Ch 44: Text Messages Across Time

Ten minutes later, Qin Weidong returned to the ward. The room they were in had the same layout as the one he had stayed in before, with a bed, TV, sofa, desk, and other amenities. As soon as he came back, he saw that Lin Wu had already changed into the blue-and-white hospital gown and was about to head out.

“Where are you going?” Qin Weidong asked, putting away his phone.

“To get some water.” Lin Wu held a disposable cup. He didn’t have his own cup, and had just asked the nurse for this one.

“I’ll do it.” Qin Weidong took the cup from his hand.

“My left hand and legs are fine.” Lin Wu had injured his right shoulder blade. As long as he didn’t use force, he was okay.

“That doesn’t mean you should move around. You should be lying on your stomach and resting.” Qin Weidong took the paper cup and strode toward the hot water station. Three minutes later, he came back with a cup of hot water.

“I’m heading out for a bit.” After setting the water down, Qin Weidong prepared to leave.

“Where to?” Lin Wu asked, holding the cup.

“To the supermarket downstairs. I’ll buy some daily necessities.”

“You can go tomorrow.” Things around the hospital were expensive. Lin Wu planned to go home tomorrow to get what he needed.

“It’s fine. If you’re tired, just lie down and sleep.” Qin Weidong said as he walked out.

Outside the hospital, it was quiet. Aside from a few taxis with their vacancy signs lit, there were hardly any pedestrians. He picked up a bunch of things at the supermarket and quickly returned.

“Does the wound hurt? It’s soaked through outside.” When Qin Weidong entered, Wang Manshan was checking Lin Wu’s injury.

“Uncle Wang.” Qin Weidong quickly set his things down and greeted him. He had seen Wang Manshan downstairs at Lin Wu’s home before.

“Hello, you’re Xiao Wu’s classmate, right?” Wang Manshan recognized him. Besides that time at the apartment, he had also seen the two of them riding bicycles to and from school together recently.

“I’m sorry. Lin Wu got hurt saving me. I’m really sorry!” Since Wang Manshan was close to Lin Wu, Qin Weidong wanted to explain what had happened.

“Xiao Wu already told me. It was an accident. No need to blame yourself.” Wang Manshan patted Qin Weidong on the shoulder.

Half an hour earlier, he and Hao Shuqin had already gone to bed when Lin Wu suddenly called—

“Uncle Wang, I won’t be able to come home tonight. Could you help look after my mom?” Lin Wu didn’t want to call so late, but he was worried about Luo Xiaorong and had no choice but to ask Hao Shuqin for help.

“What happened?” Wang Manshan immediately sat up.

“There was a bit of an accident just now…” Lin Wu explained how he got injured.

“Which ward are you in? I’ll come take a look.” Wang Manshan asked while getting dressed.

“It’s really nothing serious. You don’t need to come,” Lin Wu said quickly.

“It’s fine. It’s not far from here to the hospital.” Given Lin Wu’s family situation, Wang Manshan wouldn’t feel at ease without seeing him himself.

“Room 605.” Lin Wu had no choice but to tell him.

Wang Manshan had only just arrived. Seeing Qin Weidong carrying a large bag of things, he asked, “What did you buy?”

“Cup, tissues, washbasin, meal bowl, egg yolk pies, oranges…” Qin Weidong opened the bag. He had bought everything he thought might be useful.

“That’s pretty thorough.” Wang Manshan was a bit surprised. He even spotted nail clippers inside.

“The supermarket downstairs is pretty big. They’ve got everything.” Qin Weidong took out an orange, handed one to Wang Manshan, then sat by the bed and started peeling another for Lin Wu. “They had samples. I tried one earlier, it’s pretty sweet.” It was peak season for oranges, and these were large and sweet.

“Thanks.” Wang Manshan ate a couple of segments, then looked at Lin Wu. “Your Aunt Hao will stay at your place for a while. She told your mom that you went out for an exam, so don’t worry. I’ll take a couple of days off work and stay here with you.” He planned to accompany him at the hospital.

“That’s not necessary, Uncle Wang. It’s just a minor injury. You don’t need to stay with me,” Lin Wu said quickly.

“How can that be?” Wang Manshan frowned. No patient should be left alone in the hospital.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Wang. I’ll be here with him the whole time,” Qin Weidong said.

“I’m really fine. You don’t need to worry,” Lin Wu added, thinking Qin Weidong was just helping persuade Wang Manshan to go home.

“Will it affect your studies?” Wang Manshan asked after thinking it over.

“No, it won’t. Lin Wu does well in school anyway. If there’s anything I don’t understand, I can just ask him,” Qin Weidong replied immediately.

Seeing that Lin Wu truly didn’t need accompaniment, Wang Manshan asked a few more questions about the injury, then left somewhat reassured. If you’re not reading this on hololonovels dot com, the chapter is not complete. Qin Weidong walked him out to his car. By the time he returned to the ward, Lin Wu had just finished washing up.

“Thanks a lot for today,” Lin Wu said when he saw him come back. It had been a chaotic night, and Qin Weidong had helped a lot.

“No need to thank me. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead,” Qin Weidong said, taking out a thin blanket from the bag. He had bought it at the supermarket. The ward had air conditioning, so a blanket would be enough at night.

He placed the blanket on the sofa, then took out a new cup and toothbrush set, heading to the bathroom to wash up.

“You’re staying here tonight?” Lin Wu asked, surprised.

“Of course. I already said I’ll stay and take care of you.”

“You don’t have to.” Lin Wu thought he had only said that in front of Wang Manshan. Besides, he could still move around and didn’t really need someone to stay with him.

“Lin Wu, I already said, if it weren’t for you, I’d be dead.” Qin Weidong emphasized seriously. Sometimes he felt Lin Wu was a bit dense. Lin Wu had saved him, yet he was acting polite as if the roles were reversed.

“Alright…” Lin Wu finally agreed.

The hospital sofa was a two-meter-long couch against the wall. After washing up, Qin Weidong lay down on it. When the lights went out, he seemed half-asleep as he asked, “Lin Wu, why did you push me away earlier tonight?”

“It was falling, so I pushed you.” Lin Wu was lying on his stomach because of his shoulder injury.

“You didn’t think about getting hurt yourself?”

“Didn’t think that much. Probably just instinct.”

“Mm.” It was now 3:20 a.m., and outside was silent. Qin Weidong decided to change to a lighter topic. “What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?”

“I probably won’t be able to get up in the morning.”

“Then lunch?”

Lin Wu knew Qin Weidong’s personality. If he didn’t give an answer, he would keep asking. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Lanzhou noodles.”

“Got it!” Qin Weidong noted it down seriously.

The next morning, he ordered two bowls of Lanzhou noodles from the largest hotel in Xuhu, each with an extra half jin of beef. Lin Wu didn’t understand all the hidden details behind it. He just felt that the place Qin Weidong chose tasted really good.

That was only the beginning. Over the next three days, steamed sea bass, yam pork rib soup, old hen soup… Qin Weidong ordered every dish suitable for someone recovering, most of them light and nourishing.

“You don’t have to go this far…” By the second meal, Lin Wu felt these dishes were far from ordinary. Something simple would have been enough.

“It’s not that extravagant. I just wanted to eat it too.”

At that moment, Qin Weidong had just taken out the cordyceps that Qin Jianzhang had been keeping and had it made into a nourishing soup at a restaurant.

“What kind of soup is this?” Lin Wu didn’t recognize cordyceps. The only thing he recognized were the goji berries floating on top.

“Daylily soup. Try it, see if it tastes good.” Qin Weidong ladled him a bowl.

“It tastes pretty good,” Lin Wu said after taking a sip. In truth, he couldn’t really tell. It just felt like the soup was very well made.

“If it’s good, have another bowl.” Qin Weidong immediately filled another for him after he finished.

“Alright…” Most people lost weight when they were sick, but Lin Wu felt like he might gain a couple of pounds by the time he was discharged.

Qin Weidong stayed at the hospital every day. Over the past two days, aside from Wang Manshan’s family, their homeroom teacher and Li Jing had also come to visit.

“Lin Wu, these are the class notes I organized for you. Keep it up, you’ll definitely recover!” Now that everything had settled, Li Jing had not been injured in this outcome, so she only took one day off before returning to school as usual.

“Thank you.” Lin Wu accepted the notes.

“Keep working hard,” Li Jing encouraged again before leaving.

Qin Weidong watched her curiously. It was his first time seeing her face clearly. Her face was round, and she looked exactly like a top student at school.

“Lin Wu, what kind of girl do you like?” After she left, Qin Weidong asked casually.

Lin Wu was busy working through problems, not even looking up. “I don’t know.”

“You’ve never liked any girl growing up?”

“No.”

“What about in the future?”

“Probably not…” Lin Wu put down his pen. He had never liked any girl before, and given his family situation and his personality, he probably wouldn’t in the future either.

“I see.” Hearing that Lin Wu likely wouldn’t like any girl in the future, Qin Weidong felt inexplicably happy.

The weather had turned colder again. At eight in the evening, he went back to the dorm to grab some clean clothes.

“Brother Qin?” Hu Wei was skipping class in the dorm, playing on his phone. He was surprised to see Qin Weidong return.

“Why are you back so early?” Qin Weidong asked casually while packing his things.

“The geography teacher is on duty today. He doesn’t take attendance.”

“Oh, okay. I’m heading out again.” Qin Weidong finished packing and was about to leave.

Seeing how cheerful he looked, Hu Wei couldn’t help calling out, “Brother Qin…”

“What is it?” Qin Weidong turned back.

“Are you seriously dating someone?” Hu Wei couldn’t hold it in anymore. They used to be inseparable, but for over a month now, Qin Weidong had been nowhere to be seen. It was too unusual.

Qin Weidong was just thinking about stopping by a bakery to buy some small cakes. When he heard the question, it felt like some hidden corner of his heart had been exposed. He reflexively replied, “Dating my ass. Who would I even be dating?”

“Everyone’s guessing you’re in a relationship, even living with someone. I was wondering, I’m with you all the time, how did I not know you had someone you liked?” Hu Wei let out a breath, then asked curiously, “So what have you been doing lately? You’ve been acting like you’re in love every day.”

“Do I need to report my life to you?” Qin Weidong shot him a glare and headed downstairs with his things.

Hu Wei stood there, completely confused.

Ten seconds later, Qin Weidong came back, looking annoyed.

“Forgot something?” Hu Wei asked.

Qin Weidong sat down in the dorm, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he asked, “How do you tell if you like someone?”

“Huh? If you think about her all the time and want to see her, that’s probably liking her.” Hu Wei had liked a girl back in middle school. She transferred schools later, and he was heartbroken for half a year.

“So if you keep thinking about them and want to see them, that means you like them?” Qin Weidong asked.

“Well…” Seeing Qin Weidong frowning as if something was going on, Hu Wei boldly asked, “Brother Qin, do you have someone you like?”

“I’m… not sure.”

“Then I’ll ask, you answer?”

“Alright.”

“Is the person good-looking? Does your heart race when you see them? When you’re not together, do you think about them?”

“They’re pretty good-looking.” Qin Weidong thought of the first time he saw Lin Wu. Back then, Lin Wu had been standing quietly behind the bus stop sign. The moment he saw him, his heart skipped a beat. At the time, he had a feeling that this was the person he was looking for. Not because his intuition was especially accurate, but because he wanted it to be true, so there would be a chance for their paths to cross.

“When you’re not together, do you think about them?” Hu Wei saw the sweet expression on his face and repeated the question.

“Mm.” Qin Weidong let out a deliberately impatient “mm,” though in truth, he was thinking about him right now.

“So you like them because they’re good-looking?”

“No!” Qin Weidong felt it wasn’t just about looks. After thinking for a moment, he said, “He’s a really good person. Strong and kind. He might seem a bit distant, but he has principles. If you treat him well, he’ll remember it seriously.

He’s really, really kind. There was something he wanted to do badly, but once he realized someone might get hurt, he gave it up. And that thing mattered a lot to him! When he sees someone in danger, he’ll step in without thinking about himself. And he’s smart too, a lot of math and physics problems he just gets at a glance…” Qin Weidong had started casually, but the more he spoke, the more impressive Lin Wu seemed.

(T/n: In Chinese, “he,” “she,” and “they” all sound the same (“tā”), so Hu Wei would have heard it as gender-neutral and not known it was a man.)

Hu Wei looked at him with a complicated expression. “If they weren’t good-looking, would you still like them?”

“I would.” Qin Weidong answered without hesitation. Even if Lin Wu weren’t the Lin Wu he was now, he would still like him.

“Then in your case… is this liking someone?” Qin Weidong had already vaguely known the answer since the day he wanted to kiss Lin Wu, but he still wanted confirmation.

“It is.” Hu Wei said in a pained tone. This wasn’t just ordinary liking. This was full-on lovestruck.

…

At 8:50, Qin Weidong walked down the hospital corridor carrying a cake, still thinking about Hu Wei’s question—

“Brother Qin, does she like you?”

“Probably not.”

“Did you tell her? How do you know she doesn’t like you?”

“It’s not something you can just say…” Lin Wu was a guy, and so was he. How was he supposed to say it?

“I think if you like someone, you should tell them. What if they like you too?” Hu Wei had always known Qin Weidong to be straightforward, but this was the first time he had seen him hesitate like this.

“Mm.” Qin Weidong had responded casually at the time, then went to buy the cake and returned to the hospital.

Now, standing outside the room, he looked through the window. Lin Wu was just like before, quietly doing his homework.

He thought again of Hu Wei’s words: If you like someone, tell them. What if they like you too?

What if?

What if?

He gathered his courage, knocked lightly on the door, and walked in.

“You’re back?” Lin Wu turned when he heard the sound.

“Yeah, I bought some cake.” Qin Weidong set the cake and the bag of clothes on the table, then sat down by the bed. From where he sat, he could see Lin Wu’s profile clearly.

“You just had rice noodle rolls this afternoon. Why’d you buy cake again…” Lin Wu looked at the cake, a bit helpless. He had weighed himself at the hospital earlier and was already three jin heavier.

“You eat first. If you can’t finish it, I will,” Qin Weidong said naturally.

“Then I’ll eat it later…” Lin Wu wasn’t hungry yet.

“Mm.” Qin Weidong responded, watching Lin Wu scribbling away at his homework. Gathering his courage again, he said, “Lin Wu…”

“Mm?” Lin Wu turned his head.

“Will we be friends for life?”

He felt cowardly. Ever since realizing his feelings for Lin Wu weren’t normal, he had tried to distance himself, tried to give up. But none of it worked. He still couldn’t stop himself from wanting to get closer.

Hu Wei had told him that if he liked someone, he should tell them.

But he didn’t dare. He was afraid of being rejected. Afraid that even something as simple as sharing cake together would disappear.

“We’ve known each other for a while now, and we get along well. We’ll still be friends in the future, right?” Qin Weidong asked again.

He felt that things were good like this. At least they could see each other every day and talk about the future. Maybe someday, if he realized Lin Wu might feel the same, he could take a small, careful step forward.

While Qin Weidong’s thoughts wandered, Lin Wu found the question a bit strange. “I guess so.” He got along well with Qin Weidong. If nothing unexpected happened, they would probably remain good friends.

“Really?” Qin Weidong asked.

“Yeah.” Lin Wu smiled.

Cars passed by outside the window. Inside the room, the atmosphere was warm and quiet.

…

“Weren’t you supposed to come back on the twenty-ninth? Why did the date change again?” On the night of October 27, 2024, Lin Wu stood by the elevator in the hallway, speaking into his phone with a hint of helplessness.

Everything had settled now. In this outcome, he hadn’t bought a place in Jianghe but instead bought two apartments in Xuhu. One was rented out, and the other he lived in. The one he lived in was currently noisy because of renovation next door, and since Luo Xiaorong had gone traveling, he had been staying at a hotel.

Originally, Luo Xiaorong and the others were supposed to return from Shenhai on the twenty-ninth. Now Wang Jiahui was calling to say the date had been pushed back to November 5.

“We were watching short videos and saw that Qianzhou Never-Sleep City looks really fun. We’re planning to stop by on the way back. My mom and your mom both agreed. We promise we’ll come back right after!” Wang Jiahui said excitedly over the phone.

“Have you made a plan yet?” Lin Wu asked.

“Not yet. We’re going to study travel forums tonight.”

“Alright. Send me a copy when you’re done.”

“Yay! Brother Lin Wu, I love you so much!” After getting his approval, Wang Jiahui hung up excitedly.

Lin Wu sighed and put away his phone. The elevator arrived. He stepped inside and pressed the button for the first floor.

It was now 9:10. He had finished the drinks in his room, so he planned to go to the nearby supermarket to buy more, along with some sandwich cookies and chocolate snacks.

Ten seconds later, the elevator reached the lobby. The hotel was quiet today. Two cashiers were organizing the day’s check-in data.

Lin Wu walked over.

“Mr. Lin!” Lin Wu was a regular at the hotel. The cashiers and housekeeping staff all recognized him.

“Do you have sesame tangyuan? If you do, I’d like tonight’s late-night snack to be sesame tangyuan.” The hotel’s late-night meals could be ordered à la carte or random. He had ordered twice during this period, and the service had been good.

“Tangyuan?” After he said that, a trace of confusion flashed in the cashier’s eyes.

“Yes, don’t you have a complimentary late-night snack service here?” Lin Wu asked.

“Mr. Lin, our hotel has never had a late-night snack service. If you’d like something, I can notify the dining department, but they may have already finished work…” the cashier replied politely.

“There isn’t?” Now it was Lin Wu who was confused. He frowned slightly. “Maybe I remembered wrong. Never mind.”

“Alright, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Wu walked toward the exit, still unable to figure out why the hotel’s late-night service had suddenly disappeared. Just then, a luxury business car pulled up at the entrance. A sharply composed man in a tailored suit stepped out from the back seat. The man entered through the revolving door, while Lin Wu stepped out. The two brushed past each other.

The moment he saw the man, Lin Wu couldn’t take his eyes off him.

Qin Weidong!

He had never imagined that they would meet like this as adults. He stared at him in shock. The other man only glanced at him once before walking into the hotel.

Soon, one entered, and the other left.

Lin Wu suddenly turned around.

“President Qin!” In the lobby, the hotel manager and cashiers all came out to receive him.

The memories of his seventeen-year-old self had changed, and his thirty-seven-year-old memories refreshed in sync. From the day they met on September 9, Lin Wu had remembered Qin Weidong.

Now, the man had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall frame. His presence was more mature than in high school, carrying the composed charm of someone seasoned in business. Lin Wu was certain, this was Qin Weidong, the Qin Weidong who had eaten meals with him every day in that seventeen-year-old timeline.

At that moment, the hotel manager said something to him, and the two prepared to take the elevator together.

Lin Wu looked at his figure, opened his mouth slightly, then, not knowing where the courage came from, turned and stepped back through the revolving door, returning to the hotel.

“President Qin, the hotel’s quarterly report has been compiled. Compared to last quarter, revenue has increased by 27%…” At the elevator, the manager was reporting recent business.

“Mm.” Qin Weidong listened absentmindedly. Xuhu Hotel was one of Qin Jianzhang’s properties. Their family owned many like it. Qin Jianzhang was currently abroad skydiving, and all company matters had fallen onto him. He found it annoying.

“President Qin, I’ll escort you to your room shortly.” Noticing his impatience, the manager quickly added.

“Alright.” Qin Weidong nodded. The two prepared to enter the elevator.

“Qin Weidong!” At that moment, a slightly breathless voice called out from behind them.

Qin Weidong turned around.

It was the guest he had just brushed past. Around thirty, wearing a light gray overcoat with a white turtleneck underneath. Very fair, very good-looking, with a refined air, like someone well-educated.

Right now, that person was looking at him as if they were old friends reunited after a long time apart.

“Long time no see.” The other man, still catching his breath, spoke words fitting that gaze.

Qin Weidong looked into his eyes. They were dark and bright, like clear, polished gems. But no matter how striking, he did not recognize him.

“Do we know each other?” Qin Weidong asked, puzzled.

Do we know each other?

The moment Lin Wu heard those words, all the excitement and joy drained away. He looked at him carefully. In Qin Weidong’s eyes, there was curiosity, confusion, uncertainty.

But not the same feeling of reunion after a long separation.

Do we know each other?

Do we not?

✧˖°.──⋆⭒˚.⋆💌⋆⭒˚.⋆──✧˖°.