Chapter 75 Eight Years of Secret Love

There is a thick stack of postcards in the folder in the study.

She flipped through the pages from time to time, and behind each one was her photo.

The span is long, but the text is the most vivid footnote.

July 2016

First Encounter in Jiangnan/

They had lost a close friend, so the excuse of accompanying Shi Qing was a bit far-fetched. Uncle Shi didn't point it out; if a trip to Jiangnan could wash away the sadness of their friend's death, they would be equally relieved.

When I saw your tearful eyes, I realized that this heavy rain of loss of a good friend will not stop.

When we first met, your brokenness made me feel as if I could reflect on everything about myself.

I say this to you, and it also says this to myself: "I'm so sorry, everything will be fine."

August 2016

Temple prayer/

It has been 49 days since Cheng Yan left. On the seventh day after his death, I came to the ancient temple to see him off for the last time.

If you can't let it go, you can't mention it again when you return to Beijing after today. If someone remembers it, it's not forgotten.

I saw you behind the tree, you bowed your head reverently, and following your direction I saw the blessing plaque you hung.

Lin Xiafeng, you are thin. The master watched your back as you left. I hope you can let go of your worries and everything will be well.

At the foot of the stairs, I also recited to myself unconsciously.

At that time, I thought I was just blessing my friend.

Bamboo leaves fall lightly, and the wind blows the flags. Is it the wind that is moving, or is it the flag that is moving?

(Added in June 2021, you are an adult now, and the previous sentence has an explanation - the wind is not moving, the flag is not moving, it is my heart that is moving.)

September 2016

From now on healthy/

You are given the surname "Shi" and officially return home to reunite with your family.

But you are sick. Shi Qing's brows are always furrowed with worry. He told me that the psychologist said that the most serious injury to you is in your heart, and you have a heart disease.

I don’t know how to comfort you because I know that all words are pale and powerless in the face of life.

I hope you recover soon!

But seeing the pale figure in front of the bed, as thin as a piece of paper, it was even more broken than the last time I saw Jiangnan.

The entire scene of Cheng Yan's death flashed before my eyes. I was so scared that you would fly away like a butterfly again.

I hope your adoptive brother's spirit in heaven will bless you as well.

"Now that you've brought her home, don't keep her trapped any longer. Let her get better."

End of September 2016

You are getting better/

Before leaving Kyoto for the military camp, when Shi Qing saw me off, I got that wonderful answer: you are getting better.

That's good.

After this time, your life will be smooth and peaceful forever!

June 2021

Coming of Age Ceremony/

The flight from Zhangzhou to Kyoto landed at six o'clock, and I told Shi Qing to come and pick me up an hour late.

When he came, I "casually" took out the gift I had already picked for you and told him that it was a small token of my appreciation that I bought for you at the airport while we were waiting.

Shi Qing wouldn't find it strange that this was just a casual way of killing time for an hour.

Shi Qing joked that I could even remember it wrong. It was so busy over there, and I might as well have a good rest after rushing back for a day. I smiled and said, "I came back to see that my mother called again."

It is really a sin that I still lie to my mother at this age, but I am sure she won't blame me.

When I accompanied Qiao Jinchen to choose the pink diamond bracelet for you, I received a call. It was raining heavily in Zhangzhou, so I returned.

I'm so sorry I couldn't attend your coming-of-age ceremony.

Happy birthday and all the best!

We are so far apart that I cannot even offer my blessing in person. Eighteen years old may not stop, but the tree that stands tall and straight is evergreen. May your journey ahead be free from desolation and filled with springtime beauty!

September 2021

University Admission/

The work in Zhangzhou is very busy, but I did not refuse the invitation from the president of Tsinghua University.

Because Shi Qing said you went to the Chinese Department of Tsinghua University.

There was no direct flight from Zhangzhou to Kyoto the day before, so I didn't regret wasting the twelve hours of transit time.

It was only at the ceremony the next day that I realized the Great Hall of National Tsing Hua University was so vast, so vast that it seemed limitless. I had never thought I wouldn't recognize you. But unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to recognize you; you weren't there.

Before leaving Tsinghua University, I did not go to the School of Finance, but went to Shuimu Nianhua.

Zhang Hao tried to smooth things over by saying that the school had changed too much and he might have remembered it wrong.

I didn't answer and left with a smile, but I was not mistaken.

July 2025

graduation/

On the night when the Hong Kong Trade Fair ended, Shi Qing called to postpone his trip. You graduated!

But there is no direct flight at this time, only a transfer.

Zhang Hao suggested that I take the earliest direct flight tomorrow morning. I knew this would be more suitable, but there was no time.

From landing in Kyoto at two in the morning to meeting you again in the Qing University Auditorium at ten o'clock, the time span was only eight hours, which was very short; but also very long, as it was the first time we met again in eight years.

This time, I personally send you my blessings and wish you a "Happy Graduation".

You smiled and called me senior and thanked me.

But Xiaoye, I don’t want to just be your senior.

July 2025

"girlfriend"/

I always thought that my determination was enough, but the hardships I experienced made my edges seem less clear. I know that the world is not just about black and white, or absolute right and wrong.

But when I met you, everything collapsed and ceased to exist.

I kept telling myself to take it one step at a time and that there was still a long way to go, but I still couldn't control my eagerness.

The moment I saw that your shoes didn’t fit, I immediately asked Zhang Hao to buy medicine and shoes.

You ask me how I found out?

I said I noticed the focus, but I actually hid some of it, especially because my attention was always on you.

Perhaps it was the influence of the Chinese Department, but at that moment, I also felt that a lover's eyes would always be attracted to the beloved and would always stay on them.

It seemed as if God was even more merciful, as at the exit a boy captured a picture of you and me with his camera.

This is the first time we are in the same frame.

We finally got to be in the same frame.

The photographer was delighted to have taken a satisfactory photo.

I was equally delighted, for this first time we were in the same frame, and for his words that allowed me to deceive myself, "You are my girlfriend."