Tail (1)
Time is like white rice in a bamboo basket; you eat it day after day, month after month, and soon your body withers away, leaving only a clump of black that can't be dissolved, and a loneliness that can't be dispersed.
The boundless sea of hatred and longing that once stretched to the horizon now hangs lightly on the high masts of ships. If the sea breeze, carrying the fierce cries of sailors who lost their ships a century ago, were to blow here from the vast ocean, it would simply fade away without a trace.
It may take five hundred years to perfect a city, but only half a second for a person's soul to be shattered.
Inside the open door, after the thunderstorm, only a serene silence remained, untouched by anyone.
Holding a handful of pure white camellias, I climbed up the hilltop covered in wildflowers, knelt down, and tearfully mourned the people I had loved in my youth, after everything had already been destined.
A heart that has been forged anew from the smoke of battle is tormented to the very end by a loyalty that has lost its meaning.
What's left?
On that day, those who had wantonly plundered this land left behind countless wounds and departed forever. Some sang, their voices still clear and resonant, a testament to their incredible talent. Others, however, had forever lost the freedom to sing, lying motionless on the flooded ground, their hearts filled with countless memories of the suffering they had endured.
Life goes on, the songs will eventually fade, but the people who have survived the rest of their lives gather together, looking at each other, speechless. Just looking, wanting to confirm that the other is still there, slowly transforms into a happiness that everyone longs for.
If the bridge laid by our predecessors collapses, our successors will rebuild it. As long as we can breathe, we can possess a terrifying will.
Does love possess such tangible material things? If it does, perhaps it's not the weight of gold and silver, but a heart that still beats tirelessly for the other. Just lying on that person's chest, listening, heavy tears involuntarily slide down one's face, hoping for an eternal embrace to soothe each other's long-troubled souls.
The overthrown feudal dregs are like an endless, purple-blue illusion, a lingering mess and a dream in the swirling smoke. Birds forged from bronze are etched on hairpins, their delicate patterns bearing the marks of time. In the lifelike portraits, the eyes of our ancestors reveal the bygone splendor. We drink deeply of its sweet nectar while bidding farewell to those bitter sorrows and hardships.
Those who once refused to give up their shiny long braids were reborn by shaving them off with tears in their eyes.
Gods and immortals may exist, but the rich history will always be written by the hardworking and striving people.
On the battlefield where yellow sands rise, the legends of heroes vanish in an instant. The fragrant rouge and powder, concealing hidden resentment, return to the moon with long, mournful sighs that startle us night after night.
The world, in dire need of rebuilding, is like a crying infant, emitting crisp, short hums as it seeks nourishment.
Wandering leisurely in this newly transformed world, slowly smoothing out the chaotic mess of thoughts, picking out the most endearing one, and believing in it forever.
The oil lamp no longer needed to be lit, because the outside world was clear and bright as usual.
Xici folded up the clothes that were laid out and put them into the sturdy, mottled suitcase that was spread out.
"You've decided to leave?" Lee Sang-yeon leaned against the bedside, looking at her.
"The victory I've been longing for has arrived; there's nothing more I can do here."
"If I ask you to stay, will you stay?" He looked at her, his eyes sparkling.
After everything we've been through, can we be honest with each other, just sit down and talk about our beautiful future?
Xici chuckled softly, raised her face to look back at him, and asked, "How do you plan to persuade me to stay?"
Titles and money have long lost their value in the face of war, where everything is disregarded. Only a sincere and loving relationship is priceless.
Lee Sang-yeon straightened up and walked up to her, reaching out to hold her hand tightly. "I don't need anything else but you."
Xici gently shook her head and grasped his large hand in return. "We may have been over long ago. From the moment I painstakingly approached you, wanting to kill you, from the moment you stood on high and stared at me all the time, it may have already been over."
Do you want to dig love out of the swamp? Do you hope so?
Can we still love each other simply? Let's imagine none of this has happened. One day, I simply walk down the street, dressed in simple clothes, and we gaze at each other for a long time through the light and shadow. Then you approach, stop in front of me, and want to kiss me. This thought is so strong, stronger than eating, sleeping, or walking. Everything happened so inexplicably, yet we both understand that this is an inseparable part of us.
"For a long time I've known I'm not worthy of loving you. You are so strong and beautiful. Looking at you, I discovered my own dark side. I am not a complete person, but I can't stop myself from falling in love with you, loving you, and loving you forever."
"What if we weren't a good match for each other? Would you regret it?" Her gaze was calm as still water, and the burning heat from her body seeped into his skin through their tightly clasped hands.
"I regret this, I don't know if I will regret it. But right now, I just want to keep you."
Maybe I'll die tomorrow, maybe I'll be swept away by the rain, but other than that, I won't leave you.
Would you like to stay?
"Whether you harbor hatred or sarcasm, all I want is for you to stay."
Xi Ci let go of his hand, turned around, picked up a knife from the table, held it in front of her, and without hesitation cut off her hair that was tied up. The short section quickly fell to the side of her face, and the velvety hair seemed to be reborn, growing fluffy and free after shedding its heavy tail.
She handed him the knife, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Lee Sang-yeon smiled too, took the knife, cut off the watch he was wearing on his wrist, and handed it to her. "This is the last expensive thing I own. Now, it belongs to you, and you have become my time. Every second you spend with me is the entire meaning of my life."
Please, my time, stay. With just a slight nod from you, you can fill my empty heart and restore my broken body to its former wholeness. If you decide to give up the chance to start over, then I will run further away and wait for you for a longer time, waiting for you to come closer to me and give me a future that can flow.
He stroked her short hair, slowly running his fingers over her delicate eyebrows, stopping at her lips, gazing at her intently.
"Listen to me, Lee Sang-yeon, listen to me." She looked at him and tears streamed down her face. She moved closer to him and could feel his intense emotions.
"I want you to keep your promise. If you break it, I will leave you immediately. At that point, we will be completely over."
If you stay, no words will be needed; a hug will suffice to express the rest of our lives.
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