Perhaps she would spend the rest of her life by his tombstone.

Going to work alone every day, coming home alone, buying groceries, cooking meals, chatting with colleagues, playing with the village children.

She wouldn't return to Yan Jing; she would buy a house here; the money she earned would be enough to support herself.

When she was older, she would get a dog, and when she could no longer work, she would set up a small stool outside her house, staying near his grave, watching the sun rise and set.

Oh, right, she’d have to arrange for her own funeral in advance.

Burying next to him was impossible; he was a national relic, after all.

So, she’d settle for a small mound in the scenic area or on the nearest hill.

Or perhaps, after some time, she would simply forget.

She would grow tired, weary, pack her things, and go back.

Blind dates, marriage, children—living the life a normal person should live.

This man, those memories, would eventually fade into a hazy dream, maybe vaguely recalled in her old age, but the faces and the events already blurred beyond clarity.

Who knew? Life had to go on, didn't it? But the short term would certainly be affected.

Look, she was seeing that man’s face in everyone she looked at...

Qi Yue lowered her head and walked past the man ahead of her.

This wicked woman is startled! Chang Yuncheng couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hey, surprise!" He turned around and called out.

Qi Yue, head lowered, felt a sharp sting in her nose, and large tears streamed down her face.

Everyone was right; she was a person of self-control.

She had to separate reality from dreams.

She couldn't let the dream interfere with her life.

She was Qi Yue, the Qi Yue who could live well, live perfectly well, no matter what.

She could raise her hand to wipe the tears, but she couldn't stop the surging flow.

She could control the silence, but she couldn't close her mouth.

Chang Yuncheng stopped laughing.

He took a step to catch up, silently watching the woman walk while crying soundlessly, wiping her nose and tears with her sleeve like a small child. "Yue Niang, it really is me," he said, his voice also a little rough. "I’ve come.

If you wouldn't come find me, I’d come find you." Crying, Qi Yue hurried through the back door and down the corridor.

She startled many people along the way.

Those who knew her and those who didn't stared in astonishment. "Doctor Qi? What's wrong?" someone dared to ask. "I'm fine," Qi Yue replied through her tears. "I’m just too tired.

I’ll rest a bit and be fine.

I’ll be fine, you don’t need to worry about me..." She spoke while weeping, her feet never slowing, as if answering others, yet also talking to herself.

Under the astonished gaze of the crowd, she walked into the dormitory.

This was her temporary accommodation.

The County Hospital initially wanted her to stay, but she insisted on going to Nanzhai Township.

However, because her participation in surgery was required, the room was kept for her.

Qi Yue had given one clinical lecture here.

So, she had stayed here before too.

She pushed the door open and went straight toward the single bed. "I'm just tired; I'll be fine after a little sleep," she continued to cry.

Chang Yuncheng followed behind her.

But before he could enter, noisy footsteps approached from behind. "Hey, hey, who are you? What are you doing?" It turned out the Director and others, having learned of Qi Yue’s distress, had rushed over and saw this man about to enter Qi Yue's room.

Who am I? Chang Yuncheng paused, turned around, and took something from his pocket, handing it over.

The Director took it, momentarily stunned.

An ID card... "No.

I mean, what are you doing here? What’s going on with Doctor Qi..." he quickly asked again. "Oh.

I’m her man," Chang Yuncheng replied.

Her man? The Director and the others were even more confused.

Doctor Qi’s file stated she was unmarried... "Boyfriend?" the Director asked, a note of caution in his voice.

A nearby security guard leaned in to whisper. "The people who were blocking the entrance last night, that was him...

And he’s the one who escorted Doctor Qi in," the guard murmured.

The people present then seemed to grasp the situation.

A doctor from Yan Jing suddenly wanting to practice in a small county town...

the emotional breakdown upon meeting...

this man escorting her... "The Public Security Bureau mentioned he’s from the Central Guard Regiment," the guard added quietly.

At this, all suspicion vanished.

It seemed to be the tangled romance, the love and hate, of a couple breaking up and reconciling... "Very well," the Director extended his hand, glancing at the ID Chang Yuncheng offered. "Comrade Chang, Doctor Qi just finished surgery; let her rest well.

Whatever it is, you can discuss it later." Chang Yuncheng shook his hand and nodded.

The people by the door dispersed, and only then did Chang Yuncheng step inside, closing the door softly behind him.

The place this woman stayed was always so spartan...

a table, a bed...

so simple it seemed she might leave at any moment...

so simple, as if she were just a passing traveler...

The woman was curled up in the bed, still dressed, clutching a quilt.

It seemed in this brief moment, she had already fallen deeply asleep.

Chang Yuncheng walked over.

The curled woman faced away, occasionally letting out a soft sob. "Yue Niang," he called.

Qi Yue kept her eyes closed, trembling slightly, her pillowcase soaked with tears. "I’m just too tired; I’ll rest for a bit and be fine, just sleep it off..." she mumbled. "I’ll be okay, I’ll be okay, I’ll be alright..." Chang Yuncheng stopped speaking.

He lay down beside her, reaching out to pull the woman and her quilt close in his embrace. "You will be fine; you just need to sleep," the woman in his arms muttered without opening her eyes. "Yes, you will be fine; just sleep it off," Chang Yuncheng whispered behind her, hugging her tighter. "Go to sleep, sleep well.

Haven't you slept properly in a long time? Sleep well now..." When Qi Yue woke up, the room was pitch black.

For a moment, she blinked in the darkness, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "A'ru?" she parted her lips, letting out a faint sound.

No one answered.

She opened her mouth again, but ultimately couldn't call out that name.

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness—though it wasn't complete darkness; light seeped in from the gaps under the door and the window.

The room began to lighten up.

This faint light also brought her back to her senses.

There would be no more of those people...

She sat up, feeling the cold dampness around her neck.

She reached up to touch it.

The pillowcase and quilt were soaked through again. "Wash them before leaving," she murmured to herself, her hand hovering over the light switch by the bed, yet hesitating to press it.

Her gaze drifted to the outer edge of the bed—it was empty...

just as always...

and destined to be empty for a long time to come...

So...

a good sleep would fix everything.

With a flick of her wrist, there was a soft snap, and the light came on.

The brightness dispelled the darkness, and the air in the room seemed to circulate again.

Qi Yue let out a breath and swung her legs off the bed, standing up. "What time is it?" she asked herself, looking at the watch on her wrist.

Seven ten. "The cafeteria is probably out of food; I’ll eat out," she said.

She walked simply to the faucet and washed her face.

In the mirror, the woman’s face was pale, making her swollen, red eyes stand out even more.

Her hair was tied up in a messy bun because of the surgery.

She hadn't unwrapped it before sleeping, and now it was utterly disheveled.

Qi Yue made a face at her reflection. "I'll scare people to death looking like this," she remarked.

Because she had come in a hurry, she hadn't brought her toiletries or makeup.

She just dampened her hair slightly with water and tried to shape it with her hands. "There, that’s presentable enough," she observed after a moment. "I might as well ask if there’s a car.

I should drive back to the health center tonight." Having made the decision, she pulled open the door and stepped out.

The door opened, and the bustling activity outside washed over her.

Just woken up, the night air felt a little cool.

She couldn't help hugging her arms. "Doctor Qi..." People coming and going who knew her saw her and greeted her with a smile.

Qi Yue nodded and returned the greeting with a smile. "Is Director Wang still here?" she asked.

The person thought for a moment. "Still here, I think.

The Public Security people just left," she replied.

Qi Yue offered a word of thanks and quickly walked forward.

Although night had fallen, the hospital was still lively.

People moved back and forth continuously.

As she crossed the corridor, a voice called from ahead. "Qi Yue Niang." The man shouted.

Qi Yue abruptly stopped her steps, closed her eyes, and trembled slightly.

Then she opened her eyes again.

A man in the crowd opposite strode toward her, carrying a plastic bag wrapped around food containers. "You’re awake? I bought dinner.

Let’s go back to your room and eat," Chang Yuncheng said, holding up the containers.

Qi Yue took a deep breath.

The streetlights.

The exterior lights of the outpatient building made everything around her seem somewhat unreal.

She lifted her foot and continued forward.

Chang Yuncheng smiled and walked to meet her.

But the woman brushed past him and hurried into the building.

This wicked woman...

what now? He paused, turning back, only to see Qi Yue already stepping into the outpatient clinic.

Truly...

Chang Yuncheng shook his head and followed her in.

Qi Yue had already entered the administrative duty room. "Director Wang," she called out with a smile.

Director Wang, who was leaning over the water dispenser preparing tea, immediately stood up. "Doctor Qi, you're awake.

The cafeteria has prepared a meal; go eat quickly," he said.

Before Qi Yue could speak, the man behind her spoke first. "No need, I bought food," Qi Yue paused slightly, not turning around, still smiling slightly at Director Wang.

Director Wang responded with an "Oh." "Director, is there still a car available? I want to rush back to the health center," Qi Yue continued. "Oh, how can that be? It's so late; you should stay the night," Director Wang shook his head firmly.

As Qi Yue was about to speak again, the man behind her spoke first once more. "It’s fine; if she wants to go back, she can go.

I brought the car," he stated.

Qi Yue took a deep breath and looked at Director Wang. "I..." she started to say.

Director Wang was already looking past her. "Comrade Chang, it’s already dark, and the mountain roads are tricky.

Let’s wait until tomorrow," he said with a smile to Chang Yuncheng. "Besides, we owe you a lot today.

Everything is arranged; we must express our local hospitality.

Comrade Chang, you absolutely cannot refuse tomorrow’s dinner engagement with the County Committee, County Government, and Public Security Bureau people..." As he spoke, he set down his teacup, intending to step forward to offer a sincere invitation to stay.

Qi Yue reached out and grabbed his arm. "Director Wang..." she called out, looking at him.

Her expression was ashen, her eyes wide with terror.

Director Wang was startled. "What is it?" he asked quickly. "You...

you..." Qi Yue stammered, slowly and stiffly turning her head to look behind her, "...you...

can you see...

the person who appeared in my hallucination?" The man behind her had the same face, the same voice, the same demeanor as that other man, only dressed differently.

Could it be that he wasn't a figment of her imagination? How could anyone else see him?