Keep your distance
The spotlight was blazing on the podium of the clinical data report conference for the new drug "Anminqing".
Gu Yansheng was dressed in a well-fitting dark suit and stood tall. Facing the scrutiny of many industry experts and investors below the stage, he took a deep breath and lightly tapped the laser pointer with his fingertips.
Complex and exquisite charts switched on the screen, and his voice was clear and steady, with a kind of confidence that had been honed through thousands of years, transforming boring experimental data into a fascinating scientific narrative.
The previously serious faces in the audience gradually revealed expressions of concentration and approval. Subtle nods and the rustling of notes combined to form the best affirmation of his professional ability. When Gu Yansheng finally concluded his speech with a concise and powerful outlook, the venue was silent for a moment, then erupted into warm applause.
Gu Yansheng stepped down from the podium, a light sweat on his back, but his chest throbbing with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and joy. This success was the culmination of countless days and nights of hard work by him and his team.
"Brother Gu! That's awesome! So cool!"
Lin Yang was the first to rush over, his eyes sparkling and his face filled with undisguised admiration. "That last data comparison chart is incredibly clear! Several bigwigs in the audience were nodding their heads!"
Chen Bo also came over at this moment, patted Gu Yansheng's shoulder vigorously, and his face was full of satisfaction. "Xiao Gu, well done! The report is clear and well organized. It's perfect. It makes our project team proud!"
"Thank you Chen Bo, thank you everyone for your support."
Gu Yansheng responded with a modest smile, feeling the congratulations and recognition from his colleagues. This feeling of affirmation made him feel very proud. He enjoyed the joy of success, which was the honor he had earned through his professionalism and hard work.
During the subsequent social gathering, he was surrounded by people, accepting congratulations and inquiries. As the drinks flowed, he maintained a respectful smile, but his mind was like a restless bird, always wanting to fly in a specific direction.
Taking advantage of the short break in the bathroom, Gu Yansheng leaned against the cold tile wall, almost impatiently took out his phone, and clicked on the top dialog box that had been silent for the whole afternoon.
Gu Yansheng: [The presentation just ended! The response was great! Chen Bo and several experts praised it!]
He paused for a moment, then added, with a touch of childish boasting: "I felt like I was shining on stage today!"
He stared at the screen, his heart racing with anticipation. Just a few seconds later, the phone screen lit up:
Jiang Lin: [As expected, you have always shone brightly in your areas of expertise.]
It was as concise as ever, without even an emoticon. But that "as expected" was like a warm current, instantly soothing all the excitement and subtle tension that Gu Yansheng felt from his success.
It was as if Jiang Lin, even from a distance, had already been certain of his brilliance. This unconditional trust warmed his heart more than any lavish praise.
He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, his fingertips hovering over the screen, wanting to share more details, wanting to tell him how he felt when surrounded by applause, wanting to ask him if he was busy in Shilong Town today.
At this moment, Lin Yang's voice rang out from outside the door, "Brother Gu? Are you in there? Mr. Wang wants to talk to you about the details of the data just now..."
Gu Yansheng took a deep breath, suppressed the urge to talk, and quickly replied: [Yes! Let’s talk later!]
Then he put the phone back into his pocket, put on a professional and calm smile again, pushed the door open and walked out.
The subsequent dinner lasted until late. When Gu Yansheng finally returned to Jiang Lin's house, exhausted but satisfied, it was already late at night. Xiaofei happily rushed over to greet him. He rubbed the golden retriever's head while habitually picking up his phone.
On the screen, Lin Yang's message popped up:
Lin Yang: [Brother Gu, the weather is amazing this weekend! I know there's a new camping site in Beishan. The scenery is stunning, and you can even see the stars! Want to go and relax together? I'll take care of all the gear!]
Camping in Beishan... watching the stars... sounds very tempting, but this weekend he wants to go to... Shilong Town. When this thought flashed through his mind, his heart suddenly shrank. The chaotic, burning, taboo fragments of the dream flashed through his mind uncontrollably, followed by a strong, almost instinctive retreat.
He sat on the floor of the entrance hall, his back against the door. Xiao Fei rested his head on his lap obediently. Perhaps he and Jiang Lin had been too close during this period. The daily interactions in Shilong Town, the touch of skin on that rainy night, and that damned, shameful dream...
In addition, Jiang Xinchen's "hints" from nowhere and the subtle influence of corruption, like layers of thick fog, enveloped the originally clear "brother" relationship between him and Jiang Lin, making him have the illusion that dependence and habit were something else.
Maybe... if they separate for a while, create some physical and psychological distance, and let everything cool down, he can see his own heart clearly and let that inappropriate and frightening "ambiguity" fade away.
I won’t go to Shilong Town for another weekend...
Moreover, Lin Yang is sunny and cheerful, and they share the same hobbies, such as comic books and photography. It is easy and comfortable to be with him, without any pressure or those unsettling undercurrents.
His finger hesitated on the screen for a few seconds, and Gu Yansheng finally typed a reply:
[Okay, that sounds great. I'm free this weekend, so let's go check it out.]
The message was sent successfully. He put down the phone, buried his face in Xiaofei's warm and thick hair, and took a deep breath.
A feeling of relief and an indescribable sense of emptiness came over him at the same time. He successfully "escaped" the trip to Shilong Town, but felt that a corner of his heart became more sour and more...missed because of that "Hmm. As expected."
Weekend, Beishan Camping Base,
The tent was erected, and the bonfire crackled. Lin Yang had indeed prepared well. The food on the grill sizzled and sizzled, its aroma filling the air. The mountains in the distance took on a gentle indigo hue in the twilight, and the air was intoxicatingly fresh.
Gu Yansheng sat on a folding chair, watching Lin Yang excitedly fiddling with his camera and adjusting the tripod to prepare for a starry night. The young man's energy and bright smile really put people at ease.
Gu Yansheng tried hard to blend into the relaxed atmosphere, chatting with him about comic exhibitions, photography techniques, and even sharing some interesting stories from the research institute.
However, when Lin Yang pointed to a particularly bright star in the distant sky and excitedly said, "Brother Gu, look! Isn't that one particularly bright?", Gu Yansheng subconsciously took out his phone and took a picture of the starry sky. After taking the picture, he opened WeChat and habitually slid his finger towards the pinned profile picture, wanting to send it...
The movement suddenly stopped.
He remembered his decision to "keep his distance," then quietly exited the chat box and posted the photo on his Moments, adding the following sentence: [Camping in Beishan, the air is great.]
Lin Yang turned around and saw Gu Yansheng's slightly lonely profile as he stared at the phone. The firelight danced on his face, revealing a barely perceptible melancholy in his eyes.
Lin Yang didn't point it out, but just smiled and handed him a bunch of freshly grilled chicken wings: "Brother Gu, try this, I put some secret sauce on it!"
Gu Yansheng took it, thanked him, and took a bite. It was indeed delicious. The mountain breeze brought the fragrance of the pine forest, the campfire was warm, and his young companions were warm and attentive. This should have been a perfect, relaxing evening.
But why, as he watched the dancing flames before him, did his mind conjure up the equally brilliant yet more serene starry sky outside the window of the humble hut at the Shilong Town Health Center? Why did the reassuring rhythmic rustling of the pen across paper seem to echo in his ears again?
He lowered his head and unconsciously stroked his left arm, which was once covered with red rashes on rainy nights and had also been carefully soothed by a pair of large, slightly cool hands with thin calluses.
That touch, across time and space, seems to still be imprinted deep in the skin, carrying a quiet warmth that cannot be dispelled by bonfires and laughter.
The resolve to distance himself built a dam deep within his heart, but the tide of longing silently soaked into his heart, which was trying to cool down. The laughter and joy of the camping trip lingered in his ears, but his heart, like a kite tied with an invisible silk string, had already drifted towards the silent figure in the distance.
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