There is a small street near the house we rented in Beijing. Every evening, there are many stalls on the street. Some sell barbecue, some sell spicy hot pot, and some sell stir-fried rice noodles... Xu Zhiyuan and I often eat snacks by the roadside. One day, we invited Gui Zhi to join us for a meal. Gui Zhi is a very cheerful girl who loves to chat. We sat at a stall by the street, eating snacks and chatting.
"Xu Zhiyuan, you need to actively seek treatment," Gui Zhi encouraged. "Look at me; I'm doing just fine now!"
"Yeah," Xu Zhiyuan nodded.
"Gui Zhi, you are really brave," I said sincerely.
"Actually, I was scared at first," Gui Zhi laughed. "But then I realized I can't give up on life just because I'm sick."
"Gui Zhi, you're absolutely right," I nodded vigorously.
"So you both need to be strong," Gui Zhi smiled. "You will definitely get better."
"Yeah," Xu Zhiyuan and I nodded together.
...
Gui Zhi helped us find a hospital in Beijing. She contacted doctors in Beijing and made appointments for us with specialists. She even helped us rent a house. We were all very grateful to Gui Zhi.
"Gui Zhi, thank you so much," I said, touched.
"Don't mention it," Gui Zhi smiled. "We're friends."
"Yeah," I nodded vigorously.
...
Gui Zhi went back home. Her father came to pick her up. We watched as Gui Zhi left.
"Gui Zhi is really lucky," I remarked.
"Baby, you will be happy too," Xu Zhiyuan said softly.
"Yeah." I smiled, "Let's go."
I walked back with Xu Zhiyuan.
I had a bit to drink and was feeling a little tipsy.
I stepped on Xu Zhiyuan's shadow as we walked.
"Baby, don't step on me," Xu Zhiyuan laughed.
"I'm stepping on you," I said playfully.
"Baby..."
"Xu Zhiyuan, why are you afraid to add strange guys on WeChat?" I suddenly asked.
"I..." Xu Zhiyuan was taken aback.
"Are you a coward?" I questioned.
"Baby, we're different," Xu Zhiyuan said calmly.
I was busy with graduation.
Xu Zhiyuan was busy with chemotherapy.
The side effects of chemotherapy tortured him so much that he couldn't eat anything.
Three-quarters of his stomach had already been removed, and the little that remained could only digest liquid food.
"If only I could take your illness for you," I said.
"Silly," Xu Zhiyuan smiled, "Don't say that."
"I'm serious," I looked at Xu Zhiyuan earnestly.
"Baby, I know you care about me," Xu Zhiyuan said softly, "but I hope even more that you can be healthy and happy."
"Yeah." I nodded vigorously.
...
I started my busy life again.
I was busy writing my thesis, preparing for my defense, and graduating...
I didn't have much time to accompany Xu Zhiyuan.
I could only try to carve out some time to be with him.
I knew Xu Zhiyuan was very lonely.
But he never complained.
He always silently supported me, encouraged me, and made sure I didn't worry.
I graduated.
I took a lot of photos.
Photos with my classmates, photos with my teachers, photos with the campus...
I realized that every day in life only happens once and should be recorded.
I walked around the campus with Xu Zhiyuan.
We took pictures to commemorate the moment.
We took photos with friends.
Xu Zhiyuan also took pictures of my roommates.
We were all very happy.
...
Xu Zhiyuan is still undergoing chemotherapy.
I took him to explore the campus.
We took photos in various corners of the campus.
"When you shave your head completely, you won't be able to take pictures like this anymore," I said.
"Yeah," Xu Zhiyuan smiled, "So let's take more pictures while I still haven't fully worn a wig."
"Okay." I nodded vigorously.
...
On my birthday, Xu Zhiyuan and I were heading to a hospital.
We were going to meet with a specialist.
We sat on the bus.
"Babe, your shoes don't fit well," Xu Zhiyuan suddenly said.
"Huh?" I looked down, "They're okay."
"Go wait for me at the McDonald's up ahead," Xu Zhiyuan said, "I'll find you after I go to the hospital."
"But..."
"Just go," Xu Zhiyuan said softly, "I don't want you to walk too much."
"Alright." I nodded, "Then I'll wait for you at McDonald's."
"Okay."
I got off the car and walked into McDonald's.
I found a seat and sat down.
I looked around and noticed two high school students sitting next to me.
They seemed to be doing their homework.
The girl was holding a pen, writing something on paper.
The boy was watching her beside her.
After a while, the girl put down her pen, picked up the paper, and handed it to the boy.
The boy took the paper and started reading it.
The girl was saying something next to him.
The boy lowered his head, quietly listening.
He seemed to be secretly glancing at the girl.
Once she finished explaining the problem, she put away her paper and pen.
The boy quickly lowered his head, pretending to work on his homework.
The girl smiled, stood up, and left McDonald's.
The boy raised his head, staring at the girl's back, his eyes filled with tenderness and longing.
...
Watching this scene warmed my heart.
I envied them.
They had a bright youth ahead of them.
They had endless possibilities.
They could pursue the life they wanted.
They could realize their dreams.
They...
They could live healthily and happily.
...
Xu Zhiyuan came back.
His face was pale, and his eyes were red and swollen.
It was obvious that he had just been crying.
"Zhiyuan..." I looked at him with concern.
Xu Zhiyuan took out a small box and handed it to me.
I received the box and opened it to find a simple band ring inside.
"Happy birthday, baby," Xu Zhiyuan said softly.
"This..." I looked at the ring, stunned.
"I bought it for you last year on your birthday," Xu Zhiyuan said quietly. "I intended to give it to you that day, but you didn't come."
On my birthday last year, I was busy writing my thesis and forgot to inform Xu Zhiyuan. By the time I finished, it was already late at night.
"I'm sorry, baby," Xu Zhiyuan said apologetically. "I missed your birthday."
"It's okay," I shook my head. "I'm already very happy that you can be with me."
"Baby..." Xu Zhiyuan looked at me, his eyes reddening.
"Zhiyuan, I'm really happy," I said with a smile. "Just having you with me is enough."
"Baby..." Xu Zhiyuan choked up.
"Zhiyuan, we will be okay," I said firmly.
"Yeah," Xu Zhiyuan nodded vigorously.
...
I took out the ring and put it on my ring finger.
The ring was beautiful. Simple and unadorned, yet filled with deep love.
"Do you like it?" Xu Zhiyuan asked.
"I like it," I nodded vigorously.
"That's good," Xu Zhiyuan smiled.
...
We walked out of McDonald's.
The night breeze was cool, and I couldn't help but shiver.
Xu Zhiyuan reached out and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
We walked down the street at night.
The streetlights illuminated us.
Our shadows intertwined together.
"Zhiyuan, will we be together forever?" I asked.
"Of course," Xu Zhiyuan said softly, "we will always be together."
"Mm." I nodded vigorously.
...
We returned to the rental apartment.
I lay on the bed, looking at the ring.
Xu Zhiyuan was lying beside me.
He reached out and gently stroked my hair.
"Baby, you should go to sleep early," Xu Zhiyuan said softly.
"Mm." I nodded and closed my eyes.
I fell asleep.
I had a dream.
I dreamed that Xu Zhiyuan and I got married.
We were wearing wedding dresses and suits, standing in a church.
We vowed to each other, expressing our deepest feelings.
We promised each other that no matter life or death, we would never be separated.
...
I woke up.
It was dawn.
Sunlight streamed through the window.
Xu Zhiyuan was still asleep.
He was sleeping soundly.
His brows were tightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.
I reached out and gently smoothened his brow.
"Zhiyuan, you must get better soon," I whispered, "we still have to get married."
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