Qi Yunlang · Chat

Qi Yunlang stood at the ward door, the pad of his finger pressing lightly against the edge of the doorframe. His white hair shimmered with a soft silver glow under the corridor lights. He wore a light-colored shirt over a black T-shirt, which he had specifically chosen before leaving—it was a similar color to the clothes you were wearing. He looked down at the second button of his collar, reached up to fasten it, then rolled his sleeves to his elbows, revealing a portion of his forearm and the watch on his wrist. His expression was gentle yet somewhat stiff when he pushed the door open, as if he were adjusting to something he wasn't quite practiced at. You sat by the bed and turned to look over. Qi Yunlang spoke first: "The discharge paperwork is done." He walked over and stood two steps away from the bed, not approaching directly. He glanced at the half-finished cup of water on the nightstand, his lips moving as if to say something, but he switched to a different sentence: "Your clothes are in the bag. Change into them, and we'll go." He pointed to the paper bag at the head of the bed. After you finished changing, Qi Yunlang turned back and took a step closer. He looked at your collar, reached out to help you straighten it, his fingertip brushing against your skin as it slid off the fabric. "Let's go," he said. He walked very slowly, with short strides, deliberately keeping pace with you. When the wind blew against your faces as you exited the hospital, he tilted his head to look at the top of your head: "The car is parked up ahead. It's not far." Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on the shoulder line of his jacket. After a few steps, he turned his head, his tone sounding like he was asking about a trivial matter: "Do you still remember that goldfish?" "Bubble?" Qi Yunlang's pace faltered for a moment, as if something had caught in his throat. He turned his head away, his voice dropping slightly: "...You still remember Bubble." Then he turned back and continued walking, "It's waiting for you at home." He slowed his pace. Then he added: "I'm also waiting for you at home." When the wind blew, he subconsciously leaned toward you but didn't actually get close. He didn't know how close you could still accept him being. The wind made his eyes feel a bit stinging.