The wind comes
Faced with the death of Old Lady Cheng, Hu Tong felt a sense of relief akin to post-disaster reconstruction. It was not easy to go from avoiding the topic to bringing it up openly, but it will eventually be achieved.
Tiny, rice-grain-sized snowflakes drifted down, melting on the red walls, gray tiles, and ancient trees, highlighting the vibrant crimson and deep green hues.
"Come quick, Tongtong!"
Miao Wei was wearing a light camel cashmere coat, and a small red dot was pressed against the tip of her nose on her black and white checkered scarf. Seeing that the crowd ahead was loosening slightly, she quickly turned around, grabbed Hu Tong's hand, and tried her best to push it forward, repeatedly asking, "Did you touch it? Did you touch it?"
A deep red "Fu" character stele appears and disappears between the shifting figures.
Hu Tong nodded as his fingertips touched the cold surface of the monument, and said in a slightly helpless tone, "Our hands are about the same length, why don't you touch it yourself? Let me touch it first, it's like a melodramatic soap opera."
Miao Wei smiled and opened her palms, placing both hands on the "Fu" (福, meaning good fortune) character monument. "Touching the 'Fu' character monument is a way to pray for good fortune, and touching the 'Fu' character monument that you touched is an extra blessing!"
At the beginning of the new year, the two families agreed to go to the temple to offer incense and pray for blessings.
They went to the most famous ancient temple in the vicinity, which was said to be very effective in granting any request. Hu Tong was not superstitious, but he was willing to go with his relatives and friends to seek good fortune.
But she underestimated the crowds on New Year's Day.
The large red lanterns swayed slightly in the wind, and at least three people stood on each paving stone. Standing on tiptoe and looking into the distance, the dark mass stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Who told you to win fifty dollars in the lottery last night!"
As Miao Wei spoke, she enthusiastically led the group into the incense room to offer incense. Someone stepped on her shoe, and she frowned in annoyance, "Ugh, it's so crowded—"
Grandma Miao Wei immediately slapped him hard on the back of the head.
The old woman, wearing a brand-new, thick cotton coat, pouted disapprovingly at her granddaughter and stomped her foot. Nearby, Mr. Miao was stepped on by the old woman and cried out in pain.
"Okay, Grandma, we've made a fortune by squeezing through the crowds! We've made a fortune by squeezing through the crowds!"
Miao Wei chuckled and turned to wink at Hu Tong, "I told you you were lucky, Hu Tongtong. Out of so many people, you were the only one whose foot wasn't stepped on."
Hu Tong rolled her eyes: "Don't exaggerate like that, okay? I used the prize money I won last night to buy you and Cheng Zhou late-night snacks. If we're really going to talk about it, you and Cheng Zhou are the lucky ones, aren't you?"
Knowing she couldn't win an argument with her, Miao Wei made a few funny faces and slipped away like a fish to offer incense and pray to Buddha.
Hu Tong lagged behind a little and was pushed into the embrace of the crowd, which smelled of clean soap.
A soft laugh tickled her ear, the vibrations emanating from the man's chest, sending shivers down her spine.
Of course I know who it is.
Hu Tong pretended nothing had happened, not even raising his head, and strode forward, his gait stiff as a robot. His cheeks gradually warmed from the cool fragrance.
The surging crowd suddenly stopped, and Hu Tong stood still. The faint fragrance that he had deliberately ignored caught up with him.
A snow-white palm was spread out in front of her, with faint green veins visible.
Cheng Zhou leaned down slightly, his warm breath carrying his words past her ear.
"Would you like to share in this good fortune?"
What? Hu Tong was stunned for a moment, remembering that she said Miao Wei and Cheng Zhou were lucky people, and then she remembered that she and Miao Wei had just held hands tightly.
Do you want to hold her hand?
The little bird in my heart was startled, frantically flapping its wings and crashing around.
I hate this person so much; they made her so anxious.
Hu Tong bit her lip.
For the next six months after the funeral, neither she nor Cheng Zhou mentioned that night or that sincere confession.
They've spent a little more time together and gotten a little closer, but they're still a long way from having an ambiguous relationship.
What happened today?
Hu Tong narrowed her eyes suspiciously and turned to look at Cheng Zhou. The person who would blush if she poked him normally did not flinch at all when they were so close that their breaths mingled.
Before she even had a chance to pray to Buddha, Cheng Zhou's mind had already been enlightened?
It truly is a renowned ancient temple with a long history!
Hu Tong's respect surged, and he pushed Cheng Zhou away abruptly with the hand that wasn't holding the incense sticks. With a solemn expression, he offered incense and bowed to the Buddha, once, twice, three times, with utmost piety.
"What are you still kneeling there for, Hu Tong!" Hu Jiale finally squeezed in, panting as she told her daughter to make way for her.
Miao Wei's family had long been squeezed out of sight.
Hu Tong greeted her mother and followed the crowd to the next location, with Cheng Zhou silently following behind her. The smooth sleeves of their down jackets rubbed against each other, rustling softly, like a match head scraping against sandpaper, making their elbows burn, but without any visible sparks.
Hu Tong didn't mention it, and Cheng Zhou didn't say anything either; they were squeezed together and walked very close to each other.
An elderly woman behind them gestured to indicate the distance between herself and Cheng Zhou, which was about half an arm's length. She muttered to her companion, puzzled, "It wasn't this crowded..."
Hu Tong had no way of knowing the passersby's doubts; she could only hear the pounding of heartbeats, unsure whether they were hers or Cheng Zhou's.
Until a towering ancient tree suddenly came into view, bringing an indescribable sense of awe.
Perhaps the tree spirit, pleased by Hu Tong's reverent gaze, generously blessed Cheng Zhou once more.
The taciturn guy next to her finally spoke up.
"What did you wish for just now?" Cheng Zhou asked gently.
Hu Tong wrinkled his nose: "I won't tell you, it won't work if I tell you."
Cheng Zhou looked at her with a smile: "Alright, then I won't say anything more."
Hu Tong wasn't really unwilling to express her wish; she just wanted Cheng Zhou to beg her to say it, and to hear her wish over and over again.
Who knew Cheng Zhou would accept so readily!
Hu Tong's eyes widened instantly, but before he could utter a word of condemnation, Cheng Zhou offered him a way out, saying, "Tell me, telling people who truly support you about your wishes can boost your positive spirits. So, telling me will make your wishes more likely to come true."
"He speaks so eloquently..."
Hu Tong muttered, "It's really been blessed?"
"What?"
Cheng Zhou raised an eyebrow and leaned towards her, seemingly not having heard clearly.
Hu Tong's already unsettled emotions became chaotic once again.
She extended a finger and pressed it against Cheng Zhou's chest, saying sternly, "Mind your manners, classmate."
Cheng Zhou straightened up, turned his face slightly away to avoid her glare, his profile was elegant and sharp.
A light pink hue quietly crept up her slender neck.
Hu Tong poked his chest again and hummed with satisfaction, "Alright, I'll tell you, I... hope my GPA will be in the top 5% this academic year."
Cheng Zhou said confidently, "It's definitely possible."
Hu Tong clicked his tongue: "Easier said than done."
What kind of place is Kyoto University? Getting into the top 20% is already half a life-threatening task for her.
"How is it not easy?"
Cheng Zhou tilted his head, his eyes revealing an almost naive trust. The sunlight filtering through the ancient tree branches illuminated his black hair.
"You are a genius, Tongtong, focused, smart, and persevering."
"Do you know I've always envied you? I rely on repetition and clumsy imitation, like when I was learning to draw, I used countless straight lines to create a shape that resembles a circle. But some people are born with the ability to draw circles, like you."
Hu Tong couldn't quite process such a direct compliment. He touched his nose and muttered, "I'm not a compass..."
"Alright!" She put her hands on her hips, using fierceness to hide her shyness. "Now it's time to tell me your wish!"
Cheng Zhou smiled slyly, his eyes crinkling: "It's a secret."
"Cheng Zhou!"
Hu Tong was taken aback and reached out to push him.
Cheng Zhou surrendered, raising his hands and slowly backing away. "I never said I was going to tell you my wish."
"and……"
"My wish has come true."
Enraged, Hu Tong didn't hear the whisper. She tiptoed and leaned towards him, distorting his overly flamboyant face.
"Hiss—" Cheng Zhou frowned, mimicking her serious tone, "Mind your manners, classmate."
"You dare to copy me!"
Hu Tong gritted his teeth and exerted even more force.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Tongtong."
Cheng Zhou helplessly grasped her wrist, his eyelashes lowered, gazing into her heart.
A sudden gust of wind blew, producing a faint chime, and the winter sun felt like frost on my skin.
Backlit, his silhouette is a captivating image.
Hu Tong raised his head, his gaze sweeping past him and shifting to the clear blue sky fragmented by the ancient trees.
"Cheng Zhou, we've become like frogs in a well, with no view of the sky."
She said it sounded very happy.
Cheng Zhou was infected by such emotions, and his eyes also rippled. Following Hu Tong's gaze, he gripped her wrist even tighter, silently acknowledging her presence amidst the noise.
It's an unspoken understanding.
With my fingers pressed against her wrist, I could feel her strong pulse.
Another gust of wind came.
The swaying shadows of the trees provide shelter for all living beings.
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