"That's the only way to think about it."

...

A short while after chatting with Taozi, I didn't choose to stay at the guesthouse. Instead, I went back to the farmhouse I had just rented. After a quick wash, I lay down on the bed...

My room doesn't get much natural light, so they installed a skylight in the roof, and my bed is placed right under it, so I can see the night sky through the glass... When I can't sleep, I try to count the stars within my field of vision through this skylight, but I never get a result because I usually fall asleep before I've even counted half of them. That's why I insist on sleeping here.

...

The next morning, I got up before everyone else. Without even having breakfast, I rode Tie Nan's motorcycle to the fireworks shop. I felt that fireworks and firecrackers were absolutely essential for such a good day, and I wanted to create a festive atmosphere before reopening.

On the way back, I thought of Ye Zhi again, a woman I hadn't contacted in a long time. Yes, we hadn't been in touch since her trip to Lijiang, and I didn't know if she had returned to Dali during that time.

I stopped by Erhai Lake and sent her a WeChat message: "Our guesthouse has reopened. Come and visit sometime if you have time."

"Really? Congratulations!"

"That's so insincere! They didn't even send a red envelope as a token of their appreciation?"

Ye Zhizhen sent me a red envelope with the words "Wishing you prosperity and good fortune" written on it. When I opened it, it was indeed a fairly large red envelope.

I then replied, "Since you've sent such a big red envelope, you must come here for our opening lunch; we've already booked a table at the restaurant next to the inn for lunch today."

"never mind."

"You're not in Dali?"

"exist."

"As friends, can't we even share this little bit of joy?... Come and sit down."

"If you don't like crowds, you can have your own gathering."

I returned the red envelope to her and then gave her a few disdainful emojis.

Are you angry?

"Why would I need your red envelope if you're not even here?"

This time, Ye Zhi sent a message a moment later: "I'm in the hospital now, feeling a bit unwell... I'll visit another time."

"What’s wrong with you?"

"Minor 'problem'."

"Which hospital? I'll go there right now."

"It's really nothing, just a headache and fever."

"You must have made up this excuse because you didn't want to come to our inn."

"You!"

"Will you tell me or not?"

Ye Zhi sent a helpless emoji, then also sent her location. I didn't have time to return the fireworks and firecrackers to the inn, so I turned the car around and drove towards the hospital in Xiaguan with them on board.

Halfway there, I suddenly asked myself: What can I do there?