Chapter 32
There isn't much information about the World Tree in the book. The records the teacher mentioned are just fragments of legends, along with far-fetched embellishments by later generations.
I was somewhat disappointed, yet I also felt it was indeed true. After all, it's something from mythology; it would only be terrifying if there were substantial supporting historical records. The strangest person in this whole affair was probably me—why was I so concerned about a tree?
Because of the seed within me? I haven't paid any attention to it since I used its power, but normally I would at least try to talk to it. For a time, I even considered it a friend, or perhaps just a listening ear. That was a long time ago, when I was so bored and lonely that I couldn't bear the quiet of the night and could only try to confide in it about things that no one else could hear.
I tried to find it. Though it was only tiny, it was everywhere in my body. If I looked for it in my brain, it would be in the folds of my brain; if I looked for it in my torso, it would be in my blood; if I looked for it in my organs, it was planted on the left side of my heart. I felt that it was still dark brown, and I wondered if it was just my imagination. The seed coat seemed slightly swollen, then shriveled up in the blink of an eye. I paused for a moment, then realized that it was following the beating of my heart.
"..."
No wonder I treated it like a friend. It just didn't feel like an inanimate object, even though it never responded to me. I tried to touch it; the rough texture was fine and dense, and I almost thought it was about to sprout.
It wasn't there last time I checked. But no matter how I examine it now, I can't tell if these lines are proof that the seed shell has thinned. Finally, I rolled it around in my palm as if I were stroking its head.
I put away my notebook, which contained the notes I had just compiled. In known history, God generally appears as a "savior," comparable to Noah's Ark during the Great Flood, but saving far more than Noah's Ark. God is the tree that protects the world, while Noah's Ark is the ship that allows those who believe in God and those who believe in Him to help the plants, animals, and insects to survive.
Noah's Ark came at a price; the price was being seen and chosen by God. And what of that hatred? Was it merely a tree?
Some scholars believe this is merely a haven created by ancient humans to satisfy their desire for a "laid-back" lifestyle, while others directly label it a utopia. This judgment is based on the most widely circulated version of the story, in which the vitality of the Hungry Tree ensures an inexhaustible supply of resources. As long as humans do not violate the food chain and are free from greed, they can live a free and happy life. They wake up to birdsong and fall asleep to the fragrance of flowers, while lambs graze slowly beneath their palms, occasionally nuzzling their warm hands with their heads.
This is a world that represents beautiful hopes, but it is also an unattainable world. In a society where resources must be obtained through competition, and in an era where corrupt officials run rampant, writers, poets, and ordinary people can only express their satire and aspirations through this means.
Some scholars believe this is a story depicting an exchange of interests, possibly used to satirize unscrupulous merchants or the social phenomenon of selling official positions. This is another, less mainstream version, which completely overturns the common perception of forgiveness and tolerance towards hatred. I found it very interesting and read it several times.
This story describes how the creature, filled with resentment for its inability to speak or walk, passively accepts the will of the gods without receiving any reward. Therefore, in exercising its powers, it resolves to take revenge on those lives favored by the gods. Consequently, it ignores the gods' arrangements and fails to fulfill its responsibility to benefit the world, instead giving what rightfully belongs to life through bargaining. This situation continues for some time until the gods discover the creature's actions. They decide that in every subsequent growth, the creature must first experience the stage of being ignored and feared by all before it can grow into a mature being capable of protecting all living beings.
What surprised me most was a paper I found in some obscure corner. The author attempted to prove that the vengeful spirits of the past truly existed, and might even still exist today. These spirits were supposedly psychic beings or possessing a spiritual constitution; though they couldn't see the floating creatures, they could sense their existence, hence the idea that "legendary species can come true." My belief that the author could sense these creatures stemmed from the paper's claim that "creatures resembling mayflies or fireflies are the culprits behind the vengeful spirits recorded in the tree as 'a faint light in the night, its light illuminating the eight directions.'" I'd never considered this idea before, but upon further reflection, it remains nothing more than absurd speculation built on fantasy.
That's probably why it was published in a relatively unknown magazine. I glanced at the back of the magazine; the word "Fantasy" was clearly visible above the barcode.
"..."
I silently withdrew my gaze. Tachibana Miki had long since left, and the sun was already setting. Although there were few records, finding the information wouldn't be easy. I put the last three books back on the shelf and was just about to catch my breath when my phone popped up with a message notification.
I opened it and saw it was Gu Xinglian.
Gu Xinglian: Qinghe, what are you doing?
This was sent a long time ago. Seeing that I didn't reply, he sent another message: "Are you free this afternoon?"
I glanced at the time; he sent the message at 1:14 PM. I didn't even check it; I was engrossed in my book and didn't even know Tachibana Miki had left until I took a break to get some water and discovered the note.
Gu Xinglian was clearly not deterred by my silence and persisted: If you have time, could you give it to me?
He added: "I just want to go somewhere with you. You know, I haven't been back long, and when I want to reminisce about the past in this city, I always want to be with someone else."
You are the person closest to me... Can you give me this chance?
I suddenly remembered that Gu Xinglian's family wasn't around, and he seemed to still be staying in a hotel. The following posts were all fragmented shares from various social media platforms, ending with a complaint: "I bought a cup of milk tea, and it tastes really good. Why is the weather still so hot? I feel like I'm melting." This was followed by a photo of the milk tea, with a clear view of the tea and a blurred view of ginkgo trees behind it.
Surprisingly, it was my favorite flavor. I was about to fork it away when I realized something and went back to look more closely. I know this place very well; I pass by it every time I come to school.
Gu Xinglian waited for me at the school gate, even though he didn't know if I had already come out. I could tell he was trying his best to make the milk tea look bigger, but he still couldn't help showing off how his hands could make the large cup of milk tea look smaller than a normal person's, inevitably leaving the surrounding environment in the corners.
...Why are they all so childish? I sighed. The last message was sent at 4:15 PM, and it was 5:42 PM now. I immediately slung my backpack over my shoulder and quickened my pace, hoping to see him before the hour.
Even if I'm not sure if he's already left, or if my intuition is right.
I texted him: I just saw the message.
He replied quickly: Oh! Where are you? I'm not in a rush, I can come now. Are you free? Can you come with me? If not today, that's okay, we can arrange another time. Are you busy? Very busy? If you're too busy, don't rush to reply. I'm very good at waiting for messages; I've waited a long time before.
My eyes stung, and reading his last sentence made me feel a strange tightness in my chest.
I once saw him wait for someone for an incredibly long time, but in the end, he still didn't get to see them.
My previous intention to deliberately ignore him completely vanished. I typed almost frantically, even the footsteps of the sunlight on my face seemed hurried and dense: I'm free, I can agree. I'm not very busy, I didn't mean to ignore your message.
I had to hurry, I had to see him sooner. This thought filled my mind, and I started running, standing out starkly in the quiet school. I didn't know why I was so anxious; I just didn't want any more news to crowd my vision. The feeling of my heart aching when I saw his words, though it made me feel connected to the world, was completely unwelcome to me.
As I approached the gate, I stopped, panting. Under the enormous ginkgo tree, Gu Xinglian's figure tirelessly trod on the fresh yellow fallen leaves.
He didn't appear tall, because his head was bowed, his phone was clutched tightly in his hand, and his eyes were glued to it.
He held the double-cup milk tea bag in his other hand, absentmindedly swinging it up and down.
I'm right here, so I'm no longer worried that Gu Xinglian won't receive my message. I quietly looked at Gu Xinglian for a while—actually, looking at the time, less than half a minute had passed.
I pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat from running, not wanting him to realize how rushed I was. Once I was sure I didn't look so disheveled, I stepped closer to him, my footsteps so light he didn't notice.
In fact, what I thought was just my imagination. Judging from our current growth, he is taller than me, and there is no way he would appear less tall.
I tiptoed and peered forward from behind him. The black-screened phone reflected my face as soon as I leaned in, and I saw Gu Xinglian smiling beside me.
Then I heard him say, as if he were used to this situation, "I knew you would come looking for me."
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