Chapter 29 Poetry and Distance
The protracted war between "cats and dogs" (specifically Lin Yan vs. Snowball) triggered by "Snowball", a dog in cat's clothing, finally came to an end when Lin Yan, with a gloomy face, spent a huge amount of money to purchase a whole set of top-grade cat climbing frames, luxurious electric cat teasers, simulated mice with bells and other toys, all piled up on the sunny balcony, and supplemented by regularly feeding cat strips as "bribes".
Snowball, the "green tea cat," looked down on the world from his balcony climbing frame, enjoying his exclusive sunshine and toys, temporarily content. Meanwhile, I, the "emperor," was caught in the middle of this "battle for favor," and my life was filled with fear and anxiety.
To win back Ruirui's exclusive attention, that bastard Lin Yan did absolutely everything! He actually! Actually! He bought me a furry dog-ear headband! While I was snuggled up on the couch playing games, defenseless, he suddenly came over and, with his infuriatingly handsome, usually gentle face, put those silly dog ears on his head!
"Ruirui..." He leaned very close, his warm breath spraying on my ear, his voice deliberately low and soft, with a bit of grievance in his nasal tone, looking at me with wet eyes, "Look at me... Am I cute? Can I pat my head?"
I:"!!!"
The game controller in my hand almost flew out! My heart felt like it was hit by high voltage electricity, beating so wildly that it was about to burst out of my throat! A burst of heat "swooshed" from the soles of my feet to the top of my head! It was fatal! This usually abstinent and elite face, paired with furry dog ears, and then with that foul look and voice acting coquettishly... This contrast is as lethal as a nuclear bomb! My mind was blank, and there was only one thought left: My blood tank is empty! Who can withstand this!
God knows how much effort it took me to not pounce on him right then and there! I could only blush and pretend to be fierce and roar: "Lin Yan! Are you fucking sick? You're already a grown-up! Are you childish?" But my hand reached out uncontrollably and quickly rubbed the top of his head with dog ears. Tsk, it feels... not bad?
Lin Yan looked at my flushed face and wandering eyes, a hint of triumph in his eyes. He buried his head in the crook of my neck and nuzzled it, like a real big dog. During those few days, I lived in a state of dream and terror. On the one hand, I was attacked by Snowball's innocent eyes and snoring, and on the other hand, I endured Boss Lin's occasional "beauty attack + coquettish method." It was painful and joyful, and I felt like a foolish but happy tyrant.
The National Day holiday was almost here. Lin Yan had already informed me several days in advance, "Ruirui, shall we go on a trip during the National Day holiday?"
I was so engrossed in the new dungeon that I didn't even look up: "No, it's too crowded. I might as well play games at home."
He sat down next to me and took my controller. His tone was gentle but unyielding. "No. I've been busy with the lab these past few months, so I've spent less time with you (actually, I haven't lost any time at all; he always finds a way to make up for it). I have to make up for it. Besides, we've been together for so long, and we haven't really taken a trip." He paused, then added, "I know you're afraid of crowds. Let's avoid the popular attractions and find a quieter, less crowded place."
The last half of his sentence touched me. Staying at home may be fine, but who hasn't longed for poetry and distant places? Especially... with Lin Yan.
So, we set off on our journey. Lin Yan chose a small, ancient town nestled between mountains and rivers. Initially, he assumed I'd enjoy browsing exquisite cultural and creative shops and modern art museums, but he discovered I wasn't interested at all; he barely lingered on them for even a second.
It was not until we walked to the foot of the ancient city wall, entered the winding old alleys paved with bluestone slabs, passed by some small workshops with signs saying "Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance", or stood in front of an ancient tomb site that was said to be thousands of years old (although only a mound of earth and a stone tablet were left), that I came back to life as if I was wound up!
"Lin Yan! Lin Yan! Look at this!" I pointed at a silversmith crafting bracelets in an old silversmith shop deep in the alley, my eyes sparkling. "This technique! It's exactly like the CG of the dwarf blacksmith shop in XX Game! It's so authentic!"
"Wow! Look at that stone carving! This style! It definitely appeared in 'XX Novel'! The protagonists found the entrance to the secret treasure in a similar place!"
"This wall! These battlements! This height! It's incredible! It's like a real-life version of the three-tiered city defenses in XX Historical Strategy Game! Defending this city must be incredibly satisfying!"
Like a country bumpkin on his first trip to the city, I pulled Lin Yan along and chattered away, connecting everything I saw to scenes from familiar novels and games, dancing with excitement. Those ruins and ancient crafts, which might seem ordinary to others, were filled with stories and a sense of adventure in my eyes.
Lin Yan followed me, a bit startled at first, but then his eyes lit up, and the smile on his lips deepened. He was no longer the one leading the group, but instead a dedicated listener, watching me excitedly explain, occasionally responding. If I got stuck, he'd pull out his phone to quickly look up relevant historical or cultural background and fill me in on the details.
"Do you like these so much?" He asked softly, looking at my cheeks which were slightly red with excitement.
"Yeah!" I nodded vigorously, my eyes still scanning the surroundings greedily. "It feels like I've stepped into the world of games and books! It's so exciting!"
Lin Yan nodded thoughtfully, then naturally took my hand, interlocking our fingers, and said softly, "Then next time, shall we go abroad? To the ancient castles of Europe, the pyramids of Egypt, or the ruins of the rainforests of South America? That should be more to your liking."
"Really?!" I turned to look at him suddenly, my eyes wide with surprise. "Can we go? Those places... I couldn't even think about it before!" The overwhelming joy overwhelmed my mind, and I almost blurted out, "Lin Yan, I never thought... Really, before I was with you, I thought my life would probably be spent staying in the dormitory or at home, playing games, living a lazy life, and finding a job to support myself after graduation, and that would be it. I never thought... I could go to so many places I want to go with the person I love like I do now, and see so many... real stories..." I spoke a little incoherently, but every word was true. My heart was filled with that kind of unreal, huge happiness.
Lin Yan paused. He stood on the bluestone pavement, surrounded by the ancient city walls and a bustling yet quiet stream of people. He turned to face me, the golden glow of the setting sun bathing him in a warm halo. He looked at me, his eyes, always gentle and smiling, now swirling with a complex mix of emotions—surprise, realization, a deep, unwavering heartache, and... a love that bordered on devotion.
He raised his hand, and his cool fingertips gently brushed the corners of my eyes (I just realized that my eyes were actually a little hot). His voice was low and gentle, with a power that penetrated the soul:
He looked deeply into my eyes, as if he was truly getting to know me for the first time. "So it's not that you don't like it, but... you never had the chance before, or... you didn't dare to like it, right?"
I was stunned for a moment, and looked away a little embarrassedly: "It's... It's not that I don't dare... I just think it's unrealistic, a waste of time and money, it's better to play games..."
Lin Yan pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. His embrace was warm and strong, and his chin rested lightly on the top of my head.
"I'm sorry..." He said softly, his voice choked with a barely perceptible sob, "I realized it too late."
At that moment, Lin Yan truly understood. The Goblin in his arms, once a hedgehog and a stubborn blade of grass, wasn't inherently closed-minded, obsessed with screens. He simply... in the reality of the past, he subconsciously suppressed those seemingly "unrealistic" aspirations and desires, using games to build a safe and familiar world to protect himself. He was too easily contented, too sensible, so sensible that it was heartbreaking.
Lin Yan's heart felt like it was soaking in warm lemonade, both sour and tender. He recalled that initially, he might have been drawn simply to Chen Rui's contradictory qualities—temperamental yet fragile, tough-mouthed yet soft-hearted, a mystery. He approached him, observed him, with a touch of experimental curiosity and interest. But as time passed, watching this goblin, under his "nurturing" (or perhaps companionship and pampering), gradually unfurl his branches and leaves, revealing his hidden curiosity and love for the world, watching him become more cheerful, his smile more genuine... Lin Yan realized with a start that he was no longer the calm observer he once was.
He was watering a unique flower. Watching it slowly blossom before his eyes, revealing its inner, never-before-seen, vibrant colors and vibrant vitality, each transformation amazed him, captivated him, and made him… unable to let go.
What were the experimental subjects? What were the interesting observations?
He had long been stuck in the mud and couldn't extricate himself.
How could he have the privilege to possess such an uncut jade, yet one that holds infinite brilliance? How could he have witnessed and participated in the richness of his life?
Lin Yan tightened his arms and hugged the person in his arms even tighter, as if he wanted to rub him into his own bones and blood. The huge gratitude and love surged, almost drowning him.
He lowered his head and placed a precious kiss on the top of Chen Rui's head. His voice was as light as a sigh, yet as heavy as a vow:
"Ruirui...I really...found a treasure."
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