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He finished his playful remark with a smirk, then gently brushed her nose with his fingers before letting her go.
Although she knew that Zhou Xuanyu was all talk and no action, Junxi's heart couldn't help but race wildly in her chest, causing her body to tremble slightly.
The room fell silent in an instant, as if the only sounds left in the world were his breathing and her heartbeat.
She turned her face, finding Zhou Xuanyu lying beside her. He had closed his eyes, resting his elbow on his forehead, and a prominent scar was hidden within the hairline on his forehead.
The origin of that scar was something she would never forget in this lifetime.
That year was one that Qingcheng would remember and reflect upon deeply. It was the year when a severe explosion occurred in Jiaoyang County of Qingcheng.
Such a shocking tragedy came unexpectedly.
After the explosion, Zhou Xuanyu, who had just graduated from military school, along with several friends, volunteered to go to Jiaoyang for support.
The place was engulfed in flames, and another explosion could happen at any moment... Just thinking about it made it clear how dangerous it was.
Zhou Xuanyu's parents had passed away early, and his only older brother was abroad on business at the time. No one could persuade him or stop him.
On the day he left, Qingcheng was bathed in bright sunlight. Junxi stood on her family's second-floor balcony wearing her mother's wide-brimmed straw hat, watching as his off-road vehicle roared like a lone beast, disappearing into the scorching sun.
And then there was no news...
Junxi sat in front of the television every day, anxiously watching reports from the front lines. How many aftershocks occurred there? How many people were buried under collapsed buildings? The cold numbers of casualties kept rising, and her heart sank lower and lower.
It was the first time that little Junxi profoundly felt the meaning of disaster. And because of Zhou Xuanyu's involvement in this disaster, she felt it even more acutely...
Five days and nights passed, and she finally waited for him to return.
Zhou Xuanyu had grown thin and dark, with a wound on his forehead that had become infected due to not being treated in time. When he was brought back, he was burning with fever, just as he was now.
The one who brought him back was a friend who had gone with him. The man looked just as disheveled, but whenever he spoke of Zhou Xuanyu, his eyes would redden several times.
He explained that everyone else had been assigned to carry the injured after the second minor explosion. They were all moved to a safe area for logistics, but Zhou Xuanyu insisted on staying at the front line, citing his systematic training from military school and his medical experience.
After much consideration, the Medical Team allowed him to stay. Thus, the Firefighter fought bravely in the flames while he was at the closest point to the inferno, assisting the injured who were escaping.
For five whole days, he followed the Search and Rescue Team under the scorching sun and biting wind, managing to sleep no more than ten hours in total and hardly eating properly.
On the first day in the disaster area, his forehead was struck by a medical tent. In fact, he hadn’t been there when the explosion occurred; he had rushed in to save a little girl inside…
After being injured, he didn’t want to trouble other rescuers and roughly treated his wound before continuing his efforts. Four days later, when the infection set in, he finally collapsed… Before he could no longer hold on, he apologized to his team leader, saying he might become a burden.
The medical team leader, who had participated in countless rescue operations, broke down in tears on the spot…
Junxi watched from afar as he was taken back to his room. Seizing the moment when the adults were distracted, she quietly followed the doctor invited by the Zhou family into his room.
Zhou Xuanyu was already awake. He lay on the bed looking dazed, as if his body had returned but his heart remained elsewhere.
The doctor was an elderly man who examined Zhou Xuanyu's wounds while praising his bravery. He shook his head in a daze and choked up as he spoke of those young firefighters who risked their lives in the blaze, saying they were the true heroes.
"Zhou Xuanyu, you are already amazing," she suddenly interjected from where she perched at the foot of his bed.
Only then did Zhou Xuanyu and the elderly doctor notice that she had come in too.
“Junxi. Come here.” He patted his bed.
Junxi slipped off her little slippers, pressed down on the foot of the bed, and with a soft thud, jumped up. She crawled to his side, noticing the faint scars on his arm. Not daring to touch him, she sat cross-legged beside him, watching him quietly.
The Elderly Doctor glanced at Junxi and asked, “I heard the girl you saved is about the same age as this little one?”
Zhou Xuanyu's gaze softened as he nodded.
“A disaster like this is truly too cruel for a child,” the Elderly Doctor sighed.
Zhou Xuanyu raised his hand and gently stroked Junxi's head, nodding again.
The room fell silent; no one spoke.
After finishing with his wounds, the Elderly Doctor stepped outside. Many people were waiting to inquire about his condition, but no one dared to disturb him. She was a lucky exception, having received his protection.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, her big, shiny eyes staring at his wound.
“Not really.”
She pouted, seemingly unconvinced, and continued to ask, “What were you thinking when you rushed in to save her? Weren't you afraid of dying?”
At that time, she didn’t fully understand life and death yet, but her serious demeanor resembled that of a little adult.
Zhou Xuanyu curled his lips into a faint smile; the emptiness in his eyes flickered with a hint of light because of her. He answered her earnestly, “I didn’t really think about life or death. I was just wondering if my little Junxi was inside, could I leave her behind?”
The answer could be gleaned from the worsening state of his wounds: he could not…
Zhou Xuanyu was feeling better; after taking some medicine and sleeping for half a day, he woke up to find his fever had subsided.
The rain that had poured for a day and night finally stopped, and warm sunlight broke through the clouds, enveloping the freshly washed city once again.
He got out of bed and started changing his clothes.
"Where are you going?"
"First, I'm taking you out to eat. After that, we'll go to Old Bridge for a boat ride."
"You’re still not fully recovered; you should rest a bit longer. There's no need to rush."
Zhou Xuanyu was putting on his watch when he glanced at the face of it and reminded her in a serious tone, "Junxi, our flight is tomorrow evening."
Junxi paused for a moment; she understood that once the plane landed in Qingcheng, their "amore" relationship would come to an end. Every minute and second they had together now was precious.
She nodded. "Okay."
Junxi returned to her room to change clothes, and after she was ready, she met Zhou Xuanyu in the hallway.
He took her to eat authentic Italian pasta. After his fever had gone down, Zhou Xuanyu had a good appetite, which finally put Junxi at ease.
Old Bridge, officially known as Vasari Bridge, was built in 1345 and is the oldest bridge still standing in Florence. On both sides of the bridge were shops selling gold jewelry.
The pricing in these shops was quite unique; the owners did not weigh or sell gold by weight. They emphasized craftsmanship and welcomed those who could appreciate the beauty of these exquisite pieces...
After finishing their meal, Junxi pulled Zhou Xuanyu along as they strolled slowly to help with digestion.
On the Vasari Bridge, love locks were visible everywhere. The townspeople said that if a couple locked a love lock engraved with their names onto the bridge, their love would last forever.
Junxi translated this for Zhou Xuanyu, who simply smiled without saying a word.
Words like "forever" might touch someone like Junxi, but for someone as seasoned as Zhou Xuanyu, such phrases were beneath his notice, mere tricks to deceive young girls.
As they walked away from the jewelry shop selling locks, she frequently glanced back. Zhou Xuanyu was observant; he couldn't possibly be unaware of her thoughts.
"Junxi, if you want..."
"No need." Junxi looked up at him, forcing a smile. "I know we're just pretending. Even real couples can't guarantee forever; there's no need for us to deceive ourselves."
Zhou Xuanyu noticed her slightly reddened eyes and sighed softly. He turned her around and started walking back.
"Where are we going? Aren't we supposed to take a boat?"
His pace was quick, and she stumbled to keep up with him.
"We're going to buy a lock."
"Really, it's not necessary. I can do without it..."
"I know you want it." He turned back, his gaze warm. "No matter what, I'll give you what you want."
Tears welled up in Junxi's eyes instantly. She desperately wanted to rush forward and hug him while he walked ahead, asking him if it could be more than just three days.
But she knew she shouldn't push her luck.
It took more than ten minutes to pick the lock, and engraving required even more time, yet Zhou Xuanyu remained remarkably patient. The jewelry store was large, and while she chatted with the owner, he wandered around the shop by himself.
"Junxi," he suddenly called out to her.
Junxi ran over, and he pointed to a small jade sheep beneath the glass display case, asking her, "Do you like this?"
The jade was of excellent quality, with the sheep's head carved so vividly that it seemed alive. The entire pendant was connected by a red string, giving it a youthful appearance that radiated vitality. How could she not like it?
"I remember that sheep is your zodiac sign."
She remained silent, and he added another comment on his own.
Before Junxi could respond, he gestured for the staff to take out the pendant. The staff handed it to him, and he untied the red string, holding it up to her slender neck as if to put it on her.
"What are you doing?" she pressed down on the pendant.
"I'm giving it to you."
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