Chapter 34
Two acceptance letters from the same university arrived almost simultaneously. The pristine white envelopes, emblazoned with the solemn school emblem, resembled two letters of promise for the future. Su Rui carefully opened them, his fingertips tracing the clearly printed names of himself and Ling Yao. A sense of immense joy and peace of mind washed over him, a sense of finality. They were truly about to embark on the same campus and begin a brand new life.
Before the joy had even settled, Ling Yao suggested a way to celebrate—a trip just the two of them. "Jeju Island, how about it?" Ling Yao waved the picture of the azure coastline on his phone screen, his tone as casual as if he was deciding which restaurant to go to tomorrow. "I'll book the plane tickets and hotel, you pack your luggage." Going abroad? Su Rui's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. It was a place he had only seen in geography textbooks and on TV. Huge expectations were intertwined with a hint of fear about the unknown, but when he looked into Ling Yao's determined eyes, which were filled with a hint of expectation, all his uneasiness turned into a heavy nod: "Okay!"
The days that followed were filled with a sweet rush. He arrived at Ling Yao's house and began meticulously packing his luggage. Remembering Ling Yao's finicky skin and prone to allergies, he bought the smallest possible size of fragrance-free laundry detergent and carefully folded and ironed each piece of clothing. He remembered Ling Yao's occasional frowns and sunburns from lack of sleep or drafts, so he rushed to the pharmacy and carefully consulted the pharmacist. He then prepared mild headache and cold remedies, packaged them in clean, sealed bags, and affixed small, handwritten labels. He checked the weather in Jeju Island and learned that while summers were hot, the strong sea breeze might mean cool nights, so he stuffed in two thin jackets. He even took the bottle of orange-scented perfume Ling Yao had left at his house, as if this would help them quickly establish a familiar, reassuring space in this unfamiliar environment. The small suitcase was crammed to the brim, each item bearing his clumsy yet supremely thoughtful care.
When Ling Yao came to check on the progress, he was visibly taken aback by the neatly packed suitcase. He casually flipped through it, spotting the neatly categorized medications, neatly folded clothes, and even the familiar bottle of soap. His fingers paused for a few seconds on the bags of medicine, etched with childish handwriting. Then he looked up, his gaze complicated, at Su Rui, who waited anxiously for his comments. This feeling of being so meticulously cared for was both unfamiliar and novel to him. Never before had anyone prepared these trivial yet crucial everyday items for him with such devotion, almost reverent care. An indescribable warmth quietly washed over him. His Adam's apple moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. Instead, he reached out and gently ruffled Su Rui's hair, his gesture unusually gentle. "Well packed." This simple affirmation made Su Rui smile, eyes curling up, as if she had received the highest reward.
The passport application process went smoothly before the trip. Ling Yao was familiar with the process, and Su Rui only needed to follow him, take photos, and sign. When Su Rui received the small booklet, she repeatedly stroked the smooth cover, feeling like she was holding the key to a new world.
On the day of departure, the vast and bustling airport left Su Rui feeling somewhat at a loss. Ling Yao, however, seemed perfectly at ease, pushing their suitcases with one hand while his other hand effortlessly held Su Rui's wrist, guiding him through the crowds, through baggage check-in, and through security. "Follow me, and don't look around." His tone still held a hint of command, but the warmth of his grip around his wrist became Su Rui's greatest comfort in this unfamiliar environment.
The real challenge was the huge plane that was about to take off. Looking at the huge metal body through the glass of the terminal, Su Rui's face began to turn pale, and cold sweat broke out on his palms. He had an instinctive fear of heights and weightlessness. Ling Yao noticed his nervousness, but did not laugh at him. He simply took out a small medicine box from the side pocket of his backpack, accurately poured out a white pill, and unscrewed a bottle of freshly bought mineral water and handed it to him. "Motion sickness medicine, you will feel much better if you take it now." His voice was not loud, but it was convincingly calm. Su Rui took it obediently and swallowed it with water. The pill was slightly bitter, but the thoughtfulness of being noticed in advance and properly taken care of turned into a strong sweetness, seeping into his heart.
After boarding the plane, he found a window seat and sat down. Su Rui's tense back still didn't relax, and his fingers subconsciously dug into the metal buckle of the seat belt. The engine started, a huge roar sounded, and the plane began to accelerate on the runway. A strong sense of pushing back and a sudden sense of weightlessness as if he was suddenly out of the earth's gravity came over him. Su Rui suddenly closed his eyes and almost stopped breathing. At this moment, a warm and dry hand firmly covered the back of his cold hand, and the fingers forcefully inserted into his fingers, tightly interlocking with his ten fingers. "Hold on tight if you're scared." Ling Yao's voice rang in his ears, mixed with the noise of the engine, and not much emotion could be heard, but it stabilized his panicked mind like an anchor, "Open your eyes, it's beautiful outside."
Su Rui trembled as she opened her eyes, her attention instantly captivated by the scene outside the window. The plane was already soaring steadily above ten thousand meters, piercing through the thick cloud layer. Beyond the window lay a boundless sea of clouds, a breathtakingly vast sea of clouds. The sun was slowly setting, its fiery golden-red light pouring down without reservation, transforming the rolling clouds into a blazing, magnificent golden ocean, a splendid splendor that seemed like a miracle. The fear and discomfort she had felt before quietly dissipated before this supreme beauty.
He stared for a long time, almost forgetting to breathe. Ling Yao's hand still held him firmly in his palm, warmth radiating through his skin like a silent support and companionship. The drug gradually took effect, and coupled with the soothing view outside the window and the strength transmitted from his palm, Su Rui's body completely relaxed. He tilted his head slightly and found that Ling Yao was not looking out the window, but at him. The golden light of the setting sun fell on the depths of his eyes, shimmering with a soft and focused glimmer that Su Rui had never seen before.
"Does it look good?" Ling Yao asked softly. Their arms pressed tightly together, and Ling Yao's arm gently touched his. Su Rui nodded vigorously, his eyes bright with shock and joy. He shook Ling Yao's hand in return, his voice soft but firm, "Yes! It looks really good!"
The plane sailed smoothly above the golden clouds, as if heading towards a bright future that belonged only to them. Fingers intertwined, they shared the same breathtaking sky. In this moment, all words seemed superfluous. Su Rui thought, no matter what the scenery ahead held, as long as he had this person by his side, he had the courage to go anywhere.
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