4
Ji Feng has already booked a flight for the next day to go to City B with her parents.
He didn't plan to spend the day in the garage.
The remaining work cannot be completed in a day or two.
A little after seven o'clock, he was sitting on the beach, wearing a new baseball cap.
About ten minutes later, Zhong Yan appeared beside him.
Have you made up your mind?
Ji Feng just texted Zhong Yan to tell her that he has decided to go to City B for medical treatment, and today is his last day on the island.
Zhong Yan rushed out without even having breakfast.
"Hmm. And you, when are you planning to leave?"
"I... I should stay until the end of the month, and then go back after the little petrel flies away."
"At that time, I might already be lying on the operating table, unconscious from anesthesia, unable to witness the little petrel fly back to nature."
Ji Feng's relaxed tone did not reassure Zhong Yan, but she could not show her fear and had to comfort him, saying, "Don't worry, you'll be fine."
With the advancements in modern medicine, and considering that the central hospital in City B is one of the best in the country, it must have many outstanding doctors.
Ji Feng's father has connections and money, and he will do everything he can to give Ji Feng the best treatment.
Ji Feng didn't respond, but changed the subject: "Tell me about yourself."
Ji Feng was always so capricious, saying whatever came to mind, making Zhong Yan feel like she was slow to react.
"...What did you say about me?"
"Looking forward to your bright future."
Zhong Yan hugged her knees, her fair face flushed red in the rising sun. "How can we expect anything from something that's not even close to happening?"
“That’s why you need to look to the future. If you don’t encourage yourself often, you won’t even believe you can do it.” Ji Feng looked at her expression, as if he had suddenly realized something, and frowned as if he had been tricked.
"You wouldn't be lying to me, a seriously ill patient, about wanting to retake the exam, would you?"
Nobody makes fun of themselves.
Zhong Yan was both amused and annoyed. She put on a serious face and said, "I would never lie to you. I will repeat a year of high school."
"And then?" Ji Feng prompted patiently.
"Then...then I'll get into the Aviation University and become your classmate. Don't think it's a hassle then. I heard the Aviation University campus is huge, so you'll have to be my guide."
"Universities are all very big. To be honest, it's unrealistic to expect me to become a map and give you directions anytime, since I'm not familiar with every corner. But I can still introduce a few famous places, like the stone tablet at the entrance..."
Before we knew it, Jifeng began to introduce the famous attractions of the university.
These places that freshmen would make a special trip to see upon entering the school are unforgettable.
For example, a sculpture in front of a teaching building, or a real missile placed on campus.
He not only talks about tourist attractions, but also tells some history stories. For example, he mentioned that a certain missile ornament was won by the principal against another university, which made the principal of the other university cry.
The school also has a sacred stone that everyone must pass, polished to a gleaming shine by the countless students who have studied there…
Zhong Yan listened intently, occasionally amused by Ji Feng's words.
Ji Feng is eloquent; even if he didn't study aircraft, he would be a natural tour guide.
“That sounds great,” Zhong Yan said.
Monsoon was a shrewd salesman, using a feigned retreat to advance, saying, "No matter how much I talk, it's not as good as seeing it for yourself."
The sunlight was so bright that Zhong Yan could hardly open her eyes. She turned her head towards Ji Feng and shielded her eyes with her hand. "This time next year, I'll be reporting to the university. You wait for me."
This time, her tone was much firmer.
Ji Feng's eyes crinkled slightly as he took off his hat and placed it on Zhong Yan's head, saying, "I can't wait. I might still be undergoing treatment by then. You know, even if the surgery is successful, my illness will have many complications. I might lose my memory or become an idiot."
Zhong Yan frowned, unwilling to think about what Ji Feng had gone through.
How could he lose his memory, and how could he become an idiot?
He has such great talent and such pure passion.
Zhong Yan adjusted the hat, which was too big for her, and looked at Ji Feng's face through the shadow of the brim.
"Then we're still alumni, and I'll wait for you the same way."
"Hmm." The monsoon's voice was very soft, easily drowned out by the sound of the waves.
The sunlight was so bright that it shone on his face as if a thin veil had been draped over it.
"Do you remember this place?" Ji Feng suddenly raised his voice.
In fact, Zhong Yan had already noticed the several large, colorful wheels around Ji Feng.
They are colorful and stand out at night, let alone during the day.
"...the place where we first met."
Zhong Yan can't straighten her back whenever the topic comes up.
Many people condemn those who seek death, saying that if they are not even afraid of death, what else in this world is there to fear?
They are cowardly deserters, who, when faced with difficulties, don't want to figure out how to overcome them, but only want to find the exit button, wait for the screen to display OVER, and declare their utter defeat.
Ji Feng took a book from his side and handed it to her.
Zhong Yan looked at Ji Feng with suspicion, then touched something bulging inside the book.
She turned the pages of the book.
It was a sachet still sealed in its packaging bag, with a red cloth base, auspicious cloud patterns, and the two characters "如意" (ruyi, meaning good fortune) embroidered in gold thread in the center.
It looks like the auspicious charms sold in temples.
Zhong Yan was even more puzzled.
Monsoons and this kind of thing don't go together at all.
My sister's grandmother is a very superstitious old woman. Years ago, she calculated my mother's birth chart and said it would bring misfortune to her. She was extremely unwilling to let this second-married daughter-in-law into the family. Later, when my sister was born, she said that her birth chart was incompatible with hers and that my mother should send her to live in a dormitory.
As a result, countless arguments have broken out between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Grandma dotes on my younger sister, and the family has many talismans obtained from various temples and Taoist monasteries, all meant to protect my sister as she grows up safely.
My mother doesn't believe in these things, and she has never asked for anything for her. She would never think that it would be unfair if the younger daughter had something that the older daughter didn't.
She has always believed that it's better to rely on yourself than on anyone else.
So, Zhong Yan never expected that Ji Feng would have this, and that he would give it to her at this time, like a farewell gift?
She looked down at the novel ruyi talisman and noticed a word highlighted with a fluorescent pen on the page next to it.
"Death is not something to be rushed; it is a festival that will inevitably come."
Zhong Yan silently repeated it twice in her heart.
Whether people struggle or not, everyone will eventually die, so there's no need to rush into death.
This is what Ji Feng wanted to say to her.
"Having come into this world, one should leave a mark no matter what, to tell the world that I was here." He leaned back, plunging his hands into the sand behind him.
The sunlight gently caressed his face and neck.
Every inch of it shines brightly.
The monsoon is a person who is unwilling to be ordinary. It is a wind that does not want to be calm. It either rustles the leaves or stirs up waves.
He said, "I have a wish, and I'm giving it to you."
Zhong Yan said, "How can you send a wish?"
"Then consider it a gift for your desperate decision to repeat a year of high school."
Zhong Yan picked it up and shook it; the small copper bell jingled.
"Will you guarantee that everything will go smoothly for me?"
"You can think of it this way."
Zhong Yan put away the small auspicious charm and said hesitantly, "I didn't prepare a gift for you."
She was really not very skilled at interpersonal relationships.
Monsoon said, "You gave me one flower, that's enough."
Zhong Yan herself had almost forgotten about it, but he reminded her, and she asked in surprise, "Isn't the flower still alive?"
"I took good care of myself and have achieved immortality."
Zhong Yan understood the implication and said, "You've made it into a specimen?"
"almost."
"So you like flowers so much. Then when you're discharged from the hospital, I'll give you a huge bouquet." Zhong Yan gestured a large area, big enough to be held in two arms.
Monsoon was amused by her exaggerated manner and said, "No, I don't like flowers, I just like that one."
Zhong Yan couldn't understand it.
That flower was just a common red rose, not a rare variety.
The woman downstairs is a romantic person. Once, when we bumped into each other in the stairwell, she even took out an imported rose that her boyfriend had given her.
She still remembers that rose as having a perfect shape and a rich, vibrant color, much prettier than the ordinary roses the little girl was selling that night.
What makes that one different?
Zhong Yan frowned slightly, deep in thought.
"Stop thinking about it. Didn't I say not to peel onions?" Ji Feng said.
Yes, he did say that.
Don't try to fully understand a person.
However, Zhong Yan still couldn't fully understand.
Ji Feng wouldn't let her know why he was doing this.
Is it that he feels the need to maintain an air of mystery, or that he values his privacy more and doesn't want others to spy on him?
"So what do you like? What should I give you as a return gift?" Ji Feng wouldn't let her figure it out herself, so she had to ask him directly.
"I'll ask you for it when I think of something."
/
As the sun rose high in the sky, the temperature soared rapidly, and even the sand became scorching. Ji Feng and Zhong Yan couldn't sit still any longer and walked to the vicinity of Zhujiaopo.
Neither of them had eaten anything early in the morning and were a little hungry, so they found a window seat at the "CROISER" café and each ordered a breakfast.
Zhong Yan really likes the lattes and croissants here, but they are a bit pricey. Fortunately, they don't come here often.
The shop manager of the floral shirt store remembered them and came over with a smile to greet them, "Haven't you started school yet? I see a lot of students on the island have left."
Ji Feng smiled and said, "I'm about to leave the island, so I'll patronize your business one last time."
Are you going back to the island for winter break?
"They probably won't reply."
"It looks like we won't see each other for a long time," the store manager said wistfully.
"Yes," said the monsoon.
The store manager looked at the two of them with a smile, "Would you like a photo as a gift?"
He beckoned to Xia, the shop assistant.
"These are instant photos that are only included with our 299 package!" the store manager explained. "Unlike digital photography, the film for these is expensive."
Xia was holding a cute square camera. Zhong Yan had seen girls play with it when she was in school. They would print out the photos immediately after taking them.
She rarely takes photos and suffers from camera phobia. Just as she was about to avoid the camera, she saw that Ji Feng had already changed to a more comfortable pose and was waiting to be photographed.
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Yan turned her face back to face the store manager and staff.
The camera, located directly in front, has a large, round, black lens encased in a creamy white, square, rounded-corner casing.
Zhong Yan tensed up again, her eyes subtly shifting to the side as she peered out from the corner of her eye.
Ji Feng's face, bathed in the dim light of the coffee shop, was as smooth as porcelain. His profile was elegant, and a slight upturn at the corners of his lips held a faint smile, softening his overly aloof demeanor.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, his gaze swept over and caught her prying eyes.
Xia smiled at the two of them and said, "Okay, handsome guy and beautiful girl, stop looking at each other and look at the camera."
Their eyes met briefly, then quickly looked away, both staring straight ahead. Xia immediately exclaimed, "OK, OK, that's great!"
She pressed the shutter, but the Polaroid camera didn't respond; the film didn't come out. "Huh? Out of paper? I clearly saw there were still three sheets left... Oh no, oh no, it's ruined!"
Xia screamed and ran to the counter, rummaging around for a while before popping her head out and shouting, "Boss, we're out of paper!"
The store manager scratched his head and walked over, puzzled, and said, "Is that all? Didn't we stock up on some before?"
Xia said, "It's almost Qixi Festival, so there are a lot more couples coming. Look, the photo wall is completely covered..."
Qixi Festival...
Zhong Yan then noticed that the coffee shop seemed a little pinker than before, and there were also some heart-shaped decorations on the walls.
People who are not sensitive to holidays may find it difficult to notice these differences, but once they do, it can be particularly awkward.
Just like when my younger sister was one or two years old, my stepfather and grandmother celebrated Children's Day for her, decorating the house like a fairy tale world.
She had celebrated Children's Day a few times before her parents divorced, but she hasn't celebrated it since.
When her younger sister celebrates Children's Day, she feels lost and embarrassed, wishing she could disappear.
Although her stepfather would prepare gifts for her, she knew that she was only benefiting from her sister's gift, and this was not a holiday that belonged to her.
Just like the upcoming Qixi Festival.
"Sorry, we're out of photographic paper, so here's a cake for you instead." The shop owner placed the cake, decorated with buttercream patterns, on the table.
Ji Feng smiled and said it was nothing, pushing the cake in front of Zhong Yan without any hesitation.
Zhong Yan was nervous before the photo shoot, but she was very disappointed when the photo was not taken.
This regret even affected her taste buds; she couldn't remember the taste of the cake after eating it.
Before leaving the coffee shop, Zhong Yan glanced at the photo wall a few times.
The photos, each no bigger than the palm of your hand, capture many beautiful moments of couples, friends, and families. They are smiling brightly, striking funny poses, or enjoying harmonious family moments...
She pursed her lips, feeling even more regretful. Why did the camera have to break at this particular moment?
The brass bell on the door rang.
The coffee shop employee greeted them with a smile as they left, saying, "Welcome back again."
Zhong Yan turned to Xia and said, "Goodbye."
Ji Feng had already stepped outside the door. He held onto the door and nodded to the inside.
The camera wasn't the only misfortune today.
When the old lady who sold lychees met them, she took Ji Feng's hand and said, "If you had come earlier, you would have had longans to eat. The ones you grow in your own yard are so sweet. The merchants just came and bought them all."
COCO and Chen Baoran attended a friend's wedding and left the island early in the morning. A cute sign hung at the entrance of the pottery studio that read: Don't worry, see you tomorrow!
Jasmine Milk Tea Shop was closed for a day due to a burst water pipe in front of its store, which required emergency repairs by the municipal authorities.
Zhong Yan and Ji Feng walked from sunrise to sunset.
Aimless.
When you get tired, sit on a garden bench and rest. Once you've rested, continue walking.
Finally, Ji Feng escorted Zhong Yan back downstairs. Zhong Yan looked at him, hesitant to speak.
"What's wrong?"
Zhong Yan looked at the sunset in the sky for a while, then looked down at the long shadows of the two of them under the streetlights, and said in a low voice, "I don't know how to say goodbye."
Ji Feng, with his hands in his pockets, took two steps back and said with a smile, "No need to be so deliberate, just like when we first met."
We met without saying hello.
They parted without even saying goodbye.
/
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
It seems that meeting each other has already exhausted all good luck, and parting can only be a stumbling and painful experience.
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