So Decisive
Ambiguous feelings were starting to grow—like seeds drifting into the right soil, quickly sprouting into a tender green bud: tiny, but full of vitality.
Bai Qingzhou’s gentle smile seemed to have been etched into Xia Xinghe’s memory. Every time he closed his eyes, it appeared vividly, along with that flutter in his chest.
Xia Xinghe was feeling uneasy, unsure of how to face Bai Qingzhou next. But that evening, he got news that Bai Qingzhou had gone on a business trip—and most likely wouldn’t be back before he was discharged.
And after discharge? Well, they’d each go their separate ways. Who knew when, or if, they’d see each other again?
If it were someone else, Xia Xinghe might’ve sighed about the bad timing and the sudden, unceremonious farewell—without even a proper goodbye.
But since it was Bai Qingzhou, Xia Xinghe merely paused in surprise, then broke into a smile.
That was the real Bai Qingzhou. It suited him.
Leaving just like that—clean, decisive.
Outstanding people truly have to give more than the average person. Bai Qingzhou, in particular, had a clear plan and vision for his future. He was like a quartz clock—precise, disciplined, and never stopping for anyone or anything.
Someone like that couldn’t be warmed.
Xia Xinghe had already understood that four years ago.
So he didn’t dwell on it. He clipped off the sprouting bud of emotion in his heart before it could grow further.
With Bai Qingzhou gone, Xia Xinghe found himself with some peace and quiet.
Since he was injured while doing a good deed, the hospital waived his medical fees. The director even visited him personally and upgraded him to a real VIP ward.
There was a thick, plush carpet, remote-controlled appliances and furniture, a massive LCD TV covering half a wall as soon as you entered, and even a rosewood writing desk. Someone came by daily to refresh his tea. He was the only one in the spacious room. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a five-star hotel.
His last story had just ended, so he wasn’t under pressure to update anything. He spent his days browsing Weibo, watching videos, and taking strolls downstairs to look for inspiration for his next piece.
This was one of the country’s top hospitals—modern facilities, beautiful surroundings. Outside the inpatient building was a large garden, lush and vibrant, even more well-designed than many city parks.
Deeper into the garden was a grand gate guarded by security, looking high-end and mysterious.
At first, Xia Xinghe didn’t dare approach and always took a detour. But after he mentioned it in passing to Nie Xingchao, the man casually said, “That’s just the hospital’s residential area—nothing mysterious about it.”
After that, Xia Xinghe started wandering closer to that area.
It really was a residential zone. Though guarded by security who didn’t allow outsiders in, you could see inside through the tall iron railings.
The greenery was even better than the garden’s, and the buildings were all villa-style—with Western-style attics and traditional Chinese courtyards. Towering trees shaded the area completely, perfectly complementing the scattered villas. It was beautifully designed.
Xia Xinghe had picked up a multigrain pancake on his way—a classic combo with two eggs, a few sausages, and a crispy sheet—his absolute favorite. He walked along, nibbling at it, circling the railings and once again marveling at the sheer buying power of the rich.
In a city like Liaohu, where every inch of land was worth a fortune, carving out such a large area for hospital family housing—with villas, no less—really showed off the hospital’s wealth and power.
Halfway through the pancake, Xia Xinghe reached the end of the residential area. Just as he was about to turn back, he spotted a fluffy white dog in the yard of the villa furthest in. It was graceful and striking—and instantly tugged at Xia Xinghe’s heart.
He didn’t have many hobbies, but he loved furry animals.
Back in college, he’d joined the school’s animal protection group and regularly helped care for stray cats and dogs. Later, when he moved out, he even discussed getting a dog with Bai Qingzhou. Unfortunately, Bai Qingzhou had a major cleanliness obsession, so it never happened.
After graduating and becoming a full-time writer, he thought about getting a dog again—but for one reason or another, it never worked out. And now, the moment he laid eyes on this dog, his heart skipped a beat.
It was exactly his type—his dream dog. A pure white Samoyed, with pointed ears and a proud, wolfish air. Its fur was fluffy, its eyes bright, and its body sleek and streamlined. Even its upright ears reminded Xia Xinghe of Bai Qingzhou’s cold and aloof demeanor.
Unable to resist, Xia Xinghe walked closer to try and play with it. But while the dog looked beautiful, its personality was truly arrogant. No matter how much Xia Xinghe called to it—or even tried luring it with sausage—it just lay there unmoved, lifting its elegant head high as if Xia Xinghe didn’t even exist.
Not even a glance.
Xia Xinghe: “…”
It really was the dog version of Bai Qingzhou.
Most people would’ve given up at this point, but if there’s one thing Xia Xinghe wasn’t lacking, it was patience and perseverance. From then on, he came here every day just to see the white dog, even making a special trip to the supermarket to buy imported dog treats, always showing up with a smile to offer them.
Dogs are intelligent creatures; they can keenly sense human emotions. After a few visits, it gradually understood that Xia Xinghe meant no harm, and it began to let its guard down. The aloof attitude from the beginning faded away. At first, it would eat and leave, but later it started wagging its tail upon seeing him, even rolling over submissively to expose its warm belly for Xia Xinghe to pet through the fence.
After several days of happily petting the dog, Xia Xinghe felt completely recharged and creatively inspired. When his editor, Yanmai, asked if he’d decided on a new theme for his next novel, he immediately typed out two words: “Write about dogs.”
[Editor Yanmai: What?] [Editor Yanmai: Dogs?] [Little Bamboo: Yep, I want to give it a try.]The desire to create often comes from emotional experiences in real life, and this dog was just too lovable—it gave Xia Xinghe a burst of fresh inspiration.
……
Good times always pass quickly. Xia Xinghe’s injuries soon healed almost completely. The VIP room treatment was excellent, and the food near the hospital was great. So great, in fact, that even someone like him, who never gained weight, ended up gaining two pounds.
There were no scars left on his face, and his skin remained delicate and fair, with a rosy glow. The added bit of weight made him look even more radiant. Some nurses even privately came to ask how he maintained his skin.
Xia Xinghe casually replied, “Read more, watch the news, eat less junk food, and get more sleep.” Unintentionally, he stirred up a lot of envy.
Perhaps this was the heavens’ favor—he had never made any special effort, and yet his skin was better than many who did face masks and used essential oils daily.
On the day of his discharge, it was like a grand event: medical staff gathered to see him off, and the hospital director showed up in person. They almost pulled out a huge banner to celebrate.
The director had indeed considered it—to both honor Xia Xinghe’s bravery and to promote the hospital.
But Xia Xinghe was shy. After begging several times, he finally talked the director out of it—at the cost of giving several interviews and appearing on the local news.
[“Handsome young man bravely fights off violent patient with bare hands—Hospital: We’ll take care of him for the rest of his life.”]Even though he knew the hospital meant “take care” as in medical expenses, Xia Xinghe still couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the headline.
News headlines these days really are wild. Fortunately, he had insisted on not showing his face during the interviews. Otherwise, with a headline like that, even if the hospital didn’t sponsor his life, the article would definitely keep his friends laughing for the rest of theirs.
At the discharge ceremony, worried the director might pull another media stunt, Xia Xinghe quickly grabbed the bouquet from him and said repeatedly, “Thank you, Director, that’s enough. You should go back to work.”
The director, hands suddenly empty, just chuckled, “No worries, young man. You did a huge favor for our hospital. No need to be so polite.”
Xia Xinghe: “…”
I wasn’t trying to be polite.
Thankfully, the director really was busy and couldn’t stay long. After taking a photo with Xia Xinghe, he left quickly, and only a few familiar medical staff remained.
Xia Xinghe was good-looking and had a great personality. With the added boost of his heroic deed, all the doctors and nurses liked him. After the director left, the emergency nurse whom Xia Xinghe had saved earlier rushed over to ask if she could take a photo with him.
Xia Xinghe happily agreed. Click—his brilliant smile was frozen on the screen.
The nurse asked, “Can I post it on my Moments?”
Xia Xinghe waved casually, “Sure, go ahead.”
While chatting, Nie Xingchao brought over a thick stack of medical records—the hospital discharge summary. He handed them to Xia Xinghe and casually asked, “Does Qingzhou know you’re being discharged?”
Hearing that name so suddenly, Xia Xinghe couldn’t help but space out for a moment.
His heart skipped a beat before quickly calming down. After a moment, he grinned brightly. “No need.”
They probably wouldn’t have any more contact in the future, so there was no need to deliberately inform him.
They were like two planets in different orbits—occasionally crossing paths, but inevitably drifting further apart.
How did that saying go?
If it’s meant to be, it will be. If it’s not, don’t force it.
…..
1 a.m.
The earth was shrouded in darkness, and within a one-kilometer radius, only one room still had its lights on.
Bai Qingzhou sat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of medical records. He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion written all over his face.
He had been assigned a last-minute free clinic trip—a whole month away from home.
The trip had been so rushed he didn’t even have time to go see Xia Xinghe one last time.
He had no idea how Xia Xinghe was doing now.
Two weeks had passed—he should’ve recovered by now.
They were in a remote mountain village with poor infrastructure. Electricity and water had only just become available, let alone internet access.
On a good day, there might be 2G service. Most of the time, there was no signal at all.
That day, they got lucky. Bai Qingzhou turned on his phone and immediately received a message from Nie Xingchao.
[Nie says every day: Xiao Xia was discharged.]Attached was a photo of Xia Xinghe and the emergency nurse.
The young man’s soft blonde hair was tied up in a cute little ponytail. A faint dimple peeked out at the corner of his smiling lips. His fingers made a peace sign near his cheek, and the joy in his eyes was radiant.
Good, Bai Qingzhou thought, a flicker of coldness in his eyes.
He left that cleanly.
Just like his personality.
Wasn’t it the same back then?
Bursting so passionately into his life, painting a vivid stroke on his otherwise dull existence—and then suddenly, without warning, breaking up. Crisp and decisive.
Truly fickle and heartless.
Back then, Bai Qingzhou had asked Xia Xinghe why they broke up. Xia Xinghe said, “I was tired,” and then added, “I still like you, but I just couldn’t feel your love.” He had his head lowered as he spoke, not even daring to look at him.
Such a pitiful excuse. But when they met again, it was Bai Qingzhou who took the initiative to soften, even barking like a dog, but Xia Xinghe didn’t remember anything he had said before. So it seems that so-called excuse was just a casual brush-off.
The weather now was very similar to that day. Amid the howling wind, it had started to rain at some point. Bai Qingzhou pinched the bridge of his sore nose, eyelids lowered slightly, and forced himself to stop thinking.
His phone pinged again. He acted as if he hadn’t heard it. The surroundings sank into silence, broken only by the harsh cries of cicadas outside the window. No one knew how much time had passed before Bai Qingzhou finally picked up his phone again, and the moment he saw the message, he couldn’t help but hold his breath.
[Hourly Worker Xiao Liu: Today’s doggo~][Hourly Worker Xiao Liu: The pup is still as handsome as ever~!]
[Hourly Worker Xiao Liu: But recently, there’s been a young man who comes to visit the dog every day. Is he a friend of yours? If not, I’ll kick him out tomorrow!]
[Hourly Worker Xiao Liu: [Video] [Video] [Video]]
In the first few short videos, the beautiful Samoyed lay motionless on the grass, looking proud and aloof, like a celestial being descended to the mortal realm. But in the final video, the scene shifted dramatically—this proud, almost divine dog suddenly became excited. Through the iron fence, its eyes fixed on a fair-skinned, delicate-featured young man, barking with joy, its tail wagging like a blooming flower.
Bai Qingzhou’s fingers brushed across the screen, over the young man’s signature light golden hair. He held his breath for a long time, and then sighed as if accepting his fate.
[Bai: Yes.][Bai: Don’t drive him away.]