Chapter 2: Since ancient times, beautiful women have had short lives

  A handsome guy who looked like Jerry Yan walked in, holding a bouquet of flowers, followed by a burly man who was probably his bodyguard. This tall, rich and handsome guy seemed to know Mr. Gu, nodded at him and asked how he was doing, then glanced at me before walking straight towards the curtain, lifted it up and went inside. Then from behind the curtain came a pleasant, magnetic voice: "Hani, are you feeling better?"

  I didn't hear anyone respond. But it should be a girl inside, this handsome guy's girlfriend... Of course, who knows, it might also be a boy. In this day and age, who can tell?

  It was probably the patient who nodded, and the handsome guy's voice sounded again: "This bouquet of flowers is for you, do you like it? Sorry, the VIP ward in this hospital has been fully booked for the past few days, so I can only ask you to stay here for one more day. At most tomorrow, we will transfer you to the VIP ward..."

  The patient still hasn't spoken.

  The handsome guy was silent for a while, probably putting the flowers in the vase. Before long, that muscular bodyguard came out with a bunch of still very fresh flowers, presumably to throw away the replaced ones. Then, the handsome guy said while pulling the curtains: "Today's sunshine is great, you can also bask in it."

  The curtain was pulled open. I couldn't help but sit up and take a look, wondering what the patient looked like - whether she was a beautiful woman or a handsome man with such a wealthy and handsome boyfriend.

  I was stunned at first glance.

  What caught his eye was an angelic face that was perfect and flawless, absolutely the dream lover and goddess in the hearts of most men.

  Her pale face, like jade, had a pair of big eyes that shone with pure and innocent light. Her eyebrows were straight, but slightly tilted downwards, outlining an expression that was both pitiful and lovely to behold. Her high nose bridge glistened subtly in the sunlight, her red lips tightly closed as if enduring physical discomfort, yet this sick beauty only stirred up a man's instinct to protect her. She should have had long hair reaching down to her shoulders, but now it was tied back into a fluffy braid - a style rarely seen these days. At first glance, she seemed like a village girl, but for someone like me, born in the 80s, she evoked memories of my awkward youth and the people and things from that time. The class beauty had worn her hair in a similar braid, captivating the attention of countless naive boys.

  It wasn't until later that I learned this braid was called a fishbone braid. On her head, the fishbone braid was just like the ancient beauty's topknot, complementing each other perfectly and being incredibly beautiful.

  For a beauty of the level "only seen in heaven, rarely seen on earth", I have always been very shy, not daring to look directly at her, let alone make eye contact. But this time was completely different, my brain suddenly buzzed, and my whole body trembled slightly - this is the goddess in my heart, I couldn't help but want to take another look at her, even if she ignored me or looked down on me.

  Some beautiful but seductive women may quickly evoke a man's primal urges, but this pure beauty has made the lewd thoughts that I had while reminiscing about Japanese adult videos instantly disappear. For such a treasure, you might only want to place her in a beautiful setting and admire her carefully, not daring to have even half a lustful thought.

  This kind of lotus-like sanctity and beauty makes you understand what "can be admired from afar but not profaned" means.

  I gazed at this beauty and forgot about the whole world.

  Until a huge palm slapped on my back, and immediately a fierce voice sounded: "What the hell are you looking at!"

  I almost jumped out of bed. It's not just because I was caught peeking at a beauty, but also because I lost face in front of the goddess, which is really depressing.

  The man who hit me was the muscular bodyguard standing next to that handsome guy who looks like Jerry Yan. When I turned around, this guy glared at me with a ferocious expression, his face full of anger and malice.

  I subconsciously turned my head to take a glance at the goddess, only to see her frowning slightly at the burly man, seemingly displeased with his bullying behavior.

  At that moment, I suddenly felt the sunshine seemed brighter, and the air was filled with a lively atmosphere - my goddess in heart, actually used such a touching expression to stand up for me! For a while, my mood was excited, almost as if my heart was going to palpitate like Li Haibo's, beating extremely irregularly.

  The handsome guy standing next to her also noticed the subtle changes in her expression. The bodyguard saw that I was still staring at the goddess and was about to roll up his sleeves and take action against my neck, when the handsome guy shouted: "Feng Si, stop!"

  The burly man named Feng Si stopped in his tracks, and I too had to muster up a lot of determination to tear my gaze away from the goddess.

  "Feng Si cursed in a low voice: 'Stinky fool, poor goods, damn toad wants to eat swan meat!'"

  I cursed loudly in my heart, not at his sarcastic words, but at him pulling up the curtain with ease. Not giving me a chance to continue my eye addiction.

  Before long, my thoughts returned again to memories of that goddess's face.

  A thin curtain separates them, like a chasm and a precipice.

  The conversation between the handsome guy and the muscular bodyguard came from behind the curtain, I was too lazy to listen.

  With my eyes closed, I concentrated on recalling that absolutely beautiful face.

  Suddenly, her voice rang out. I didn't quite catch what she said, but I felt a thrill run through my entire body. The sound was melodious and pleasant to the ear, like heavenly music that lingered on for three days without fading away.

  She didn't seem to be too moved by the guy's enthusiasm, maybe she was already used to it. After a few bland exchanges between the two, the guy bid farewell warmly and left the room.

  I don't know if he and his burly bodyguard glared at me fiercely when they left, because I had my eyes closed the whole time.

  The whole room fell silent. All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat.

  A thin curtain separates them, like a chasm, like a precipice.

  The goddess over there, what is she thinking about now, and what is she doing?

  I don't know. She didn't say another word.

  I don't know how long it took, but Li Haibo was pushed in by a nurse and I quickly got out of bed. Judging from his complexion, the surgery should have been very successful. Dr. Zhu said a few words of concern and then said: "Alright, rest well. With this minimally invasive surgery, if there's no major problem, you can be discharged tomorrow."

  I was startled and asked in a hurry: "Discharged tomorrow?"

  Li Haibo looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if wondering about my reaction. Isn't it good to be discharged tomorrow? Does staying in the hospital cost nothing?

  He doesn't know, I sincerely hope he stays here for ten days or half a month, then I have an excuse to visit him every day.

  Actually, I secretly hope to have another chance to take a few more glances at that goddess.

  But she's being transferred to a special ward tomorrow. If I can still see her tomorrow, it'll probably be the last time.

  I calmly said: "Discharged tomorrow, great, it seems the surgery went very well. Thank you Dr. Zhu, thank you doctor."

  Dr. Zhu nodded and said, "Alright, follow me, let's go sign something."

  I reluctantly followed him out of the ward.

  He had just signed his name, when his mobile phone rang again. It was Wang Zong once more, and another barrage of abuse: "Do you think our company is a nursing home? You ran out for so long after just one phone call! Are you going to revise that report or not? I'm warning you, if you can't appear before me within 15 minutes, then don't bother doing this job!"

  I hung up the phone and ran to Li Haibo's hospital room door, poking my head in to say: "You rest well, I'll head back to the company first. Call me before you're discharged tomorrow and I'll come pick you up!"

  Having said that, he rushed out of the hospital and hailed a taxi to hurry to the company.

  That night, food was tasteless and sleep was elusive.

  As soon as I close my eyes, her face appears. Usually when I go to websites like 1024 and browse around, I'd often lie in bed and invite the five-fingered maiden to serve me, but thinking of her pure and innocent face, untouched by worldly desires, I completely lose interest in that aspect, it's as if thinking about her while doing that would be a huge desecration.

  According to Feng Menglong's "Three Words and Two Claps", Guanyin Bodhisattva once transformed into a beautiful woman who was a courtesan, and fell into the brothel. No matter what kind of debauchee or playboy, as soon as they met her, they immediately lost their lustful heart and became devoted to Buddhism. I always thought this story was a mythical version of some famous courtesan with courage and vision using chemical castration to eliminate the "root of all troubles" for many young people who were lost in the world. Now I realize that beauty can be so extreme that it can make people's souls surrender, their hearts yearn for it, yet without any lustful thoughts.

  At first sight, I'd gladly plunge into boiling water for you; having caught a glimpse of your heavenly face, I'd willingly give up good fortune and longevity for you.

  Tossing and turning, I endured until dawn broke.

  The next day at noon, I received a call from Li Haibo, saying that he would be discharged soon and his body was fine, so there was no need for me to come over.

  I immediately refused and said I'll be right there. Quickly hailed a cab and rushed to the hospital.

  Just to see her one more time, perhaps for the last time.

  As soon as I entered the ward, my eyes turned towards her room.

  The curtains have been drawn up. The ward is empty. As expected, she has been transferred to a deluxe ward by her boyfriend who looks very rich. I'm still one step late.

  Can't even take one last look? Heaven is indeed cruel.

  I suppressed the disappointment in my heart and walked into Li Haibo's room.

  Li Haibo stared at me for a while and said, "Didn't see the beauty, disappointed?"

  I was startled and thought that he was indeed a young man who had become a partner, his ability to observe and listen was quite impressive. I didn't hide it from him either, so I just nodded my head.

  He whispered to me: "You don't know, that girl passed away last night."

  "What?! I couldn't believe my ears. My eyes stared fixedly at Li Haibo's mouth, and I said word by word: 'You...said...what?'"