Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Old House | Old People | Old Love

The two finally arrived at the hotel-style detached villa they had booked. It was already night, and the snow was still falling. In Gion, both of them recalled the past, and the atmosphere was a little depressing. When they arrived at the residence, Quan Zhilong and Quan Xingai lost their mood to joke and each found a Japanese-style room to rest.

"Oh, damn it, how could I forget that this guy used to stay with me in Kyoto." Quan Xing Aiyang lay on the tatami mat that was so hot from the floor heating that it made him drowsy, and the snow was still falling outside the eaves.

What I mean is, does Kwon Ji-yong still remember that this house is very close to the old house she took him to before?

She rolled back and forth on the spacious tatami, regretting her foolish behavior, but then she thought, who would have thought of rebirth? Even if she refused to admit it, the other party couldn't do anything to her.

Thinking of this, she regained her spirits. She jumped up and knocked on the door next door, "Oppa, are you hungry? Do you want to eat something? I'm going to cook instant noodles." After that, she went to the kitchen.

This hotel is an old Japanese resort hotel. It is not very big, with only a dozen high-end Japanese-style villas and a hotel building.

Quan Xingai originally booked this place because it was not far from her house and not far from Togetsukyo Bridge. She originally planned to stay in Kyoto for 2 days to visit her old house, but after Quan Zhilong joined, she was not sure whether she could still visit her old house.

The detached villa adheres to the principle of cleanliness and refinement. The cupboards are empty, with only instant noodles and cola. Even if you call the restaurant, service may be delayed due to the weather. This heavy snow in early spring looks like it will continue to fall all day.

The room was as warm as spring. Xing Ai was wearing a yukata with a cherry blossom pattern, with her half-dry long hair hanging behind her. She watched the teapot bubbling with steam and waited for the water to boil.

Quan Zhilong approached, and the sadness he felt that afternoon gradually faded away with the change of environment. He had taken a bath and had returned to normal. He came out wearing the same cherry blossom yukata and saw the girl's back in the kitchen. He smiled and said, "You're standing here, with heavy snow outside the floor-to-ceiling window and no lights on. I almost thought I saw a ghost."

"Oh no, come out and make some noise, I'm going to see a ghost." Quan Xingai was still thinking about other things and was almost scared by Quan Zhilong's sudden voice.

"You are obviously Tomie, yet you are so scared. You are wearing a yukata, with disheveled hair, and barefoot. It is so cold today and you are caught in the snow. Remember to drink ginger soup." Kwon Ji-yong muttered to himself. He talked about Sarah and his past in the afternoon. Kwon Ji-yong felt that he and Jeon Star-ai seemed to have become closer.

"Hahahaha." Quan Xingai couldn't help laughing halfway through, "Oppa, now that you're in your thirties, should you start taking care of your health?"

"You guy, you are young now, but when you become famous in the future, the death journey will come and we'll see if your small body can handle it." Quan Zhilong looked speechlessly at someone with a very low sense of laughter, and he had no idea what was going on in her head.

"Arasso, let's cook some hot noodles. I can't find any ginger soup, so there's not much noodle soup. Oppa, just make do with this." Quan Xingai made instant noodles skillfully.

The two of them were eating instant noodles while watching the heavy snow in a luxurious courtyard house. The TV was playing Tokyo Channel, which only broadcast cartoons. Quan Xingai was laughing while eating instant noodles and watching Crayon Shin-chan on TV.

"Is there anything you want to do in Kyoto?" Quan Xingai was watching TV intently, and Quan Zhilong was looking at her intently.

"Can't you come if you have nothing to do... just take a walk, it's also a tourist attraction." Quan Xingai buried his head in the bowl and spoke loudly, looking a little guilty.

Fortunately, Quan Zhilong did not ask seriously. The instant noodles in the hotel were not tasty, and the familiar places always reminded him of the events of ten years ago. Fortunately, there was Quan Xingai, the lively guy. Although she always made him "angry", she also effectively curbed his wild thoughts.

"Oh, yes, it's a tourist destination. Is it far from Arashiyama?" The two of them chatted casually around the table. Kwon Ji-yong answered casually and didn't seem to care about the answer to his casual question.

Quan Xingai, feeling guilty, was paying close attention. When the other party finally asked, she paused while eating her noodles, slowly put down her bowl, wiped her mouth, and then answered carefully, "This is Arashiyama. The hotel is right next to Arashiyama. You can't see it in the snow, but on a clear day you should be able to see the Togetsukyo Bridge."

Quan Zhilong turned his head and blinked, "Is this the place? Yeah, I can check my phone..."

He took out his phone and started to search on the map. The house was quiet. Quan Xingai walked away carefully, holding the not-so-tasty instant noodles and preparing to throw them away. When she passed by Quan Zhilong, she saw that the Google Map on his phone had found the location of the old house.

Quan Xingai looked somewhat helpless. She returned to the kitchen and stared blankly at the vast expanse of white outside the French window...

What was the reason for her breakup with Kwon Ji-yong? From 2009 to 2011, they were happily together in Japan, but then she returned to the US and Ji-yong returned to Korea. They spent less and less time together, and at the end of 2011, she flew back to Korea to be with him through the most difficult times.

But at that time, she was on the eve of a tour, and she briefly accompanied him for a month before she threw herself into work. After that, they spent less and less time together. Until 2013, time and space had gradually made the distance and heart grow apart. She had forgotten who broke up first, but they both seemed to have calmly accepted the fact...

"I'm sorry, can we just get along? I don't want to break up..."

"I was drunk last night, don't mind me, the new songs are great, don't get too tired from the tour."

"Ha, Sarah, when the Korean paparazzi were looking into my scandals, no one mentioned you. Our disguise was incredibly successful."

"When I'm done, let's get back together, okay?"

"You, you're in love? Yeah, what's so good about that guy... Have you really let it go? Tsk, just kidding, bless you, Nu Na."

"Oh, I have a girlfriend too. You broke up? - What a coincidence. That's it. Goodbye."

"Nu, are you okay? I've seen dozens of boyfriend lists in the media over the past three years. It's enough. If you're unhappy or want to chat, feel free to find me. My team and I are on tour with the Flower Planting Program recently. Are you also performing at the Flower Planting Program?"

"Congratulations, Sarah, on being nominated for another Grammy! I'm also going to release my third solo album next year... Can we talk after the Grammys are over?"

…

Being too young makes it too easy to fall in love, and it's also easy to let go of love. She can no longer remember whether the breakup was due to distance and time, or her increasingly exhausted inspiration and restlessness. In the three years after breaking up with Kwon Ji-yong, the company continued to exploit her, and she forced herself to write songs and produce constantly, which led to crazy dates and crazy relationships, until she was exhausted and no longer wanted to talk about love...

But no matter what the reason is, these past events should have been buried in the dust long ago. She came here this time to untie the knot in her heart. She just wanted to do a meaningless but quite ritualistic ceremony of "saying goodbye to the past."

In her old house, she wanted to say goodbye to the past Sarah completely, and let the self who was unable to love and create in the previous life witness this new life. She had the urge to create, her mind was full of musical inspiration, and the new life gave her many things she wanted to express.

"When the snow stops tomorrow, will you accompany me to a place?" Kwon Ji-yong's voice broke her memories.

"Okay." Quan Xingai agreed without thinking.

"What? Why don't you ask where it is?"

"It's a trip anyway, why not go somewhere you want to go." Besides, she also guessed where this guy wanted to go.

"Actually, it's an old house. I don't know if there is anyone there now, but I still want to give it a try..." A nostalgic look appeared on Quan Zhilong's face.

Quan Xingai’s guess was indeed correct. Her old house problem was perfectly solved by Quan Zhilong’s sudden idea.

"It will definitely be a sunny day tomorrow." She smiled widely.

"A blindly optimistic child." Quan Zhilong also laughed. The boy in his memory was still mature enough for him to look up to.

*

When I woke up the next morning, it was indeed a beautiful day after the snow. The sun was hanging in the blue sky, warming my head all the way to my heart.

"It's a nice day! We can go to the place you want to go today. Where is it? Do we need to drive?" Quan Xingai asked Quan Zhilong, who was still matching his clothes, in a pretentious manner.

"Let me drive. I already know the way. Do you want to visit Arashiyama when we come back? It's even more beautiful here in autumn." He chose a painter's hat, layered on a shirt, cardigan, and sweater, and shaved his beard. It must be said that when Kwon Ji-yong appeared in the living room in the morning, Jeon Xingai was even stunned and wondered what day it was.

"What? Are you charmed by Oppa?" Turning around, he saw the girl stunned. Kwon Ji-yong raised his eyebrows arrogantly. He always knew where his charm lay. He used to think that Jeon Star-ai was really hard-hearted and not moved at all. But now looking at her like this, she is not so determined after all.

"From Agassi to Oppa again." Quan Xingai came back to his senses and gave the superstar a thumbs up with a smile.

"I really can't have any expectations of you... Oh, let's go, let's go out." Putting on sunglasses, Quan Zhilong still felt that not loving anyone was suitable for him.

Quan Xingai lowered her head and smiled secretly. That was how it was. Her smile was as bright and beautiful as it was ten years ago. Why was she pretending to be a deep Agassi?

After the snow stopped, the road was a little icy and the car drove slowly. It was already noon when we arrived at the old house. The house was a combination of Japanese and Western styles. The surroundings were quiet. It was a residential area for rich people and diplomats. There would definitely be no paparazzi here.

When he arrived at the old place of memories, Kwon Ji-yong's mood began to feel heavy, but there was still a smile in his eyes and on the corners of his mouth. He didn't want to face the past with sadness every time. His memories were beautiful, and his Sarah was also beautiful. He put on the old style again today just to commemorate his deceased love in the best condition.

"This place is all dusty. It looks like no one lives here, and no one has been here for a long time." Quan Xingai looked around the house and spoke.

"It seems that this house is not included in the inheritance dispute in Nuna. I know where the spare key is." Quan Zhilong smiled cunningly, walked to the mailbox in front of the door, opened it, and there was a box with a combination lock inside. He took a deep breath and pressed 880818. The box that had been covered in dust for many years opened again, and the key to the front door was quietly placed inside.

But Quan Xingai noticed that Zhilong's hands had begun to tremble slightly. He picked up the key and walked solemnly step by step, opening the door. The old dust and old memories hit him in the face.

The house seemed to be under a time-stopping spell, and everything was still the same as before. The minimalist exterior faded away, and the interior was unexpectedly extremely complex, with Japanese Western fantasy aesthetics everywhere. Because Sarah was obsessed with various comics and light novels about knights, heroes, dragons, and big demons at that time, she simply decorated her house to look like a dragon castle.

Now her dragon is back, but why did the hero disappear in the crowd?

Quan Xingai sighed. It seemed that today would be a sad day. She didn't do it on purpose, and she didn't want to die suddenly. The moment the car accident happened, her mind went blank. The life scrolling lights or the most important people or things did not appear. Her mind was full of three words - No.

Ignoring the man lost in his memories, she quietly slipped into her own studio. The guitar, piano, and cello were still there, covered in dust. Even the previously suppressed love in her heart began to wane. She noticed a picture of John Lennon resting on the guitar, and a sign on the wall reading, "Work & GD—Always Work." The last word, "Work," had been heavily crossed out, replaced by the words GD in bold, bold letters.

She smiled. These instruments were her old friends who had been with her for a long time. They were always there when she was creating. This time she came to say goodbye to her old friends. Touching each instrument in turn, her heart began to calm down, and the surging inspiration gushed out like clear mountain spring water.

She took a photo from her pocket and placed it at the bottom of the guitar case.

"Old friends, it's been a long time since we last met. I really miss you. You must miss Sarah too, but there will only be new Sarahs in the future. Now I am Quan Xing Ai. I will have a new life and new musical creation." Quan Xing Ai smiled as he brushed past each instrument.

That's it, say goodbye to the past, and let Sarah remain in memory.

"You've found a great place! This is her studio. We wrote a lot of songs here." Footsteps were heard, and Quan Zhilong smiled as he saw the place where Quan Xingai had found it. His fingers traced the piano, leaving behind the tune of "Butterfly." A sad yet beautiful melody echoed through the room.

Quan Xingai followed Quan Zhilong's fingers and played a new melody in the accent area. The tune of the accent part became more sad with the beautiful melody of butterfly. Quan Zhilong looked at Quan Xingai in surprise. She found the entry point so accurately and played a new melody impromptu. The new tune became magnificent. Then Quan Xingai gradually turned from the heavy bass area to the middle tone, and the rhythm began to become light.

Quan Zhilong immediately understood the other party's idea, smiled, and reached out to play the melody of butterfly more completely on the piano. He wanted to see how far the other party could go in the end.

The alto 'bridge' connects to the cheerful high-pitched minor key at the end. Quan Xing Ai did not improvise a new melody as before but connected the two melodies with an 'Ode to Joy'. The brisk, catchy and brainwashing tune of 'Ode to Joy' quickly diluted the previous sad and sorrowful melodies, as if a butterfly finally saw the rainbow after emerging from its cocoon.

As the final notes fell, Quan Zhilong looked at Quan Xingai with admiration, "You really have great potential. I saw you were ranked first in the arrangement column for your comeback song. I felt a little disappointed that I didn't get to hear the original version. Now I'm even more curious about your true level."

"Thank you Professor Quan for the compliment." Quan Xingai accepted all the compliments. She was in a good mood and started playing again. She felt like she had broken through the bottleneck and her skills and emotions had reached a higher level.

"I was originally in a sad mood, but after the four-hand piano duet, my mood suddenly seemed to be 'Ode to Joy'. If Sarah knew that there was a little fan like you, she would probably touch your head happily." After a series of emotional scenes, suddenly a child who was so similar to Sarah comforted him with music. Quan Zhilong couldn't help but think that this might be God's will.

He should look at Quan Xing Ai with a new perspective, rather than seeing her as Sarah's shadow or substitute.

Even if they are not in love, they can still be friends.

"Sarah patted your head happily because she knows you've gotten over your sadness and are trying to get back on your feet." Quan Xingai shrugged and carefully closed the piano. "Would you like to take the instruments here as a souvenir?"

Quan Zhilong looked around and shook his head with emotion, "Let them stay here to accompany the memories. - Come to think of it, you really haven't asked me about any gossip about Sarah and me. You are really not curious at all?" Changing the subject, Quan Zhilong crossed his arms and looked at Quan Xingai.

"...Uh, what's there to ask? It sounds like a sad story. Wouldn't it make you sad if I asked? I'm so kind. Okay, Oppa, do you still want to reminisce? Do you want to look at the traces of your past life again?..."

"Come to think of it, I only said this was my old residence, but I didn't say I had lived here. How do you know any traces of life here?" Quan Zhilong closed the door of the studio and suddenly turned around and asked as he went downstairs.

The girl was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat, but as soon as her eyes turned away, she stiffened her neck and said, "You said you composed music together, so you must have been here. And I just went into a room and there was your coat there."

"coat?"

Quan Xingai righteously took him to the bedroom to see the leather jacket hanging in the corner, which was exactly the same as the one he wore when he promoted his music.

"This dress, I see. It turned out Sarah took it. She said she broke up so casually, but she left it in the bedroom. So…" Quan Zhilong touched the dress, a smile on his face. Looking down, he saw the old makeup and comb on the dresser. There seemed to be something else hidden under the mess of jewelry. He pulled it out and saw it was an old notebook, a collection of Sarah's work.

Opening it, he saw beautiful sonnet-like lyrics and simple musical notation melodies. The themes were all about heartbreak, sadness, and nostalgia, and most of the lyrics were about himself. As he read, his eyes seemed to be reddening again. This woman was still deceiving herself about how carefree she was, saying she wasn't sad about the breakup, when she was clearly crying secretly like a little girl every night!

I left my puppy behind yesterday...

I have a daisy blossoming in my heart, but I am holding a dead branch in my hand.

Good night, my barren soul

…

Quan Zhilong put the collection of works on his chest, which became the only souvenir he took away. When he walked out of the room, he was determined to put his mood in order. However, Quan Xingai had already built a snow "dog" in the courtyard.

"Oppa, you're out. Look, the puppy will accompany Sarah."

Quan Zhilong laughed. The sky on a snowy day is so blue. Sarah will always be in the puppy's heart.