Sang Zhi left Duan Jiaxu’s apartment and walked to the elevator, waiting for it to arrive. She absentmindedly took out her phone and checked it, then put it back into her pocket. The elevator arrived just in time.
Inside stood a woman with delicate features, dressed in designer clothes, and a strong scent of perfume around her. She seemed to be making a phone call to someone, but the other party wasn’t answering, so her expression wasn’t too pleasant.
The woman glanced at Sang Zhi and exited the elevator.
Sang Zhi followed and stepped into the elevator.
Just before the elevator doors closed, Sang Zhi saw that the woman seemed to be heading in the direction of Duan Jiaxu’s apartment. Though it could have been the adjacent one as well.
Sang Zhi lowered her gaze, not giving much thought to the incident.
By the time Sang Zhi arrived at the hospital, it was already around eight o’clock.
She entered the ward and noticed that the other bed was occupied by an elderly gentleman in his sixties or seventies. Sitting beside him was a middle-aged man who appeared to be his son.
The three men of varying ages were engaged in conversation.
Sang Zhi placed the bags she was carrying on the table.
Noticing the movement, Duan Jiaxu turned his head, his eyelashes fluttering slightly. “Why did you bring so much stuff?”
Sang Zhi, tired and slightly breathless, immediately sat down on a chair and took off her coat. “It’s not that much, I think we might need it all.”
Duan Jiaxu glanced into the bags, then calmly asked, “Why bring so many clothes?”
”I only brought two sets of clothes, plus an extra coat that you can wear when it gets cold.” Sang Zhi took a bottle from her bag, took a sip of water, and continued, “I also brought a charger and some other things you might need.”
Duan Jiaxu nodded. “Have you eaten?”
”Not yet.” Sang Zhi suddenly remembered, although she didn’t feel hungry. “I came straight after class, so I didn’t have time. I’ll go eat in a bit.”
Hearing this, Duan Jiaxu glanced at the time. “It’s already eight o’clock, and you haven’t eaten.”
Sang Zhi pulled out a piece of chocolate to nibble on, and took out her phone to reply to a message. “I’m not very hungry right now, I’ll go eat in a little while.”
”Go eat now.”
”…” Sang Zhi raised her eyes, feeling a bit displeased. “I’m not saying I won’t eat. I just brought so much stuff over, can’t you let me sit for a while?”
The elderly gentleman in the neighboring bed suddenly spoke up at this moment, smiling warmly. “Young man, is this your wife?”
”…”
Sang Zhi’s irritation vanished in an instant. She looked up suddenly, almost choking on her own saliva.
Duan Jiaxu’s expression stiffened, then he burst into laughter and replied somewhat absurdly, “Sir, how did you figure out that she’s my wife?”
The old man looked at Sang Zhi, his face full of kindness. “The young girl is really beautiful.”
Worried that Sang Zhi might feel embarrassed, Duan Jiaxu spoke up again. “Sir, she’s my sister, not my wife.”
Upon hearing this, the old man turned to Duan Jiaxu. “Oh, I know your wife is pretty.”
Sang Zhi: “…”
Duan Jiaxu: “…”
The middle-aged man spoke up at this point, a bit embarrassed. “I’m sorry, my dad’s hard of hearing, so he didn’t say much just now.”
He leaned over to his father’s ear and raised his voice. “Dad, she’s someone’s sister, not his wife. She’s a sister, not a wife.”
The old man responded with an understanding “Ah” and nodded as if he had just realized. “Not married yet, huh?”
Sang Zhi, standing by, felt anxious and couldn’t help but interject, “Grandpa, no, it’s not that kind of relationship.”
”Young man, you don’t seem too young. Why aren’t you married yet?” The old man continued, “You can’t keep a young girl waiting for too long.”
”…”
Sang Zhi felt like she was suffocating.
Duan Jiaxu couldn’t hold back his laughter, his chest heaving. “Sir, could you please not make me laugh? I still have a wound on my stomach.”
The old man became serious. “Young man, I’m not joking with you. Your partner is so beautiful and caring. If you don’t cherish her, you’ll regret it.”
Duan Jiaxu gave up the struggle. “Alright, I understand.”
Sang Zhi was still struggling. “Grandpa, really, it’s not like that.”
”Young man, you better treat her well.” The old man spoke with earnestness. “The young girl even brought so many things for you, and she doesn’t mind.”
Duan Jiaxu nodded. “Okay.”
”…” Sang Zhi couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m leaving.”
Hearing this, Duan Jiaxu turned around. Noticing Sang Zhi’s expression, he restrained the smile at the corner of his lips, cleared his throat, and said in a serious tone, “Don’t take this too seriously. He can’t hear clearly, just treat it as a joke, okay?”
Sang Zhi pretended she didn’t hear anything. She let out a slow breath and said in a last-ditch effort, “Grandpa, I really am not his partner. He’s much older than me. He could practically be my father.”
Duan Jiaxu: “…”
”Well, being a father is good,” the old man nodded repeatedly, seeming very approving. “You two should get married soon and have a chubby little boy. Settle down, and everything will be fine.”
”…” Sang Zhi gave up as well and glanced at Duan Jiaxu. “Brother Jiaxu, I’m leaving.”
Duan Jiaxu pressed one hand against his wound, as if struggling to hold back his laughter. In a voice a bit hoarse, he replied, “Alright, take care on your way, remember to eat.”
Sang Zhi pressed her lips together and put on her coat. “Okay.”
Duan Jiaxu added, “Give me a call when you’re back at the dorm.”
Sang Zhi acknowledged with an “oh.” She really didn’t want to entertain the grandpa any longer, but for the sake of maintaining a polite appearance, she reluctantly bid them farewell.
She quickly said goodbye and then turned to walk towards the door.
The next moment, Sang Zhi could still hear the old man behind her saying, “Oh, is your wife heading back?”
Accompanied by Duan Jiaxu’s playful chuckle, as if finding his words amusing, he chimed in, “Yes, my wife is heading back.”
”…”
Can’t he have some decency?
Over the next six days, Sang Zhi continued to visit whenever she had time.
The grandpa in the adjacent bed was still there. He seemed to have quite a few children, with a different person accompanying and taking care of him each day. He was quite talkative and often engaged in conversations with both Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi.
And he always steered the conversation toward that same topic.
As if he had an exclusive interest in it.
Just like now.
The grandpa looked at the two of them and kindly asked, “When are you two planning to get married?”
Duan Jiaxu responded lazily, “We’re not getting married. It’s not that kind of relationship.”
Upon hearing this, the grandpa immediately had a stern expression, clearly disagreeing. “How can you not get married? You’re delaying the young lady, you know?”
Sang Zhi: “…”
With the air of an experienced person, the old man earnestly advised, “Get married sooner, settle down earlier. Marriage is not a scary thing. When two people are suitable for each other, your days will be wonderful together.”
Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow. “Okay.”
The grandpa asked again, “So, when are you planning to get married?”
Duan Jiaxu glanced in Sang Zhi’s direction. He hadn’t shaved for several days, and some stubble had grown on his chin, making him look a bit more mature. With a carefree demeanor, he said, “The young lady hasn’t reached the legal marriage age yet. Give it another two years.”
”…”
Later on, Sang Zhi simply tuned out their conversation. Whenever they started chatting, she would put on her headphones and pretend she hadn’t heard anything.
After a week in the hospital, Duan Jiaxu had his stitches removed and was discharged.
On that day, Sang Zhi went ahead to help him pack his things. As they were about to leave, the grandpa sat on the bed and watched them with a smile. “You’re leaving the hospital.”
Duan Jiaxu responded with a soft “Thank you, Grandpa. Please take care of yourself and recover soon.”
The grandpa nodded. “Both of you take good care of each other.”
Duan Jiaxu was about to say something when Sang Zhi unexpectedly spoke up. “Understood.”
Duan Jiaxu turned his head to look at her.
Noticing his gaze, Sang Zhi also turned her attention to him. Seemingly after enduring it for a while, she stared straight at him, her dark eyes devoid of any emotions.
Then, slowly and deliberately, she said, “We’ll get married as soon as possible.”
Peek-Aboo 
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