
Before leaving, Wu Xintang apologized, explaining that his harsh words the previous day had stemmed from it being Qin Xi's death anniversary.
But Qin Chaoyi, breaking her usual stubbornness, shook her head. "You were right to scold me."
Wu Xintang noticed her sharpness and arrogance seemed to have vanished overnight, her previously sharp edges worn smooth.
He couldn't tell if this was a good thing or not.
Yet Wu Xintang regretted having said those words to try and revive her spirit. When he tried to explain, Qin Chaoyi cut him off. "I won't forget. I should be living for two people now."
She meant to carry on living with Qin Xi's spirit.
If faced with such a situation, Qin Xi wouldn't have sulked and refused to write like she had. Instead, he would have patiently sought solutions and worked to improve his weaknesses.
Instead of scolding Wu Xintang, Qin Chaoyi thanked him. "Thank you for telling me about my parents."
Wu Xintang was momentarily speechless, simply telling her not to be too upset and to contact him if she needed anything.
Qin Chaoyi walked him to the elevator, watching the numbers decrease until they reached "1" before taking a deep breath and returning to the hospital room.
The only good news was that she had found a suitable caregiver.
A forty-year-old woman with experience caring for elderly patients, she was patient, humorous, and genuinely kind-hearted.
After negotiating the wages, Qin Chaoyi handed over the shift that evening, went home, took a shower, and tried to text Luo Yue, but couldn't find the words.
After hesitating, she typed: [ I'm not back tomorrow. ]
Luo Yue's message suddenly popped up: [ Did you see your parents today? ]
Qin Chaoyi quickly deleted her original message and replied: [ Yes, I did. ]
Afraid Luo Yue would ask more questions, Qin Chaoyi quickly changed the subject: [ How was class today? ]
It went well, except Cheng Wushuang got into a fight.
Qin Chaoyi: [ What was he so fierce about? ]
Luo Yue: [ Yeah, it was a tall and burly upperclassman. ]
Qin Chaoyi: [ Is he okay? Why did he provoke that guy? ]
Luo Yue: [ He didn't provoke him. That upperclassman grabbed Wuxing first. ]
Cheng Wushuang was the most mischievous boy in Luo Yue's class, but he usually only caused trouble within the classroom and never got into physical fights.
Luo Yue sent Qin Chaoyi an audio message recounting the day's events. Basically, the upperclassman, seeing Cheng Wuxing's innocent appearance and knowing he was mute, had tricked him into a corner. He started hugging and groping Wuxing, who screamed in terror but couldn't escape. Cheng Wushuang, who was playing on the playground at the time, immediately rushed over and pinned the older boy to the ground, beating him mercilessly.
However, the upperclassman was both tall and muscular, so Cheng Wushuang didn't have much of an advantage.
But the boy's parents were notoriously unreasonable on the island. Seeing that the Cheng siblings only had their widowed grandmother to rely on, and unwilling to tell her about the incident, they stormed into the school and unleashed a torrent of curses.
Just hearing about it was suffocating.
Qin Chaoyi asked her how she ultimately handled the situation.
Luo Yue paused for a few seconds before typing: [ I called the police. ]
Cheng Shiyu?
No, the other police officers on Moon Island. Shiyu resigned.
Qin Chaoyi was stunned. [ What? She left Jiayi? ]
No, Brother Shijing returned to Moon Island.
Qin Chaoyi: ...
While Qin Chaoyi was buried in work, major changes were unfolding on Moon Island.
Luo Yue said: [ You'll understand when you return tomorrow. It's too complicated to explain in a few words. ]
Qin Chaoyi's fingers froze mid-typing. The words "tomorrow" and "return" pierced her heart.
But I can't return tomorrow.
She didn't know how to tell Luo Yue.
Then Luo Yue added: [ Grandma Shixi told me today that your grandmother should be back soon. ]
Back where? Moon Island?
Yes. They've always been close when she was on the island.
Qin Chaoyi: ...
They were indeed close.
Her grandmother hadn't contacted Qin Chaoyi at all, yet Grandma Shixi knew she was coming back.
They chatted casually, but Qin Chaoyi never managed to say the words, "I can't go back tomorrow."
After a hurried goodnight, the clock struck midnight, marking the end of another day.
Qin Chaoyi felt a tightness in her chest, unable to sleep. She could only sit before her computer and keep writing.
Even though Qin Chaoyi didn't fall asleep until past 3 AM, she woke up early and rushed to the hospital just as the sun was rising.
The nurse, very considerate, had already helped Madam Chen wash up and brought breakfast for both of them.
When Qin Chaoyi arrived, they were eating breakfast while the nurse cleaned the ward.
Once the nurse finished cleaning and left for the day, Qin Chaoyi took Madam Chen downstairs for some sun.
In the afternoon, Professor Qin's surgical decision came through. The doctor concluded that surgery was still the best course of action.
Thanks to connections, the surgery date was scheduled early, but a series of pre-operative tests pushed it back to the morning after the next day.
After finishing these preparations and waiting for the nurse to arrive for her shift, it was already evening.
Qin Chaoyi's day came to an end. She hadn't even seen Jiayi's sunset; the last time she looked up, it was still dusk, but by the time she glanced up again, it was already night.
The moon shone brightly, and the starry sky was dark and heavy, yet showed no signs of rain.
It was simply stifling.
The city was brightly lit, its streets bustling with hurried pedestrians passing by.
Standing in the crowd, Qin Chaoyi suddenly felt utterly empty.
After standing on the street, lost in thought for a while, she finally drove home.
Her house was empty.
With nothing left to distract her, she picked up her phone, ready to strictly judge herself.
Opening the chat with Luo Yue, Qin Chaoyi struggled to type: [ Sorry, I still have things to take care of. ]
Before she could finish, Luo Yue's message popped up, as if she'd been watching the chat window, waiting for Qin Chaoyi to send something.
The moment she saw "typing..." appear, Qin Chaoyi knew Luo Yue had time.
It's raining on Moon Island today. Where's Jiayi?
Qin Chaoyi's fingers curled slightly, and she sent the unfinished message.
She quickly recalled it.
But Luo Yue had already seen it, correctly guessing the rest of the sentence. She simply replied: [ It's okay. Take care of your matters first. I have some research to finish anyway. ]
Qin Chaoyi knew Luo Yue was comforting her, but she couldn't shake the guilt.
She explained: [ Sorry, I really didn't expect this. Something major happened at home, and I need to resolve it before I can return. ]
I swear, I will definitely come back.
As she sent these messages, she wasn't entirely convinced herself.
It was as if reality was slapping her across the face, mocking her for promising something she couldn't deliver. She'd only set Luo Yue up for disappointment.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away on Moon Island, a torrential rain poured down. Luo Yue stood by the reef, dressed in a moonlit-white dress and holding a transparent umbrella, tapping her screen: [ It's alright. Take your time. ]
After sending the message, she turned and walked home.
In the end, she never did arrive.
Qin Chaoyi's days in Jiayi City felt like a wound-up clockwork, following a rigid, mechanical routine between the hospital and home.
Yet her creative drive only continued to surge.
After Luo Yue moved away, they occasionally spoke on the phone. Luo Yue mentioned she was busy tackling difficult problems, leaving little free time, and could only squeeze in brief conversations. Qin Chaoyi was equally busy, and their schedules never seemed to align.
Luo Yue never once urged her to return to Moon Island, and Qin Chaoyi didn't dare bring it up.
At first, their calls touched on mundane topics like whether they'd eaten, what they were having, and if they were going to sleep. But even Qin Chaoyi grew tired of these perfunctory questions.
Time flowed by imperceptibly.
Professor Qin's surgery results were less than ideal, with doctors recommending further observation. He ended up staying in the hospital for a full month and a half.
Madam Chen's joint recovery was also unsatisfactory. When Qin Chaoyi learned of this, Madam Chen guiltily apologized, "I'm sorry, Chaochao. I've delayed your time again."
That single sentence nearly brought Qin Chaoyi to tears.
Before she knew it, a month and a half had passed.
The day Professor Qin was discharged, the family held a simple homecoming celebration.
On the same day, Qin Chaoyi completed Burning Springtime, the novel she had once abandoned, declaring she would never finish.
She sent the draft to Gu Yi but bypassed online serialization, opting instead to go straight to print.
At two in the morning, Gu Yi was still awake when she received the document. She rubbed her eyes several times, thinking she might be seeing things. Once confirmed, she frantically messaged Qin Chaoyi:
Aaaaah! Sis! You're my hero!
You actually finished the book so quickly?! How did you do it?!
I'm so moved! I'm getting up right now to start working!
Qin Chaoyi told her there was no need to rush. She would handle the publisher's review process starting tomorrow at work. Even after the three rounds of editing were complete and the book received its ISBN, the earliest release date would be winter.
ISBNs were hard to obtain, but since it was Sicily, the process should be faster.
Instead of replying further, Qin Chaoyi opened a chat with Luo Yue, intending to tell her she had finished Burning Springtime.
She had written a 400,000-word book in less than two months, squeezing in writing time, burning the midnight oil, and constantly compressing her schedule to meet the deadline.
She had been brave for the person she loved.
She wanted to send Luo Yue the draft first, but froze when she saw their chat history. She didn't dare send it.
Their daily messages had become routine.
But at some point, neither of them had sent a message again.
The chat history froze on that day, and it had been a week.
The last substantial message had been from Luo Yue ten days earlier:
Yan Ci's café is closed.
She left Moon Island.
Your grandmother is back and chatted with Grandma Shixi all day.
She looks to be in good spirits.
Qin Chaoyi asked her, [ Why did Yan Ci leave? ]
Luo Yue said she didn't know. Yan Ci left in a hurry, without telling anyone or leaving any message on social media. It was as if she had vanished into thin air, just as mysteriously as she had arrived on Moon Island.
Many strangers had come to Moon Island recently, dressed in suits and leather shoes, roaming every corner of the island all day. They said a large company was planning to invest in a tourism project, and Moon Island was an ideal location for their first pilot project.
People came and went from the island every day.
Even so, Luo Yue never pressed her or asked when she would return.
Qin Chaoyi stared at the screen, then tentatively sent, [ Are you asleep? ]
No reply.
She opened Luo Yue's profile and discovered that two hours earlier, she had shared a song on her feed: Ivory Boat.
Qin Chaoyi clicked to listen. The lyrics included:
But if you fear no consequences,
I'll build you a harbor.
Stay if you wish to stay.
And later, in call-back:
But if you fear no consequences,
I will build a harbor,
For those who wish to leave.
Qin Chaoyi suddenly realized that the reason Luo Yue never asked or urged her was because she was silently waiting.
Patiently, reservedly waiting for Qin Chaoyi to return.
Luo Yue had never been the type to fight for anything.
Not even her father had ever fought.
She only knew how to wait.
Meanwhile, on Moon Island, Luo Yue was furiously scribbling on paper with a pen, her handwriting illegible to anyone watching.
She wrote rapidly, just a step away from the correct answer.
A few minutes later, she placed the pen on the paper, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Just as she said, it was possible.
After finishing, she rotated her wrist, opened her computer, and saw the document that had arrived a few hours earlier on the screen: the "Digital Brain" application form.
Recording Location: Jiayi.
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