Chen Nian’an got married to a man she had known for less than a month.
Chen Nian’an had thought that she and Song Jin, a high school teacher and a pediatrician with two very busy jobs, would treat each other with polite respect after marriage. In other words, they’d be married in name only.
But... things seemed to be unfolding in ways Chen Nian’an hadn’t expected.
Song Jin cooked for her, picked her up after work, prepared surprises for her, and patiently comforted her whenever she felt upset. He said he didn’t want her to go to bed carrying those feelings.
So, on a summer night full of stars and unending cicada song, Chen Nian’an joked, “Dr. Song, you’re so good to me. Are you secretly in love with me?”
Song Jin gazed into her bright eyes and replied with a laugh in the same teasing tone, “What do you think, Ms. Chen?”
“I think you definitely like me.”
Song Jin only gave a soft hum.
Winter. The first snow.
Song Jin and Chen Nian’an went for a walk together. Chen Nian’an said, “Song Jin, I was thinking yesterday. I don’t feel all that lonely. I have lots of people around me, but they’ve all found their own places in life. It feels like you’re the only one I have by my side.”
“I’ll always be here with you.”
