Chapter 56
The brief day stolen at the amusement park was like a carefully treasured candy; its sweetness hadn't yet fully melted on the tip of the tongue when the moment of departure approached. On the eve of their return trip, the two of them were still crammed into that windowless hotel, a faint sense of reluctance hanging in the air.
Su Rui lowered her head, packing her few belongings slowly. Ling Yao leaned against the bed, watching his back. His eyes held a lingering joy, a hint of loneliness at having to face another high-pressure training session alone tomorrow, and a hint of excitement at his upcoming debut.
"Ling Yao," Su Rui suddenly stopped and turned around, looking at him with sparkling eyes and a gentle and sincere smile on her face, "I'm really... very, very happy."
Ling Yao looked up at him, raised his eyebrows slightly, and seemed to be trying to cover up his emotions with his usual teasing: "What are you happy about? Are you so happy just because you built a Ferris wheel?"
"No," Su Rui shook her head, her smile deepening, but with an extremely serious tone, "I'm happy that you're finally making your debut. You've endured so much and waited so long, this is what you deserve. I saw the preview photos, they're really beautiful, really."
There wasn't a trace of jealousy or uneasiness in his tone, only pure joy and pride in the other person's dream coming true. This unadulterated recognition was like a warm current, instantly dispelling the haze in Ling Yao's heart.
Ling Yao was stunned for a moment, looking away awkwardly, his ears slightly reddened as he muttered softly, "...It's okay."
Su Rui looked at his awkward expression, and her heart softened. He walked over to the bed and sat down, his voice soft but clear: "Actually, I want to thank you more, Ling Yao."
"What are you thanking me for?" Ling Yao turned his head, somewhat puzzled.
"Thank you... for so many things." Su Rui counted carefully, "Thank you for giving me that packet of tissues and candy when I was most panicked. Thank you for later... buying me my first decent camera." He paused, his eyes a little distant, "If it weren't for that camera, I might not have discovered that I really like photography, and I wouldn't have come this far today."
Ling Yao seemed to be surprised that he would bring up something from such a long time ago. He was stunned for a moment, then snorted, "It's so long ago, and you still remember it. That crappy camera should have been replaced long ago."
"It's not broken." Su Rui retorted softly, then, as if mustering up courage, she looked into Ling Yao's eyes and said what she had been hiding in her heart for a long time: "Also... when grandma was sick, I didn't think of anyone else, and the first person I called was you. Do you know why?"
Ling Yao shook his head. He was also surprised by this matter.
"Because... I don't know why, but from a very long time ago, I always felt... as if there was some special connection between you and me." Su Rui's voice was very soft, with a hint of hazy reminiscence. "I remember one time, in the corridor, you were exchanging WeChat with other classmates, and I happened to pass by... I heard you say your number, and... I secretly wrote it down."
He lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, his cheeks slightly red. "At that time, I felt as if having your contact information brought me closer to you. Later, at school, it seemed... it seemed as if we could often make eye contact. Maybe I was too sensitive, but I always felt like you were looking at me... Now that I think about it, it's probably... fate, right?"
He spoke intermittently about these humble and sweet secret loves that had never been expressed out loud, and every word was like a feather gently scratching Ling Yao's heart.
Ling Yao was completely stunned. He had never imagined that Su Rui had already been silently and cautiously watching him, even trying to get closer to him in such a clumsy way. Those glances he had once thought were just chance encounters, actually concealed such an anxious yet sincere heart.
An indescribable feeling of bitterness and immense emotion instantly seized him. He reached out and hugged Su Rui tightly in his arms.
"Fool..." He buried his face in Su Rui's neck, his voice muffled, with a barely perceptible hoarseness, "...Why do you have such a good memory?"
Su Rui hugged him back, feeling his strong heartbeat, her heart filled with a huge sense of fulfillment. He said these words not to ask for anything, but simply to tell this person, who would soon belong to more people, before the brilliant starry road began: Our beginning may have come earlier than you imagined, and that connection may be deeper than you realize.
In the silent night, the two embraced each other tightly, no words needed. The fleeting bonds of fate and mutual support they had shared in the past now transformed into gentle courage to face the future. The sadness of parting remained, but it was also filled with deep blessings and unwavering trust in each other.
The thread of fate has already been quietly entangled. No matter whether the road ahead is bright with stars or full of storms and thorns, the sincere confession at this moment will become an eternal light source that illuminates the softest corners of each other's hearts.
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