28
December in Lucheng is very cold, and the weather in Taoyuan isn't much better.
Ji Shengsheng dragged his suitcase to Taoyuan, breathed in the crisp air, and felt as if every pore of his body opened up to embrace his hometown.
She loves winter, and she longs for Peach Blossom Spring. She misses the winter in Peach Blossom Spring so much.
Ji Shengsheng grew up in a very free environment.
Her parents had high expectations of her, such as having her own career, being financially independent, and not getting married. If she did marry, she had to have her own savings, a house, and a car before marriage, and she couldn't be a housewife after marriage.
But there is no coercion or harsh criticism; instead, resources, encouragement, guidance, and praise are provided.
Ji Shengsheng started learning dance and art from a young age. Although she had limited talent, she worked harder than her parents expected.
Ji Shengsheng's parents felt sorry for her dedication to her studies and profession, so they gave up almost all of their free time to accompany her as she grew up and protect her.
After confirming that Ji Shengsheng would return to China safely and smoothly this year, the two planned a trip.
Looking at the train schedule sent by Ji Shengsheng, the two arrived at the station entrance an hour early to pick him up.
Ji Shengsheng has lost weight; her cheeks are not as full as before, her chin is sharper, and her wrists are so thin that even her mother couldn't help but shed tears.
After arriving home, Ji's father went to the kitchen to prepare the meal, while Ji Shengsheng and his mother snuggled on the sofa and chatted.
She told her mother about the interesting things that had happened during her years abroad, and also shared the story of Xing Xing assaulting someone and ending up in the police station. Then, Ji Shengsheng thought of Xu Yu.
She had always wanted to talk to her mother about Xu Yu, but she could never find the right time or the right position.
"Mom," Ji Shengsheng snuggled closer to her mother, "if I fall in love, what kind of person would you hope he would be?"
Ji's mother had long had her thoughts on this matter. Perhaps she was too rigid and feudal, but she believed that Xing Xing was the most suitable person for Ji Shengsheng.
“Your father and I have been seeing so many news reports about society these past few years. There are so many bad men in society now, cheating people out of money and sex, committing murder and arson. We really don’t trust people we don’t know well.” Thinking this, Ji’s mother added, “I would rather you not date.”
Realizing her mother's meaning, Ji Shengsheng quickly dismissed this dangerous idea: "Xing Xing and I are absolutely impossible. He has always had a girlfriend and someone he's flirting with, and I don't like him either."
“It’s because you’re still young. In a few years, you’ll realize that the other person is better.” Ji’s mother looked at her young and stubborn daughter. “We know his parents, and their family structure isn’t complicated. His mother won’t bully you. If there are any issues, the two families can sit down together and discuss them.”
"Mom," Ji Shengsheng immediately sat up straight, "I have someone I like."
Ji's mother didn't want to interfere with Ji Shengsheng's dating life. Or rather, if Ji Shengsheng was unwilling, she wouldn't force Xing Xing and Ji Shengsheng to be together, but the "partner" had to come from a respectable family and have good character.
Otherwise, she would never agree under any circumstances.
"You can talk about it if you like, I won't offer any advice." She's too controlling; maybe one day the feelings will actually deepen.
It's always good for young people to have more romantic relationships and gain more experience.
Don't get married unless you get too deeply involved and it affects your normal life and emotions.
"Aren't you going to ask about his situation?" Ji Shengsheng snuggled closer to her mother. "If it's suitable in the future, I'll bring him back to meet you."
"You can decide for yourself."
"You didn't bring him back because he hasn't passed your test yet."
"Once you get through this hurdle, then let him come through ours."
"...Then Mom, don't make things too difficult for him." Knowing that her mother was teasing her on purpose, Ji Shengsheng snuggled into her mother's arms. "He's a very good boy."
If only he could be a little more relaxed, like when they first met.
Ji Shengsheng recalled the look in Xu Yu's eyes before he left that day—a look that was unfamiliar and cold.
That's really hurtful.
...
Ever since she returned to Taoyuan, the weather forecast has been issuing blizzard warnings. But weather forecasts are often not very accurate; the weather has actually been quite nice lately.
Thinking about how Xu Yu had driven her on her previous business trip, Ji Shengsheng decided to learn to drive during this time.
This way, she can go out and come home whenever she wants without bothering others.
After replying to that message, Ji Shengsheng hasn't updated her social media since. It seems she can easily disappear from everyone's lives.
Looking at Xu Yu engrossed in his work, Cheng Yu felt that the two of them were truly finished this time.
Ji Shengsheng may look gentle and weak, but she is always very resolute when it comes to doing things.
Everyone could clearly sense her affection and dependence on Xu Yu, yet she could cut off contact with him so easily.
If we say we're going to separate, then of course we can separate completely.
A person who can go abroad without a word and disappear for three years is capable of anything.
Xu Yu was on a business trip in Linxia.
He remembered that Linxia was Ji Shengsheng's favorite city. Not counting this business trip, he had been there three times already.
The coastline of Linxia is beautiful, and every year in April and May, you can see "blue tears".
If longing could have a sound... Xu Yu walked along the shore, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
He began writing letters to Ji Shengsheng.
About a week later, Ji Shengsheng would receive the first letter.
Fearing that the letters would get lost in the mail, he wrote and mailed them every day.
He should have done this a long time ago, when Ji Shengsheng went to teach in a rural area, or when she went abroad.
A week has passed, and there has been no response.
Another week passed, and it was still the same.
Xu Yu refreshed Ji Shengsheng's Weibo at the beach in Linxia and finally got a nine-grid photo.
The little tailor in the painting weaves the knowledge of the first subject into threads, and looking at the complete soul in front of her, she braids it with the threads.
Then it flies over mountains full of steep inclines and S-curves, over cities full of schools, bus stops, and pedestrian crossings, and takes her to the door of the driver's license application office.
The soul stood at the door, looked around, and then slowly began to move.
She went to learn to drive.
I've probably already gotten my driver's license.
Since Ji Shengsheng returned, most of their contact has come from Ji Shengsheng not being able to drive, and he has been responsible for picking them up and dropping them off.
This is a signal that she doesn't want to "bother" him anymore and wants to have no further connection with him.
He didn't have time to wait any longer.
"What are you looking at so intently?" Cheng Yu noticed that Xu Yu was lost in thought and came closer.
"The work here is basically finished." Xu Yu put away his phone. "I'm going to Taoyuan tomorrow."
"No, isn't there a press conference the day after tomorrow? Aren't you going to attend?"
I'll be back tomorrow night.
Cheng Yu raised her hand to stop Xu Yu: "Didn't you see the blizzard warning? Don't be impulsive and cause any more accidents."
"I know."
Ji Shengsheng only told her parents about learning to drive.
Getting a driver's license wasn't easy for her, but fortunately she was quite diligent. She used all her time outside of drawing to practice driving and passed the test within the allotted time.
Once the heavy snow has completely stopped, she plans to buy a car she likes. When she returns to Lucheng, she can drive herself without having to bother Xing Xing anymore.
"Sound after sound".
As soon as Ji Shengsheng got home, she heard her mother calling her.
Who is Xu Yu?
Ji Shengsheng's eyebrows twitched wildly; she thought it was Xu Yu coming to see her.
After assessing the extent of her mother's reaction, Ji Shengsheng realized that she had been overthinking things.
“Xu Yu has written you more than a dozen letters. I only found them today while cleaning the mailbox.” Mother Ji handed all the letters to her and went to the kitchen to help.
Ji Shengsheng returned to her room, picked up her phone, opened her chat window with Xu Yu, hesitated for a moment, but still didn't send the message.
After returning home, although she still had a lot to do, she was in a good mood. She wondered whether she should contact Xu Yu at this time; she didn't want her parents to see her troubled.
After dinner, Ji Shengsheng took a shower and returned to her room to read the letter Xu Yu had sent her.
To her surprise, there were very few words, mostly sketches.
It's not at a beginner's level; it looks like it's been drawn for about three or four years, and you could even say it's quite well done.
In these letters, she saw that after she left with her suitcase, Xu Yu waited downstairs for a long time.
After seeing Xu Yu open the door with the key, they saw an empty room.
There were many traces of them being together in the room.
The embrace in the kitchen, the kisses in bed, her absent-mindedness at the dining table.
She saw Xu Yu traveling alone by plane on a business trip, saw him sitting in the corner of the conference room, and saw him strolling along the coast of Linxia.
When she got to the last envelope, she noticed that it was unusually thick.
It turns out that Xu Yu has painted her many times over the years.
The moments when I drifted off during choir practice, the moments when I slumped in a chair in the air-conditioned lecture hall, the moments when I shared a bag of potato chips with Ren Qiang...
There were also moments when she would snuggle in Xu Yu's arms to sleep, stretching out her arms to ask for a hug, saying, "I want a kiss"...
Upon seeing the last page, Ji Shengsheng quickly put the letter away. She absolutely couldn't let her mother see it.
She seemed absent-minded throughout the entire dinner.
After finally finishing dinner, Ji Shengsheng chatted with her parents about her upcoming trip abroad and received their support before returning to her room and sending a WeChat message to Xu Yu.
"I have received all the letters."
I typed a lot of words and then deleted them, until only this one declarative communication remained.
It wasn't that she was being deliberately cold; she genuinely didn't know what to say to Xu Yu without adding to the burden between them.
Xu Yu called quickly: "Do you want to see me?"
Ji Shengsheng was speechless.
"If you want to see me, I will come to see you."
Ji Shengsheng felt a lump in her throat and couldn't say anything nice: "It's very far away."
"Not far," Xu Yu said. "If you want to see me, it's not far."
Ji Shengsheng was quite surprised by Xu Yu's sudden initiative.
But she knew that Xu Yu was in Linxia, a two-and-a-half-hour flight away, and an hour away from the city center to the airport.
She didn't want to cause Xu Yu any trouble. Besides, their problems couldn't be solved with just one meeting.
"I'm going to visit relatives with my parents tonight. I have to finish a manuscript tomorrow, so we won't have much time to meet up."
She didn't refuse; she did indeed have things to do.
"good."
"Then I'll hang up..."
After hanging up the phone, Ji Shengsheng lay down on the bed.
She actually missed Xu Yu very much and wanted to see him. However, more than meeting him, they needed some time to figure out how to get along.
A relationship where needs are too different will wear down the feelings. Separation is only a matter of time.
"Sheng Sheng, are you all packed? We're about to leave."
"That's good."
Ji Shengsheng responded to her mother, then got up and changed into a thick sweater and down jacket.
I'm going to visit Xing Xing's parents tonight. It's called a visit, but actually the two sets of parents had arranged to play cards together. She just got back, so she's going with her parents to say hello.
Xing Xing wasn't in Taoyuan, and Ji Shengsheng was quite relieved that he could finally have some peace and quiet.
Thinking this, when Ji Shengsheng arrived at Xing Xing's house, she found that Xing Xing was already lying on the sofa.
"Why are you back?!"
"Why are you back?!"
Why can't I come back?
Why can't I come back?
Almost simultaneously, Xing Xing jumped up and pulled two bracelets from her bag: "Here, have one."
Ji Shengsheng shook her head: "I don't want to."
Xing Xing stomped her foot angrily: "Then I'll spit out all the chocolates from Italy and give them to you, Yueyueyue, will you accept them or not?"
“…You’re playing dirty tricks!” Ji Shengsheng moved far away from him.
“This is a chain of friendship.” Xing Xing was speechless. “You’re acting like I’m about to propose to you.”
"My mom asked me to bring this to you. It's perfect timing since you're back, so I don't have to go all the way to Lucheng to deliver it to you."
Ji Shengsheng took it and casually tossed it into his bag.
Seeing Xing Xing wearing it on her right hand, Ji Shengsheng was shocked: "You're really wearing it?"
...But this one is pink.
"Wear it. The 'Chain of Friendship' thing is just something I made up. My mom said it's a talisman for us dragon princes and princesses to wear. She said I'll face a calamity this year, and this will protect me. Wear it or not, it's up to you, but I'm wearing it."
Ji Shengsheng: "...Then you can wear it."
Anyway, she doesn't want to wear it.
After drinking two pots of tea at Xing Xing's house, both sets of parents were still reluctant to leave.
"I'm too tired, I have to go back now." After saying this to Xing Xing, Ji Shengsheng went to say goodbye to Xing Xing's parents.
It was very cold at night. Xing Xing didn't want to go out, but she was afraid of being scolded by her parents, so she could only wrap herself up tightly to see Ji Shengsheng off.
It was so cold that people didn't feel like expressing themselves, and Ji Shengsheng remained silent.
After walking for a while, Xing Xing felt particularly bored. Suddenly, she remembered something from the past and teased Ji Shengsheng: "Do you remember when we had a snowball fight back in junior high? You couldn't beat me, so you chased after me in a fit of anger and ended up throwing a snowball into my mouth?"
Ji Shengsheng: "..."
...How could she remember?
“That’s what I was doing back then,” Xing Xing said, pretending to drop something, “You should turn around quickly.”
"Huh?" Ji Shengsheng didn't react in time and turned to look at Xing Xing. Xing Xing was just making a snowball throwing gesture, which startled her so much that she jumped back a big step out of inertia.
Then she realized that Xing Xing didn't have anything in his hand; he was just teasing her.
Seeing that she had fallen for it, Xing Xing was particularly smug: "Now you remember, right?! You were just this scared back then!"
Ji Shengsheng: "..."
Xing Xing always managed to provoke her easily.
Unable to resist, he jumped up and beat Xing Xing's back mercilessly until Xing Xing begged for mercy. Only then did Ji Shengsheng let him go.
The two were making quite a commotion while playfully fighting, and neither of them noticed their surroundings.
After putting her hat and scarf back on, Ji Shengsheng turned around and saw Xu Yu standing under a streetlamp not far away.
Clearly, Xing Xing also saw him.
Xu Yu was dressed very thinly.
Perhaps because the incident happened so suddenly, Ji Shengsheng was somewhat at a loss.
Xu Yu walked towards her step by step, stood in front of her, and helped her tighten the loosely tied scarf.
"No..." Xing Xingling was about to attack Xu Yu.
Ji Shengsheng quickly stopped him: "You should go home first."
"Are you sure, Ji Shengsheng? Don't come crying to me for help later." Xing Xing didn't move.
“No…” Ji Shengsheng seemed to remember something and quickly reminded him, “You mustn’t tell my parents about this.”
"I might accidentally blurt it out." Xing Xing's gaze shifted between Xu Yu and Ji Shengsheng, observing the atmosphere between them with suspicion, and then speculating about their relationship.
"...Then I'll tell your mother about your heartbreak and ending up in the police station." Ji Shengsheng gave Xing Xing her final ultimatum.
Xing Xing turned and left.
When only Ji Shengsheng and Xu Yu remained on the street, Ji Shengsheng still hadn't figured out what to do.
She knew that Xu Yu's journey to find her was long and arduous, but she just couldn't bring herself to say anything.
Xu Yu first took her hand, then walked up to her and hugged her.
"……sorry."
“I don’t blame you for anything.” Every time Xu Yu apologized, Ji Shengsheng would throw all her principles to the back of her mind. “Let’s just let bygones be bygones.”
She didn't want things to always be like this, dwelling on the past at every moment. She was clearly trying to cherish every single moment in the present.
"It was my fault, we can't just let it go like this."
"Xu Yu, let's not talk about those things for now, okay?" Ji Shengsheng said, trying to regain her composure.
She didn't want to talk about these things right now.
She didn't want to go home with negative emotions.
If she's sad or upset, her mother will almost immediately notice. And if her mother asks, she can't lie.
Her parents already have high expectations for her romantic partners. If they find out she's heartbroken because of someone, things will only get harder for her in the future.
She didn't want to expose the relationship to her parents before the problem was resolved. At that point, things would become much more passive.
Feeling that her tone was somewhat stiff due to her urgency, Ji Shengsheng looked into Xu Yu's eyes: "Let's talk again after I return to Lucheng, okay?"
While speaking, Ji Shengsheng accidentally touched Xu Yu's hand.
It's so cool.
"...When do you plan to go back?"
For some reason, Ji Shengsheng felt sorry for Xu Yu.
"I haven't decided yet, it might be after the New Year." Ji Shengsheng let out a long sigh of relief.
Xu Yu looked at Ji Shengsheng's face.
They hadn't seen each other for almost a month.
After returning home, Ji Shengsheng looked much better, and her cheeks were rounder. She also seemed more energetic when she was talking and playing around with Xing Xing.
Without him, everything went on as usual for Ji Shengsheng.
Was Lord Ye a hypocrite who loved dragons but was terrified of them?
A real sense of loss came from the heart to the skin, and then extended to the limbs.
“Sheng Sheng,” Xu Yu reached out, wanting to touch her, “You can talk whenever you want, I can wait.”
"As long as it ends well."
"I'm willing to wait."
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