Young people, fresh out of graduation, are full of drive and enthusiasm for their work. Feng Feng felt a pang of envy watching them.
Ji Tong's smile was so infectious that Feng Feng found herself smiling unconsciously as she looked at her.
Feng Feng had forgotten to tell Wen Zhouyuan that she wouldn't be home for dinner. Midway through her meal with Ji Tong, Wen Zhouyuan called.
At that moment, Feng Feng's phone was on the table. Shen Su, sitting opposite her, glanced down and saw the name on the screen.
He quickly averted his gaze and wiped Ji Tong's mouth, saying, "You've got some steak sauce on your face, be careful."
Ji Tong blushed slightly and smiled sheepishly.
Feng Feng caught a glimpse of this out of the corner of her eye, and her throat felt even tighter. She answered the phone, "I forgot to tell you, I'm eating out tonight. You and Xiaobai should eat together."
Wen Zhouyuan: "Okay, when will you be back? Do you need me to make you some porridge?"
Feng Feng: "Mm, black rice porridge."
Wen Zhouyuan: "Alright."
As they were about to hang up, Wen Mubai said something. Feng Feng vaguely heard the word "cake" and proactively asked, "Does Xiaobai want cake?"
Wen Zhouyuan: "I'll buy her one tomorrow. Come back soon after you finish eating."
Feng Feng: "Is it from the same place as last time? I'll be passing by on my way back. Tell Xiaobai I'll bring it back for her later."
Wen Zhouyuan smiled, "Okay, thank you."
Feng Feng: "Talk later."
With the three of them sitting at the same table, Shen Su couldn't ignore Feng Feng's phone call. He also knew it was Wen Zhouyuan.
Not only was Feng Feng living with Wen Zhouyuan, but she was also helping him care for his daughter. When they met on weekends, they truly looked like a family of three.
So, in a way, people's principles were relative. Even someone like Feng Feng became completely infatuated when it came to Wen Zhouyuan.
To be honest, Feng Feng had little appetite while sitting with Shen Su and Ji Tong. She only symbolically put food into her mouth, unable to even taste the steak.
Shen Su was genuinely attentive to Ji Tong, wiping her mouth and pouring her water. Feng Feng wasn't so narcissistic as to believe Shen Su was doing it deliberately for her. Thinking about it carefully, he was always like this in every relationship.
Even when they were just casual partners before, he was meticulous in these details, but she had never paid attention to them.
This meal was somewhat agonizing for Feng Feng, but it finally ended. After leaving the restaurant, Ji Tong said goodbye to her and got into Shen Su's car.
As for where the two of them ended up, whether Shen Su took Ji Tong home or to his place, Feng Feng didn't dwell on it.
Feng Feng started her car, bought a cake for Wen Mubai, and then went to Wen Zhouyuan's place.
Wen Zhouyuan's health was declining day by day, and he needed someone to care for him. Therefore, Feng Feng had moved in to be there in case of any emergencies.
However, after they had cleared the air, any past ambiguity between them vanished. Once Wen Zhouyuan knew Feng Feng had feelings for Shen Su, he completely gave up any hope. Their interactions became more like those of family.
Feng Feng hadn't eaten much that evening. Upon her return, Wen Zhouyuan's freshly made porridge was ready. Feng Feng ate a bowl, and her stomach felt much better.
In the following period, Feng Feng and Ji Tong met quite frequently, mostly at the law firm.
Shen Su seemed to have handed over all the matters he personally handled to Ji Tong, clearly nurturing her with great care.
And Ji Tong indeed did not disappoint. She was dedicated to her work and learned quickly. As a senior colleague, Feng Feng enjoyed interacting with someone like her.
The wedding preparations for Lin Mei and Xing Zheng had already begun, and Feng Feng, as a close friend, naturally offered her advice and assistance.
However, during this time, Wen Zhouyuan's condition suddenly took a sharp turn for the worse. He began to bleed incessantly, and it couldn't be stopped. He was admitted to the hospital again.
Feng Feng temporarily sent Wen Mubai to Lin Mei's place and stayed at the hospital overnight, waiting for Wen Zhouyuan to wake up.
His previous chemotherapy sessions had gone smoothly, with almost no adverse reactions. Feng Feng had even temporarily forgotten the "deadline" the doctor had mentioned.
His sudden deterioration now brought that cruel reality back into sharp focus.
Feng Feng kept vigil in the hospital room all night. She managed only two to three hours of sleep, and when she woke up in the morning, her face was etched with fatigue.
Wen Zhouyuan still hadn't woken up. Feng Feng saw that his heart rate monitor showed a heart rate of only just over fifty. Looking at his pale, bloodless face, she felt extremely uncomfortable.
She could hardly connect this haggard, sickly man with the energetic and spirited Wen Zhouyuan she knew.
Feng Feng went to the restroom to wash her face. When she came out, the attending physician was looking for her. The doctor called Feng Feng to his office, his expression grave.
Seeing the doctor's expression, Feng Feng already had an idea of what he was going to say.
Feng Feng: "Please, just tell me directly."
The doctor nodded, "His condition is very serious. The family needs to be prepared."
Feng Feng clenched her hands. "He was doing so well a while ago, how could this happen so suddenly?"
The doctor: "Some things are unpredictable. Cancer cell spread, or even a simple cold, can be a fatal blow to him."
Feng Feng: "How much time, approximately?"
The doctor parted his lips, hesitant to speak, his expression even more serious than before.
Feng Feng didn't press further. She just smiled faintly, "Okay, I understand. Thank you."
Her reaction was so calm that the doctor began to worry about her mental state.
The doctor stared at Feng Feng for a long time and then offered, "Everyone faces this day. For him, chemotherapy is also a torment. Your family should spend more time with him; that's what he needs most right now."
Feng Feng: "Yes, I understand."
She remained very calm. After responding to the doctor, she walked out of the office and took out her phone to call Bai Zhi.
Although Bai Zhi had divorced Wen Zhouyuan, they had a child together. Before Bai Zhi left, she had told Feng Feng to notify her if that day ever came.
Bai Zhi answered quickly. Feng Feng took several deep breaths and said, "You should come to Nanjiang. Wen Zhouyuan's condition isn't good."
There was no need for detailed explanation; Bai Zhi already understood what "not good" meant. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, facing the reality was still difficult.
Bai Zhi's voice choked slightly. "I'll book a flight now."
Feng Feng: "Okay."
Bai Zhi: "Thank you for your hard work."
Feng Feng: "It's nothing. Have a safe trip. I'll wait for you."
After finishing the call with Bai Zhi, Feng Feng didn't immediately return to the ward. Instead, she turned towards the fire escape.
She stood by the window, looking down, her thoughts drifting far away.
The day of farewell was inevitably drawing closer. Watching a vibrant life slowly fade away like this, the feeling of powerlessness was so despairing that it made her chest ache.