0054 Birthday (3)
Lingling couldn't understand yet whether ten years of living together day and night would create a connection between the two of them, just as she didn't understand why she knew he was close behind her even before she saw him.
The evening breeze wafted in through her collar; unlike the cold of B City, the warm breeze here made her feel light and airy.
The heat from their skin touching was intense, and the heat surged upwards, making her head swell.
Her hair was loose over her shoulders, and the breeze carried its intoxicating fragrance from the afternoon wash. She wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, an outfit that made her look youthful and vibrant, yet her beautiful figure added a touch of allure.
Coincidentally, he was dressed almost exactly like her: a white cotton shirt, worn-out jeans, and canvas shoes. His hair wasn't as neatly styled as it would be on a formal occasion; it was loosely draped over his forehead. Gone was his usual proper and upright appearance, and Lingling felt as if he had reverted to his school days. Yet, his overall demeanor had changed.
The two stood together, close together, looking like a young couple still in school or a newlywed couple. In fact, people around them certainly assumed that the two, with their well-matched temperaments and outstanding looks, must be a couple.
Perhaps because the singing and dancing were so captivating and the atmosphere so perfect, He Lingling, not quite in her right mind, didn't let go of Wan Qifuze's hand.
Since their falling out, in a moment of clarity, when have they ever so calmly surrendered themselves to each other?
So he cherished every single second in his heart, which she couldn't understand, and she thought she was just drunk and confused, but even after realizing it, she still didn't leave him.
Amidst the prevailing whispers of the wind, what they heard even more clearly was the sound of their own heartbeats.
The original plan was for everyone to change dance partners during the dance, but they held each other's hands tightly for several minutes, which was not long but long enough.
Only after the song ended, amidst cheers and applause all around, did Lingling hurriedly release Wanqi Fuze's hand as if afraid of being discovered, not daring to look at him.
But who might find out?
Is it fear of complete strangers around them, or a terrifying beast that is almost impossible to hide in their hearts?
She could have simply hidden away and concealed her true self. But because of this, she repeatedly missed the lonely yet affectionate glances of those around her.
"Aze! You really chose the right place!"
Suddenly, a girl who was still panting from having a great time ran up to her. Lingling looked over and saw that it was the short-haired girl who had run to the riverbank to dance first.
Only then did she realize that her companion was actually Wanqi Fuze, and the name she had called out...
Aze...
Wanqi Fuze smiled gently at the girl. Under the starlight, he looked somewhat youthful in his white t-shirt, and Lingling felt that she saw a long-lost innocence in him.
But this innocence wasn't directed at her.
Wanqi Fuze watched as her face instantly fell, and he smiled bitterly to himself. The intimacy between the two of them just now was indeed a fake tenderness. She must be unhappy again because of his presence.
Lingling tried to return to the dining table, but Wanqi Fuze grabbed her hand.
But it was the girl in the blue dress who spoke to her first.
“…Lingling?” she called tentatively, then looked at Wanqi Fuze with uncertain eyes, asking if he had remembered wrong. When she saw Wanqi Fuze nod with a smile, she was sure she hadn’t made a mistake.
She laughed heartily: "Don't you remember me?"
Lingling stared at the girl for a long while, but still couldn't remember who she was. The unpleasantness from before was quickly forgotten, replaced by embarrassment and awkwardness. Her memory had always been ridiculously bad.
Qi Le didn't mind, as she and He Lingling had only met a few times.
She chuckled and pointed to Wanqi Fuze beside her with her thumb. Wanqi Fuze knew that this friend had always liked to expose people's dirty secrets since she was a child, so he smiled helplessly.
"Just a few years ago, when he proposed to you, I was a witness to his failed proposal."
Lingling was taken aback at first, then blushed when she saw Qi Le's face full of mockery for his childhood friend. She then noticed that Wan Qifuze didn't seem embarrassed, so she knew that the two must be very close.
She was still feeling embarrassed for a while... Why did they suddenly bring this up...?
But she also remembered that this was the friend who had invited Wanqi Fuze to take her on a trip to the seaside back then.
At that time, Wanqi Fuze told her that Qi Le was an architecture student in Italy who was back in China to visit his elderly relatives and take a graduation trip. He was worried that Lingling would feel uncomfortable with strangers around, so he didn't let them have much contact. However, Lingling had a cheerful personality and didn't mind at all, quickly becoming friends with the others.
But... I forget people just as quickly...
Qi Le showed no sign of backing down. She loved seeing people get their comeuppance, especially her good friend. She'd rarely managed to catch him red-handed; Aze was always the subject of praise from elders. Seeing him speechless now made her incredibly happy.
"Hahaha! I knew it! Who proposes with a key!"
The image of that dangling silver key resurfaced in my mind...
"Although Songhanju is one of my most satisfying works..."
"Hey," Wanqi Fuze interrupted her, "Are you hungry?"
This question was asked to both of them at the same time.
Qi Le was led astray by him, and shouted, "I'm so hungry!" before rushing toward the barbecue grill.
Wanqi Fuze took her hand.
Lingling saw that lively figure run into the crowd again, and her words were still echoing in her mind.
She heard someone beside her say softly, "Ignore her."
P.S.: Qi Le made a very inconspicuous appearance in the chapter about jealousy, and I guess everyone has forgotten about it.
I'm so sleepy!
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