The next morning, Su Ran woke up in her hospital bed.

She looked around in a daze before noticing Liu Jia talking to the doctor.

Liu Jia: “Doctor, didn’t you say she would wake up this morning? Why is there still no movement from my friend?”

Doctor: “Just wait a bit longer. If nothing unexpected happens, she should wake up soon…”

Liu Jia: “Doctor, could you please check on her again?”

At that moment, the nurse behind Liu Jia said, “Hey, you’re awake?”

Both the doctor and Liu Jia turned to look, seeing Su Ran awkwardly averting her gaze.

The doctor hurried over to check on Su Ran and finally said, “It’s alright now. She fainted from excessive grief. Stay in the hospital for one more day and try to avoid any more emotional upheaval.”

After speaking, the doctor and nurse left.

Only Liu Jia and Su Ran remained in the ward.

Su Ran’s face was still unnaturally pale, and she had an IV drip in her arm. Seeing Liu Jia, she felt ashamed for the first time: “I heard you went abroad. Why did you come back? And to see me?”

Liu Jia sighed and poured a cup of hot water for Su Ran: “You called me yourself last night. The doctor answered, and I came over.”

Really?

Su Ran had no recollection and quickly checked her phone’s call history. Seeing that it was indeed her own call, she felt even more embarrassed.

She once had…

Finally, Su Ran lowered her head and said, “Thank you, and… I’m sorry.”

Liu Jia handed her the hot water: “We’re classmates; no need to be so formal.”

After speaking, Liu Jia said, “Since you’re alright now, I’ll be leaving first.”

Just as Liu Jia was about to leave, Su Ran suddenly called out to her: “Jia Jia, can you stay and talk with me?”

Liu Jia hesitated, remembering their many years of friendship, and ultimately stayed.

Su Ran, with her head down, said, “I regret it. If I could do it over, I would definitely listen to you. Jia Jia, am I a failure as a person and a friend?”

Liu Jia didn’t blame Su Ran as she used to, but simply smiled faintly: “Let the past be the past. Su Ran, it’s no longer meaningful to admit past mistakes now.”

Now He Ju has a happy life, and that’s enough.

She had no right to resent anyone. If she had to blame someone, Liu Jia could only blame herself for being too timid in her love for He Ju.

Su Ran lay on the hospital bed, her brow furrowed with exhaustion, far from her previous domineering demeanor. She said, “Yes, dwelling on past rights and wrongs isn’t so important anymore. What’s done is done.”

Liu Jia had more than once advised Su Ran to cherish the person in front of her, to temper her temper, but back then, how could Su Ran listen?

Now she listened, but… the light boat had already sailed past countless mountains.

Liu Jia and Su Ran sat in the ward, silent for a long time.

Not only could Su Ran and He Ju’s relationship not return to the past, but Liu Jia and Su Ran’s friendship also couldn’t go back.

No matter the relationship, be it friendship or love, it’s easy to reconcile but hard to return to the beginning.

At her lowest point, Su Ran subconsciously called Liu Jia, and Liu Jia came; that was their years of tacit understanding.

Liu Jia looked at Su Ran: “You know him. He won’t really cut you off. Once your study abroad is over, if you want to return to China, I believe he won’t do anything to you. But Su Ran, don’t harbor any more ill intentions. When a man loves you, you’re his everything. He might be willing to do anything for you. But…”

“When he doesn’t love you, you’re nothing. Recognize your place, improve yourself, and don’t get stuck in a quagmire.”

Liu Jia stood up, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave.

Su Ran suddenly asked, “What about you?”

Liu Jia’s body stiffened, and she didn’t speak for a moment.

Su Ran smiled: “Jia Jia, the road ahead is smooth, and you have no worries behind you. Look forward, you also need to learn to reconcile with yourself.”

Liu Jia smiled too, turning back to say, “You better take care of yourself. If you call me half-dead again, I might not be able to rush back.”

After speaking, Liu Jia left, and Su Ran, smiling, felt tears involuntarily fall from her eyes.

Liu Jia stepped out of the hospital, quietly looked at the snowy sky, wrapped her coat tighter around herself, and murmured, “I hope the weather is calmer and the road smoother on your wedding day.”

Then, Liu Jia smiled slightly, her dimples showing, her eyes filled with tenderness, as if thinking of something.

She advised Su Ran not to get stuck, and Su Ran advised her to look forward. In a way, they were both troubled sisters.

She would look forward, but Liu Jia didn’t know if she could ever like someone else again. Maybe not for a while.

After all, she had liked He Ju so much, she couldn’t find anyone she liked more than him. She felt that even if she didn’t see He Ju for many years, the moment she saw him again, she would still uncontrollably like him.

The only thing she could control was not to disturb He Ju’s life.

After standing at the hospital entrance for a few minutes, Liu Jia went home, made herself a small wonton soup, ate it, and then went back to bed for a nap.

She needed to ensure she had enough energy for He Ju’s wedding banquet.

—

After two consecutive days of busyness, it was the night before the wedding. After dawn, He Ju would go to the old house to pick up Si Hua.

He Ju, who usually lacked sleep, was completely sleepless tonight.

Not only He Ju, but Si Hua was also awake. She had to get up at three in the morning to do her makeup, but it was almost midnight, and Si Hua was still wide awake.

Si Hua was nervous, which she found unbelievable. She was already legally married to He Ju, but she still couldn’t sleep…

Thinking this, Si Hua sent He Ju a message: Are you asleep?

He Ju was going over tomorrow’s procedures in his mind. As soon as his phone rang, he immediately checked it and replied: Not yet, I miss you, can’t sleep.

Si Hua immediately sat up: What should we do? I can’t sleep either…

Before He Ju could reply, Si Hua sent another message: I miss you too.

He Ju: It turns out that on the night before the wedding, the newlyweds really can’t sleep.

Si Hua: Yeah, I’ve gotten used to sleeping with you. Without you, I really can’t sleep.

He Ju: Looks like we need some late-night exercise for my wife to sleep well.

Si Hua: …You’re being improper again after just three sentences.

He Ju suddenly laughed out loud: Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Go to sleep! I’ll come to pick you up as soon as it gets light.

Si Hua: Okay! You go to sleep too!

He Ju: As you command, wife, good night.

Si Hua: Good night, kisses.