Chapter 19.1 - Buckwheat 荞麦
Today, Shen Xifan handed in her resignation and collected her final paycheck. From this point on, she would be an unemployed young woman.
Leaving the general manager’s office, she felt lighthearted. She took one last look at the hotel, a place she had worked for four years, a place she had developed deep feelings for. It had recorded some of the most important moments of her life.
She recalled her first day at the hotel, holding the recommendation letter, feeling confused as she watched people coming and going. She was blankly led to the manager’s office by the secretary, and half an hour later, her legs were still shaking. When she signed the contract officially, she joked about being a hotel person in life and a hotel soul in death. Little did she know, three years would pass by in the blink of an eye.
From now on, there would be a longer and more difficult road ahead, she told herself.
When she got home, she took a long nap. After dinner, she went online to chat with Su Shan. Ever since Li Jie’s birthday, she and Su Shan had grown closer, maybe because they shared common interests. They got along so well, speaking about everything, as if they had known each other forever.
Unexpectedly, Su Shan dropped a bombshell, “Can you be my bridesmaid?”
Shen Xifan was taken aback, then quickly sent a smile emoji. “So fast! I’d be honored.”
Su Shan teased her, “Do you have time tomorrow afternoon? Can you come with me to pick out the bridesmaid dresses, then we’ll have a meal together and maybe watch a good show?”
Without thinking much, Shen Xifan immediately replied, “Sure, just let me know the time and place, and call me.”
The next day, when they went to try on dresses, Shen Xifan was stunned to find out that the wedding dress had already been chosen and prepared. It was actually for her bridesmaid’s outfit. After picking out dresses for the afternoon, Shen Xifan, holding two dresses and two pairs of shoes, couldn’t help but remark, “I’ve always hoped to wear a bridesmaid’s dress first before wearing a wedding dress, but I’ve already been a bridesmaid twice.”
Su Shan chuckled, “Looks like the line of people wanting to marry you is long, and they’re spoilt for choice.”
Shen Xifan shook her head and changed the subject, “Su Shan, don’t you think getting married to Li Jie now is a bit early?”
Su Shan raised an eyebrow, “Early? Not at all. Sometimes, when you meet the right person, you just want to spend every minute, every second with them. Life is so short, and we only have a few decades to live with the one we love. It makes time feel even more precious.”
Shen Xifan sighed, “I’m so jealous! You have to give me double the red envelope as punishment!”
That evening, they met at a Cantonese teahouse, where they had dishes like drunken shrimp, fragrant eggplant casserole, shark fin soup dumplings, crab porridge, steamed bass with garlic and fruit peel, and Peking duck. Even the appetizer of sliced white meat with bitter melon and dried pufferfish was exquisite. Unfortunately, the six men at the table — actually, five men and one boy — were loudly chatting, and their attention was nowhere near the food.
When Shen Xifan and Su Shan walked into the private room, they saw Fang Kexin holding a piece of rope, looking as ordinary as could be. She waved at them both, “Hurry up, hurry up! If you’re late, you’ll miss the good show!”
Su Shan pursed her lips and smiled. “You’re here, you’re here.” She glanced at the rope in Fang Kexin’s hand and teased, “Kexin, I hope all these ropes are the same length, don’t cover up for your senior brother!”
Fang Kexin spat at her playfully, “I should’ve gotten you a longer rope so your husband could teach you a lesson!”
Only Shen Xifan was confused, frozen in place, with He Shouzheng on the opposite side winking at her. She muttered to herself, “What’s going on here?”
Su Shan pulled her down to sit. Qiu Tian reached out to take the rope from Fang Kexin, explaining as he did, “So, the five of us…” He paused, then turned to He Shouzheng, “Hey, He Shouzheng, are we bros?”
He Shouzheng snorted, “Of course, I even know about Li Jie’s make-up exam in his junior year!”
He Suye let out a small laugh, ruffling He Shouzheng’s head, “Little guy, are you sure you want to be the best man?”
Shen Xifan was left speechless. She pointed to the rope, still confused. “Are you guys… going to have some sort of duel for the position of best man?”
Su Shan and Fang Kexin nodded gravely in response.
Qiu Tian swung the rope in front of her for a moment, and Shen Xifan couldn’t make out what was happening. All she saw was the rope knots twisting, and in the blink of an eye, a perfectly neat knot appeared before her. “This is called a surgical knot. Whoever can tie the most in a minute gets to be the best man.”
This was the first time she focused intently on the hands of a surgeon, and she couldn’t help but feel a deep, unspoken respect. A qualified doctor, even as a medical student, has to undergo such rigorous training.
But it was also the first time she truly observed He Suye’s hands so closely. His hands were long and slender, with well-defined joints, exuding a sense of calm and strength. Especially when he tied the surgical knot—his movements were so fluid and precise, like playing the piano. His fingertips seemed to effortlessly create an incredible, elegant melody.
