Gradually, I no longer had the strength to move around. It hurt too much. I asked Nurse Xiao Guo to find me a capable caregiver. The next day, Nurse Xiao Guo arranged for a caregiver. However, Gu Zhongming stopped her. He said, "Nuan Nuan, I will take care of you."
"I don't need that."
"Nuan Nuan..."
"I don't want to die in the hands of someone I know, okay?"
Gu Zhongming was at a loss for words.
"I don't want to be disgusted by you right before I die, is that okay?"
Gu Zhongming's face turned pale.
"I don't want to argue with you again before I die, is that okay?"
Gu Zhongming fell silent. I threw all the pillows, fruits, and food containers at him.
"Get out! Get out!"
Gu Zhongming half-squatted in front of me and said, "Nuan Nuan, let's go back to City Z; the medical conditions there are better."
"I'm not going back."
"Nuan Nuan, even if the treatment only prolongs life, I'm willing."
"I’m not willing."
"Nuan Nuan..."
"Gu Zhongming, do you have a thing for sickly beauties?"
He looked at me in pain.
"One day when you get some terminal illness, I will definitely take you to the vet to see if your habits can be cured."
"Gu Zhongming, I don't want your care anymore. I'm leaving!"
But Gu Zhongming didn't leave.
He silently took out a basin and placed it under me.
I threw up.
On Lantern Festival, Nurse Sister took a day off.
I agreed.
Gu Zhongming didn't leave; he was outside setting off fireworks.
I said, "I want to go out for a walk."
During our relationship, couples would usually go out on Lantern Festival.
Gu Zhongming took me to Snack Street.
I wanted fried chicken, grilled sausages, stinky tofu, grilled squid, grilled cold noodles, grilled pig trotters, grilled gluten, grilled bananas, and grilled quail eggs!
Oh right, and a bottle of soda!
I directed Gu Zhongming to buy various foods and drinks; since I couldn't carry anything myself, I made him my shopping cart.
Gu Zhongming advised me, "These aren't healthy; you should eat less."
"But I want to eat."
"Nuannuan..."
"Gu Zhongming, do you want me to die with regrets?"
"That's not what I mean..."
"Then why are you wasting time! Hurry up and buy!"
Suddenly, I said, "I want rice noodles."
Gu Zhongming was taken aback.
Because I knew a place that served delicious rice noodles, a place we used to go to often together.
But ever since Hua Ling appeared, I haven't been back.
"Nuan Nuan..."
"I want to eat at that rice noodle shop."
"Okay, I'll take you there."
Gu Zhongming took me there.
The Rice Noodle Shop was just as it always was, and the owner was still the same.
The owner remembered us and smiled, saying, "Wow, long time no see! Have you two gotten married? Any kids yet?"
Gu Zhongming replied, "We got married."
The owner happily said, "Congratulations! How old is your child?"
Gu Zhongming looked at me and then at the owner, but didn't say anything.
"But," the owner continued, "you two haven't changed at all over the years; that's really rare! Nowadays, young people break up and get together so often. It's hard to find couples like you!"
"Boss," I said, "please give us a bowl of rice noodles."
"Sure thing!"
The owner served us the rice noodles and even specially prepared a unique dish for us.
I was stunned: "Boss, did you bring the whole kitchen with you?"
The owner chuckled warmly: "Young lady, I heard you were unwell, so my wife and I made this. It has all sorts of ingredients in it, representing our heartfelt wishes."
I was completely at a loss for words.
I fought back tears and took a bite of the rice noodles.
They were delicious.
"Boss, this is really good; I haven't had it in many years. Thank you."
Tears still fell from my eyes.
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