Amidst the deafening roar both inside and outside the cabin, the plane finally touched down.
The sky outside the porthole was gloomy, raindrops falling steadily like an endless string of pearls, as if they would never cease.
Suddenly, Rachel recalled that rainy August years ago, the steady pitter-patter outside, the persistent patter within.
Three full days and nights.
Back then, she couldn't quite distinguish between confusion and infatuation.
In the end, she was the first to leave, yet she couldn't forget that love.
"What are you looking at? Have you been away for years or what?" Lauren yawned dismissively, tossing a piece of gum into her mouth.
Rachel's thoughts snapped back. She casually replied, "Five years."
Just eight days short of a full five years.
Rachel stared at the words "Capital International Airport" outside the porthole, then averted her gaze silently, changing the subject, "How are we getting there later?"
"A friend is picking us up," Lauren replied, eyeing the rain outside. "Since it's raining today, can we go to the hospital tomorrow instead?"
As she spoke, Rachel's phone powered on, a call coming in.
Her voice cool and composed, Rachel countered, "Do hospitals close on rainy days?"
Lauren: "No, they don't..."
Rachel responded with an "Oh," giving him a side-eye. "Then why not go?"
Caught off guard by her gaze, Lauren shrugged and fell silent.
The call connected, her friend Ariana's excited voice coming through, "My dear Rachel, you're finally back. Do you need me to accompany you? I'm free now, should I join you?"
"No need, I need to have Lauren accompany me." She had her reasons.
Knowing Rachel's stubborn nature, Ariana didn't insist, "Alright, I'll pick you up later in the evening. I've arranged a gathering place for us, I'll send you the address later."
After a moment of calm, Ariana informed Rachel, "Oh, I heard from Gabrielle that they're off to a company for investment discussions today, they agreed to go together."
Rachel understood whom she was referring to and replied nonchalantly, "See you tonight. I've brought a gift for you, I'll give it to you later."
Ariana was already looking forward to their meeting.
Over the past few years, despite frequent international business trips, Rachel always managed to swing by San Francisco to visit her. They met several times every year.
However, Rachel had never returned once.
At one point, Ariana thought Rachel would never come back.
When the plane arrived at the gate, Rachel followed the other passengers orderly off the plane. As she headed to collect her checked baggage, she caught sight of a familiar figure at the carousel, pausing in her tracks and putting on her sunglasses.
"Why the sunglasses?" Lauren trailed behind her, following her gaze. "What's up? Checking out a handsome guy?"
Rachel deliberately looked at the man—a tall figure with long legs, broad shoulders, wearing all black.
Once he had his luggage, he turned around, allowing Rachel a clear view of his face.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
While they shared a slight physical resemblance, their auras were entirely different.
In his lazy and carefree demeanor, there was a unique sense of unruly freedom.
In this world, no one was quite like him.
After collecting their luggage and reaching the parking lot, Lauren's friend was already waiting.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Rachel got into the car first.
Taking the opportunity, the friend teased Lauren in a low voice, "Lauren, your taste has really improved during your year abroad."
Lauren glanced at the people in the car and chuckled, "Absolutely."
Once everyone was in the car, the friend asked their destination, and Rachel mentioned the name of the hospital.
Surprised, the friend asked, "The hospital?"
Rachel took off her sunglasses and replied softly, "Yes, to visit a relative."
In the hospital room, Rachel stood outside Room 503 of the VIP ward, taking a few moments to compose herself before lightly knocking on the door.
From inside came a middle-aged woman's voice, "Please come in."
Carrying a gift for the patient, Rachel pushed back her swirling emotions, putting on a warm smile as she entered.
Approaching the bed briskly, her usually cool voice softened, "Mom, I'm back. Why didn't you tell me you were sick? How are you feeling now?"
Five years apart, seeing Savannah again caused Rachel's eyes to well up with tears.
This woman had once pulled her out from the mire of life, one of the dearest persons to her in the world.
Savannah, surprised by Rachel's sudden return, held her hands, studying her carefully.
Her skin was still fair, her features still beautiful.
Dressed in a short green suit, her white camisole beneath outlined her figure elegantly, reflecting both style and competence.
After a moment of astonishment, Savannah spoke, "It's nothing, just had surgery to remove the tumor."
A few months earlier, Savannah had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, finally opting for surgery after putting off work.
Rachel had researched and knew that while cancer was serious, early detection and removal of the tumor often resulted in a good prognosis. With proper recovery, the survival rate was high—a small fortune in misfortune.
Savannah looked at the man who had entered with Rachel, and Rachel, understanding the situation, took Lauren's arm, introducing him, "This is my boyfriend, we came back together. I brought him here to meet you."
Receiving Rachel's signal, Lauren smoothly stepped forward, extending his hand warmly, "Hello, aunt. I'm Rachel's boyfriend, Lauren, also from London. I came along with Rachel to visit you."
Although not her actual mother, Savannah was like a second mother to Rachel, making it natural for her to bring her boyfriend.
However, Rachel harbored other thoughts deep within.
During her years abroad, she kept in regular contact with Savannah, sharing updates about her studies, work, and family, including her uncle's household.
Occasionally, Savannah would inquire about her love life, urging her to bring her boyfriend to meet her once she had one.
This seemed to fulfill one of Savannah's wishes.
Amidst Savannah and Lauren's chatter, Rachel redirected the conversation smoothly. Observing the wound on Savannah's neck, she couldn't help but offer reassurance, "While work is important, your health comes first. You can't push yourself as hard as before anymore."
Savannah smiled lightly, her tone calm and slow, "Oh, listen to you. Our Rachel has really grown up."
She affectionately touched Rachel's face, looking surprised. "Why did you come back suddenly? You didn't even tell me, I would've had your brother pick you up."
Rachel smiled in response, "No need for that, it's too much trouble."
As the door opened, a woman in a white coat, holding a basket, entered.
Glancing up, Rachel noticed the woman was young and beautiful. She smiled slightly at the doctor before her attention was abruptly drawn to a familiar figure.
Dressed in slightly loose black attire, his sharp facial features exuding a sense of sophistication, his dark and thick hair curled in a pleasing arc across his forehead. His thin lips, high nose, and handsome eyes—the image she had dreamt of countless times, despite the vast distance between them.
Finally, they met again.
However, the once rebellious youth now seemed to exude a hint of maturity and composure.
Their gazes collided briefly, a moment of recognition passing between them.
With a faint smile, Rachel called out, "Brother," in the same gentle and sweet tone she always used when they were younger.
He simply responded with a soft "Hmm," his peach blossom eyes revealing no emotions, his gaze nonchalantly drifting past her face, briefly pausing at her intertwined hand with Lauren, before shifting his attention back to the chatting doctor and Savannah.
He remained composed and aloof, seemingly forgetting their past heated and passionate moments.
Rachel's heart skipped a beat, a dull ache fleeting by. She let go of Lauren's arm, gradually calming her racing heart, and silently diverted her gaze.
The doctor placed the basket beside Savannah, offering warm wishes for her recovery. Savannah, in response, questioned Brooke, raising an eyebrow towards Rachel, "Brooke, did you know Rachel was coming back? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
Glancing at Rachel, Brooke nonchalantly quipped, "I did know, I just didn't feel like telling you, okay?"
The casual and carefree attitude remained.
He seemed changed yet unchanged.
Noticing the visitor, the doctor remarked, "So Brooke has such a beautiful sister too, Savannah, you're really lucky. Is the other person her sister's boyfriend?"
Savannah, following Rachel's lead, replied, "Yes, he just came back from the US with her."
Boyfriend.
At the mention of this term, Brooke finally displayed a subtle reaction. Pausing briefly, he glanced at Lauren and then lowered his head, a faint smirk on his lips.
Rachel couldn't quite discern his expression.
Surprised by the mention of a boyfriend, Lauren, still in a daze, nudged by Rachel, quickly stepped forward, extending his right hand eagerly, "Uncle."
Brooke lazily shook his hand, releasing it almost immediately, a gesture balancing social etiquette with a touch of acknowledgment, perhaps out of respect for Rachel, though that was the extent of it.
After some light conversation, the doctor bid farewell to Savannah with kind reassurances, "Rest well and focus on your recovery. If you need anything, Brooke can call anytime."
It was clear the doctor had a good relationship with both Savannah and Brooke.
After the doctor left, and Rachel expressed her intention to leave as well, Savannah advised her to rest for a few days, emphasizing that she didn't need evening company, just daytime visits.
Exiting the hospital, they reached the outdoor parking lot, the rain having ceased at some point.
From a distance, Rachel spotted Brooke and the female doctor.
He stood by the passenger side of a large black G-Wagon, opening the door with a gentle hand poised on the frame.
His hands were fair, well defined, exuding a sense of strength.
Once, he had fought fiercely like a dagger against thugs, stained with vivid blood; another time, he had held her waist tightly in solitude, coaxing sweet words from her.
And now, those gentle hands were protecting another woman's head with care.
Their shared summer belonged to the past.