Reunion
Pan Yue blocked Lin Changren the moment Lin Changren sent him his first message about Zhu Shiyi.
After deciding to distance himself from her, he was afraid to see what was happening to her.
Twenty minutes ago.
Pan Yue returned home, washed away the dust, leaned against the bed, and couldn't resist reopening his chat window with Lin Changren.
Lin Changren sent me a video yesterday.
A man is playing the guitar.
This man had long bangs that hung down to cover his eyes, giving him a somewhat gloomy appearance; but from this side angle, his nose was high and straight, his jawline smooth, and his lips slightly full but not protruding, paired with his well-defined knuckles as he pressed the strings of the violin...
Surprisingly... he actually looks quite handsome.
But why would Lin Changren send him this?
Just as Pan Yue was about to ask Lin Changren a question, a clear and beautiful voice appeared in the video.
Wow, that sounds great! And he's so handsome, he's a god!
......
The voice etched in his heart.
Her voice was so familiar that he could recognize it no matter how much time had passed.
Pan Yue frowned deeply. He could tell from the voice that Zhu Shiyi was recording a video for this man.
...She complimented the man on his good looks?
Pan Yue's gaze fell once again on the man's face on the screen, staring intently at this stranger.
...He's not very handsome either.
Like an online male god.
The entire video is of the man singing and playing the piano, and Zhu Shiyi only said one sentence.
Pan Yue visited Zhu Shiyi's WeChat Moments after a long absence.
The first post on her WeChat Moments showed Zhu Shiyi and her online crush singing and playing guitar together in a courtyard under the moonlight, smiling gently, while the audience applauded and cheered.
......
His body was not tense; only his Adam's apple moved slightly.
Pan Yue exited his WeChat Moments and continued scrolling up to view his chat history with Lin Changren.
On the day Lin Changren was blocked, Pan Yue only read Lin Changren's first sentence; he didn't see the rest of the information.
Lin Changren: [Brother, did you know? Thousands of miles away, there's a man who cooks and serves food for Shiyi, and takes her out late at night.]
[They went into a primeval forest! It was pitch black. What if the girl was scared? If the man comforted her and held her hand, wouldn't that be taking advantage of her vulnerability?]
......
Pan Yue recalled that night. He and she were taking a walk after dinner. The little girl, who was night-blind, couldn't see clearly and awkwardly held his hand.
......
A feeling of unease welled up inside him, and he didn't want to think about it anymore.
Lin Changren: [Let me tell you, I overheard my girlfriend talking to your crush on the phone, and that guy's a total flirt! You single dog, don't you know that girls are most susceptible to sweet talk?]
With his lips taut and straight, Pan Yue took a deep breath and pressed his fingertips hard against the phone screen, as if trying to pierce through something.
......
He recalled his connection with Zhu Shiyi.
It was in that distant, beautiful place, with clear waters and verdant mountains, that he met her; it was also in such a crowd, on stage, her voice melodious and radiant, that he was moved for the first time; it was also under such a bright moon, that she and he gradually became familiar with each other and relaxed their minds, and he had his first heart-to-heart talk with her.
Everything here feels so familiar.
......
Would she also fall for a man thousands of miles away?
......
Pan Yue texted Lin Changren, but after typing just a few words, he couldn't contain his anger and immediately called Lin Changren by voice.
"Brother, where is she?"
"......who?"
"Zhu Shiyi".
"you......"
"I'll explain later."
"Jingci Town, Fuliang Ancient Town Scenic Area!"
......
Within minutes, Pan Yue booked his plane ticket, found his route, rented a car, grabbed his documents, quickly packed his bag, said goodbye to his parents, and headed straight out.
......
Did Zhu Shiyi fall for him when they first met?
If she falls for him, will she also fall for him?
On the way to the airport.
A staff member from the R&D department called: "President Pan, can you go back to Jinrong tomorrow? Our partner, General Manager Zhang, would like to invite us to lunch to discuss the cooperation plan for the new year."
"...Tomorrow at noon won't work."
I'll talk to Mr. Zhang and postpone it until tonight. We'll invite him, and I'll get back to you later after we confirm.
--
Yaoliang Ancient Town.
Tonight, there is no moon beneath the flowers, only dark clouds covering the sky.
Today is the fourteenth day of the Lunar New Year. Yaoliang is a small town. During the day, there are some tourists, but very few stay overnight. At night, it is almost deserted. The ancient town is as silent as a cicada in winter.
The Lunar New Year celebrations aren't even over yet, but Yaoliang, deep in the mountains, is like a deserted town. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and the townspeople say there will be a local dragon dance performance tonight. I wonder if it will be any more lively tomorrow.
Unfortunately, Zhu Shiyi didn't have the chance to experience it; this was her last night in Yaoliang.
Tomorrow, she will finally see the person she has been longing for.
Pan Yue, how is he? How is his father? I'll go see him tomorrow, will he see her? He's in a bad mood, should I confess my feelings to him? Whether it works out or not is another matter, he's heartbroken right now, isn't it inappropriate to talk about these things?
...But should we keep dragging this out? How long should we keep dragging it out?
......
Zhu Shiyi was a little annoyed, but she decided to go with the flow and explore the ancient town again.
Walking alone in the cobblestone alley, I listen to the flowing water of the Yao River, wondering where the evening breeze carries my thoughts. In the dim light, paper lanterns hang high in the streets and alleys.
"Little girl," a voice called in her ear, "would you like to buy some fireworks?"
Zhu Shiyi snapped out of his daze and looked in the direction of the sound. The shop owner, an elderly woman, smiled kindly.
Zhu Shiyi paused for a moment, then said, "Okay."
The small shop on the corner of the alley is covered with ivy, bearing the marks of time.
She went inside.
The store doesn't have many items, nothing trendy, just cigarettes, alcohol, salt, oil, drinks, and some snacks. The colorful packaging makes them look like things kids would love.
"Let's see what you want," the old woman said enthusiastically. "We have firecrackers, sky rockets, hen laying eggs, sparklers, and food. Would you like some?"
"No need, Auntie, I'm full," Zhu Shiyi said, taking a sparkler, then thinking for a moment, took another one. "How much?"
"Twenty yuan, young lady."
Zhu Shiyi responded and scanned the QR code to pay, but the payment profile picture that appeared was of a young man with a child.
"Oh, by the way, Auntie, do you have any lighters? I'd like to buy one, how much is it?"
"No, no, it's for you," the old woman said warmly, handing over a lighter. "I haven't had a single sale all day, thank goodness you came. How can I accept money for such a kind person like you!"
Zhu Shiyi felt a warmth in her heart and returned a sweet smile: "Thank you!"
My mood, which had been depressed all day, eased a little.
After paying the bill, the mother-in-law pulled Zhu Shiyi aside and asked with concern, "Are you a tourist? How many days are you staying in Yaoliang? Where are you staying?" "I'm staying at the Yaohe Guesthouse! That's good. I know the owner, Mr. Chai. He injured his back working in the city years ago and came back to town..."
With nothing else to do, Zhu Shiyi sat in the small shop and listened.
My mother-in-law's conversation veered off-topic, eventually settling on her children. Her son worked in the provincial capital, had just had a baby, and was struggling financially in the city; her daughter was doing well married, settled in another province, but rarely came home for the New Year...
Zhu Shiyi listened and nodded. She guessed that the payment code just now probably belonged to her mother-in-law and son.
“We country folk, once we go to the big city and see all that glitz and glamour, it’s hard for us to come back…” the mother-in-law sighed. “But all we hope for in our generation is that our children are happy. We stay in the countryside, guarding our home, while our children live in the city. If they face financial pressure, we have a safety net.”
......
This small town is brimming with emotion.
--
"Young lady, it's getting late, so I'll close up shop now. You should go home and rest early, and be careful!" The old woman said as she packed up her things.
“Okay, Auntie, you too,” Zhu Shiyi said, remembering that she had to catch an early flight tomorrow. “Auntie, do you know where I can buy some breakfast? Sesame paste, bread, or anything like that will do.”
"Sesame paste..." The mother-in-law thought for a moment, "It might be a bit difficult. I'll call and ask for you."
She awkwardly scrolled through her WeChat list of neighbors and made a video call to ask them.
"Xia...are you closing up shop? Wait a moment, there's a little girl here who wants to buy some sesame paste from you!"
"Okay, okay, wait a few minutes, I'll have her come find you!"
"Thank you, Auntie, and Happy New Year!"
"You have such a sweet tongue, too! Happy New Year!"
Her mother-in-law pointed to the other side of the river, indicating the light there. Zhu Shiyi set off, but the streets and alleys branched off at several intersections, and she simply couldn't find her way.
"Are you looking to buy sesame paste, young lady? Who was that on WeChat just now?" An aunt appeared at the corner of the alley to the left.
Zhu Shiyi blinked, then paused, "Yes!"
"My supermarket is right ahead!"
......
Yaoliang is ancient and simple, and the people here form an intimate and simple map. Everyone here can point you in the right direction when you are lost.
......
Zhu Shiyi was choosing her breakfast. She didn't really like the bread, so she ended up choosing sesame paste instead.
"Buy this, it's sesame paste for women, it's good for your skin," Aunt Xia said with a friendly smile. "Young lady, you're young and pretty. Did you come alone or with your boyfriend?"
Boy friend.
Zhu Shiyi forced a smile: "Thank you, big sister, but I came alone."
She really wanted to come with that person.
......
As dusk fell, the town lights gradually went out, and the small supermarket in the ancient town also closed. Only a cluster of lanterns remained lit along the riverbank.
Walking along the Yao River, Zhu Shiyi strolled aimlessly, her arms swaying freely in the wind. Suddenly, she realized she was still holding a sparkler and thought of lighting it.
The air was damp and chilly tonight. Zhu Shiyi rubbed and pressed the lighter several times before finally managing to get a spark.
The stars flickered, occasionally bursting outwards.
Amidst the swirling smoke, staring at the light on his fingertips, Zhu Shiyi unconsciously squatted down, leaning against the riverbank, his pupils unfocused in the flickering firelight.
The scenes from my memory repeat and freeze at this moment, their shadows overlapping at my fingertips.
That night, on the beach in Qincheng, the fireworks were magnificent, colorful, dazzling, and breathtaking; with him by my side, it was like a dream, making me linger and never want to leave.
In their dreams, they can express any of their innermost thoughts.
......
Time flies like an arrow. Now, in the deep mountains and valleys, the fiery trees are gone, and fireworks fade easily. In reality, he is thousands of miles away, and the brilliance of the past is reduced to a single lamp on his fingertips.
At this moment, before they open their mouths, they weigh the pros and cons.
......
The last glimmer of starlight vanished from the street, disappearing into the darkness along with the flames.
The silver flowers on the fingertips are but a fleeting moment.
Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath.
Is liking someone a joy or a sorrow?
......
Whether joyful or sorrowful, life is impermanent, and worldly affairs are like a dream.
With a few clicks of the lighter, Zhu Shiyi lit another firework, propped his head up with it, and listlessly spun around.
The dazzling flames filled the eyes, but in the end, they would still flow away.
Fantasy is, in the end, just fantasy.
Zhu Shiyi, do not grieve.
Face reality and take action.
She would speak as long as Pan Yue was willing to listen.
Regardless of the outcome, their relationship cannot be delayed any longer.
"Little girl, it's so late, aren't you going home yet?" Aunt Xia's concerned voice rang in my ears.
"I'll be back soon!" Zhu Shiyi turned her head and answered politely, "I bought fireworks, and I haven't finished setting them off yet."
"Okay, it's very cold outside, and it might rain in a while. You should go home early. I'll be going now," Aunt Xia said, taking a few steps before turning back suddenly and smiling brightly. "Happy New Year, little sister!"
Zhu Shiyi smiled involuntarily: "Thank you, sister. Happy New Year to you too."
Yaoliang is beautiful; the relationships between people are simple and pure.
Everything that happened here felt like a dream.
But she doesn't belong here.
Tomorrow, everything that belongs to her will have an answer.
......
But tonight, let her fantasize for a few more seconds.
His gaze lingered on the distance, watching Ah Xia leave until her indistinct figure disappeared around the next bend.
Zhu Shiyi belatedly turned around, facing the riverbank and the flickering firelight at his fingertips.
But then I heard another set of familiar footsteps.
This familiarity is like when you were a kid secretly playing on the computer and heard the footsteps of someone you missed echoing in the hallway.
......
A moment of thought, Zhu Shiyi turned around and looked up as if by instinct.
Under the hazy night sky.
On the banks of the Yao River, in the cold wind, where the lights are dim.
A tall, slender figure, slightly tilted, against the light, strode quickly towards them.
"..." Zhu Shiyi's body jolted violently. He moved his lips slightly, but no sound came out.
She forgot to breathe.
......
Pan Yue walked up behind him, then suddenly slowed down, paused, slowly stepped closer, and stopped.
His gaze fell directly on her face.
His eyes flickered. In a daze, Zhu Shiyi seemed to see some kind of emotion woven in the depths of his eyes.
......
This time, no one looked away.
......
"Zhu Shiyi".
A magnetic voice rang out after a long absence.
Zhu Shiyi's heart trembled.
She paused for a moment, then subconsciously stood up and said "Hey!" as she did so.
“…” Pan Yue chuckled.
As if a soul had entered his body, Zhu Shiyi came back to his senses and blinked.
“…” Pan Yue’s eyes curved into a smile, his gentle laughter rippling like willow catkins.
Zhu Shiyi felt a little itchy, and was also shocked: "How could you...?"
"Happy New Year."
......
They spoke at the same time.
This time, Zhu Shiyi clearly saw tears welling up in his eyes—
An ocean of longing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com