# 122: Return

Modern Era Extra 2 – Return

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[03·Museum]

The museum wasn’t air-conditioned, but its long-term enclosure made it chilly. Qu You sniffed, and Zhou Tan immediately removed his black windbreaker, draping it over her shoulders.

He was no longer the shy young man who would blush at public displays of affection. After draping the coat, he naturally took her hand and continued walking without looking back.

Qu You fiddled with the coat’s belt, amused. She started to circle around to see if he was blushing, but something felt off. She squeezed his palm instead.

Zhou Tan: “I’m fine, I’m not cold.”

Qu You: “...No, you’re going the wrong way. That’s the exit.”

Zhou Tan: “...Oh.”

The K City Museum, newly renovated, was a dark yellow structure with flowing water at its entrance, symbolizing the “river above ground.” Zhou Tan found the architecture fascinating and snapped several photos with his newly learned DSLR.

All of them were blurry.

But it didn’t matter.

The main exhibition began on the second floor, starting with K City’s history from ancient times.

Zhou Tan stood before a glass case, staring at the skeleton of a mammoth. After a long silence, he asked, “If ancient times were closer then than they are now, why did people know so little back then, while we seem to know everything today?”

"There is a discipline called archaeology," Qu You explained earnestly, pointing to a sign nearby. "We have invented numerous instruments that can uncover the secrets of ancient times from soil, fossils, and fragmented pieces—history may deceive, but traces do not."

Zhou Tan thoughtfully followed her as they continued walking. "But historical records still exist."

Qu You was delighted to find that he immediately grasped what she meant and hugged his arm. "Exactly, traces are static; they can only prove ‘existence,’ not ‘occurrence.’ Future generations might know we existed from our remains, and with further examination, at most guess whether we were rich or poor, toiling or at ease in life... But intangible things cannot be found in physical traces."

"Intangible... you mean ‘the Way’?"

"Yes, metaphysics—a precise translation for both ‘intangible’ and ‘profound’..." Qu You said seriously. "The purpose of historical records is to supplement these tangible artifacts with their ‘Way.’ What has been passed down over five thousand years is not just technology, vessels, and craftsmanship, but also the spirit, integrity, and ethos that form the backbone and pillars of our nation."

Her hand slid up Zhou Tan’s lean back, and though he gave her a glare, he wasn’t flustered. "History, though sometimes blurred, is a romantic discipline."

"Including the earlier pursuits of ‘romance’ and ‘immortality,’ which sound very ethereal, but they are important to us. Your so-called romance lies within them." Qu You retracted her hand after his glance and smiled. "Whether subtle elegance or resounding strength, these sparks and flashes in history are eternally brilliant."

Zhou Tan softly hummed in agreement.

Seeing him lower his eyes, Qu You knew he was lost in thought, so she gently shook his arm. "Do you remember when I pointed to the night sky and told you about the eternal romance of this land..."

She blinked, her gaze earnest, shimmering with an indescribable glow in the dim museum. "You have been engraved in it, even if it’s just a fleeting spark in the night—it’s infinitely noble, infinitely beautiful."

Zhou Tan studied Qu You’s face.

She wore beautiful makeup today, her long lashes trembling slightly like butterfly wings.

He reached out to gently caress her cheek, tenderly saying, "You too."

Thus, Qu You and Zhou Tan continued to explore the museum, their fingers intertwined, passing by the crimson-patterned official robe, official documents, Northern Yin seals, jade hairpins, and a white jade ring she had seen in her dreams.

The overhead lights were bright, and the description was brief.

"Northern Yin period white jade ring, unearthed on January 2, 2019."

Through the thick glass of the display case, Zhou Tan could recall the initial touch of warmth when the teacher had given it to him. Later, it lingered between his fingers and around her neck, becoming the sole witness accompanying them through the ages.

Qu You sighed beside him: "Science can tell me it dates back to the Northern Yin period, but it will never reveal the story of devoted lovers behind it."

Zhou Tan chuckled lightly: "Such stories, even the annals cannot tell."

Qu You rebutted: "But poetry can. Don’t believe me? Let me recite one for you... ‘Pillow made fragrant with gathered scents, holding beauty while reading under the canopy.’"

Zhou Tan let out a nonchalant "hmph."

Qu You extended her hand, rubbing the wedding ring on her finger, comparing it to the white jade ring in the display case, and said regretfully: "It seems it’s not as valuable as before."

By six o’clock in the evening, they finished touring the museum. As they descended from the sixth floor, they noticed a small stall set up at the bottom of the stairs—visitors could leave any calligraphy and take away a commemorative coin from the museum.

The enthusiastic young woman at the stall beckoned them: "Come try, sisters. It doesn’t matter if you’re not good at calligraphy."

Qu You immediately pulled Zhou Tan over: "He can write. Let him do it."

In the end, she picked a commemorative coin imprinted with apricot blossoms.

With a sigh, Zhou Tan left a bold and unrestrained line on the ink-splattered rice paper: "Your bodies and names will perish, but the rivers will flow forever."

[Chapter 04·Tianmen Tower]

Qu You kept a big white cat named Xiao Bai.

Unlike the one Song Shixuan once kept—Yushan Feilian, which was charming with heterochromatic eyes and a sweet voice—Qu You’s cat was quite unfriendly. It rarely allowed petting, and when irritated, would swipe with its claws, retreating to hide its injuries stubbornly.

Perhaps because Zhou Tan liked cats, Xiao Bai showed him some better moods, reluctantly extending its paw for nail trimming despite its apparent displeasure.

… Then, feeling the pain of being clipped, it tried to scratch angrily but was caught by Zhou Tan who held its paw firmly.

Qu You entered the door, hearing Zhou Tan earnestly disciplining the cat: "Don’t be irritable, be good-tempered."

Leaning against the doorframe, she watched the interaction between man and cat with schadenfreude: "So he scratches you too, I thought since you share the same name, he’d treat you better."

Zhou Tan calmly stroked the cat: "He treats me better; otherwise, you wouldn’t be allowed to touch him for three days."

Qu You cursed the cat spitefully: "You have no conscience."

Then she added: "But Xiao Bai being unfriendly is a good thing. Leave it at home. I’ve booked tickets; we’ll travel for two or three days."

"Alright," Zhou Tan responded gently. "Where to?"

"Tianmen Tower," Qu You replied.

The imperial city had vanished beneath layers of new soil brought by river erosion, but Mount Ting stood firm for thousands of years. Xi Qing Temple became a popular tourist spot, with visitors streaming up the mountain, and the scent of incense lingering on the long steps.

Qu You took Zhou Tan around the back of the mountain, finding a secluded path leading to the other side of Tianmen Tower.

Tianmen Tower was built on the back of Xi Qing Temple. The area open to tourists was a newly constructed square on the north side. The place where Qu You led them had a giant rock serving as a natural viewing platform. There was no direct path from the front square here, but climbing was not prohibited. Likely, only familiar staff and occasionally lost tourists discovered this hidden gem—a surprising paradise.

The wind was strong on the mountain, and Zhou Tan instinctively raised his sleeve to shield her from the wind, suddenly realizing he hadn’t worn wide-sleeved shirts for a long time.

Qu You tugged his arm: "I brought you here to see the scenery. Turn around."

Below the terrace lay the verdant Mount Ting. When they ascended, there was some mist, but now, under the midday sun, it had completely dissipated. The forest was lush, and faint human voices could be heard in the distance.

Zhou Tan’s gaze swept across Mount Ting towards the farther horizon.

Not far from the inner city, skyscrapers could vaguely be seen. The imperial city had disappeared, but the land remained.

Suddenly, a bell rang from the top of Tianmen Tower, accompanied by birds flying across the sky above their heads.

After a while, Zhou Tan suddenly asked, "Why are you so familiar with the paths here?"

Qu You casually answered, "Having lived here for such a long time, naturally, I’m familiar."

Realizing the implications of her words, she saw Zhou Tan gazing deeply at her. Before she could think of a way to amend her statement, Zhou Tan shifted his gaze and said indifferently, "So when you came here before, did you bring my poetry collection?"

Yes.

No, how did he know?

Before Qu You could figure it out, Zhou Tan smiled faintly and touched her hair (he seemed to enjoy touching hair recently): "Back then… during those days in Lin’an, I was delirious with illness, having many chaotic dreams. At the time, I thought they were absurd, but recalling them now, they were…"

He didn’t continue.

Hearing this, Qu You couldn’t help but tear up, hugging him tightly.

Zhou Tan’s fingers combed through her hair, tenderly and infinitely precious: "We missed many springtimes in the past."

She thought of snow, of the red walls of the imperial city and winter nights—the crane coat still hanging neatly in her wardrobe.

He thought of apricot flowers, the skies of Lin’an, and the golden-threaded melody; he remembered arrows flying from beyond the city walls and her falling from the tower.

"I like spring… that’s why the poetry collection is named Spring Sandalwood."

"So do I, because we first met in spring."

Not the bleak snowy night of giving clothes, nor the hurried glance with guardedness by the screen.

It was the breathtaking moment amidst the full bloom of apricot flowers before and after the Flower Festival.

Zhou Tan embraced her shoulders, sitting together with her on the high platform between the mountains, watching from when the sun was high until it set in the west.

Qu You’s eyes hurt from crying, and the setting sun made them sting more, unable to open. She reached out greedily for the golden light, murmuring, "The mountain air is fine morning and evening, the birds return together."

Therein lies profound meaning, wanting to explain yet forgetting words.

The next day, she developed a slight fever and began dreaming chaotically again. Zhou Tan took her to get an IV. In her daze, she saw him holding her hand, allowing her to sleep peacefully.

Their return date was thus delayed by three or four days. Qu You returned home radiant, expecting the usual disdainful look from the cat upon opening the door.

Unexpectedly, the cat greeted her as if seeing her for the first time, tears welling up and rushing to rub against her legs affectionately with an unusually soft and endearing voice.

Qu You immediately checked the cat’s food bowl and water dispenser, both full.

Zhou Tan reached out to touch the cat from behind, but the cat ignored him entirely, devotedly snuggling up to Qu You. Only when she picked it up by the scruff did it emit a contented "purr purr."

Qu You coaxed it for a long while before the cat finally left her embrace reluctantly, dedicating itself to grooming on the table.

Zhou Tan sat at the table, chin in hand, watching the cat. Just as he was about to say something, Qu You walked past him coolly: "You must be related to this cat; your temperaments are identical."

She pushed open the balcony door and heard Zhou Tan reflectively berating himself behind her: "... I don’t think I’m this fond of cuddling."

[Chapter 05·Lin’an]

Oh, a miracle, is he still flying?

He ascends, yet his wings remain motionless

What exactly lifts him

What are his goals, traction, and reins now

Like stars and eternity

He now resides far from earthly concerns

Flying high, who says

He is merely floating

Oh, albatross

The eternal impulse propels me to the heights

I miss you, and for that

Tears flow, yes, I love you

Qu You sat by the window reciting Nietzsche’s poem, while the hotel projector displayed the ending of the film.

Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries .

Zhou Tan was engrossed in watching.

Qu You closed her diary, crossed the thick, long-haired carpet barefoot, and hugged his neck, yawning: "Did you understand it?"

A 1950s Swedish art film with traditional Chinese subtitles—fortunately, Zhou Tan read traditional characters more smoothly than simplified ones.

He nodded, pulling her waist closer and picking up a strawberry from the table to offer to her lips: "Hmm, sleepy?"

"Not sleepy," Qu You buried her head in his shoulder. "Tell me about it."

"Haven’t you seen it?"

"I want to know what you saw."

Zhou Tan thought briefly and succinctly said: "It tells the story of an extremely rational person."

"Mm... actually, it’s the director’s autobiography." The screen had turned black, slowly and silently rolling the credits. In the dim light, she looked up and gave Zhou Tan a moist kiss. "He recalls his life, dreaming he had many dreams, then regrets and reflects."

Zhou Tan’s voice was low, his warm breath brushing against her face. He hadn’t used incense for a long time, yet somehow, his presence still carried the scent of still water: "Indifference, numbness, and excessive rationality cannot bring a fulfilling life."

Qu You laughed: "Good that you realize."

"What you recited just now was..."

"It’s Nietzsche’s love poem."

I want to watch the most rational person in the world regret in the movie, and then read the only love poem written by the maddest person in the world for him.

The screen turned pale, and Zhou Tan opened his eyes to see his lover’s lips, kissed rosy and lustrous.

"Don’t be mad, nor purely rational."

If love requires both to be restrained, lovers will know that restraint can also bring happiness.

The sound of a bell rang outside the window.

And Qu You laughed.

"Happy New Year."

Zhou Tan opened the window; fireworks flickered and vanished in the sky. Hangzhou city was brightly lit, a scene of grand celebration.

"If only they could all see what the world looks like now..."

Qu You heard Zhou Tan whisper in her ear.

"It would be wonderful... This has been our wish since childhood."

To establish the heart for heaven, to secure the destiny for the people, to continue the lost teachings of the sages.

To usher in everlasting peace.

Action will lead to realization.

Each trace of us in history accumulates into today.

Zhou Tan softly said: "Happy New Year."