Jian Zihan's sudden call surprised me greatly, and it reminded me of the days when I was searching for Ye Zhi in Thailand. I used to contact her frequently back then, but we stopped after I returned to China. It was probably because the only topics we could talk about were about Ye Zhi, and talking about her would only increase our sadness, so I consciously cut off contact.
I asked Jian Zihan on the other end of the phone, "Why did you suddenly come to Dali?"
“I’ve been busy since I returned to China, but I finally have some free time recently, so I really wanted to visit Ye Zhi’s favorite place…”
After pausing for a moment, Jian Zihan continued, "She's always traveling all over the world all year round, never having a moment to spare. She's seen all sorts of beautiful scenery, but when I chatted with her, she actually said that her favorite place is Dali. She even showed me her plane ticket to Dali. I really don't know if she likes this small city or a particular person in it."
Sure enough, our conversation inevitably turned to Ye Zhi, and sadness followed as expected... She's such a cold person, it's hard to imagine her showing her plane ticket to someone else and talking about it with such interest, but Jian Zihan had no reason to lie to me... My only regret is that these touching little details had to be told to me by someone else.
I suddenly missed her even more.
I swallowed hard, then whispered, "Since you're in Dali, I'll definitely treat you to a meal. Where are you now?"
"I just arrived at the hotel. I'm just unpacking. If you don't mind, wait for me for half an hour, and I'll contact you again later."
"Then you go ahead and get busy, I'll contact you later."
...
After ending the call with Jian Zihan, I couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted. Lu Jia, who was beside me, sensed my change in mood and asked me with some concern, "Did you have any friends visiting Dali?"
"Um."
"Your mood seems to have been affected."
I forced a smile and said, "It's okay, the couple who were taking wedding photos have left, I'll take the photos for you."
Lu Jia glanced towards the bar, smiled at me, and then walked to a spot where no one was taking pictures. I held up my camera and pointed it at her; the screen was black, just like my current state of mind—a little dazed and absent-minded.
Lu Jia reminded me that the lens cap was not open.
I awkwardly exchanged a glance with her before opening the lens cap, pointing the lens at her, and pressing the shutter as soon as I captured the most evocative moment.
This one picture alone is already beautiful.
I handed the camera back to Lu Jia. She looked at it and was very satisfied. Then she exclaimed, "Your photography skills haven't deteriorated at all. The composition of the photo is beautiful, and the lighting is handled very well."
"You're good-looking, and the location you chose is also good."
"There's no need for us to be so polite between us."
I smiled and replied, "I need to treat that friend to dinner later, and I also need to buy some food to take to my parents' hotel... I'll be going now."
Lu Jia called out to me.
I looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Why don't you entertain your friends first? I'll buy whatever your uncle and aunt want to eat and send it over."
I hesitated a bit.
Lu Jia then smiled and said, "Why don't you ask your uncle and aunt for their opinion?"
They definitely want you to come.
"That solves it. My image in their eyes has always been good."
I checked the time; it was indeed a bit tight, and I felt there was no need to be so wary, so I agreed to Lu Jia's suggestion. I told her what I wanted to buy, and then we parted ways. I didn't know what they would talk about when they met later, but I was sure that Lao Mi and my mother would be very happy to see her… I'm not stupid; I know they've always wanted to get Lu Jia and me back together, and that's why I hesitated just now—because I wasn't fully prepared to accept a new life. Although I know very well that Lu Jia might be the most suitable woman for me in the world, while Ye Zhi is just a dream, I still don't want to give up so easily.
If I hadn't met the coachman on Renmin Road and learned his story, this belief would have only become stronger.
...
Not long after I broke up with Lu Jia, Jian Zihan sent me a WeChat friend request. After I accepted the request, I sent her my location. I thought she would come to the ancient city, but she said she was going to eat at a private restaurant in a village near Erhai Lake.
The memory of the private kitchen is from a long time ago, but it's still very clear because it was the place where Ye Zhi and I first officially met. The private kitchen was run by a Taiwanese couple, Brother Cheng and Sister Li, who were also friends of Ye Zhi. I suppose Ye Zhi had talked about them with Jian Zihan before, otherwise she wouldn't have specifically suggested going there for a meal.
I met Jian Zihan at the village entrance. She hadn't changed much; she was still sharp and had a strong professional presence. She smiled and said to me, "You look much better than when you were in Thailand."
Life must go on.
Jian Zihan smiled and asked me to lead the way for her.
...
Although I've only been there once, I remember every path leading to the private kitchen very clearly... Soon, Jian Zihan and I arrived in the village. The roads in the village are not like the main road we came in from; many are unpaved dirt roads, and with the heavy rain last night, many places were flooded.
I stopped in front of a puddle and pointed to a white house with distinctive local features not far away, saying, "Sister Li and Brother Cheng live in that house... but we need to figure out how to get across this puddle first."
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