Chapter 24.1 - Bamboo 竹叶
Shen Xifan returned home, and Shen’s father was in his study writing a report. She hesitated for a moment before finally pushing the door open. “Dad, I want to tell you something.”
Shen’s father paused his pen, took off his glasses, and smiled cheerfully. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
She squinted her eyes slightly, the smile at the corners of her mouth revealing her small happiness. “Dad, I’ve fallen for someone. That person is really great—good person, and treats me really well.” The image of He Suye flashed in her mind, and her smile deepened.
Shen’s father was naturally happy. “Ah, that’s great, that’s great! Dad supports you. Come on, tell me all about your boyfriend.”
Shen Xifan chuckled, a little embarrassed. “Oh, Dad, you’ve met him. He’s the handsome Chinese medicine doctor.”
“Oh?” Shen’s father wasn’t surprised at all, laughing heartily. “So it’s him! I thought you two looked pretty good together. I didn’t expect it… Haha… Not bad, not bad, that young man seems good!”
“But—” Her smile faded, and she said seriously, “But I’m leaving in a few days. I’ll be gone for a year, and my coursework will be very heavy. To be honest, I’m really not very confident.”
“Silly child,” Shen’s father chuckled, “Who do you lack faith in, yourself or him? Is it because of the past? Let the past be the past; why dwell on it? A year is neither long nor short.”
Shen Xifan bit her lip, silent. Shen’s father patted her shoulder, “Don’t think too much. Once you’ve made your decision, you must be responsible for your actions and words. You’ve worked hard for so many years; if you give up so easily, I think you will regret it. If you lose a relationship because of it, then that man isn’t worthy of your affection. This is a test for you, and it’s also a test for him.”
Her expression grew serious, thoughtful, “I think so too.”
Shen’s father spoke earnestly, “Face life calmly. Let things happen as they will, don’t be too demanding, and don’t avoid them. Life won’t make things hard for you this way.”
After their conversation, she went back to her room, lying quietly on the bed, pressing her hand to her chest, letting out a soft sigh.
Actually, it wasn’t that I lack faith in him, but that I lack faith in myself.
A year apart, how many changes might that bring? How will I bear such longing, waking up every night with my heart constantly on that person, not knowing where he might be? She was no longer the girl who would recklessly throw herself into love. As a responsible adult, there were too many things to consider. She stood at the tail end of her youth, weighing the few years left in her prime.
Can I really love again, she asked herself. That man, calm and composed, like green mountains and clear waters, always gave her a sense of inexplicable peace. His eyes were pure and serene, his palms warm, with a faint scent of traditional Chinese medicine, and when he smiled, his dimples deepened, making one fall for him.
Every time she met him, her heart stirred. Was it truly love? Then maybe I should try to love again.
The night outside was dark, but she no longer felt panic or loneliness. Even if she had to stay awake through the long night, she still firmly believed that after the dark night, there would be light.
This was her faith.
A few days later, Shen Xifan was packing her luggage at home, and her mother repeatedly reminded her, “Bring as much as you can. Things are expensive in America. You need to exchange RMB for USD; ten yuan is only one dollar there.”
Shen Xifan hurriedly agreed, carefully placing those prescriptions inside the most important book, and thought of the appointment with He Suye to visit Huatai Temple for a peace talisman. She couldn’t help but take out the prescriptions again to study them carefully.
His handwriting must have been practiced; the signature was truly beautiful, strong yet graceful, stable yet elegant, just like him.
She lay on the ground, resting her head on the suitcase, laughing foolishly at the three words, “I really don’t want to leave, what should I do?”
But this dream wasn’t something one could simply give up on.
