Chapter 47 – It can definitely be cured

Translator: Abo Dammen

Chi Zhao’s desire to cure Fu Nan’an’s eyes was not a new thought.

If it were someone else, it might just be an idle fantasy, but Chi Zhao’s idea was by no means a pipe dream. Retinal diseases are a worldwide challenge, but the advancements in modern medicine and his personal involvement in the project had given him this confidence. A technical problem that had plagued ophthalmology for decades couldn’t be solved overnight, but Chi Zhao had always been someone who dared to think and dared to act. Medicine is inherently a discipline that defies fate. If he wanted it, he would certainly strive to achieve it, no matter what hardships it entailed.

For the New Year, Chi Zhao had only asked for two days off. After that, it was back to a life of busy and monotonous research. Parting was always filled with reluctance, and the pressures of scientific research were far beyond what a few words or lines could express. They were walking on the paths of those who came before, yet the path remained exceptionally difficult. But because it was the direction their hearts desired, no amount of bitterness or fatigue felt unbearable.

By March, Fu Nan’an’s arm had completely healed. By April, the streets were blooming with spring flowers. May brought the start of summer, August the start of autumn. Under Fu Nan’an’s supervision, Chi Zhao didn’t have any further health problems. And so the days passed one after another, and in the blink of an eye, two years went by, and Chi Zhao’s project team’s efforts finally yielded returns.

Actually, the artificial retina project had been worked on by others before, but the number of electrodes was too few to meet daily needs. When Chi Zhao’s two-year master’s program ended, their project achieved a breakthrough in animal testing. They increased the maximum number of electrodes from 49, achieved by other project teams, to over 3,000. This quantity was sufficient for a patient’s daily needs. The next step was to proceed with phased clinical trials.

All the hardships need not be elaborated on, as this moment of achieving results made everything worthwhile. Although the current results were still a long way from the technology being truly market-ready and mature, and they would undoubtedly encounter various difficulties and challenges later, they had successfully taken the first step, the most difficult step. After that, no matter how bitter or exhausting, they would not be afraid.

Major research projects require close collaboration across various fields. Chi Zhao’s research direction was more fundamental. He lacked clinical experience, so once the project truly entered the clinical stage, there wasn’t much he could do. The production of the artificial retina also involved cooperation with medical device manufacturers, a field Chi Zhao had never had any experience with. So, after completing his own research, Chi Zhao chose to return to China first, to wait for the project’s development domestically and also to continue shining in a new position.

“Are you really going back just like that?” Chi Zhao’s supervisor was naturally unwilling to let him go and was still trying to persuade him the day before his departure. The supervisor patted his shoulder, saying sincerely, “Chi, you are an excellent student. Are you really not considering staying? You could consider continuing with me, I’m willing to offer you very good terms.”

The supervisor spoke sincerely, and Chi Zhao replied with equal sincerity, “I’m really not staying.”

No matter what, they had spent two years together, and parting is never pleasant. But Chi Zhao’s tone remained firm. “I really like the environment here and I’m very grateful for your mentorship. I will keep a close eye on the project’s progress, but it’s time for me to go back. Even if I stayed, I wouldn’t be much help to you anymore.”

It was indeed time for Chi Zhao to return. Aside from having completed his research tasks, it was also because there was someone waiting for him, someone he missed, back in China.

Before leaving, Chi Zhao had promised Fu Nan’an he would return in at most two years. Now that the two years were up and the project showed a glimmer of success, Chi Zhao returned to Fu Nan’an’s side as promised, returning to the place he missed most.

Chi Zhao returned with the project’s results. After returning to China, he was recruited as a talent by the city’s best ophthalmology hospital. Besides work, the two also accomplished a major life event which was, Fu Nan’an took Chi Zhao to meet his parents.

They hadn’t chosen to meet the parents blindly right after starting to date. Instead, they used a “slow-boiling frog” approach to let the elderly couple adjust gradually. First, Fu Nan’an tested the waters indirectly, then Chi Zhao would occasionally chat with the parents. Their son, who had never been in a relationship before, suddenly finding a male partner wasn’t something easy to accept. And facts proved their strategy correct. Over two years of subtle influence, the two parents smoothly accepted Chi Zhao. Even before the formal meeting, they already treated Chi Zhao like their own son. In fact, on the day Chi Zhao returned to the country, the elderly couple went with Fu Nan’an to pick him up at the airport.

When Chi Zhao learned he was going to meet Fu Nan’an’s parents, he was a bit nervous. Having been through all sorts of challenges during his research years, he still carefully confirmed his parents’ preferences with Fu Nan’an, buying many gifts to suit their tastes: Ceylon black tea for uncle, special scarves for aunt, and calcium supplements good for their health…

Chi Zhao carried bags and bags of things. His heart was in his throat when he got off the plane, but upon meeting them, Fu Nan’an’s parents treated him with even more affection than their own son. Uncle and auntie asked him all sorts of questions. After returning home, auntie even personally cooked a table full of dishes.

“Come, Xiao Chi, try this roast chicken wing I made. I heard from Nan’an you like these. I specially went to the market early to buy them so they’re absolutely fresh.

“Oh, and this fish soup too. You doctors work hard, you should nourish your bodies more. Let Auntie serve you a bowl.”

This warmth was definitely not feigned, all the small details couldn’t lie. After the meal, Mama Fu brought out a fruit plate. The washed apples were cut into cute little rabbit shapes. Fu Nan’an speared a piece with a fork and put it in his mouth, then was surprised by the strange shape. “What is this cut into?”

“Rabbit apples,” Mama Fu said. “I learned it online. Can you feel the two pointy bits? Those are the rabbit ears.”

Fu Nan’an was amused by her description. “How come I never saw you being so meticulous before?”

“Well, of course it can’t be like before,”Mama Fu said matter-of-factly. “Isn’t our Xiao Chi here now?”

Fu Nan’an laughed: “Just who is your son, anyway?”

Fu’s mother replied: “You definitely can’t compare to Xiao Chi.”

It was all in jest, but Chi Zhao loved this kind of family atmosphere. Fu Nan’an’s parents never condescendingly demanded things from them, there was only equal exchange and communication. No wonder Fu Nan’an, even after losing his sight during his proud university years, didn’t collapse from then on. Besides friends, his parents were also there for him.

Such companionship is similarly gentle and powerful. After meeting Fu Nan’an’s parents, Chi Zhao felt for the first time how profoundly family bond could influence a person.

The days spent with the two elders were even more pleasant than imagined, but no matter how pleasant, parting time eventually comes. In the blink of an eye, it was time to leave. The elderly couple had already retired, bought a house by the sea, spending their days gardening and puttering around. But Chi Zhao and Fu Nan’an still had work commitments.

The feeling of having family who care about you is always different. When it was time to leave, the elderly couple packed all sorts of food for Chi Zhao and Fu Nan’an—homemade sauce, homemade steamed buns. If they hadn’t come by car, Chi Zhao would have suspected they planned to empty the entire house for them. The night before their departure, Mama Fu pulled Chi Zhao aside again, saying she wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.

“Auntie, what did you want to talk to me about? Please, speak frankly.” Sitting in the study on the second floor, Chi Zhao was still a bit nervous. After all, he was the one who confessed to Fu Nan’an first, he was the one who “bent” Fu Nan’an. So, when facing Fu Nan’an’s parents, he always felt an indescribable sense of guilt. The social environment in China being what it is, same-sex love isn’t something to be widely proclaimed. Chi Zhao offered a somewhat tense smile to Mama Fu. She quickly smiled back, her tone very gentle. “Don’t be so formal, Xiao Chi. Auntie called you here for no other reason than to thank you.”

Chi Zhao was stunned. “Thank me?”

“Yes, we must thank you,” Mama Fu said, looking at Chi Zhao, her tone very sincere. “Thank you for being willing to be with Nan’an.”

Hearing this, Chi Zhao was still full of confusion. Many people pursued Professor Fu, yet Mama Fu’s tone made it sound like no one wanted him. Mama Fu clearly knew what he was thinking and explained to him very gently, “Many people have pursued Nan’an. It’s not that we haven’t tried to introduce people to him before. But you are the only one who could make him open his heart. Nan’an has always been a very independent child since he was young. He rarely complains to us about anything. Even after getting this illness, he never once complained that it was something his father and I passed on to him. He is outstanding, I know, but I also know he has silently shouldered a great deal on his own.”

So, indeed, parents can be very different. Chi Zhao had never felt the warmth of familial love growing up, but Fu Nan’an had encountered two parents who truly loved him. Mama Fu told Chi Zhao that initially, they truly couldn’t accept their son being with someone of the same sex. They struggled for a long time. Later, seeing that Fu Nan’an was genuinely happy, they slowly learned to accept it.

“Really, we just hope he can be a little happier. Ever since he lost his sight, he rarely smiled. His father and I wanted to help him but couldn’t do much. His path has been one he walked himself.” When she reached this point, Mama Fu smiled wryly. Her fingers touched her hair bun, and as she spoke, she became genuinely emotional. She truly loved her son, so her tone was exceptionally sincere. “To be honest, we never asked for him to be rich or powerful. We just hope he can be happy. So, I’m truly grateful he met you, someone who understands him, loves him, and can make him happy.

“I sincerely wish you both the best,” Mama Fu said. “Those things like gender, sexual orientation, age difference are all superficial. I hope you can be forever happy and joyful.”

Auntie’s words were too sincere, making Chi Zhao’s heart feel sore and swollen. He ached for Fu Nan’an’s past hardships, while also feeling grateful that Fu Nan’an had encountered such understanding parents.

“Auntie, don’t worry,” Chi Zhao assured Mama Fu. “We will definitely be happy.”

He paused, then added a very solemn promise in his heart: And I will definitely cure Professor Fu’s eyes.

By now, Chi Zhao was no longer the somewhat confused young man from his internship days. Two years of tempering had matured him greatly. Back when Fu Nan’an was injured, Chi Zhao could only hold his hand and say, “I want to cure your eyes.” But now, he had the absolute confidence to say to Fu Nan’an, “I can cure your eyes.” The leap between “want” and “can” is something only those involved can truly understand. Their project had already entered the clinical approval stage. So, Fu Nan’an regaining his sight was merely a matter of time.

“Professor, I will make you see.” On the train back, Chi Zhao held Fu Nan’an’s hand very earnestly.

He was no longer that intern who would squat on the ground reciting textbooks in frustration because of someone else’s comment. He had been growing all along. He was striving to shine.

Fu Nan’an smiled, gripping Chi Zhao’s hand in return, interlacing their fingers. “I know. I’ll be waiting.”

Yes, Fu Nan’an had always known. This was his Chi Zhao, his most beloved student, and his most cherished youth—steadfast, brave, and persistent. This child carried a light within him. He deserves all the good things. He had this aspiration and the ability to match it. He had long begun to glimmer brilliantly, so, what he wanted should rightfully be his.

What Chi Zhao wanted should be his. Whether it took one year or ten, Fu Nan’an would one day be able to see.

It was a hope and an inevitability.

☆

One night, three years later, Chi Zhao received an international phone call from his former supervisor.

“Chi, it’s ready! This time it’s really ready!”