witness
Final Chapter: Witness
On Thursday afternoon, Bai Ke was finishing up the evaluation report for next week when his colleague Xiao Zhang poked his head in: "Bai Ke, there's a beautiful woman outside looking for you."
Bai Ke walked out of the office with some doubt in her mind. When she saw the familiar figure at the end of the corridor, her steps paused slightly. Qiu Luodi was wearing a Chanel suit and had exquisite makeup on, but she couldn't hide the fatigue in her eyes.
"Do you have time for a cup of coffee?" Qiu Luodi's tone was surprisingly calm.
They came to the coffee shop downstairs from the company. The afternoon sun shone through the glass windows, casting mottled shadows on the wooden table.
"I'm going back to Germany." Qiu Luodi stirred the latte in front of him and suddenly said, "Immigration."
Bai Ke said "hmm" softly and waited for her to continue.
Qiu Luodi's eyes fell on the ring on Bai Ke's left hand, and a bitter arc appeared at the corner of his mouth: "It's been eight years, and you finally succeeded."
"This is not a question of success or failure." Bai Ke said calmly.
"You know, I've always believed that I would marry Chen Yiyu when I grew up." Qiu Luodi's eyes drifted to the window. "Our two families are old friends, and everyone thinks we are a perfect match. I've given so much for him, even for him..."
She paused and didn't say anything else.
"But love is not a transaction, Luodi." Bai Ke said softly, "It doesn't mean that you have to get something in return just because you give."
Qiu Luodi turned his head and looked at her: "What about you? Haven't you been pestering him for so many years?"
"I'm not clinging to him." Bai Ke stroked the ring on her ring finger, "I'm just waiting for him to become his true self. Loving someone doesn't mean keeping him by your side, but respecting his choices and wishing him happiness."
She looked directly into Qiu Luodi's eyes: "You said you love him, but is it the real him you love, or the one you imagined?"
Qiu Luodi took a sip of coffee and didn't speak for a long time.
"I'm going to Munich." After a long pause, she finally spoke. "My father bought a winery there, and I plan to learn how to make wine. Maybe... it's time to start my own life."
Bai Ke smiled slightly: "I wish you can find a way to truly make yourself happy."
Qiu Luodi stood up and looked at Bai Ke deeply: "Treat him well."
Bai Ke sighed softly as he watched her leave. This girl, who had been entangled with them for so many years, finally chose to let go.
On Friday night, Chen Yiyu stayed at Bai Ke's rental house as if he was familiar with the place. Unlike the previous politeness and courtesy, this time he naturally embraced her and lay on the bed in the bedroom.
"Qiu Luodi came to see me today." Bai Ke said softly in his arms.
Chen Yiyu sat up straight and tightened his arms: "Did she give you a hard time?"
"No." Bai Ke shook his head. "She said she wanted to settle in Germany."
Chen Yiyu was silent for a while: "That's fine."
Moonlight slipped in through the gap in the curtains, illuminating the ring on the bedside table. Chen Yiyu gently took Bai Ke's hand wearing the ring and interlocked their fingers.
"The house renovation will begin next month." He whispered in her ear, "What style do you want?"
"Simple and warm is good." Bai Ke turned to face him, "The most important thing is that you are here."
A gentle smile spread across Chen Yiyu's eyes, and he lowered his head to kiss her lips. This kiss was gentle and long, carrying the weight of a promise.
Clothes had fallen to the ground without anyone noticing. Under the moonlight, their bodies were tightly intertwined. Chen Yiyu's movements were extremely gentle, as if he were treating a rare treasure. Bai Ke's fingers traced the faint scars on his back. The suffering he had endured alone in those years now transformed into tenderness as their skin touched.
"I love you," he breathed into her ear, his voice low and serious.
Bai Ke hugged him tightly, feeling the resonance of their heartbeats. At this moment, all the waiting was worth it.
On the weekend, they drove to the beach.
The early winter sea breeze was cool, and there were few tourists on the beach. They walked hand in hand along the coastline, leaving behind two rows of parallel footprints.
"Once the house is renovated, we'll put a telescope on the balcony." Chen Yiyu pointed to the distant sea horizon, "We can watch the stars together at night."
"I also want to get a cat." Bai Ke continued, "An orange cat, a chubby one."
Chen Yiyu smiled and squeezed her hand: "I'll do as you say."
They sat down on the beach and watched the tides rise and fall. The setting sun dyed the sea golden.
"Do you remember the poem I shared in the literature club in high school?" Chen Yiyu suddenly asked.
"Rain Marks?"
He nodded and whispered, "'The rain washes the window glass, and also washes away the traces of time.' Now I want to change it to 'The rain washes away the past, but makes the traces of love clearer.'"
Bai Ke leaned on his shoulder, feeling his warm body temperature.
From that rainy day in their second year of high school to the sunset by the sea today, they have walked through eight years. There have been sweetness, sadness, misunderstandings, and separations, but in the end, they found happiness together.
"I'll move your stuff to my place next week," Chen Yiyu said. "Anyway, we're going to live together to supervise the renovations, so you can give up your rental apartment first."
Bai Ke nodded, feeling warm inside. They were finally going to have a home together.
The setting sun gradually sank into the sea, and the last ray of golden light shone on them. Chen Yiyu took out his cell phone from his pocket and took a picture of their shadows cuddling together.
"This is our new starting point." He set the photo as his phone screensaver. "From today on, we'll watch every sunrise and sunset together."
The sea breeze blew gently, bringing the breath of distant places, and the sunlight slanted, shining on the two happy people.
(End of full text)
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