Together Forever - Chapter 30
Volume 2, Chapter 30: Just Want to Be Together (3)
After hanging up, Gu Pingsheng remained seated in the brightly lit, bustling hotel lobby. Many people had stepped out for a smoke. He sat comfortably on the sofa, watching the fireworks display.
Countless streaks of white light shot into the sky, exploding in bursts of color.
What was Tianjin like?
He had never been there.
Gu Pingfan sat down beside him and patted his hand. When he looked at her, she smiled. “Grandpa asked about your girlfriend. I didn’t tell him she was your student. You know… he disapproves of relationships between teachers and students.”
“I know,” he said dismissively. “I used to disapprove of them too. Remember when you asked if I liked Tong Yan because she reminded me of my mother? It’s actually the opposite. Because of my mother, I hesitated for a while before pursuing this relationship.”
He had avoided her for two weeks back then.
He had even arranged for Zhao Yin to tutor her privately. He’d thought he had everything under control, that it was just a fleeting infatuation, and that avoiding her for a while would be best, certainly better than disrupting her life.
But that afternoon…
When he had sat beside her and told her he wouldn’t be tutoring her anymore, the flicker of disappointment in her eyes had softened his resolve.
He remembered her sitting by the window, the sunlight blurring the sharp edges of her features, only her eyes standing out. He hadn’t known anything about her family or her past relationships then, but he had a feeling she had endured much disappointment and pain.
Yet, despite all that, the emotions in her eyes remained warm and unguarded.
As if she had never been hurt.
Gu Pingfan handed him a cup of hot water.
He took it, murmuring his thanks, but didn't drink it.
“Your checkup results weren’t very good. Have you considered going back to the States for surgery?” Gu Pingfan decided to try one last time. “Although there are plenty of similar clinical cases here, I still think you should choose the best possible environment…”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted her. “I want to have the surgery at PUMCH.”
Gu Pingfan stared at him for a moment, then sighed. “You know, you can be really frustrating sometimes. You seem so easygoing, but you’re incredibly stubborn. Like your refusal to use a hearing aid. No matter what anyone says, you won't budge.”
“Thank you, Pingfan.”
He smiled gratefully, deflecting her concern disguised as complaint.
The new semester started just before the Lantern Festival.
Her grandmother was reluctant to let her leave, preparing both fried and boiled tangyuan (sweet rice balls). She ate them for two days straight, feeling like she was turning into a tangyuan herself.
As she pulled her suitcase out the door, she took out her phone and checked the flight information he had sent.
She had never flown before, and when Gu Pingsheng had suggested it, she had hesitated.
Being so reliant on his money made her feel like their relationship was unequal. But when she had earnestly explained her reasons, he hadn't seemed to mind, simply replying: Even if you save the money on this flight, it will still be yours eventually. Don’t worry about it.
She had smiled all afternoon after receiving that message.
He had a way with words, a way of making her feel cherished.
Worried about being late, she had allowed herself an hour and a half to get to the airport, but she arrived much earlier than expected.
Standing at Exit 10 of Terminal 2, she took out her phone and had just typed a few words when she felt someone’s arms wrap around her, shielding her from the cold.
Startled, her heart pounded before gradually calming down.
“Why are you here so early?” Gu Pingsheng’s voice was right next to her ear.
They hadn’t seen each other for over twenty days.
There was a strange sense of unfamiliarity, mixed with a flutter of excitement.
Tong Yan thought to herself, Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” he asked.
She quickly turned around, his smiling face so close. “I’m not quite used to this yet,” she admitted shyly. “I don’t know how to explain it…”
Gu Pingsheng took her suitcase, a smile playing on his lips. “I know. I was watching you walk over just now, and my heart was racing.” Tong Yan gasped, and before she could react, he took her hand and led her through the glass doors.
Once they were on the plane, settled in their seats, she finally started to process the fact that he was really here, beside her. As he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt, he noticed her staring at him.
“What?” he asked.
Tong Yan blinked playfully and whispered, “I missed you. So much. For twenty-some days.”
Her voice was so low it was almost a whisper.
He hummed in response. “Me too.”
The plane was about to take off, and the aisles were clear. Flight attendants made their final checks, reminding passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
Tong Yan sat by the window, and he turned slightly, facing her.
She remembered their first time at the cinema, him leaning towards her like this, his unexpected kiss shattering the boundaries of their teacher-student relationship… Or perhaps, the moment she had fallen for him, everything had already changed.
“Why did you suddenly change courses?” she finally asked.
“Because your grandmother wanted me to, at the very least, not be the one teaching you, the one grading your papers.” He added innocently, “Not that I think I would show any favoritism.”
He lowered his voice slightly.
Tong Yan hummed. “You’re so impartial…”
He smiled smugly. “What do you want to do when we get to Shanghai?”
She thought for a moment. “Let’s go to Jing’an Temple to burn incense. It’s still before the Lantern Festival.”
“What will you pray for?”
For safety. For the well-being of everyone she loved.
But she didn't tell him, instead saying thoughtfully, “I’ll pray that we can stay together forever and that no stunning beauties, like blonde bombshells or anything, will fall for you.”
He played along, teasing her, “Then I guess I have nothing to pray for. You’re not going to find anyone better than me.” She couldn’t help but laugh, then nodded seriously. “I think so too.”
Since it was a morning flight, they arrived at Hongqiao Airport around one in the afternoon.
Despite the early hour, by the time they reached Jing’an Temple, there weren't many worshippers left, mostly tourists. It was her first time visiting the temple, located in the heart of the city. After receiving their incense sticks, she realized how small it actually was. Just a few main halls. Looking up from the central courtyard, she could see the Jiuguang Department Store towering next door.
Just a wall separated them.
Inside, the scent of incense hung heavy in the air. Outside, the bustling streets of Shanghai.
She approached the burning oil lamps to light her incense, but a group of foreign tourists had taken the upwind spot, and the smoke made her eyes water. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and gave Gu Pingsheng a pitiful look. He immediately understood, taking the incense sticks from her.
As he approached, the young foreign women politely made space for him.
Tong Yan watched him ruefully. When he returned, she said, “I finally understand why you’re called ‘irresistibly charming’; it’s not just an empty title.” He handed her a bundle of incense, ignoring her teasing, and sighed dramatically. “This is a sacred place; please show some respect.”
He then clasped his hands together, holding the incense, bowed his head towards the massive Buddha statue in the main hall, and closed his eyes.
The afternoon sun cast a long shadow behind him.
He looked so peaceful, so devout.
Tong Yan forgot to make her own wish, her gaze fixed on his profile. When he opened his eyes and looked down at her, she asked curiously, “What did you pray for?”
He didn't answer, simply gesturing for her to make her own wish.
As they left the temple and stepped back onto the bustling city street, she was still wondering about his wish, lost in thought as she followed him. She didn't even realize where they were going until they stopped.
“What do you want to eat?” Gu Pingsheng looked at the food displayed in the glass case with interest. “Takoyaki? These grilled squid look good too. How about some okonomiyaki?”
Tong Yan followed his gaze, noticing the servers dressed in Japanese-style uniforms.
One of them was using a long bamboo skewer to turn a batch of takoyaki balls. The soft, puffed-up batter looked delicious.
“I want those,” she pointed at the takoyaki. “Six, three for each of us.”
Gu Pingsheng paused. “Three is an unlucky number. How about eight? Four each? No, that doesn’t work either.”
“Let’s get twelve then,” Tong Yan quickly calculated. “Six each.”
The cashier couldn't help but smile, glancing at them, puzzled by this attractive couple’s superstitious insistence on even numbers for their takoyaki.
As usual, Gu Pingsheng bought many snacks, and they found empty seats to sit down and share what were, to Tong Yan, quite exotic foods.
“This is delicious,” Tong Yan was pleased with her choice. “That grilled squid you picked is basically a variation of Shandong pancakes, and it tastes a bit fishy.” Gu Pingsheng watched her eat with a smile. After a moment, he said, “I prayed that I would stay healthy so I can continue to take care of you.”
His words sounded strange, but they instantly reminded Tong Yan of what the doctor had said.
She remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“Something happened during my internship at PUMCH. You know about my hearing loss, but there are other issues that aren't so obvious.” He seemed to enjoy the takoyaki, picking up a ball with his skewer. “Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, late stage. I need surgery to replace the hip joint.”
Tong Yan looked at him, still silent.
During the break, she had researched the long-term effects of SARS, so she was mentally prepared for any symptoms, including the avascular necrosis he had just mentioned. The high doses of steroids, while saving his life, had left him with lasting consequences.
Hip pain, lower back pain, knee pain, buttock pain, or groin pain…
Since he had said it was late stage, he must have already experienced these early symptoms. Although hip replacement surgery was an option, the long-term prognosis wasn't great. Once the prosthetic wore out after ten or twenty years, further treatment would be even more complicated, and his mobility would be uncertain.
She wasn’t a medical student; her knowledge came from online research.
But she was grateful she had done her research; it allowed her to remain calm. She believed that he, like her, didn’t need others’ needless worry; he just needed a supportive environment to deal with his challenges.
“So, I’m not changing courses next semester; I’m taking a leave of absence.” He spoke with his mouth slightly full. “I thought long and hard about how to tell you this.”
Having said his piece, he seemed to be looking for something to do, reaching for the last takoyaki ball with his skewer. Before he could take it, Tong Yan snatched it.
She wrinkled her nose, feigning annoyance. “Stealing my food already? Just you wait; when you’re old and can't walk, I won't take you out for your sunshine fix.”
She popped the takoyaki ball into her mouth.
Her appetite had vanished.
As she was basking in her petty triumph, he suddenly leaned in and, amidst the bustling crowd, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
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