After the successful amputation, Guo Baiyu, Doctor Lo, Madam Lo, and three male students walked out of the room. They stopped in front of a big ceramic jar, and one of the students fetched water for them to wash their hands. Then they sat in a small pavilion and continued to talk about the surgery.
"Thank you so much, Doctor Guozhao," Doctor Lo said, relief evident in his voice.
"In this case, amputation was the best way," Guo Baiyu replied. "Losing his leg is better than losing his life."
"We have learned a lot from you," Madam Lo added, her voice full of admiration. "I can't believe that a young person like you can be so talented."
"Knowledge is not determined by age," Guo Baiyu said with a gentle smile. "I am still learning and like to share my knowledge with those who are interested of learning."
"Big brother, here." Xiao Hudie ran towards the group, her small hands extending a bun to Guo Baiyu. Xiao Hudie was the five-year-old daughter of Doctor Lo and Madam Lo.
Guo Baiyu smiled at Xiao Hudie. "Big Brother's hands are still dirty."
"Big brother, I will feed you," Xiao Hudie insisted, pushing the bun closer to Guo Baiyu's mouth. He took a bite, and Xiao Hudie beamed.
Xiao Hudie smiled and said, "Brother, many people say you are very nice and handsome. When I grow up, I will marry you."
"Xiao Hudie, behave yourself," Madam Lo admonished gently.
"Mother," Xiao Hudie protested, "all the nurses and people said that even if the sick person yelled at him, he didn't yell back. I hope my husband is like that, so I decided that when I grow up, I will marry big brother."
The adults chuckled softly.
"I will eat a lot, and I will marry big brother when I grow up," Xiao Hudie declared with determination.
Guo Baiyu smiled gently. "I'm sorry, big brother is already married to someone else."
Xiao Hudie's face crumpled in frustration and disappointment.
Guo Baiyu smiled at Xiao Hudie. "Big brother is sure that you will find a very suitable person when you grow up."
"Is she prettier than me?" Xiao Hudie asked, her lower lip trembling slightly and tears moisten her eyes.
"She is not as beautiful as you," Guo Baiyu replied, his voice soft. "You are the most beautiful."
"If I'm pretty, why marry her instead of me?" Xiao Hudie questioned, still unconvinced.
"Because she is a very good person," Guo Baiyu explained patiently. "Xiao Hudie, remember, don't judge a person by their appearance, because you don't know whether this person is good or bad. You must treat others the way you want to be treated. Making friends is better than making enemies."
Doctor Lo nodded in agreement, absorbing the wisdom.
"You may be too little to understand the meaning," Guo Baiyu added, "but when you grow up, you will understand." Guo Baiyu gently patted the top of the young girl's head.
"Doctor Guozhao, thank you for your kind words," Madam Lo said. "Oh, yes. Sorry, we don't have enough rooms, so I asked students to clean up a back storage room for you and your friends. I hope you don't mind."
"Thank you, Madam Lo," Guo Baiyu replied gratefully.
"He will show you to your room," Madam Lo indicated a student.
"Good night," Guo Baiyu said.
Guo Baiyu followed the male student to the back room. The student showed him where the communal bathroom was.
"Doctor Guozhao, all male students share this open area together," the student said, pointing to a water well. "The female students are on the other side. Your room is behind this dormitory." He pointed to a small room at the back.
"Thank you. You don't have to send me off. You go rest," Guo Baiyu told him.
"Good night, Doctor Guozhao," the student replied before departing.
Guo Baiyu walked to his room, and he saw that the candlelight was still lit. When he walked past the window, he saw Ping'an mending a pair of pants. His heart fluttered with unease, and his worries penetrated deeply into his mind. The last time she had repaired clothes outside of Peach Blossom Valley was in Capital City, and the situation had been somewhat similar, filled with emotional turmoil.
Guo Baiyu opened the door then walked inside. Ping'an gave him a warm smile. He sat opposite Ping'an at the small table.
"Why are you mending clothes?" Guo Baiyu asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"These pants are Renshu's," Ping'an replied, without looking up but continuing to mend the pants in her hands. "I have nothing else to do, so I thought I would find something to do while waiting for you."
Guo Baiyu was still unconvinced. He asked, "Are you sure nothing is bothering you?"
Ping'an still didn't look up at Guo Baiyu. "Why do you ask?" she murmured.
"The last time you sewed outside of our home was back in Capital City," Guo Baiyu said sadly, his voice filled with mixed emotions. "That time, you purposely wanted to cut ties with Renshu and I." He looked at her, and the pain that was inflicted on him that day on that dirt road still felt fresh inside his chest whenever he recalled that unwanted memory. "This is your way of saying goodbye."
Ping'an felt a wave of shame for her past actions. She knew that at that time, she must have inflicted unforgettable pain on Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu.
"Baiyu, at that time, we were teens who had not yet understood what we truly wanted. Our decisions were heavily influenced by those around us, and as teens, we often considered others' feelings before our own. But now, I realize that the time we spent with each other flew by like lightning flashes across a dark sky, and the clock of our lives is ticking with every breath we took. Therefore, I don't want to waste my time considering others' feelings when I should focus only on ours." She gave Guo Baiyu a warm smile. "I promise that that was the first and last time. This time it was indeed because the pants were torn." She put down the pants. She stood up, caressed the back of her right hand on Guo Baiyu's face. "Renshu fetched three buckets of water. Go wash yourself."
"Come help me," Guo Baiyu said, a soft plea in his eyes.
She smiled with a nodded.
Guo Baiyu took off his clothes, wrapping the bottom half of his body with a towel. Guo Baiyu and Ping'an walked outside to the backyard, where there were three buckets of water. Ping'an placed the candlelight on the window edge. Guo Baiyu sat on a low wooden bench. She untied Guo Baiyu's hair. His long, silky black hair fell, touching the ground.
"The water is cold," Ping'an observed gently.
"It's alright," Guo Baiyu replied.
Ping'an fetched water out of the bucket with a wooden pitcher and poured it down on his head. She grabbed the soap and scrubbed some onto Guo Baiyu's hair, then handed the soap to Guo Baiyu. Guo Baiyu began to wash his body, and She also began to wash his hair.
"How are your hands?" Guo Baiyu asked, concerned about her healing.
"Better," Ping'an replied. "Don't worry, it's almost midnight, and it will slowly disappear tomorrow."
"If everything goes well tomorrow, then we can leave the day after tomorrow," Guo Baiyu mused, looking forward.
"If you want to stay longer, we can," Ping'an offered. "Close your eyes."
Ping'an fetched more water. She poured the water on his head to wash away the soap from his hair and his body.
"I have taught them everything," Guo Baiyu said, his eyes still closed. "There is no point in us staying. The patients who need help are also taken care of."
"It's all done," Ping'an said, finishing washing his hair. "I will fix your hair tomorrow."
They walked into the room. Zhao Renshu had already fallen asleep on the bed. Guo Baiyu changed his clothes, and the two lovers climbed onto the bed next to Zhao Renshu.