They had arranged to meet at a café near the hospital at ten in the morning. By the time Mei Ran arrived, Zhou Yimiao had already been sitting there for almost an hour. He quickly stood up when he saw her. “Junior Sister.”
“Senior Brother Zhou,” Mei Ran set down her bag and nodded at him. “Did you arrive very early?”
She didn’t have the habit of making people wait; she always made sure to arrive ten minutes early.
“No,” Zhou Yimiao smiled. “I just got here a moment ago.”
Feeling reassured, Mei Ran beckoned over a server and ordered a cappuccino. After a thought, she added a piece of matcha cake.
The server noted everything down, glanced at Zhou Yimiao, and asked, “Sir, your coffee is probably already cold. Would you like me to change it for you?”
Zhou Yimiao seemed somewhat awkward. “No need, thank you.”
In truth, Mei Ran had sensed something unusual about the man opposite her the moment she sat down. He seemed nervous, restless. She chuckled to herself, 'Must just be my imagination. How could the ever-unflappable Doctor Zhou, the one who never even frowns in the face of the most complicated surgeries, possibly be nervous?'
But then, another thought struck her, sending a heavy stone plummeting into the quiet lake of her heart. “Senior Brother Zhou, could it be the test results…”
“No,” Zhou Yimiao quickly denied. His hand, which had been hanging by his chair, suddenly clenched into a fist before slowly relaxing again. “The results of the first check-up… showed no problems for the time being.”
Only then did Mei Ran’s face relax into a smile. “That’s good. I thought it was…” She didn’t finish the sentence, picking up her coffee for a sip instead.
“How have you been lately?”
“Quite well,” Mei Ran looked up. “And you, Senior Brother Zhou?”
Zhou Yimiao gazed at her with a smile, his thoughts drifting back to that mist-veiled mountain village. The watery fog hung over the mountainside like a sheer veil, making it seem like a realm of immortals. The bluestone path into the village was damp, the perennial moss grown green from countless feet—both human and beast—appearing especially pure.
The lights in his old home were still dim, a pale yellow. His father couldn’t bear to change the bulbs for better ones. The money Zhou Yimiao sent home each year was saved meticulously, one sum after another, put aside for his promising son to marry a good wife in the future.
His mother bustled about in the low, dark little kitchen, wearing an apron. The air was humid with steam, firewood crackling in the hearth. Her heavily wrinkled face would bloom with happy smiles every now and then.
His sister, just started junior high school, wore pretty hair clips and sat quietly at the dining table doing her homework, a large lollipop he’d brought back for her tucked in her mouth. Her pink tongue would lightly lick at it, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons as she smiled.
All of this made Zhou Yimiao’s heart ache with a sour sweetness, his eyes pricking with tears.
How he longed for just this, to stay by their side for a lifetime.
Zhou Yimiao felt as if he were standing at a crossroads, lost and directionless. His life hadn’t been without difficult moments before. With no background, no money, no influence, in that city whose glaring lights he couldn’t even bring himself to face fully, every step of his upward climb had cost him tears and blood.
But this time was different. He didn’t have the right to choose whether to turn left or right.
The nights in the mountains were quiet. Lying on the plank bed in the loft, Zhou Yimiao stared unblinkingly at the small patch of stars visible through the skylight.
These things hailed as eternal might have existed for millennia, but so what? They were ignorant, unfeeling, possessed of no emotions.
He watched the stars until a pale glow emerged from the east. The proud rooster at the village entrance crowed, day after day, tirelessly awakening every person, every plant and tree in the mountain village.
From downstairs came his parents’ hushed voices:
“Our son is home for a rare visit. He looks thin again.”
“Yes.” His father sighed.
“Old Zhou, go out first thing after breakfast. Go into town and buy some good food to nourish Miaomiao.”
Hearing this, Zhou Yimiao finally couldn’t hold on anymore. He turned his head and fell into a deep sleep.
When he awoke, the sunlight at the foot of the bed was warm enough to sting. He got up and walked barefoot to the window. The loft window looked out over the vegetable garden in the backyard. His mother was carrying a vegetable basket, swiftly and deftly cutting chives. Her back was already slightly bent, the silver hair at her temples strikingly stark.
“Miaomiao, why didn’t you sleep a bit longer?”
“Mom, let me help you.”
“No need, no need,” she hurriedly waved him off. “You just stand there. Don’t get your clothes dirty in the mud.”
“Ai,” she sighed helplessly. “You child!”
Zhou Yimiao placed a handful of chives into the basket and met her eyes brimming with maternal affection. He quickly looked away.
“Mom!” he suddenly pointed at a tall, flourishing persimmon tree by the well. “Isn’t this tree already…”
“Yes,” Mother Zhou smiled. “I thought it wouldn’t survive either. I was even planning to have your father chop it down for firewood some time. Who’d have thought it would start sprouting branches again this spring, and now it’s covered in fruit?” Her tone held a hint of regret. “I remember, when you were a child, you loved persimmons the most. What a pity they’re still so green. When they ripen, I’ll have someone send some to you.”
It felt as if something heavy lodged in his chest vanished in an instant. Zhou Yimiao’s smile grew as bright as the midday sun. “Mom, thank you!”
“Child, what silly things are you saying?” Mother Zhou chided with a laugh.
“Senior Brother Zhou?”
Zhou Yimiao jolted back to the present.
Mei Ran looked amused. “You seemed a bit out of it just now. I called your name several times and you didn’t respond.”
“Apologies,” he gave an embarrassed smile. “Where were we?”
“You said last night you had something very important to tell me. What is it?”
She asked with a clever, expectant smile, but Zhou Yimiao felt a wave of nervousness like never before. His short-trimmed nails dug deeply into his palms. After a long moment, he took a deep breath. “Junior Sister, do you remember I once said I originally wanted to open a small restaurant?”
Mei Ran nodded. “Of course I remember.”
He seemed to have come to some major decision. He suddenly stood up, looking down at her from his greater height, his breath fluctuating unsteadily.
He couldn’t keep it hidden anymore. After that long, agonizing period, this affection for her had become too thick, too heavy to suppress.
He had to let her know!
That in this world, there was a man who liked her without asking for anything in return.
This feeling of his was no longer humble; it was aboveboard, open and candid!
“I used to imagine… if you were the restaurant’s proprietress, how wonderful that would be…”
That would probably be the most beautiful, happiest thing he could envision for the rest of his life.
Leaving the café, Mei Ran felt distracted all the way. She was even slow to react when Fu Shijin called.
“Are you at home?”
“Mmm… No, I’m still out.”
“Is something wrong?” The man’s voice carried a subtle concern.
Mei Ran didn’t know how to tell him. That incident had been completely beyond her expectations. How could Senior Brother Zhou have…
“Ranran?”
“I’m fine,” she exhaled softly. “I’ll be there in about half an hour.”
“Be careful.” He paused briefly, then added, “I’ll wait for you.”
It wasn’t until the driver asked for the third time, “Where to?” that Mei Ran snapped out of her daze and hurriedly gave the address.
The slight upheaval in her heart still hadn’t settled. She sent a few more messages to Yu Sheng.
When she arrived at the Fu residence, Fu Shijin was watching the news in the living room, his long legs casually crossed, his posture lazy yet carrying a hint of elegance. He tilted his head to see her, a smile touching his handsome brow and eyes. “You’re here.”
The man seemed in much better spirits than yesterday, suggesting the effects of the acupuncture were good. Mei Ran walked over and sat down beside him. “How do you feel now?”
But he took her soft hand, gently holding it in his, and most of his body leaned against her in one fluid motion, his warm breath brushing her pale cheek. “My head still hurts a little.”
As if remembering something, he narrowed his deep-set eyes slightly. “I remember once you gave me a massage. That felt quite good.”
Mei Ran, unaware this was the other party “pushing his luck,” took him at his word and started massaging him. Yet before long, her hand was captured again. She looked at him, puzzled.
“I’m feeling much better,” a faint smile touched his lips. For no apparent reason, he added, “I can’t bear to see you too tired.”
But Mei Ran understood immediately.
He was referring to her once-injured hand. Yet, why did those words sound so… ambiguous?
Seeing the girl’s earlobes gradually turning pink, Fu Shijin, figuring the intended effect had been achieved, leaned contentedly against her and went back to watching the news.
It was obvious, however, that his attention remained mostly on her. He took in even that subtle hint of strangeness between her brows, giving nothing away.
They sat like that for almost half an hour before the Old Madame Mei came out from the kitchen cheerfully, an apron tied around her waist. “Shijin, Old Yang brought back a genuine free-range mountain chicken from his hometown. You and Xiaoran go pick some wood ears in the back mountains later, we can stew them together.”
It turned out that after the heavy rains recently, the woods were thoroughly damp. With the favorable climate, clusters of wood ear mushrooms had grown on many pieces of rotten wood.
Wood ear mushrooms: brown, pliable, moistening the lungs and replenishing qi, a superior product for nourishing the blood and enhancing complexion.
In all her years, Mei Ran had never seen so many wood ears with her own eyes. They sprouted like the earth’s own ears, plump and somewhat adorably rustic, swaying gently in the breeze as if smiling and nodding.
She crouched down and soon gathered a whole basketful.
It seemed she had spotted something else. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with delight. “There’s even wild vegetables here!”
Fu Shijin truly couldn’t discern any treasures among that patch of weeds, but he leaned over to look anyway.
Mei Ran began to recite them, full of knowledge. “This is shepherd's purse (jechoi in Chinese). It cools the blood, stops bleeding, tonifies deficiency, and strengthens the spleen. It can be used for dumpling fillings or for porridge.” She pointed at some others. “This is purslane, that’s okra…”
These wild vegetables also grew plump and vibrant, looking especially pure in color, suggesting their taste must be extraordinarily fresh and delicious. She couldn’t resist picking a handful of each, neatly arranging them in the grass-woven basket.
Mei Ran lifted her head and met the man’s gaze. He stood against a brilliant backdrop of sunlight, his tall frame casting a protective shadow over her. Smiling, she extended her hand. “Help me up.”
Fu Shijin not only helped her up but casually took the basket as well. However, he didn’t let go of her hand, and Mei Ran had no choice but to follow his steps as they walked on.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling the sea of green around them softly. Occasionally, clear, pleasant bird calls came from deep within the woods, making this seldom-visited, secret place even more serene.
Mei Ran seemed to hear the sound of flowing water.
Nearby was a small pond, where a few wild ducks were swimming. From her angle, the ducks looked like pieces of fluffy marshmallow floating on the water, indescribably cute.
Mei Ran eagerly approached to see. The ducks weren’t timid either, continuing to paddle leisurely, cleaning their pure white feathers.
The water was very clear; fallen leaves, water plants, and accumulated stones at the bottom were clearly visible.
The water lay still, mirror-like. Then Mei Ran’s eyes widened in surprise and delight. “Fish!”
Perhaps her voice startled the little creature beneath the surface. Ripples spread across the water, and the fish gave a flick of its tail before swimming into the deeper part.
Mei Ran tried to follow its trail but accidentally stepped on the green moss covering a rock, one foot nearly slipping into the pond. At that moment, a long, strong arm suddenly reached out to wrap around her waist and pull her back.
Due to the force of the movement, the man didn’t have time to steady himself. Just like that, she ended up on top of him, pinning him down.
He froze momentarily before quickly flipping their positions, pinning her beneath him, and kissing her tenderly amidst the grass.
The man showed unprecedented patience, beginning with a gentle, coaxing exploration. Mei Ran’s whole body went weak, a low gasp escaping her. Seizing the chance, his passionate tongue delved deeper, twisting and entangling hers like a sudden storm… only for the rhythm to slow again, as if inviting her to a dance.
By the time the deep kiss ended, Mei Ran was panting hard, her cheeks aflame, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest. The man above her still maintained his previous posture—one arm around her waist, the other propped on the grass, keeping only a minuscule distance between them.
A *ding* shattered their intertwined, honey-sweet gaze.
Mei Ran turned her head to look. During the earlier commotion, her phone had slipped from her pocket. The screen now displayed a new message from Yu Sheng:
—Seriously? Your senior brother confessed to you?!
The man clearly saw it too. He raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Mei Ran, his gaze pregnant with meaning. Her scalp prickled.
The wild red berries she’d picked earlier and tucked in her pocket were crushed. A sweet scent quickly spread through the air.
Yu Sheng quickly sent another message seeking confirmation: “Was it that Senior Brother Zhou who always wears a poker face and rarely cracks a smile?”
Mei Ran hurriedly covered her face with her hands.
“Aren’t you going to explain?”
How was she supposed to explain something like this?
“I…” Mei Ran’s voice was low. “I made it clear to him.”
The man lay down beside her on the grass, letting out a relaxed-sounding “Mmm?”
“I told him,” she looked firmly into his eyes. “I have a boyfriend.”
“Did he…”
Mei Ran understood from his expression. “Of course not. Senior Brother Zhou is an honorable, straightforward gentleman.”
He chuckled softly. “I recall you also called me a respectable gentleman once.”
“That was before.”
“Oh?” Fu Shijin smiled. “Could it be that I’m not anymore now?”
Of course not! She shot him a light glare. Would a respectable gentleman directly pin her down and kiss her in a wild meadow like this? Would a respectable gentleman, while kissing, let his hand… creep inside her clothes?
Thinking of this, Mei Ran’s face flushed with heat again. She lightly thumped his chest a few times and buried her blushing face against him.
“Just as well,” the man’s deep, low voice drifted down from above her. “I’ve never once thought of acting the ‘respectable gentleman’ toward you.”
His last words vanished directly onto her lips. The sunlight was warm, the green grass beneath them releasing a fresh, sweet fragrance in the pleasant warmth. Holding her, he sank into the moment.
“I’m jealous,” he sighed softly, almost plaintively. “Seems like I’ll have many rivals in love in the future.”
“I have plenty too,” Mei Ran panted softly and casually tossed out a name.
Fu Shijin thought for a moment. The face and features associated with the characters “Mei Mengran” could no longer be assembled clearly in his mind. He savored the delicate fragrance from her hair and closed his eyes contentedly. “They’re irrelevant people. No need to give them any thought.”
His categorization of relationships with members of the opposite sex had always been simple and clear.
Women in this world, in his eyes, only existed as two types.
One was called Mei Ran.
One was called all other women.