Waking up very early in the morning, Lu Chenchen saw that the curtains were still pitch black outside, and realized it was still too early. She was too lazy to get out of bed, yet unable to fall back asleep, so she stared blankly at the ghastly white ceiling, her mind as turbulent as the sea, waves swelling and breaking.
Ever since Le Hai had sent her an inquiry message before the holiday, there had been no further word from him until today. Lu Chenchen did not want to pay him any heed either. If she had not run into Professor Qi, the neurology specialist, by a fluke, she would not even have wanted to mention him.
Le Hai believed that time and space could gradually make one forget.
Lu Chenchen wanted to prove to him that time and space would only make longing accumulate, like the hairs bundled together on a writing brush, packed densely enough to yield immortal words with their vigorous strokes.
Around 5 am, Lu Chenchen heard faint rustling sounds outside her door. She got dressed and out of bed.
Sure enough, Professor Qi was pacing around the living room, his gaze wandering everywhere.
Over the last couple of days, Lu Chenchen noticed that Professor Qi liked to drink some lightly salted water when he got up early in the morning. Last night before bed, Lu Chenchen had changed the water in his thermal flask to freshly boiled water with some added salt, and left it for the next morning, so he would have a warm salted water ready.
She walked over holding the water and gently asked, “Professor Qi, good morning. What are you looking for?”
He seemed startled, and glared at Lu Chenchen to retort loudly, “Who are you? Why are you in my home? Qiao Min... Yes, Qiao Min. Where’s Qiao Min?”
Alright, so the old man had forgotten about Lu Chenchen again?
Who was this Qiao Min, or Little Min? As far as Lu Chenchen knew, Professor Qi lived alone, except for a caregiver. Could Qiao Min be that caregiver’s name?
Seeing Professor Qi anxiously searching everywhere for this woman who was most likely his caregiver, a feeling of dejection welled up within Lu Chenchen. Even with his advanced dementia, he could still remember his caregiver’s name, so their bond must run deep! How could Lu Chenchen ever hope to replace a caregiver who had looked after him for so many years and was probably like family?
Yet now was not the time for Lu Chenchen to retreat. She had nowhere to retreat to.
Pretending to sniffle as if she had a cold, Lu Chenchen answered his earlier questions. “I’m Little Lu, you see,” she pointed at the whiteboard behind his front door, “Little Lu, see that? I’m Lu Chenchen, your caregiver. Here, let’s have some salted water first, I know you like to drink it when you get up.”
He did walk closer to inspect the whiteboard, and stopped scolding Lu Chenchen. But he kept mumbling, “Then where’s Qiao Min? Where did Qiao Min go?”
See, Lu Chenchen was right! It must be his caregiver.
But could it have been Qiao Min Auntie who wrote on the whiteboard? Do modern caregivers have such elegant handwriting?
Having just felt threatened by Auntie Qiao Min’s charm, Lu Chenchen was now wounded by her graceful calligraphy.
Wah wah wah! Qiao Min Auntie, you’re truly the gold standard for caregivers. Lu Chenchen gives you ninety-nine likes! Just one request - next time you write my name, could you please not circle it once, twice, thrice to highlight it? We could try a different color, or make it bold, or underline it twice to achieve the same effect. Circling it around like that makes me want to fling a dart at your circles whenever I pass by!
Ooh, how Lu Chenchen wanted to aim a dart right at one of her circles!
Then Lu Chenchen remembered when she had first arrived, she ran into Professor Qi coming back from outside. He was also looking around bewilderedly, as if searching for Qiao Min even back then, but had forgotten her name due to his illness.
Acidic water of jealousy seemed to bubble up from Lu Chenchen’s heart with "glug glug" sounds.
She had been a caregiver for so long, yet never had an employer who missed her day and night like Professor Qi did for Qiao Min!
"Professor Qi, didn't you say yesterday you like eating small cannoli? Take a look at the ones I made, are they the size you wanted?" Lu Chenchen changed the topic on purpose to distract him. "I can make really good mini cannoli! They may not look as appetizing as the ones sold outside, but I could brush on some oil to make them shiny and succulent - that would improve both taste and appearance.”
As expected, Professor Qi took her bait and scowled, grinding his teeth, “Are you surname Pig? How can you brush oil on cannoli? Let me tell you what's in oil - glycerol trioleate, free saturated fatty acids...”
His yelling grew louder in the stillness of dawn, exceptionally jarring in the quiet neighborhood. Lu Chenchen felt bad for Professor Qi's neighbors.
Evergreen Garden could no longer be considered a small community ("xiaoqu" in Chinese). It would be more accurate to call it a large or even gigantic community. Matching its scale was a equally gigantic central park.
After breakfast, Lu Chenchen accompanied Professor Qi on a walk around the central park. His mind had cleared and he told Lu Chenchen to rest on a bench while he wanted some peace and quiet.
Crouching behind an artificial hill, Lu Chenchen watched him sit motionless on a wooden bench. The sun slowly climbed upwards, and more people trickled into the park - children laughing and chasing dogs, elderly walking their dogs at a sedate pace. Professor Qi's gaze would follow them briefly before returning to stare ahead blankly.
A flash of inspiration hit Lu Chenchen, and an idea started bouncing around eagerly in her mind. Using the intensifying heat as an excuse, she urged Professor Qi to return home.
Without a word, he silently stood up.
On the way back, Lu Chenchen steered the conversation towards her intention, “Professor Qi, have you ever considered getting a dog? Dogs are very smart - they can guard the house and provide companionship. They're so lovable!” I’ve helped several employers care for their dogs, bathing them, trimming their nails, applying flea medication... I can do it all. Dogs adore me!”
When she mentioned this, the image of Li Li floated up in Lu Chenchen's mind, and she shuddered in self-disgust over her generous praises just now.
Professor Qi remained silent. From Lu Chenchen’s understanding over the past couple days, whenever he opposed her suggestions, he would surely yell at her in his booming voice, spraying spittle everywhere.
No response meant there was hope?
Lu Chenchen was thrilled inside. After touting Li Li, she went on to sing her own praises, “I’ve helped many employers care for their dogs, bathing them, trimming their nails, applying flea medication... I can do it all. Dogs love me to pieces! If you really want to get one, leave all the caretaking to me. You just focus on playing with it.”
Lost in thought, Professor Qi missed the embellishments in Lu Chenchen’s words, let alone unravel them.
“...I would like to, but...”
His voice was already soft, so Lu Chenchen had to stoop closer to hear him with effort. Right when he uttered “but”, she nearly toppled over in surprise!
Cursing internally, come on, just spit it out!
Yet outwardly she dared not reveal anything, and accompanied him to walk another hundred meters or so before he finally continued after that “but”. Left with no choice, Lu Chenchen feigned innocence, “If you want to get one, just get one! At most you'd need to apply for a dog license.”
“That’s not the issue.” He seemed rather annoyed.
“Then there’s no problem!” Lu Chenchen exclaimed in surprise.
He just snorted in response, his voice growing fainter again.
Straining to listen, Lu Chenchen vaguely made out the word “allergy”.
"You're allergic to pets?" Lu Chenchen's high hopes instantly crashed to the ground, shattered to smithereens. Well, there was nothing more to say then...
"It's not that I'm allergic." Professor Qi mumbled awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed to continue.
Fireworks exploded in Lu Chenchen's heart, colorful and dazzling. So it wasn't Professor Qi with the allergy, yet his expression showed he truly did want a dog.
Did this present an opportunity for her? If she used wanting a dog as an excuse, could she replace the allergic caretaker and stay on as Professor Qi's caregiver?
Ever since Lu Chenchen found out Professor Qi specialized in neurology, getting to stay with him and eventually obtain his professional guidance to help restart Le Hai's health and hopeful life became the sole thought occupying her mind day and night.
In the process, Lu Chenchen intentionally neglected how she would have to abandon the Mao family, disregarded how she would hurt the other caregiver. She knew she was being extremely selfish, but having Le Hai regain health had to take utmost priority.
If her decision came with any punishment, she would bear it without complaint or regret.
Yet beyond Lu Chenchen’s expectations, just as she racked her brains ceaselessly to solve this intractable problem, the magical moment the puzzle unexpectedly unraveled also happened to coincide with an involuntary loud sneeze escaping her.
An exceptionally loud and ridiculous sneeze. So loud that even with a face mask on, she still attracted a bunch of looks in the bustling park.
Especially Professor Qi, who asked her in an frighteningly cold voice: "Are you catching a cold?"
