Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

As soon as An Hao walked in, she only saw Ji Chuan lying in the hospital bed reading a book, but couldn’t spot Yan Huan.

”Why are you all alone? Didn’t Yan Huan insist yesterday that she’d handle your discharge first thing this morning? Where is she now?”

”She went back to the dorm to tidy up.” Ji Chuan put down the book in his hand and said with a faint smile, ”She said today is the day I get discharged, so she wanted to clean the dorm thoroughly, to sweep away the bad luck!”

”Wow! Yan Huan is really showing more and more the signs of being a wife lately! Congratulations to you, Ji Chuan!” An Hao was genuinely happy for them as she saw their relationship get better and better.

”I guess this was a blessing in disguise for me.” Ji Chuan laughed.

”So, now that your leg injury is healed, are you planning on getting married?”

”Yes. I don’t intend to delay any longer. My parents will also come to Nancheng in the next day or two, and the two families will sit down together then to discuss the wedding process!”

”That’s wonderful!” An Hao happily patted Ji Chuan on the shoulder, ”Congratulations, Director Ji! You’ve finally found your love after all these years!”

”Am I that old?” Ji Chuan raised an eyebrow, not quite satisfied with An Hao’s metaphor.

”Yes! You absolutely deserve the title of an age-old iron tree! Hahaha!”

......

Single dormitory building.

Yan Huan spent the entire morning helping Ji Chuan clean his room. He’s a man who loves cleanliness, so although the place hasn’t been lived in for a long time, it wasn’t particularly messy.

However, with the strong winds of summer, the open windows often left the rooms covered in dust.

Yan Huan wiped everything inside and out until it was spotless, with the windows crystal clear. She even washed Ji Chuan’s bedsheets, duvet covers, and even the curtains.

The air was filled with a faint scent of laundry detergent; she closed her eyes to take in its comforting, homely aroma.

Knock knock knock!

There was a knock on the door, and Yan Huan went to open it. She saw An Hao standing outside carrying Ji Chuan’s things, having brought him back home. Two other colleagues from the department had come along too.

”Didn’t we agree that I would pick you up?”

”Yeah! I was waiting for you to pick me up, and I’ve been waiting so long...” Ji Chuan shook his watch-wearing wrist, ”It’s almost noon...”

”Ah? I didn’t pay attention to the time. Come in quickly...” Yan Huan hurriedly stepped aside, inviting Ji Chuan and the colleagues in to sit.

An Hao and the colleagues, having safely escorted Ji Chuan back, didn’t plan to stay long: ”We’ve brought him to you safely, take good care of him! We’re heading out first!”

”Would you like to sit down and have a drink...?” Yan Huan, trying to imitate a housewife, offered to entertain An Hao and the colleagues.

”No need. We’ll head out now; there will be plenty of chances in the future.” An Hao winked and smiled at her, ”Do your best, I’m rooting for you!”

Yan Huan helped Ji Chuan to sit on the sofa. He glanced around, noticing how clean the house was, with a bouquet of fresh flowers deliberately set on the dining table to liven up the environment and atmosphere.

Seeing this scene, Ji Chuan felt waves of warmth in his heart. He reached out to hold Yan Huan’s shoulder and said in a hoarse voice, ”Thank you, it’s been tough on you these past days!”

”Why thank me?” Yan Huan rested her head on his shoulder, ”It’s only when people almost lose something that they learn to cherish it. Ji Chuan, I didn’t know how to appreciate your feelings before, but that will be different from now on...”