Second Love chapter 11

In the era dominated by smartphones, where everyone leads a fast-paced life, during the time Cheng Huai spent accompanying Jiang Yun in his recovery, he intentionally reduced his own use of electronic devices.

They listened to radio news and stories together, discussing everything from current affairs to emotions, from the north to the south.

Cheng Huai would also read some poems written by literati from around the world to Jiang Yun. This most primitive way of communication helped them rediscover the initial tranquility. It was as if they had returned to the early days of their relationship, where every day felt like there were endless topics to discuss.

Despite how easy it is to learn about someone in today’s world, with social media like Moments and Weibo providing easy access to each other’s preferences, Jiang Yun’s situation was unique. Every expression of longing, every “I love you,” every hint of jealousy from Cheng Huai was conveyed in the most direct way.

Cheng Huai took Jiang Yun to many places he couldn’t go alone and experienced many things Jiang Yun had never experienced before. Every heartbeat during a roller coaster ride at an amusement park, Cheng Huai saying “I love you” when the fireworks rose into the night sky at Disneyland, and Jiang Yun’s hand being tightly held throughout a haunted house…

“In my life, the few heartthrobs I’ve experienced are all related to you.”

Jiang Yun recalled the anticipation and nervousness before each date, the scent of the forbidden roses when embraced by Cheng Huai.

They willingly provided the best companionship and understanding to each other, and Jiang Yun had always been the one pampered.

As the recovery process progressed, Cheng Huai was overjoyed. One morning, they woke up together, and the first thing Jiang Yun said after opening his eyes was, “Did we forget to turn off the lights last night?” As he said this, he covered his eyes with his hand, turned over, and buried his head in Cheng Huai’s arms, falling asleep again.

At that moment, Cheng Huai was still a bit dazed, thinking he might be dreaming. “Jiang Jiang, what did you just say?”

“Did we forget to turn off the lights…” Jiang Yun’s muffled voice came from under the covers.

Now Cheng Huai heard it clearly, and he was fully awake.

He looked outside and realized that it wasn’t that the lights were left on; they had forgotten to close the curtains before going to bed last night.

Before, Jiang Yun had zero sensitivity to direct sunlight, but now, he had become more sensitive to natural light indoors.

So early in the morning, Jiang Yun was kissed by Cheng Huai, and he woke up completely without any sleepiness.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth!” Jiang Yun said in a disgusted tone.

Cheng Huai said it was a reward for him.

“I don’t care, I don’t care, kiss me my baby…”

Cheng Huai, while kissing the half-asleep person, unconsciously increased the strength of his arms around Jiang Yun.

One day, they returned from a walk in the park, and while on the first floor of the hospital, Cheng Huai remembered that they had run out of something. Coincidentally, the drug distribution window was just over ten meters away.

“Wait for me here,” Cheng Huai said, “I’ll go get the medicine for you.”

So Jiang Yun obediently waited in place. After about a minute, Jiang Yun felt something small bump into his calf. He lowered his head and saw a little boy with tear stains on his face.

When Jiang Yun looked into the boy’s eyes, he saw his blue eyes and guessed that he might be of mixed race. So, he asked him in English what happened.

The little boy cried and said he couldn’t find his mom.

Jiang Yun squatted down, wiped away his tears, and gently asked if he remembered why his mom brought him to the hospital.

The little boy said it was for a checkup.

He led the little boy to the hospital’s examination center and helped him find his mom. It dawned on him later that he had walked away without saying a word, and Cheng Huai should have been worried.

At this point, Jiang Yun still hadn’t sensed anything wrong.

He just felt that he was exceptionally efficient today, walking briskly and lightly.

Then he saw a man standing in the center of the hospital lobby, wearing a black windbreaker, as if waiting for someone. When his gaze fell on Jiang Yun, his eyes seemed to refocus.

Clearly, this was the first time they had met face-to-face, yet Jiang Yun somehow knew that this person was Cheng Huai.

At the moment their eyes met, the two of them shared a knowing smile.

Jiang Yun’s slender fingers touched Cheng Huai’s cheekbones, and his thumb gently traced Cheng Huai’s lips. Without many words, the two conveyed their feelings through a kiss.

In the lobby of a hospital in a foreign land, Cheng Huai pinched the back of Jiang Yun’s neck and passionately kissed him. They were like newlyweds, as the kiss was so intense. Jiang Yun’s hand habitually rested on Cheng Huai’s chest, and he was completely embraced by Cheng Huai.

As if expressing the long-missed yearning.

As if the possessiveness that wanted to blend the other person into their body.

The foreigners around them cheered, whistled, and shouted “congratulations.” Jiang Yun, for some reason, welled up with tears at the English word.

In the blurry sight, he clearly saw the moistness at the corners of Cheng Huai’s eyes.

Inevitably, we are swept into the vortex of time, and you, you are the only source of light in the long river of my life.

No matter when or where, you will always be my ultimate heartbeat.

The End