Seeing that she was still silent, I continued to comfort her gently, "Life is short, whether it is laughter or tears, time will pass quietly. Instead of wasting your years in sorrow until your hair turns gray, it is better to enjoy every moment in music and dance. Qingwan, I sincerely hope that you can regain your former cheerfulness and optimism, and be the Zhu Qingwan with a bright smile and a broad mind."
She listened quietly, thoughtfully. Although she didn't respond verbally, I could feel that my words stirred ripples in her heart.
I took the opportunity to further elaborate: "I came from the countryside and have come a long way. I have experienced many hardships and difficulties. If it were not for the help of these close friends around me, I might still be struggling to make a living. Therefore, they are not only friends to me, but also indispensable pillars of support in my life."
At this moment, Qing Wan finally summoned up the courage and asked with a trembling voice: "I didn't stop you from making friends, but why do you always have so many girlfriends around you, and why are their relationships so ambiguous?"
When I heard her finally speak, I felt relieved.
I smiled and explained, "It's all fate. Both Liu Yun and Lin Xun are single, and perhaps they saw the qualities they admired in me, so they developed a liking for me. However, our relationship always maintained an appropriate distance, starting from emotion and ending with courtesy, and never crossed the moral boundary. They lent a hand to me when I was in trouble, without expecting anything in return, and when they needed emotional support, I did my best to provide emotional value. This is a beautiful friendship of mutual support and common growth."
I took the handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, half jokingly saying, "Look, our Qingwan is already a mother and she's still crying. Be careful or Xixi will make fun of you."
She suddenly seemed to understand something, and said with a determined look: "Guan Hongjun, I want to live well. For Xixi, I want to let her know that she has a mother who loves her deeply. As for you, after all, we are not related by blood. I cannot interfere with the past, and I cannot predict the future. But if we are still together, you must not do anything extreme. I don't need to pin all my joys and sorrows on you. I have figured it out now. From now on, I will live happily for myself and Xixi."
She thought she had figured it out, but she kicked me out of her heart viciously, leaving no place for me. At this point, I couldn't force it.
I forced a smile and said, "Okay, you must be hungry, get up and wash up, I'll take you to eat something delicious."
She sat up and asked curiously, "What do you want to eat?"
I pretended to be mysterious and answered seriously, "I'm going to Qianmen to drink soy milk."
She was stunned for a moment, then shouted: "Guan Hongjun, you are so petty, this is naked revenge."
Due to this sudden incident, we had to adjust our original plan to continue southward and decided to stay in Beijing that day.
In the morning, we went to the National Museum together and immersed ourselves in historical relics and artworks. It was as if we had traveled through time and space and had a conversation with the ancients that spanned thousands of years.
In the afternoon, we strolled along the Ban Road of Beiluoguxiang, feeling the charm and style of this ancient street.
Finally, we found a quiet corner in Zhang Garden, sat on old-fashioned wooden chairs, and enjoyed the rare leisure time.
I ordered a fragrant Osmanthus Oolong, and she chose a refreshing and elegant Jasmine Latte.
We held warm cups of tea in our hands, and an old gramophone was playing melodious vinyl records in our ears. The music blended perfectly with the surrounding atmosphere.
The afternoon sun shines through the colored glass and falls on us, adding a bit of warmth and romance to this quiet moment. We look at each other, as if we can see each other in our eyes, and all the troubles and worries disappear at this moment.
She suddenly asked me softly, "Aren't you tired of me torturing you like this?"
I smiled gently and answered honestly: "It would be a lie to say that I am not bothered, but after every time, I feel more deeply in love with you."
She pursed her lips and said playfully, "Hmph, I don't think you love me that deeply. After all, it's all about responsibility."
I shook my head and said seriously, "Love and responsibility are inseparable. Love without responsibility is like a castle in the air, empty and will collapse sooner or later."
She smiled and shrugged: "I can't say anything to you anyway, so whatever you say is what it is."
I asked concernedly, "Are you tired?"
She nodded slightly, but added: "Even if I'm tired, I don't want to go back to the hotel to sleep. It's easy to have wild thoughts when alone."
I suddenly had an idea and said with a smile, "Then I'll take you to a special place."
She asked curiously, "Where are we going?"
I smiled mysteriously and did not answer directly. Instead, I gently took her slightly cool little hands and led her to Zhang Garden.
I hailed a taxi and said to the driver, "Go to the Workers' Stadium."
Qingwan leaned close to my ear and asked softly, "Will you take me to the football game?"
I smiled and shook my head, saying, "It's still snowing and icy, how can we have a football game? It's better to watch ice hockey."
After hearing this, her eyes lit up and she asked seriously, "Are you really going to watch ice hockey?"
I couldn't help laughing: "Playing ice hockey in such a big stadium must be exhausting."
She looked confused and continued to ask, "What are you going to do?"
At this time, the driver interrupted and said, "Are you guys going to have some fun?"
I responded, “Somewhere fun.”
The driver immediately recommended: "Then go to Voyage. The venue is good, and if you are lucky you may even catch up with the foreign concerts."
I half-jokingly said to the driver, "If what you said is wrong, I can sue you."
The driver replied confidently: "That's not enough."
Qingwan had heard everything about our conversation, and she stared at me with a pair of curious eyes, full of expectation and confusion.
I took Qingwan's hand and walked into Voyage nightclub.
For a moment, she was shocked by the scene before her, as if she had traveled to another time and space.
Outside, the winter wind in Beijing was chilly and windy. Inside, it was a completely different scene, with people's enthusiasm surging like a volcanic eruption.
Neon lights interweave into a gorgeous ocean, and deafening electronic music instantly surrounds us. The rhythm is strong and powerful, and the drum beats resonate in the chest like war drums, making our hearts beat faster and our blood boil.
In the dance floor, people are dancing like a surging ocean, and everyone is swaying to the rhythm of the music.
Laser beams shuttled through the crowd, casting dazzling light and shadows, adding a bit of mystery and fantasy.
At the bar, the bartender skillfully mixed colorful cocktails.
I whispered in Qingwan's ear, "Can I have a cup of wine?"