Chapter 295
Wang Jiazhi, a reader, would read one letter from readers in her pockets, then take out another. Because she had so many, she no longer even looked at the sender's name or address on the envelope. She only checked the stamp to see if it was one she liked. If the content was good, she would read the envelope itself. When she read this letter, she almost cried out.
Dear Xiao Zhizhi:
Zhan Xinjia
Although I can't be completely sure it's you, I think it must be yours. You must know by now that you are already very famous. Your novels have been serialized in magazines for a long time, and you can always hear people talking about your novels wherever you go on the streets.
Since I lost touch with you two years ago, and never wrote to you again, all the letters I sent you were returned. I was so worried, so afraid that something had happened to you. Now that I see you have become a famous writer, I am so happy. I read your "Nine-Tailed Fox" at the newsstand, and it was exactly the same as what you told me when we were in school. After reading the first chapter, I turned to the next one, and the next one. I couldn't believe that I found you in the magazine. I was so excited that I turned the pages so hard that the old newspaper seller was staring blankly. My daughter took my hand and asked me, "Mom, what's wrong with you?"
I was so excited I didn't sleep all night. I talked to Runze about this all night, which kept him awake too. The next day, he went to work with dark circles under his eyes. He was also very excited and happy to know that you have your own career now and have become a celebrity. He also talked about a lot of things between us, the things we did as boys back then, about Zhou Minlin, Meihui, Huang Liju, and a lot of other things that I didn't know about, and neither did he. It was like we were back in school again. We talked for a long time, and then felt a sense of loss.
Are you okay now? At least you are not so tight financially, are you? This is something I have always been worried about. Runze and I are doing well. We have moved to the mainland. People from all over the country have flocked here. There are almost one million people here. It sounds incredible. There are accents from all over the place. Runze found a job at the tax office, and I found a job as a clerk at the court. We are making a decent living. Now our eldest daughter is three years old and our son is two years old. It is much harder to take care of the children and work at the same time, but these two little guys have brought us great comfort. Meihui now lives in Shanghai and is married. Her daughter is over one year old. Their two families are from aristocratic families. Her husband's family is in the timber business. We have known each other since childhood and are very good friends.
She wrote to say she saw you on the street, but you'd run away. She cried all night, worried something might have happened to you. When I found out, I was worried about you too, crying for days. But now I'm relieved.
The people downstairs are always boiling Chinese medicine these days, and the whole building is filled with the smell. I remember back then when Huang Liju was boiling it in the dorm, and we'd open the windows as soon as we walked in, letting the smell drift in. I was rushing to put away the clothes, afraid they'd get the smell, and you even wrapped the paintings in layers, afraid they'd get the smell, too. It's been five years since Huang Liju passed away.
Zhou Minlin couldn't be contacted either. Runze said he was probably on the front lines, and he was really worried that something might have happened to him. Although sacrificing his life for his country was what he wanted, as a friend, he still hoped that he would be okay.
When I was looking for clothes for the changing seasons, my daughter dug out the pillowcase and handkerchief you gave me. I'd never been able to use them. We'd lost touch at the time, and seeing this, tears welled up in my eyes. Then I saw the mosquito net from school. It was a single-size bed, and it had been sitting there for ages, unused after all the moves. I was surprised it hadn't been lost. I remembered that you bought it with me, and I remembered how mine got lost in the wash when we first started living together. We shared a bed and chatted. Do you remember? You even said you liked guys your height. Too tall is silly.
You told me that your hometown has tons of beautiful kapok flowers. Actually, there are some in Hong Kong, but I've never seen them. I actually saw one here. The tree is incredibly tall, and the flowers are huge and vibrant. Just like you said, they really hurt when they hit your head. I made a soup with the flowers as you suggested, but it's a bit hard for northerners, perhaps because I'm not used to it.
I always think of the times we lived together: you staying up all night studying in the hallway during exams; the fun times we put on a play together; you telling me stories that left me dumbfounded and the truth behind them; the times we went for ice cream with Zhou Minlin. I often lament to Runze that we all have to grow up, and that our youth back then can never be returned. Back then, you told me to cherish the present, and I thought you were being sentimental. Now I realize you were right. Those days are truly irreversible. Runze also often laments that the past cannot be retrieved. Back then, we thought there was a long way to go, but now it seems we were just ordinary.
At that time, you always couldn't stop crying after performing a drama. I knew that you were thinking about sad things, but you were just being stubborn and didn't want to tell anyone.
I don’t know if you can receive this letter when it is sent to the newspaper, but knowing that you have your own career now, I am really happy for you and I feel a lot more relieved.
Wang Jiazhi, I know you don't mind worldly opinions. So just be yourself, do what you want, and live happily. I hope you'll be happy.
Take care
Feng Shuangjia
Wang Jiazhi finished reading the letter, feeling a mixture of emotions. She recalled meeting Zhou Minlin just a few months ago, and seeing Meihui pregnant a year ago. It felt like so much had changed. She could never go back to the past, and she didn't know if she'd ever see them again in this lifetime. But they were doing well, and that comforted her. Xiaoshuang had Wen Runze by her side, and her youth would always be accompanied by this shadow. Only now did she realize how meaningful it was to have a campus romance blossom. Watching each other grow from youth to old age, witnessing each other's growth, was truly romantic.
Dear Xiaoshuang:
Zhan Xinjia
I'm truly sorry to have caused you all so much worry. I wanted to contact you, and I know that this lack of communication would cause you so much worry, but because so many things have happened, there's really no way I can do that.
I am very happy to know that you are happy now and have two lovely children.
I'm doing fine now, still writing. I'm currently living in Shanghai, but I might move somewhere else soon. Now that I'm financially more comfortable, I'm planning to travel and see the world.
I keep thinking about the past: you, me, Zhou Minlin, and Meihui. That was the time I saw Meihui. She was pregnant, about to become a mother, and even more beautiful than before. She must have been very happy.
Because of some things, I didn't see Meihui. She probably knew that I was writing something, but I still didn't see her. In fact, I really wanted to see you, but it's always a little inconvenient now.
You mentioned Chinese medicine. I've smelled it on people around me before, but it was pleasant. It also reminded me of Huang Liju's herbal remedies. Why was her scent so pungent? Back then, you left first, and I was alone in the dorm at night. I thought about Huang Liju, who had been gone for almost two years, dying next door. I wondered if her spirit would ever return. I used to find her talking annoying, but now I don't. I just longed for her to come back and chat.
Oddly enough, I made a new dress a few days ago and was looking for something to match it. The hairpin you gave me just happened to be a perfect match. A few days later, I saw your letter. I've received so many letters from readers that I only saw yours today.
When I was writing a novel, I was inexperienced in coming up with a passionate love story, so I drew inspiration from your story with Wen Runze, which you probably saw as well. Think back to when we first met, when you said he was an old man and didn't mean it, saying you didn't like him. Then I watched you fall in love, argue, and reconcile. Now you have two children. I really regret not being able to attend your wedding and Zhou Minlin's.
I once saw strawberry cake in a cafe and remembered the time we ate it together while watching the moon. And like you, I always remember the time Zhou Minlin and I, the three of us, sat at the ice cream parlor in front of the school, drinking soda and eating shaved ice, watching the sun go down. I also often think of sharing gossip with Meihui. She was always so well-informed, always the first to know things we didn't.
Especially when I can’t sleep alone at night, I always think of the time when we chatted together. When I hear some news or get new writing inspiration, I always feel very regretful and wish I had you by my side to share it.
You don't have to worry about me, I'm fine now. You must also continue to be happy.
Wang Jiazhi
After sending the letter, Wang Jiazhi was delighted. She unexpectedly reconnected with Xiaoshuang. Their lives were on track, married, with children, and living stable lives. She didn't know what would become of her.
Today he didn't come back, so she cuddled her child to sleep. Her daughter slept soundly, and she was overwhelmed with emotions. She couldn't sleep all night, and recalled many things from her school days.
The next night, he returned and told her about the woman's response. She had divorced her husband, paid back the money, and the child was with her. She had also found a typing job, and the company had promised to let her learn gradually.
The girl was very surprised and initially refused to accept the money, but she was eventually persuaded to accept it. She also left her a note, saying that she was deeply grateful and would definitely return the money to repay her in the future.
She gave him a pair of embroidered shoes she made herself and two handkerchiefs.
Wang Jiazhi was very relieved to hear this news. She shared the news from Xiaoshuang's letter with him, saying that time had passed so quickly. She hadn't expected that several of her friends at that time had already married and had children, and Xiaoshuang already had two children.
Seeing her so happy, he felt sad. Other girls had normal lives, but she had to live with him in this precarious situation. If she hadn't encountered those setbacks, she could probably have lived a normal life.
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