Heartfelt

Author: Hu Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: He Qianqian was my ex-girlfriend and taught music at an elementary school. We dated for a month and fought thirty times. Basically, we argued every day, and if we couldn’t see each other, we’d argue over the phone. Even if we made up that day, we’d definitely have another fight the next day. Strangely enough, after breaking up, she found another boyfriend, and our relationship actually became cordial. We became good friends who could talk about anything. We still keep in touch often, but there’s no longer any ambiguity—just a healthy and pure friendship.
One day, I called He Qianqian to tell her that I had fallen for Yaoyao and wanted her to give me some advice. Unexpecte...
dly, when the call connected, I heard her voice sounding extremely weary. Turns out, she had just undergone surgery for acute appendicitis and was lying in a hospital bed. Upon hearing the news that He Qianqian had surgery, I took a half-day off work and rushed to visit her without hesitation.
This renowned tertiary-level Grade-A hospital, located outside North Third Ring Road, consists of several buildings. The white, neatly arranged buildings are scattered across the yard, exuding tranquility and peace. At the flower shop near the hospital entrance, I bought the largest flower basket they had. Since it was my first time here, I felt like a headless fly holding a huge basket, bumping around the hospital in confusion. After multiple inquiries, I finally found her room.
When I pushed the door open, I saw her with a pale and haggard face, her hair slightly disheveled. She was quietly lying on the bed, flipping through a magazine laid flat on it with her right hand, while an intravenous needle was inserted into her left hand.
"You’re here. See? I told you not to come, but you did." He Qianqian put down the magazine and gestured for me to sit down.
"Hey, you’re like this, how could I not come see you?"
"Come on, you still have time to date that of yours!"
The speaker didn’t mean it, but the listener took it to heart. I froze for a moment, thinking: It’s been over a week since I last saw Yao Yao. I should definitely ask her out.
"Boss, you’re not sitting. Why are you just standing there staring blankly?" He Qianqian’s words broke my train of thought, so I smiled and sat down. Seeing her current state, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy. After all, she was once my ex-girlfriend! I pulled the chair closer and asked with concern, "Qianqian, does it still hurt?"
"Oh, come on, it’s nothing like that. It doesn’t hurt anymore." As she used a wooden comb to smooth her hair, she said to me. I noticed the comb in her hand was one I had bought her during our relationship. The familiar comb triggered memories of our past. She caught on to my thoughts and said playfully, "Hey! Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t bring a comb when I came, so my mom brought me one this morning. You shouldn’t be getting any ideas—I’m taken!"
We both burst into laughter, drawing curious glances from the people in the neighboring beds. At that moment, He Qianqian’s boyfriend walked in. As her ex-boyfriend, I was in the past tense, while she was in the present. His arrival made me feel even more awkward as a past-tense entity. After a few polite exchanges, I quickly excused myself.
In September, Beijing was still sweltering hot. Looking up at the clear sky and bright sunshine, I thought it would be a good time to ask Yao Yao out. Yao Yao was probably busy working, so calling her directly might be too intrusive. We had a tacit understanding about this. If I called her during work hours, I’d text her first and wait for her to call me back when she was free. So I sent her a text:
"I paint the blue Jiang River flowing gently,
Falling in love with the late autumn maple leaves, sorrowful.
The autumn moon shines softly on the temple,
Incense smoke curls around the scripture pavilion."
It was Tang Bohu’s "I Love Autumn Fragrance."
Holding my phone, I walked toward the hospital entrance. Just as I reached the door, my phone started vibrating. The caller ID displayed Yao Yao’s company number. That little girl, she answered so quickly today. The voice on the other end was Yao Yao’s soft and melodic voice:
"Hey, drunk? You said you miss me, but you don’t have to write poems!"
"What? Not drunk. The moment I think of you, I get drunk—you’re even stronger than alcohol!"
After a week of texting and calling, we were already very casual with each other.
"Ugh, you’re such a tease. What’s up? I’m at work right now."
"Oh, here’s two things: I miss you. Second thing: tomorrow’s Saturday, let’s hang out."
"Let’s talk about it tonight. I don’t know if I’ll be free tomorrow."
What if she said she was busy at night? The longer we talked, the more dreams I’d have.
"Let’s not talk tonight. Tomorrow, I’m busy all day. But since I miss you so much, meet at Zhongyou’s main gate at eleven. No show, no stay!"
"Can’t handle you, alright? Fine, no show, no stay, bye!"
Yao Yao said it with a hint of exasperation but still in her cute voice.
"Bye!"
Done. Satisfied, I hung up the phone.
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