Chapter 41.3

When Gu Sui got home, Guan Yue was already back.

She was wearing a white dress, sitting cross-legged on the lounge chair in the yard, barefoot, with a plate of cherries on her lap.

“You’re finally back.”

When she saw him, Guan Yue put the cherries on the table and reached out to hug him.

Gu Sui smiled and hugged her, but it wasn’t enough for her. She wanted to climb onto him.

Gu Sui turned around and sat down on the chair. Guan Yue lay in his arms, satisfied.

“Have you been eating well these past three days?”

“I’ve been eating well. The buns you steamed for me, the dumplings you made, the braised pork, the steamed pork, I ate all of it.”

Gu Sui smiled faintly. “You’re really obedient.”

Guan Yue replied: “Of course, I’ll be waiting at home for you tomorrow.”

Gu Sui gently stroked her long hair. “Tomorrow, you’ll need to come with me to the sanatorium. Fang Lin is here, and he needs to talk to you.”

As soon as Guan Yue heard Fang Lin’s name, she quickly reacted. “Did the five spots sell out this year?”

“Probably. Fang Lin brought the patient list, and Xiao Ma was worried about you yesterday, afraid there might be some cases you can’t treat.”

Guan Yue pouted. “If I can’t treat them, then it’s their fate. Besides, selling the spots only gives them a chance to be treated, not a guarantee that I’ll cure them.”

Despite her strong words, Guan Yue still obediently went to work with Gu Sui the next day.

Gu Sui went to the clinic, and Guan Yue went to Xiao Ma’s office.

When Guan Yue arrived, Fang Lin was already waiting at the door for her.

Once Guan Yue sat down, Fang Lin handed her the prepared documents. “These are the medical records for the five patients this time.”

Guan Yue opened the folder. There were two cancer patients, one with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and two with heart problems—difficult cases.

Fang Lin continued: “The ALS patient was introduced by Professor John, the one who came last time. He’s apparently his little uncle.”

“What’s this person’s background?” Guan Yue asked.

“We’ve gathered that he’s a big businessman, very wealthy and with a lot of technical expertise. This time, he participated in the auction and donated two production lines—some of the most advanced medical equipment production lines in the world.”

At this point, Fang Lin became excited. “Our experts have evaluated it, and the standards for the medical equipment are very high. The technologies involved could be used for other types of production upgrades as well. The leaders are paying a lot of attention to this patient.”

Guan Yue remained expressionless as she read through the medical records. No wonder Xiao Ma couldn’t sit still. Even though he knew she wasn’t there, he still went to ask Gu Sui when she’d return.

The patient’s name was Ryan, right? She made a note of it.

Guan Yue asked: “What do these two cancer patients think? The two with heart problems at least know I’ve cured heart disease, but they don’t know I’ve cured cancer, right?”

Fang Lin smiled faintly. “They’re all difficult cases, but the compensation is real.”

Guan Yue snorted. “You guys have definitely gotten some benefits.”

Indeed, they had received plenty of benefits. The leaders were so happy when they received the list of auctioned items and patients that they nearly tore the roof off the building in their excitement.

“We know you don’t lack anything, but no matter what, we had to show our appreciation.”

“Go ahead, tell me.”

“First, about Daqing Mountain—we know you like living in the mountains. Even if you’re not around in the future, that area of the mountain will be yours. It will be leased to your family for free in perpetuity.”

Guan Yue nodded. “So, even after I’m dead and buried there, no one can come?”

“You’re still young. Let’s not talk about such things. As for the house, the courtyard you have in Beijing, it’s actually part of a larger five-courtyard complex. This time, the leaders decided that the whole courtyard will belong to you. When I arrived, the paperwork was still being processed, and the current tenants will have to move. In a few days, the house should be handed over to your in-laws.”

Guan Yue remarked: “That courtyard is quite nice. But it’s such a large area, how am I supposed to maintain the old house?”

“We’ll take care of that too. The Forbidden City has specialized craftsmen who will come to your house once a year to maintain it, so you won’t have to worry about it.”

“That’s more like it. Anything else?”

Fang Lin smiled awkwardly. “That’s all, just those two things.”

When they were discussing the rewards, the leaders were also troubled. Given how much Guan Yue had contributed, it was impossible not to reward her. But what could they give her? She didn’t lack food or clothes, nor did she need money, and she was indifferent to fame and fortune. After thinking it over, they remembered that Guan Yue had specifically requested Daqing Mountain, and even the courtyard was a later addition.

To be honest, Guan Yue lived on the mountain and wasn’t involved in anything else, so the leaders really didn’t understand why she wanted a whole mountain. Was it more convenient for her to chop firewood there?

If it were him, he would have found a house, money, or a job far more reliable than an entirely useless mountain.

Perhaps, that was the difference between him and Guan Yue—he was obsessed with fame and fortune, and still just a runner. Guan Yue, on the other hand, didn’t care about any of those things, yet she could get whatever she wanted.

After going through the patients’ information, Guan Yue asked: “When are they coming?”

“July 2nd. It’s not far off.”

“That’s not a Monday, right?”

“No, it’s a Tuesday.”

“Then it’s fine. We’ll deal with it once the patients arrive.”

“Okay, Dr. Guan, take care.”

As Guan Yue reached the door, she turned back and glanced at him. “By the way, you’re Gu Sui’s uncle’s cousin, so after I marry him, we’re kind of related in a roundabout way. You don’t need to use formal titles when addressing me in the future; it sounds awkward.”

Fang Lin smiled genuinely. “Got it.”

Guan Yue nodded, then turned and walked out.

There were patients coming in from Hong Kong, but Guan Yue continued doing whatever she needed to do, without a trace of worry. A few days later, it was Monday again, and after finishing with the patients in a frenzy, she headed to the pharmaceutical factory to check on the situation.

When she came out of the factory, it was already dark outside.

Gu Sui was still waiting for her at the door. Guan Yue jogged over and took his hand. “At least I don’t have to worry about the school.”

“Mm.”

At the school, Deng Wei managed everything well. He would update Guan Yue on the school’s affairs once a month, so she had an idea of what was going on.

Guan Yue asked: “There was a patient yesterday. You’ve been so busy, when are you planning to rest?”

“Whenever I want to rest, I can. What’s wrong?” Gu Sui asked.

“We haven’t gone out in a long time. Let’s pick a time and go into the city for a walk, take some old photos, maybe watch an old movie or something.” Guan Yue suggested.

Gu Sui laughed aloud. “What old movie? People are watching new movies that just came out in the past two years.”

“Alright then, let’s go into the city and watch a new movie. The patients coming in July are a bit troublesome, so we probably won’t be able to go out for a while. Let’s go and have some fun before that.”

“Let’s go the day after tomorrow. I’ll hand over my work tomorrow.”

“Alright, we’ll go the day after tomorrow.”

On Tuesday, Guan Yue relaxed at home, casually eating and drinking. Gu Sui worked hard all day at the sanatorium. On Wednesday, he cleared his schedule for the day, and the two of them went into the city for a day of fun.

There was no one from the logistics department going into the city that day, and no ride to catch. So, the two of them walked to the town early in the morning to catch a bus. It was actually quite fun—neither of them had taken a walk like this in a long time.

When the person walking beside you is the right one, even a simple walk like this feels sweet in your heart.

To take old photos, Guan Yue wore a white short-sleeved long dress, while Gu Sui wore a white shirt and black trousers.

Along the way, Guan Yue kept turning her head to look at him. Gu Sui, with his long fingers, gently pinched the back of her neck. “Focus on the road.”

At that moment, there was no one else on the road, so Guan Yue leaned in and kissed him. Gu Sui tilted his head back, but she only managed to kiss his chin.

Guan Yue stomped her foot, a little angry, and jumped up to kiss him again. This time, she finally got it.

Gu Sui couldn’t help but laugh. “Focus on walking.”

Guan Yue, holding his arm, acted cute. “You look so handsome in that white shirt, like a graceful gentleman. I’m afraid when we get into the city, all the girls will be staring at you.”

Gu Sui pinched her finger. “Stop blaming me. Didn’t you pick out this outfit?”

Guan Yue laughed out loud. “Hurry up, let’s go take the pictures. When we’re old, we can show them to our kids, and they’ll see that when we were young, we were this beautiful and this handsome.”

Gu Sui didn’t say anything, but inside, his heart was softer than ever.

The two of them went to find the teacher who had taken their passport photos last time. They each took two individual photos and three together.

“Teacher, it’s still urgent. We’ll come pick them up this afternoon.”

After Gu Sui paid, they stepped out the door, and the teacher, who was still inside, murmured: “These young people today really don’t know how to live. They get five pictures taken all at once and want it rushed. How much money is that?”

Guan Yue laughed. “Let’s go have lunch first, and then we’ll watch the movie afterward.”

“Okay. Are we going to Uncle Cai’s house this afternoon?”

Guan Yue shook her head. “No, it’s neither early nor late. I don’t want to disturb them.”

On the Lantern Festival, when they registered their marriage, they had sent a letter to the teacher through Uncle Cai. After that, they started sending letters through Fang Lin, which made deliveries faster. They didn’t have to worry anymore.

With free time today, the two of them definitely wouldn’t be dining at the People’s Hotel. Instead, they decided to go to a private restaurant on the outskirts of the city.

These private restaurants were located on the edges of town, each with its own yard. Only those with connections could get in, and ordinary strangers couldn’t.

Being on the edge of the city had its benefits too; if they needed to leave quickly, they could do so easily since the mountains and forests were right outside. The largest black market in Qing County was nearby.

Gu Sui said: “Last time, I heard them say this place makes good fish. Let’s try it today.”

“What kind of fish?”

“Do you like Ho Xian fish?”

“I’ve never had it, but let’s give it a try.”

“Then should we get some pickled fish too, the kind you like?”

“Sounds good.”

As soon as they stepped through the door, they had already decided on their order.

The boss rushed over. “Please come in, you’re just in time. There’s still half an hour before lunch rush, so it’s not crowded yet.”

“We’ll have one Ho Xian fish and one pickled fish.” Gu Sui ordered.

“Sure, it’ll be ready soon. Would you like rice or noodles?”

“Rice.” Guan Yue answered.

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

The boss was right—at that moment, they were the only customers in the restaurant. After they placed their order, they heard the sound of pots heating up from the backyard. Before long, Guan Yue smelled the distinct scent of stir-fried pickled vegetables.

She took a deep breath. “Their pickled vegetables smell so sour! My mouth’s already watering.”

Gu Sui poured her a cup of tea. “These pickled vegetables are made from old pickled cabbage. If you like it, we can make a jar at home and let it ferment for next year.”

“Let’s make another jar of pickled radishes too. Last time, when you stir-fried the chicken giblets with pickled radish, it was so fragrant.”

As they chatted about food, a group of young men entered the restaurant. Among them, one of them was someone they recognized.

Guan Yue glanced at Gu Sui. “Isn’t that Qin Lie?”

“Yes, it’s Qin Lie. He went to the countryside right after graduating high school. He hasn’t been back long. I saw him a few days ago at the Qingsong Brigade. I forgot to mention it to you.”

Qin Lie saw them too, and smiled as he came over to greet them. “Dr. Gu, Dr. Guan, hello.”

Gu Sui nodded. “What brings you here?”

Qin Lie didn’t hide it, smiling as he replied: “I know a few people, doing some small business. I got hungry around noon, so I came to have a meal.”

Guan Yue looked him over. “You’ve changed a lot since the last time I saw you.”

Qin Lie squinted, smiling even more. “I’ve always been this way. It’s just that when I ran into you, it was during one of my lowest points, so…”

Anyone who had been hurt by close family members like that probably wouldn’t look too good.

Guan Yue smiled softly. “You’re doing great now. No matter what happens, you have to live well.”

“When my parents were still around, they always said that too. ‘Smile at life, and one day, life will smile back at you.'”

The phrase felt eerily similar to the idea that when you stare into the abyss, the abyss also stares back at you.

If you sink into negative emotions and can’t escape, one day, those emotions will certainly overwhelm you.

Gu Sui said: “It’s one thing for young people to have ideas, but you’re in an unfamiliar place. Don’t be too reckless, don’t risk everything.”

Qin Lie responded honestly: “You two saved me, so I’m not going to lie. My family has been in business for generations. I may not know much about farming, but business… I’ve learned a thing or two. Thanks for your concern, I’ve got a good sense of it.”

Gu Sui nodded. “Your friends are waiting for you, you should go.”

“Goodbye, Dr. Gu, Dr. Guan.”

Qin Lie’s table was across the room, and Guan Yue whispered: “How did he end up here?”

“He said he didn’t want to stay in his hometown and had nowhere to go. He must have heard we were here and decided to join the Qingsong Brigade.”

Guan Yue glanced at Qin Lie. He was in a worse situation than her; at least she didn’t have family members who wanted to harm her.

Gu Sui said: “Stop staring, eat quickly. After we finish, we’ll go see the movie.”

“I want to watch a romance.”

Gu Sui chuckled lightly. “There are plenty of war movies, but a romance film might be hard to come by.”