The embodiment of longing
In October, autumn was in full swing in City A. Golden ginkgo leaves carpeted the paths of the university campus, and sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows. For Su An, this autumn was imbued with a brighter anticipation than that of University B, because of an upcoming promise—Jiang Qi was coming during the National Day holiday.
In the last few days before the holiday, time seemed to stretch on endlessly. Su An would often drift off in class, imagining Jiang Qi appearing on his campus. He secretly planned a route: he would take Jiang Qi to his favorite study room on the top floor of the third teaching building, where he could see the most beautiful sunset; they would go to the second canteen to try the delicious potstickers he had recently discovered; and they would take a walk in the quiet bamboo grove behind the School of Literature.
He even started tidying up his dorm room several days in advance, rearranging the books on the bookshelf and changing the sheets and duvet covers to clean and crisp ones. His roommate joked, "Su An, you're acting like you're welcoming some important leader."
Su An simply smiled, her ears turning slightly red, but her heart felt like it was brimming with joy.
On the first day of the holiday, Su An woke up exceptionally early. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the dormitory was still quiet. He quietly washed up and sat at his desk, but couldn't concentrate on reading a single word. His phone screen lit up and dimmed repeatedly as he checked the arrival time of his high-speed train.
Finally, with half an hour to go before his expected arrival time, he couldn't sit still any longer, grabbed his coat, and headed out the door. The morning air on campus was crisp and clear, and the streets were sparsely populated. He boarded the subway to the high-speed rail station, and as the train moved forward, his heart pounded faster and faster.
When he spotted that tall, upright figure in a black coat amidst the bustling crowd at the station exit, all his waiting and anxiety instantly transformed into tangible joy that welled up in his heart.
Jiang Qi also saw him. He pushed a small suitcase through the crowd and walked straight to Su An. More than a month had passed since they last met, but he seemed unchanged, still with that cold and aloof demeanor. However, when he looked at Su An, there was a warmth in the depths of his eyes that seemed to melt away the ice and snow.
"Have you been waiting long?" Jiang Qi naturally took the breakfast bag that Su An had prepared for him, their fingertips touching unintentionally.
"No, I just arrived." Su An shook her head, looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Was the journey smooth?"
"Mm." Jiang Qi responded, her gaze tracing his face carefully, then she reached out her free hand and gently took Su An's hand. "Let's go."
The moment their fingers intertwined, Su An felt that his longing of the past month had finally found its anchor. Jiang Qi's palm was dry and warm, enveloping his hand in a familiar and reassuring way.
They walked side by side along the tree-lined path of B University. The autumn sun shone brightly, filtering through the golden ginkgo leaves and casting dappled light. Su An, like a dutiful little tour guide, excitedly pointed out various places: "This is the library, it has a huge collection of books... That's the gymnasium, I sometimes go running there at night... Look, that's the third teaching building, I love studying on the top floor..."
Jiang Qi listened quietly, her gaze following his directions, nodding occasionally, but mostly her eyes were fixed on Su An's radiant profile.
On the top floor of the Third Teaching Building, they gazed out over the vast B University campus, with the city skyline clearly visible in the distance. A cool autumn breeze brushed their faces, and Jiang Qi naturally turned to shield Su An from the wind.
"The view here is really great," Jiang Qi said.
“Yes, every time I read here, I look outside when I get tired, and it always makes me feel better,” Su An said softly, leaning against him.
Jiang Qi looked down at him without saying anything, but simply tightened her grip on their clasped hands.
In the second canteen, Su An enthusiastically recommended various dishes to Jiang Qi. Finally, the two, carrying their piled-up plates, found a corner to sit down. They were surrounded by unfamiliar classmates, but the natural and intimate atmosphere between them still attracted some attention. Jiang Qi remained composed, giving Su An a chicken leg from her plate and quietly putting the green peppers he didn't like into her own bowl.
"How are they? Aren't the potstickers at our school pretty good?" Su An asked expectantly.
"Mmm, delicious." Jiang Qi nodded, then took a tissue and naturally wiped the oil stains off his lips.
The movement was performed with such ease, as if they had never been apart.
In the afternoon, they took a walk in the small bamboo grove that Su An had mentioned. The bamboo leaves rustled, and the environment was serene. When they got tired, they sat down on the stone benches. Su An leaned on Jiang Qi's shoulder, closed her eyes, and felt the warmth of the autumn sun and the steady breathing of the person beside her.
“This past month or so,” Su An said softly, “feels like a long time has passed.”
"Mm." Jiang Qi put her arm around his shoulder to make him more comfortable. "We'll see each other often in the future."
During the holiday, they studied together in the library like any other ordinary campus couple. Jiang Qi read his physics journal, and Su An read his literary theory. They didn't disturb each other, yet their atmospheres blended together. They attended an interdisciplinary public lecture together. They strolled hand in hand through the campus at night, the streetlights stretching their shadows longer and shorter.
The moment of parting finally arrived. On the last day of the holiday, Jiang Qi took the high-speed train in the afternoon. Su An saw him off at the subway station.
People came and went on the platform, and train information was broadcast over the loudspeaker. The reluctance to part, like a damp mist, permeated the space between the two.
"Be careful on your way back." Su An looked down at their toes.
"Mmm." Jiang Qi looked at the whorl on the top of his head, then suddenly reached out and gently pulled him into her arms.
The hug was brief yet intense, like a quiet island in the bustling subway station.
“I’ll come find you next time,” Jiang Qi whispered in his ear.
"Okay." Su An nodded in his arms.
The train pulled into the station, and the doors opened. Jiang Qi let go of him and ruffled his hair: "Let's go."
Su An stood there, watching Jiang Qi's tall figure enter the carriage, and waved to him through the glass. The train started moving, slowly leaving the platform, and finally disappeared into the depths of the tunnel.
Su An stood there for a long time before slowly turning to leave. Although reluctant, his heart was filled with the joy of this brief reunion. The pent-up longing had transformed into a real embrace, clasped hands, and side-by-side figures, enough to sustain him through the next period of separation.
On the other side of the world, Jiang Zhao's National Day holiday was a different kind of lively affair. Instead of going home, he and Lin Jun embarked on a seven-day online trip across time zones. They agreed to watch a movie together and then discuss it via video call; Jiang Zhao would hold up his phone and take Lin Jun on a virtual tour of every corner of D University, even live-streaming their meals in the cafeteria; in the evenings, they would play games together, with Jiang Zhao shouting and Lin Jun calmly giving instructions.
On the last day of the holiday, Jiang Zhao received a huge international express package. When he opened it, he found it was from Lin Jun. It was filled with all kinds of British snacks, a sweatshirt with the UCL logo, and a thick English study notebook and reference materials for D University courses that Lin Jun had personally compiled.
Jiang Zhao held the pile of things, his nose tingling with emotion, and immediately sent a video call to Lin Jun.
"Brother Jun! You're such a good friend!" His voice was a little hoarse.
Lin Jun on the other end of the screen seemed to have just returned from a morning run, with beads of sweat still on his forehead. Looking at him hugging the hoodie and grinning foolishly, I smiled and said, "I just bought it randomly. Remember to review your notes, don't fail."
"Okay!" Jiang Zhao nodded vigorously, burying his face in the soft sweatshirt, smelling the faint, refreshing scent of Lin Jun, as if that person was right beside him.
Longing is embodied in the embrace of reunion, and gently soothed by packages sent across oceans and endless video calls. They each fight against distance in their own way, proving that they have never been absent from each other's lives.
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