Chapter 38
On our last day in Jeju Island, the sunset seemed to sense the departure and sank with exceptional lingering intensity, painting the sky and sea a magnificent, lingering purple.
During the day, they walked aimlessly along the coastline again, stepping across the familiar sand and pausing outside the juice shop where they had drunk juice, as if measuring and collecting the last bit of beauty with their footsteps. Passing a small convenience store, Ling Yao's eyes were drawn to something in the window. He asked Su Rui to wait at the door while he went in for a while. When he came out, he had an opaque plastic bag in his hand. He was mysterious and didn't say what it was.
Night fell as expected, and the sea breeze brought a deeper chill. Instead of staying at the guesthouse, they all spontaneously walked to the quiet beach not far from their home. The waves whimpered softly in the night, lapping against the sand again and again. Stars began to peek through the sky, and in the distance, there were tiny fishing lights.
"Here you go." Ling Yao suddenly stuffed the plastic bag into Su Rui's hand.
Su Rui opened it suspiciously, and inside were several slender, simply packaged handheld fireworks and a box of matches. He looked up in surprise, his eyes sparkling in the night. "Fireworks?"
"Well," Ling Yao's tone still sounded casual, but there was a hint of subtle anticipation, "It's the last day, let it go before leaving."
He took out a match and lit it. A small orange flame danced in the darkness, illuminating his deep eyes and focused profile. He carefully approached and lit the tip of the firework in Su Rui's hand.
There was a soft "hiss" sound.
Brilliant golden sparks instantly burst forth, like a trapped little sun, burning fiercely and crackling, illuminating the small, dark stretch of beach around it and Su Rui's delighted face. Warm light danced in his clear eyes, as if shimmering into the entire galaxy.
Ling Yao then lit his own firework. The two fireworks ignited simultaneously, their dazzling light enveloping them in a small, beautiful circle of light, blocking out the surrounding darkness and the cool sea breeze. The sound of the sparks dancing became the only music of the moment.
They were like two children who had obtained their favorite toys, smiling, gently waving their arms, and watching the golden arc of light draw a short but brilliant trajectory in the night sky.
The fireworks burned quickly, their light gradually fading until they finally died out, leaving only a thin, charred paper stick still warm. As the last starlight faded, the darkness seemed to grow thicker, but each other's eyes seemed clearer and brighter because of the brightness they had just experienced.
The air was filled with a faint smell of gunpowder, mixed with the salty sea breeze, giving it a special, heart-pounding smell.
A brief silence fell, leaving only the sound of each other's rapid breathing and surging heartbeats.
"Ling Yao," Su Rui's voice was soft, trembling slightly, yet filled with unprecedented courage, "Thank you for bringing me here. I've been really happy these past few days... the happiest days of my life."
Ling Yao didn't say anything, just looked at him deeply. The starlight and the faint light in the distance outlined Su Rui's soft outline. His eyes were surprisingly bright, filled with undisguised love, gratitude, and a faint melancholy of impending separation.
This complete, pure dependence and love, like the gentlest waves, crashed against Ling Yao's defenses. He had always known that Su Rui liked him, but at this moment, this love seemed to have a concrete shape and temperature, ironing his chest with a scorching heat.
He stretched out his hand and gently brushed Su Rui's cheek, which was slightly cooled by the sea breeze, with his fingertips. His action was more gentle and considerate than ever before.
"Fool," he whispered, his voice was particularly low and hoarse in the quiet night, "there will be many times in the future."
This sentence was like a promise, gently breaking the last bit of uneasiness in Su Rui's heart. His eyes were slightly hot, and he nodded heavily: "Yes!"
Their eyes met, and a silent, overwhelming attraction filled the air. The sound of the waves seemed to fade away, and the only thing left in the world was the person before them.
Ling Yao slowly lowered his head.
Su Rui seemed to have a premonition of something, her heart was beating like a drum, she subconsciously closed her eyes, and her eyelashes trembled nervously.
A warm and soft touch, gently and tentatively, fell on his lips.
Like fireworks exploding in my mind, my mind went blank, leaving only the indescribable, supremely soft touch and the shudder that washed over me. The kiss was light, pure, carrying the slightly salty sea breeze and the clean, youthful scent, raw yet incredibly sincere.
It was just a brief touch, and Ling Yao retreated slightly, his breath hot on Su Rui's lips, as if observing his reaction.
Su Rui slowly opened her eyes and met Ling Yao's close, unfathomable gaze. The emotions in his gaze were complex and difficult to discern: impulse, tenderness, and a rare hint of nervousness.
Without words, Su Rui responded with actions. He stood on tiptoe, took the initiative, and kissed her again with the courage to risk everything.
This time, Ling Yao tightened his arms, pulling him deeper into his embrace and deepening the kiss. Starlight shattered into countless silver dots on the sea, gently enveloping the young couple hugging and kissing on the beach, witnessing the most passionate and pure confession of their youth.
In the distance, the tides go back and forth, never stopping.
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