Little Meteor Chapter 21
byChapter 21 “Good night.”
Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Mu walked side-by-side toward the cafeteria. After a few steps, Shen Mu suddenly let out an “Ah,” stopped, and pulled his phone out of his pocket to look at the screen.
“What is it?” Jiang Chengxuan asked.
“I almost forgot,” Shen Mu turned off the screen. “The crew has a temporary Script Workshop this afternoon. I need to get there a little early, so I might have to eat lunch quickly.”
Jiang Chengxuan looked at him: “Is it urgent? Do you need to go now? I can pack something for you to take?”
“No need to rush that much,” Shen Mu smiled and continued walking. “There’s still time to eat.”
The two got their food and sat down. Shen Mu indeed ate faster than usual, but his movements didn’t seem hurried.
“Eat slowly,” Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t help but say. “It’s bad for your stomach.”
“I know.” Shen Mu agreed, but his speed didn’t slow down much. He finished his last bite of rice, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, “I’m done. I need to leave first. You take your time.”
Shen Mu stood up, picked up his tray, and then, as if remembering something, turned back to Jiang Chengxuan and said, “Oh, right. I might be back late tonight. Don’t wait for me for dinner.”
“Okay.”
After Shen Mu hurried away, Jiang Chengxuan ate somewhat distractedly, vaguely feeling that Shen Mu’s impromptu meeting was a bit sudden. However, temporary changes in crew work schedules were common, so he didn’t dwell on it.
In the afternoon, he went to see Lin Wei again. Lin Wei’s mother was sitting by the bed peeling an apple. Seeing Jiang Chengxuan enter, she immediately stood up, a smile finally appearing on her face: “Doctor Jiang, you’re here!”
“Auntie Lin,” Jiang Chengxuan nodded, his gaze shifting to Lin Wei, and he asked gently, “How is Xiao Wei feeling today?”
Lin Wei lifted her eyelids and glanced at him. Although she didn’t speak, she nodded lightly.
“Much better! Really much better!” Lin Wei’s mother’s voice carried barely suppressed excitement. “This afternoon, I saw the weather was nice, so I pushed her down for a walk and we sat in the small garden behind the hospital. When we came back, she actually asked to eat something on her own.”
“Is that so? That’s wonderful.” Jiang Chengxuan smiled. “How did it feel to go outside for a walk?”
Lin Wei was silent for a few seconds, her lips moving slightly, letting out an extremely soft breath: “…Mm.”
Although it was just a simple syllable, it instantly brought tears to Lin Wei’s mother’s eyes.
Jiang Chengxuan’s heart was also touched. He continued with the routine examination and chatted casually with Lin Wei: “Those osmanthus trees down there look like they’re about to bloom. When they do, the scent will drift up, and you’ll be able to smell it even in the ward.”
Lin Wei’s gaze shifted slightly toward the window. Although she didn’t speak again, there seemed to be a faint sparkle in her eyes.
After the examination, Jiang Chengxuan told Lin Wei’s mother: “If she is willing, you can push her down for more fresh air when the weather is good.”
“Yes, yes!” Lin Wei’s mother nodded repeatedly, seeing Jiang Chengxuan to the ward door. “This afternoon, she didn’t say a word when I pushed her down. She just watched the fish by the small pond for a while, and when we came back, she was like this. Her mood seems to have improved quite a bit.”
“Is that right? A change of environment can sometimes bring positive effects; this is a good sign.” Jiang Chengxuan paused, then asked, “Did you leave her alone at any point?”
Lin Wei’s mother was momentarily stunned by the question and thought carefully: “Oh, yes, I did! I received a call from the caregiver for my eldest son. It lasted about five or six minutes. Why, Doctor Jiang? Is something wrong?”
Jiang Chengxuan smiled: “Nothing, just asking casually. I was just confirming if the environment was safe. It seems Xiao Wei is fine being alone for a bit.”
When he returned home after work, the house was dark. Jiang Chengxuan turned on the light, changed his shoes, and walked into the living room only to find Shen Mu curled up asleep on the sofa.
Jiang Chengxuan crouched down beside the sofa and reached out to brush the hair from his forehead. Shen Mu stirred, opening his eyes groggily: “…Hm? You’re back?”
“Mm.” Jiang Chengxuan said softly, “Why are you sleeping here? Didn’t you say you’d be back late? Did you eat?”
Shen Mu shielded his eyes with his arm, adjusting to the light, then slowly sat up: “The workshop ended early, so I came back. I haven’t eaten. I’m not very hungry. I stewed some winter melon soup in the pot, I don’t know if it’s edible.” He yawned, a few physiological tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. “I got a little sleepy waiting for you, so I dozed off.”
Jiang Chengxuan saw that he looked drained. He reached out and touched Shen Mu’s forehead. Only when the temperature was normal did he feel slightly relieved. He stood up: “I’ll go get the soup, and fry two dishes quickly. Let’s eat something together.”
Shen Mu shook his head: “I’m really not hungry. Just make something for yourself.” He rubbed his temples. “I’m going to take a shower to wake up.”
Shen Mu looked exhausted, likely psychologically. Jiang Chengxuan didn’t know what he had said to Lin Wei, but no matter what it was, those memories he was most reluctant to touch were unavoidable. Shen Mu was an extremely proud and self-respecting person; saying those things was tantamount to tearing open old wounds.
Jiang Chengxuan’s heart felt as if it was being finely ground by something. He felt sorry for Shen Mu, who used this self-consuming method to convey a tiny bit of light, yet returned home and didn’t mention a word, hiding all his fatigue and emotions, shrinking into the sofa and pretending he was just too tired from waiting.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped. After a while, Shen Mu walked out, drying his hair, dressed in clean loungewear. He carried the scent of damp steam and shower gel, looking slightly more refreshed.
“Smells good.” He sniffed, walking to the kitchen doorway.
“It’ll be ready soon.” Jiang Chengxuan turned off the heat and plated the stir-fried dishes. “Eat a little, or your stomach will hurt in the middle of the night.”
Shen Mu managed to eat half a bowl of rice and a small bowl of soup. After eating, Shen Mu voluntarily got up to clear the dishes. Jiang Chengxuan didn’t stop him; he simply stood with him at the sink. One washed, one dried. They worked together in silent understanding.
After tidying the kitchen, Shen Mu’s hair was still dripping water. Jiang Chengxuan said, “The hairdryer is in my room. I’ll help you dry your hair, or you’ll have a headache tomorrow.”
Shen Mu glanced at Jiang Chengxuan’s room and smiled: “No need for that trouble. It will air dry soon.”
“No.” Jiang Chengxuan’s attitude was rare and firm. He gently put an arm around Shen Mu’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Shen Mu was probably genuinely tired and didn’t strongly refuse again. He followed him into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Jiang Chengxuan plugged in the hairdryer, tested the temperature, and gently ran his fingers through Shen Mu’s hair. The warm air blew across the strands, carrying the fresh scent of shampoo that diffused into the air. Jiang Chengxuan’s technique was excellent, and the humming of the hairdryer was very hypnotic. Shen Mu could sit up at first, but soon his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
Jiang Chengxuan turned off the hairdryer. Shen Mu’s body tilted slightly forward. Jiang Chengxuan supported his shoulder, carefully helped him lie down on the bed, and pulled the quilt over him.
Shen Mu unconsciously rubbed his face against the pillow, letting out a muffled nasal sound, but he didn’t wake up.
Jiang Chengxuan leaned down, pressed a kiss onto Shen Mu’s forehead, and whispered, “Good night.”