60. Thousands of Songs
Ted Chiang was right in "Story of Your Life" when he said that time isn't linear, unidirectional, or uniform. Time encompasses age, but it can also simply be a concept we impose on ourselves. A single day can feel like three autumns, while years can pass by in a flash.
Life itself can sometimes resemble AI-generated garbage, overly polished at the third button. Sometimes, it can resemble a Hitchcock montage, instantly switching to the decisive moment.
The baggage allowance for the flight ticket was used up, and two suitcases weighing more than 20 kilograms were checked in. Vivian, holding her boarding pass and passport, was ready to leave the past behind.
A feeling of melancholy and slight excitement.
There is more than one direct flight from Beijing every day, but she chose to transfer in Hong Kong.
Even booking a flight was a different matter. Xiao Guo, the cute, round-faced girl who was now Vivian's closest acquaintance at the company, kindly reminded her in advance that business class flights over eight hours were possible, but she needed to apply to Mr. Wang in advance.
When Vivian entered the industry, it was the private equity investment
Private Equite, often translated as "Private Equity Investment", here we use Mr. Shan Weijian's translation:)
During the golden age of the industry, ordinary employees traveled business class. In just ten years, she witnessed the industry's rapid decline: high buildings, grand banquets, and finally collapse. Even those that survived, shrewdly cut benefits in the name of cost reduction and efficiency. When business was booming, accumulating miles on business trips could buy you vacation tickets. Now, even a comfortable trip requires a boss's permission.
It's a bit like the story of the monkey who changed his mind every day. If something originally belonged to you, but is taken away from you and then given back to you again, it's an exceptional favor. As the saying goes, "Thunder, rain, and dew are all grace from the king." Every boss, regardless of character, is extremely adept at this.
At the beginning of the year, the company had just issued a rule that only partners could book business class. However, the boss led by example, expressing his shared suffering. Naturally, others didn't dare to overstep their bounds, and despite numerous complaints, they paid for the upgrade themselves.
You know, they all became lifetime platinum just by traveling for business.
Vivian was more cautious about this matter and didn't apply, paying for the upgrade herself. While paying for work was annoying, she was new and didn't know the situation, so why bother? No one knew if the boss had any unusual issues. At her previous company, Vivian had witnessed a highly capable new employee being fired simply because of some shady gym reimbursement.
A little awkwardly, Xiao Guo was traveling with her this time. She had to explain earnestly that she had a herniated disc and couldn't sit for long, so she'd paid for the upgrade. She emphasized the "at her own expense" specifically, fearing Xiao Guo might misunderstand.
After boarding the plane, she stopped at the front row while Xiao Guo dragged her luggage to the back cabin alone. She felt quite embarrassed. She knew that in the workplace, people are extremely bored and like to spread rumors.
There were five hours between flights. Not too long, not too short, but plenty of time to have a meal together in this tiny little space of an airport. She'd already made an agreement with Xiao Guo: "A friend is coming to the airport to drop me off something, so I won't be eating with you. We'll meet at the gate."
Xiao Guo blinked meaningfully. "Who's so important that you'd rush to the airport to meet him?"
She quickly clarified, "No, no, I asked a friend to bring me some medicine, like Huoluo Oil, Wubi Di, and Ota Wei San. I might need them in the future."
She found the restaurant they had agreed to meet at. Eric was already waiting at a corner table facing the door. He wasn't looking at his phone, but she didn't know what he was looking at.
Whether she is working or eating, she likes to sit in a corner, which is not conspicuous but easy to observe. Her friends once joked that her habit made her look like a retired secret agent.
Why he did that, she didn't know.
She appeared at the door, and he waved. They hadn't seen each other for a month, and they were actually a little shy. They had to sit down and chat for five minutes, and then order their food before they could resume their usual conversation and laughter.
The restaurant only served simple dim sum and roast meats, which were quickly served. She wolfed down her food: "Sorry, the airplane food, which never changes its menu, is really terrible. I only had cold dishes and I'm starving."
He saw she was carrying only a slumped tote bag, bulging with stuff, with an eye mask and a flight pillow dangling from the handle. He had never seen her dressed like this in their entire time together: a worn T-shirt, yoga pants, a hooded sweatshirt, the brim of which was even slightly bleached, and a pair of flats that she could easily throw off.
Now she no longer cared about her image in front of him. He didn't know whether to be happy or not.
"Are you all ready?"
“Not at all.”
"Then..." He was puzzled.
"Nothing in life is ever prepared. Aren't all truly major events black swans? Were the smart people on Wall Street prepared before the 2008 economic crisis, or were Goldman Sachs and Masayoshi Son prepared for WeWork's pre-IPO collapse? Humans, please stop being so arrogant."
"Well, eat more, philosopher."
She chuckled.
Even with a seemingly harmless girl like Xiao Guo, she was in a state of professionalism, outwardly friendly but internally tense. Perhaps work is just so alienating.
Only at this moment can I truly relax.
After dinner, with three hours left before boarding, he ordered another pot of tea, and the two of them sat facing each other, not knowing what to say.
People drift apart, often unnoticed or after a brutal fight. In reality, every second counts in this literal sense. These days, there's no watch, no second hand ticking; time flies by on our phone screens.
He took out a book and handed it to her.
"What's this?" she asked.
"I took the one from your house. It was old, so I kept it. I'm giving you this new one to read on the plane."
She took it, without even glancing at it, and stuffed it into her bag that was about to burst.
Then she stretched out her hand to him: "Did you forget what you brought me?"
He took out a piece of clothing: "As you requested, an old T-shirt I've worn. But what do you want with it?"
"I'm a fetishist." She took it and put it on her face.
"Hey, that's a bit perverted. Only creepy guys have ever stolen women's underwear."
"They don't understand romance. In Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Baoyu desperately wanted to give Sister Lin an old handkerchief he had used. Qingwen went to deliver it, worried that Sister Lin would be upset. But Sister Lin immediately understood his intentions."
Seeing that he didn't look very good, she reached across the table and gently pressed between his eyebrows, as if trying to smooth out his involuntarily frowned brows: "Do you know that you always like to frown even when you are asleep?"
"When you fall asleep, you are like Tereza in Kundera's novel, always gritting your teeth, as if you are fighting in your dreams."
He took her hand and pulled the other hand over, covering his face with both of her hands, his eyelashes fluttering in her palms.
"Crybaby," she gently stroked his face, "If you have something to say, hurry up and say it, or else you'll have to sing a thousand songs for me."
His expression was serious, but his words were joking.
There are too many things to do and no time to do. If there is another date opportunity, she really wants to go karaoke together. Every song sung by Priscilla Chan is her signature song, and every song by Priscilla Chan perfectly fits her mood that day.
Hiding in the drone cabin/saying goodnight to you
It turns out it's all because of you/that makes my memories so long
When will it be the same as tonight again?
In today's world, with advanced technology, a journey of thousands or even tens of thousands of kilometers can be completed in the space of a single nap in a plane. Anyone who claims we are now so far apart that we can no longer meet is, of course, simply making excuses.
He forced himself to smile and said, "I told you not to leave? You won't listen."
"You know it's meaningless." She blinked. "But, whether it's true or not, it's rare for someone to speak up. Many people don't even dare to say it, as if saying it will make them responsible for the rest of their lives. Men nowadays, haha."
He waited for her to continue. He hadn't said this to hear her scold men.
She seemed to have strayed off topic: "…I remember when I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, I felt like the walking corpse. I was studying abroad at the time, and it was the end of the semester, and the workload was already overwhelming. For a whole month, my classmates were afraid to talk to me because the moment I opened my mouth, tears would burst out. They called me 'the crybaby.'
At that moment, I swore to God that I could give up everything. I begged God to let me start anew, to return to the day before we broke up. I've never had any religious beliefs, but at that time, I prayed to some unknown god every night...
But look at me today, I have to think hard to even remember his name."
"Does this mean that you're telling me not to be sad?"
"I'm trying to persuade myself," she said seriously. "There will always be sad times, but I tell myself that I've gotten through them, and nothing is impossible."
“So you don’t believe in anything anymore.”
"No, no, I believe in true love, in real affection, but I really can't believe in long-distance relationships or international relationships. I don't believe in everlasting love, nor do I believe in the institution of marriage. I don't believe in reconciliation, and I don't believe that my handsome boyfriend from ten years ago or my overbearing CEO today will remain chaste and wait just for me. How narcissistic must I be to believe that? All creatures are spiritual, but only humans can dream of possessing another person's body and soul for fifty years of unwavering loyalty. Isn't that a bit too arrogant?"
She knew that no matter whether it was a man or a woman, big talk would inevitably sound greasy, but time was running out.
"I've said too much. Don't take it to heart. Flights don't wait for anyone, every second counts."
He came back to his senses: "Of course."
certainly.
Of course, I agree 100%, I fully agree. In the past, he had always said such things to others without any shame.
Things change with time.
Then I can only wish you great success.
She squeezed his hand again. "Don't be so fussy. The flight only takes eight hours. Come date me when you're free."
He laughed out loud: "Cheer me."
"Really? Don't you think this would be a good idea?" she said earnestly. "How about we create a new paradigm for heterosexual relationships? We'll date once a year for a week, and then have fun the rest of the time."
"Stop it."
"Don't rush to refuse, wait for me to write a term sheet
Investment Agreement Term Sheet
for you. "
Seeing that it was time, he helped her carry the messy bag. He walked her to the security checkpoint, where she took it, slung it over her shoulder with difficulty, and waved to him, "See you next time."
Seeing that he was unhappy, she grabbed his arm and asked, "Why are you looking so sad?"
His eyes were slightly red.
"Crybaby." She stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear. "If you can't sleep, you can come and sleep with me."
Then he turned around and went in, turned his back to him and waved his hand.
She didn't look back.
She wasn't such a cold-hearted person, but it would be fine if she just let her tears flow secretly. In the end, relationships between men and women would most likely end in a mess, let alone such a devastating start.
Why do you have to wait until you have scratched out the word "thank you" before letting go?
Xiao Guo was waiting at the boarding gate early. Seeing her rushing over, he stood up and said, "Don't worry."
The next flight was longer, so she took out two steam eye masks and handed them to Xiao Guo, hoping that she would feel more comfortable and less complaining.
The plane, carrying hundreds of passengers and hundreds of bags of almond t, soared through the clear sky. On long-haul flights, she was used to falling asleep. By the time she couldn't fall back asleep, the journey was already halfway over. Two movies, a light meal, and then she'd arrived at her destination.
Watch "Arrival" again and ask yourself the same question: If you knew the story of your life in advance, would you still be willing to meet your lover, give birth to a daughter, and then let them leave you?
The flight was drawing to a close. Everyone removed their earplugs and eye masks, yawning and packing. The captain instructed everyone to turn off their electronics, fasten their seatbelts, and straighten their seats. The wings tilted as if plunging into the water. The city was as tranquil as a deep green sea, and the skyscrapers shone like gold. The sun was blinding, and the ground temperature was 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Whatever happened next, the weather was clear and the ground conditions were perfect for landing.
[End of Text]
[The above story is purely fictional. Please do not include any coincidences.]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
