The night was like a thousand waves, spreading outwards while stirring one's heart; at this moment, I didn't know what Yang Sisi was thinking, but regarding returning to Shanghai, I really had nothing more to say.

I lit a cigarette and looked away... The crisscrossing elevated highways and the people shoulder to shoulder in the subway station inexplicably resurfaced in my mind; I felt oppressed, as if I were in Shanghai in winter—gloomy, damp, and cold...

Yes, these are all reasons why I don't want to go back to Shanghai.

Yang Sisi didn't say anything more; she stared blankly at the distant Erhai Lake...

Just as I was finishing my cigarette, she finally spoke, "The moon is so beautiful tonight, look at it."

"How could the moon over Erhai Lake not be beautiful..."

As I spoke, I followed her gaze to Erhai Lake. Perhaps because the moonlight was so bright, the sky was reflected in the deep blue of Erhai Lake, while the lake itself was crystal clear. I couldn't tell whether Erhai Lake enhanced the beauty of the moon, or the moon enhanced the beauty of Erhai Lake.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't snap out of it until the cigarette butt burned my hand.

I then asked Yang Sisi, "Would you like to take a walk along the shore of Erhai Lake?"

"Should we go to Majiuyi, or to Longkan?"

I thought for a moment and replied, "Dragon Shrine, please."

The reason we went to Longkan was because our guesthouse started there. Back then, I was the owner and Yang Sisi was the receptionist. Majiuyi was my first stop in Dali, and I often ran into Ye Zhi, who was also staying there.

Both places with ocean views hold extraordinary significance for me, but at this moment, I prefer to go to Longkan.

...

Riding an electric scooter with Yang Sisi on the back, we arrived at the deserted Longkan... It will only be deserted for a while, because soon the large-scale tourism complex of Binjiang Group will open and operate, and it will become a new landmark that attracts tourists.

Walking along the wide lakeside road, my mood didn't lighten. I invited Yang Sisi to walk by Erhai Lake, not on a whim, because I knew that whether I went back to Shanghai or not, she should go back to Shanghai. Walking here with her was a way of saying goodbye.

The old inn is gone, replaced by a large parking lot. I couldn't help but feel a little sentimental, and then said to Yang Sisi, "Time really flies... three years have passed in the blink of an eye..."

"That's fast enough... not a trace of those memories from back then has been left."

I looked up again and saw that the place where Coach Ma and I used to sit under the willow tree and drink had been turned into a viewing platform. The platform was decorated with lights and looked quite unique.

Yang Sisi and I walked to this viewing platform together. We leaned against the railing and looked out into the depths of Erhai Lake. The water of Erhai Lake swayed and crashed against the rocks right beneath our feet.

Right now, I feel really comfortable.

I know I shouldn't have said anything that would ruin the mood, but in some way...

Driven by emotion, he still asked Yang Sisi, "Are you planning to go back to Shanghai?"

"Otherwise, can I stay in Dali for the rest of my life?"

“Going back to Shanghai is fine too. You can come to Dali for a vacation every now and then. Anyway, you have a house here.”

"My life is none of your business... You should worry about yourself."

I smiled and replied, "I'm full of energy now, and I live a very fulfilling life every day. What else is there to worry about?"

Yang Sisi didn't respond to my question. After a moment of silence, she changed the subject and said, "What I just put on your desk are health supplements that I had a friend send back from abroad. I know you have trouble sleeping. These are all natural and have no side effects. It's enough for you to take for a year."

"I thought it was a snack."

"From now on, take good care of yourself... This is all I can do."

Yang Sisi sniffled, then began to sob...

I feel the same way. Saying these farewell words is really painful, after all, we've known each other for more than three years and been through a lot together... But reality is frustrating. Since we can't be lovers, we can only be strangers.

We always have to make choices.

I said to Yang Sisi in a low voice, "Don't cry. It makes me feel bad too when you cry."

"Shouldn't you be feeling bad?... It's been three years. Even if you had a cat or dog by your side, you should have developed feelings for it by now, right?"

"What good are feelings... Can anyone escape the pain of separation and death in this life?... Life is too long, and there are too many people we have to say goodbye to."

"How cold-blooded!"

"As for Cao Xiaobei, aren't you the same?"

Yang Sisi turned to look at me. The wind was blowing her long hair in a mess, and I couldn't even see her expression clearly, but I could sense her feelings. Her heart must be bleeding because of what I said to her; because my words were equivalent to negating all her efforts.

“Yes…it’s all my fault…I’m much dumber than Cao Xiaobei. At least he knew to move on…As for me, I’m just going around in circles, still stuck in the same place…” She paused for a moment, then choked up as she continued, “I know you’re implying that you want me to be like Cao Xiaobei…I will leave…”

"Let's go... it'll end it all."

"Please, please, stop provoking me, stop saying hurtful things... I want to die... Just throw me into Erhai Lake, that's the only way to truly end it all!"

Yang Sisi covered her chest with one hand and grabbed my clothes with the other, almost tearing my collar apart... The more pain she was in, the stronger she became.

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