#79: Extra

001.

Baicheng had many small paths. Qing Hang didn’t find the cat. By the time he got home, it was already dark.

The streetlights turned on. He stopped opening the door and looked down. The cat was sitting at the entrance, not shy at all, raising its paw to rub against his pant leg, as if urging him to open the door quickly.

As soon as he opened a crack in the door, the cat squeezed through the gap, familiar with the place, and circled the courtyard, entering the house even before Qing Hang.

Qing Hang had left Meiqiu with Crescent Moon, so there was no cat food at home. He first got a bowl of water for it to drink. Whatever he ate, the cat ate too.

He thought the cat would leave after eating, but it leaped onto the cool chair in the bedroom.

The cool chair was made by an old carpenter Qing Hang found in the village. Few families nowadays used such bamboo cool chairs.

The temperature was a bit chilly. The cat curled up into a ball, meowing pitifully. Qing Hang didn’t sleep all night.

The next day, Qing Hang went to work, and the cat followed him to the hospital. When he got off work, the cat followed him home. This continued for a week. It wasn’t picky about food or drink, but it wasn’t satisfied with where it slept.

Qing Hang thought, The county is only so big. If the cat has an owner, they should be able to find it. Until then, I’ll keep it. He bathed the cat, took it for vaccinations, and allowed it to sleep on his bed. At night, it rarely meowed.

When he read, the cat would grab his clothes and climb onto the desk. When he went to the stadium to play ping-pong, the cat would sit in the spectator stands.

Qing Hang bought many rose seedlings to plant in the courtyard. The cat walked around in the soil he had dug, its paws covered in mud, and then jumped onto his back. By the time he finished planting the flowers, his clothes were covered in cat paw prints.

Summer was approaching, and still no one came looking for the cat. Qing Hang decided to buy a cat bed and a few toys that little cats liked.

“This pink one is selling very well; it should be good.”

The cat used its paw to tap the phone screen. Qing Hang gently stroked its head. “It’s not that good, and it gets dirty easily. Let’s look at others.”

“Dark colors are dirt-resistant but not pretty,” he muttered to himself. “Forget it, let’s pick a cat bowl first. Ceramic isn’t practical; let’s get this stainless steel one.”

The cat sat directly on the phone, pawing at his clothes.

“Don’t like any of them? You choose. Whichever you tap, I’ll buy.”

So Qing Hang received deliveries for half a month. Even though he bought two beds, the cat still slept on his bed every night.

002.

The director sent Qing Hang a message, saying the girl’s conditions were very good and she had a nice personality, and asked Qing Hang to meet her tomorrow.

Qing Hang had just typed one character when his phone was swatted into the water by a cat’s paw. It was too late now, so he couldn’t go to the director’s house and would have to explain in person the next day.

That night, Qing Hang suffered from insomnia again. He opened a locked drawer. The letters Cheng Yanqing sent him every year were all in the drawer, unread.

Only after meeting the blind date introduced by the director did Qing Hang realize that she was his high school classmate, now working as a teacher at the school.

The woman was surprised yet delighted. “It really is you! I thought it was someone with the same name. I never thought you’d come back to Baicheng. Is this your cat? It’s beautiful.”

Since they were classmates, Qing Hang didn’t beat around the bush. “Hello. My phone broke yesterday when Director Gao asked me to come to the appointment, so I couldn’t reply to him. I wouldn’t be a qualified boyfriend; I can’t waste your time.”

The cat next to him clawed at his arm fiercely, as if reminding him that he shouldn’t be speaking like that.

The woman hesitated, then said, “You still can’t forget Cheng Wanyue?”

Qing Hang said, “She told me to forget her, but that must have been against her true feelings. She’s so petty; if I really forgot her, she would be very angry.”

The cat became even more fierce. Although it was very restless, it wouldn’t scratch Qing Hang, who could handle it with one hand.

“Your past was beautiful, but it’s in the past. Not all waiting will be reciprocated. What’s the point of you being like this now?”

“Not all questions have answers either.”

The woman was speechless.

“Director Gao is a good talker. You might have heard his introduction and thought I was a good catch, but my family used to be very poor. How poor? So poor that when my parents got sick, they could only wait to die. When a natural disaster struck the village, County Head Cheng came down to offer condolences. He saw that I didn’t even have a place to live, so he decided to sponsor me through high school. After graduating from high school, I finally left this small county. I worked part-time while studying to earn living expenses. What’s normal and ordinary for others, I had to fight tooth and nail for. Only after I started working did life get a little better.”

“You might think my personality has no expectations for marriage, but that’s not true. If Wanyue were still here, we would probably be married by now, raising a cat and a dog. We might not have children; she’s like a child herself. We would still argue and bicker. I would buy her flowers. I would love her very much...”

The woman had already left, but Qing Hang was still talking to himself. “Am I thinking of her again? No, I’m not thinking of her.”

The cat ran to the door, circling the woman’s feet, trying to keep her, but it didn’t succeed.

Several days later, Qing Hang belatedly realized that the cat wasn’t as clingy as before. Although it still accompanied him to and from work as usual, it had a terrible temper. If he stroked it, it would scratch him; if he said a couple of words to it, it would bite him. If he tried to play with it with a cat wand, it would ignore him.

A colleague asked Qing Hang if the cat caught mice. Qing Hang said it not only didn’t catch them but was afraid of them, hiding far away when it saw one.

The next second, the cat pushed over the mineral water bottle he had placed on the table, which landed squarely on his foot.

Even the hospital’s security guard joked that the cat was angry.

It wasn’t until the roses in the courtyard bloomed and it was stung by a bee, its paw swelling up like a cat paw-shaped toy sold in stores, that its temper subsided.

Qing Hang was reading a medical book. Every now and then, the cat would extend its paw toward him. He simply held it, thinking of a name for it.

“It’s July now. From now on, I’ll call you Little Seven.”

“The flowers in the courtyard attract mosquitoes and other insects; I can’t get rid of them. Little Seven, don’t go chasing bees anymore.”

“There are no mice at home, so it’s okay if Little Seven doesn’t catch mice.”

Rainy days were perfect for sleeping, but Qing Hang suffered from insomnia for as long as the rainy season lasted.

The ground was muddy, so he didn’t let the cat go outside, which is why neighbors often saw him squatting at the door, talking to the cat.

This day, he came home from work with a cake. He placed a crown on the cat’s head. The neighbors thought he was celebrating the cat’s birthday.

How would a stray cat know its birthday?

It was raining outside, and flower petals covered the ground. Only Qing Hang ate, yet he had bought many ingredients and cooked for over two hours. The table was full, and there was no space for the cake.

At night, the cat played with the cake crown on the cool chair. Qing Hang washed dishes, swept the floor, and tidied the house. After everything was done, he sat quietly on the cool chair. His shadow in the corner looked like a lonely old man.

The cool chair had woodworms; there were small holes on the bamboo piece in the corner.

The air was damp. Qing Hang suddenly remembered the letters locked in his drawer. Bamboo could get worms, locks could rust, and paper could get moldy.

It took him a long time to open the first letter. The paper was damp, and the handwriting was a bit blurry. The remaining letters were the same.

...

Qing Hang, who is 29 years old, how are you?

Are you surprised to receive my letter? Haha, I bet you’re scared.

Hulu hulu piao’er, no need to be scared. (A childlike saying to ward off fear, literally “stroke stroke gourd head”)

...

Qing Hang, who is 30 years old, how are you?

Didn’t expect it, did you? Another letter from me for your birthday this year.

Have you been eating well?

Have you encountered anything happy this past year?

If not, I’ll ask again next year.

...

Qing Hang, who is 31 years old, how are you?

I’m here again! Today, I’m here to check your homework.

Examinee, please answer: Write five happy things.

Ten points for each, add ten more points for each extra one.

...

Qing Hang couldn’t recall anything he did when he was 31. He found his old phone, fixed it, and it worked normally. All the WeChat message history was there.

The chat background was still a photo she took in her rental apartment in Beijing. Qing Hang looked up the records from that year. The screen was filled with green dialogue boxes, almost entirely “I’m going to work” and “I’m off work.”

He couldn’t write a single one.

The alarm suddenly blared, its sound piercing. Qing Hang snapped out of his trance and put away the unread letters. He should be sleeping.

She would get angry if he stayed up late when he wasn’t working.

The cake was untouched. The candles went out before they burned down, like a life that had stopped. She was a gust of wind, a flower, a rain, a cloud... but she was also truly gone.

He was growing older, and her photos were becoming blurry.

003.

Qing Hang took two pills, and even the thunder in the latter half of the night didn’t wake him.

Rainwater dripped from the eaves. He awoke from a long dream. Before opening his eyes, he instinctively called out for Little Seven.

Usually, if he called twice, the cat would respond no matter where it was, but today there was no sound.

The sky was dark. Qing Hang’s vision was like a fog, unable to see anything clearly. He shouldn’t have taken two pills last night.

The door was closed, meaning the cat hadn’t run out.

He rubbed his temples, and after the heavy dizziness subsided, he sat up. His glasses weren’t on the desk. He dizzily walked around the room twice, finally stopping by the cool chair.

The young girl lay sideways on the cool chair. Because she only used a school uniform as a pillow, a few red marks were left on her cheek. She seemed to have not slept well, still yawning, vaguely complaining about how hard the cool chair was.

The cake crown, which had been on her head, had fallen to the ground. Qing Hang walked over to pick it up, staring intently at her face, which showed healthy color. His voice was hoarse. “It’s raining outside. How are you here?”

She smiled and said, “Qing Hang, I came to be with you.”

“I planted a lot of flowers, did you see them?”

“What flowers? The courtyard is bare; where are the flowers? Qing Hang, what were you looking for just now?”

“...A cat.”

“Where’s a cat? How come I didn’t know you had a cat?” She raised a finger and gently pushed his forehead. “Are you that sleepy? You can’t even be woken up. Who told you to go so late yesterday? I told you earlier, you must spend my birthday with me.”

She pinched his face. “I can’t believe two glasses of fruit wine could get you drunk. Wake up, wake up now.”

Qing Hang sat blankly on the ground. “Am I awake, or am I still dreaming?”

He was like a block of wood. Cheng Wanyue touched his forehead, then her own.

“You don’t have a fever. Could those two cups have been baijiu instead of fruit wine... It must have been Cheng Yanqing. I’m going to settle accounts with him!”

She jumped off the cool chair and ran out, her wrist tightly grasped. The next second, she was pulled into a warm embrace.

“Qing Hang, the roof is leaking, and my clothes are wet. Hey? Why is the rainwater hot... I didn’t bully you, you know. You’re crying so sadly. If my dad finds out, I’ll get scolded again.”

Cheng Yanqing, impatient from waiting, directly shouted from outside the courtyard gate, “Cheng Wanyue, I sent you to call Qing Hang, and you’re like a meat bun thrown to a dog—gone and not coming back! Are you two eating or not? Dad said, even if you don’t eat or sleep, don’t think about avoiding tutoring. Save yourself the trouble.”

“Coming, stop rushing!” Cheng Wanyue pushed Qing Hang, but he hugged her even tighter. “Are you going to keep holding me like this?”

“Yeah.” Qing Hang didn’t care if Cheng Yanqing came in; it was just a dream anyway, and it would end soon.

Cheng Wanyue dealt with Cheng Yanqing’s urging while winking at Qing Hang. She was smiling, but her tears wouldn’t stop. “Still can’t be too obvious. Let’s be quiet; don’t let them find out.”

“...Okay.”

“Go quickly and wash your face and brush your teeth.”

The mirror reflected their youthful faces. She stood on her tiptoes, still a head shorter than him.

Qing Hang scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face.

He looked around. There were no flowers in the courtyard, and there was no ill-tempered cat in the house.

Only Cheng Wanyue was yelling, “Ah! You got my shoes wet!”

She was so vibrant and lively.

She hated having her new shoes dirty. She grabbed his hand and bit it hard.

A clear bite mark was left on his skin. The pain was very real. Qing Hang’s dazed vision finally focused, but he dared not speak, nor even breathe. He was afraid it was just a dream, afraid she would disappear in a blink, afraid everything in front of him was a false illusion. So even though he could see her, hear her speak, and feel her body temperature, he couldn’t feel at ease.

He tried to call her name. “Cheng Wanyue.”

“Hmm?”

“Cheng Wanyue.”

“I’m here.”

“Cheng Wanyue.”

“It’s me, it’s me!”

He tried to touch her: her eyes, nose, cheeks, hair... It felt the same as when he hugged her moments ago; she didn’t disappear.

“I missed you so much,” his voice trembled. “I missed you so much, I missed you so much.”

Cheng Wanyue opened her arms. “Then hug me again.”

Qing Hang heard his own heartbeat and felt the pulse throbbing in her wrist. “Why did you come back?”

She said, “Of course because you were disobedient and took medicine without permission. I got angry. I couldn’t hit you or scold you, so I got even angrier.”

“Cheng Wanyue, you’re back,” Qing Hang repeated the phrase, from a murmur to a shout, from disbelief to ecstasy. “I’m not dreaming, you’re back!”

Time reversed. Lost things returned to the mended pocket, the frayed thread stitching up the tear.

He was no longer aging; his blood was like a burning flame, making him alive again.

Cheng Wanyue smiled in response, “We are back.”

Grandpa came in from outside. Seeing them crying and laughing, and hugging each other, he coughed twice.

Cheng Wanyue immediately stepped aside, creating distance. A moment later, Qing Hang followed her.

“What’s so joyful? Although you two always make up after every argument, today feels a bit different,” Grandpa subtly hinted. “Xiao Hang, don’t stand so close. Yueyue’s almost pushed to the door by you.”

“We’re just about to go out, Grandpa. I’m taking Qing Hang to my house,” Cheng Wanyue pulled Qing Hang and ran outside.

They ran through a long alley. Qing Hang’s young body contained a surging strength.

Cheng Wanyue was carried on his back and in his arms, running far in the rain.

The alley seemed endless.

“Is he stupid from studying too much?” Cheng Yanqing felt increasingly something was off. He didn’t know about Qing Hang’s long and empty waiting, only thinking Qing Hang’s mind was broken. “He’s so strange. I’ve known him for so long and never seen him like this. Is he insane? Or possessed? Bewitched? Those two cups of wine last night couldn’t have caused this, could they?”

“No choice, he loves me too much.”

“That’s overly exaggerated. Others might say ‘a day apart feels like three autumns,’ but for him, it’s ‘a second apart feels like eight years.’ He might as well tie himself to you with a rope.”

“Hehe! More than eight years, he only loved me in his past life too.”

Over time, Cheng Guoan also noticed the problem.

Every time school was on holiday, he would ask Qing Hang to tutor Cheng Wanyue. At first, it was completely ineffective because Cheng Wanyue didn’t cooperate at all. Although their relationship improved later, they still often had conflicts. Qing Hang’s personality was a bit introverted and he never took the initiative, and Cheng Wanyue was very stubborn, even if they sat face to face, neither would acknowledge the other. But recently, Qing Hang would always unconsciously follow Cheng Wanyue; wherever she went, Qing Hang would follow, and they stopped arguing.

Cheng Guoan observed for a few more months.

He didn’t understand why these two children were so attached, but before he could talk to Qing Hang, Qing Hang came to him first.

Perhaps he was getting old and couldn’t keep up with the thinking of young people. That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He had high hopes for Qing Hang, and his scores in every mock exam proved that he had a chance for a direct admission.

However, Qing Hang gave it up. He chose not to accept direct admission but instead decided to take the college entrance exam with Cheng Wanyue.

Cheng Guoan slowly realized that his daughter was indeed taking her studies seriously. He had watched Qing Hang grow up, so he turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.

In the room, Cheng Wanyue was listening to Qing Hang explain a problem. Cheng Guoan gently closed the door and called to inquire about Cheng Wanyue’s medical examination results.

Aside from mild anemia, everything was normal.

Last week’s fever was just caused by a cold; there were no other issues.

Outside the window, the chirping of insects and birds was crisp. The sun hadn’t set yet, and Cheng Wanyue was getting a bit restless. She closed her workbook and propped one foot on Qing Hang’s leg, swinging it idly.

“Qing Hang, let’s rest for ten minutes.”

“Finish this problem first, then rest.”

“Ah! My head hurts so much, I’m going to faint!”

Knowing she was acting, Qing Hang instinctively reacted, catching her before she could fall.

Cheng Wanyue took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Qing Hang’s neck and covered his eyes, causing them both to fall to the ground. He cushioned her fall, and she lay on top of him.

She was breathing.

She was laughing.

She was by his side.

“I’ll wait for you after school tomorrow.”

“Okay!”

“Don’t break your promise.” Qing Hang suddenly sat up, pulling Cheng Wanyue out the door.

They jogged into the school, crossed the sports field, and climbed the stairs to the terrace of Building 3 to watch a sunset.

With his back to the confession wall behind them, he shouted at the railing.

“Cheng Wanyue, this time, I will definitely not lose you again.”

Summer was coming, and he had waited for it.

________________________________________

004.

Vocational high school students came to play basketball. The area around the court was packed with people, and the cheers grew more enthusiastic with each passing moment.

Cheng Wanyue was pulled into the corridor. A classmate pointed to a boy who had just made a shot and asked her, “Wanyue, what do you think of number 6?”

“Can’t see clearly, hard to judge,” Cheng Wanyue turned and saw a familiar figure around the corner. Suppressing a smile, she deliberately put on a very interested expression. “Which number 6? Is it the one drinking water? He seems quite handsome.”

“Right! I think he’s handsome too. We could get to know him.”

Her classmate opened the phone camera and zoomed in as much as possible. Number 6 lifted his T-shirt, ready to wipe sweat, when suddenly a ping-pong paddle stretched out, blocking Cheng Wanyue’s view.

She tilted her head to dodge, but the paddle followed her. She tried to block it with her hand. Qing Hang took the opportunity to grasp her wrist and with a slight pull, brought her to his inner side, making her face away from the basketball court.

They were wearing the same style of sneakers, but the corridor was crowded, and no one noticed.

Her classmate casually asked, “Qing Hang, where did you get a ping-pong paddle? Can we borrow it to play for a bit?”

Cheng Wanyue was still looking towards the field. Qing Hang directly pulled his school jacket over her head. “Not today. Wanyue needs to study. She won’t be eating with you. You go ahead.”

“She hasn’t eaten either.”

“She’ll eat with me.”

The two walked around to the other side of the stairs to go down. She walked slowly, and Qing Hang also slowed his pace.

A teacher was walking up. Qing Hang saw her first. He and Cheng Wanyue stood on either side. After the teacher walked away, Cheng Wanyue threw his school jacket into his arms, grabbed his hand, bit him on the back of the hand, and then ran off.

Qing Hang took two steps at a time and quickly caught up.

Cheng Wanyue stood on the steps, initially motionless, pretending to look to the left, then suddenly running to the right the next second. Qing Hang reacted quickly, raising an arm to block her. Her chin rested on his arm, and she could only move further and further away from the basketball court, walking backward towards the ping-pong court.

“Cheng Yuzhou is playing ball. I’m going to cheer for him. Why are you stopping me?”

“You don’t need to cheer for him. He has Zhou Yu.”

“It’s a different situation. Without me, his scores are lower.”

“If you go, he’ll also worry about you falling from the stands. It’s too noisy over there. The ping-pong court is quiet.”

Cheng Wanyue sighed, “What’s the point of being quiet? Anyway, nothing is allowed. All you do is ask me ‘Have you memorized the vocabulary?’ ‘Did you get the math problems right?’ Or ‘Pay attention in class,’ ‘Don’t be late,’ ‘Don’t leave early,’ like a monk chanting scriptures.”

A kiss.

No, do your homework first.

A hug.

No, memorize these two poems first.

Absolutely nothing.

“Let me play with the ball,” she took a paddle, wanting to try juggling the ball first.

“Didn’t bring it.”

“Stop lying, hurry.”

“Seriously, didn’t bring it,” Qing Hang pulled out his school uniform pants pockets. There was only a key inside.

Cheng Wanyue stopped, her hands behind her back, her laughing eyes sharp and cunning. She slowly asked, “You want to teach me how to play ping-pong, but you don’t bring a ball. You tricked me to a secluded place. Are you planning something bad?”

Qing Hang suddenly stared at the corner of the wall. “There’s a mouse.”

Cheng Wanyue actually saw a dark shadow. “Ahhh!”

She jumped directly onto Qing Hang’s back, her feet off the ground. “The school has over a dozen cats; how dare mice be so brazen?”

“Exactly, too brazen,” Qing Hang carried her out through the back door.

Cheng Wanyue looked at the paddle for a while and noticed her name carved on it. Qing Hang’s grandfather used to be a carpenter and had also made her a peach wood hairpin. “Grandpa must have carved it according to your handwriting, right? Did you write it on paper, or on the paddle?”

“On paper.”

“Not enough time today. Let’s play for half a day at the stadium this weekend.”

Behind the school was a small hillside. Qing Hang spread his school uniform on the ground, and Cheng Wanyue sat on it, eating. She wasn’t wearing long socks, and a mosquito bit her calf. She scratched it twice, and her skin turned red.

She lowered her head, about to speak.

Qing Hang handed her a grass-woven ring with a small blue flower on it.

Cheng Wanyue thought Qing Hang was going to put it on her, but he closed his fingers, holding the ring in his palm. She hadn’t seen it clearly before, so she put all her strength into prying his fingers open.

He suddenly leaned very close.

“Princess Rapunzel.”

“Hm?”

“Can a grass-woven ring be used for a proposal?”

“I guess so... right?”

________________________________________

005.

The school spent one day taking graduation photos for the third-year high school students. Each class went to the sports field in shifts.

Qing Hang, Cheng Yanqing, Yanci, Cheng Yuzhou, and Zhou Yu were all in the same class. After their photos were taken, they didn’t leave the sports field. When they saw Cheng Wanyue running towards them from the teaching building entrance, Qing Hang ran to the resting area to borrow a camera from the photography teacher.

“Teacher, could you please help us take a group photo?”

“No problem. Stand ready, and I’ll press the shutter. After graduation, you might not see each other again, so take a few more as souvenirs.”

Cheng Wanyue hugged Zhou Yu, smiling, “We’re different. We’re not just friends; we’re family.”

The photography teacher teased her, pretending to put away the camera. “Then there’s no need to take any.”

“We need to, we need to! Qing Hang, come over quickly.”

It was windy today. Cheng Wanyue and Zhou Yu stood in the middle, tidying each other’s hair. Cheng Yuzhou was to Zhou Yu’s left, with Yanci beside him.

Cheng Yanqing held his hat to shield Cheng Wanyue from the sun. Qing Hang whispered to him, “Change positions.”

Cheng Yanqing was waiting for exactly that. “Can’t just swap for free. You need to show some sincerity. That is... uh... I broke her game console yesterday. You know what I mean, right? Deal, and I’ll stand to the side. No deal, and you can forget about swapping with me.”

“No wonder you’re so eager today,” Qing Hang said, then directly pushed Cheng Yanqing aside and stood to Cheng Wanyue’s right.

The photography teacher called out, “Come on, come on, students, look at the camera.”

Cheng Yanqing had no choice but to give up.

“Stand a little closer, everyone smile. Three, two...”

The second before the shutter clicked, Qing Hang held Cheng Wanyue’s hand.

They stood very close. The photography teacher only checked if anyone had their eyes closed and wouldn’t notice any small movements. “Great photos! Good luck with your exams! I wish you all get into your ideal schools, and see each other more often, eat together more often in the future.”

Cheng Yanqing quickly chimed in, “Thank you, Teacher. I also wish you good health and great wealth!”

Cheng Wanyue had never feared exams since she was little. No matter if she knew the answers or how many points she’d get, she’d eat and sleep well regardless.

The night of the exam, she insisted on having a hot pot dinner at the Cheng family home. Today, they could openly drink alcohol. Cheng Guoan also said they could do whatever they wanted, as long as they didn’t tear the house down.

Cheng Yanqing saw the graduation photo the teacher posted in the class group chat and, with sharp eyes, noticed something. “Oh! Hey!”

“Let me see,” Cheng Wanyue thought someone hadn’t been photographed well and leaned over for a quick glance. Cheng Yanqing zoomed in on their tightly clasped hands. She was very calm. “Small matter, why so excited?”

Cheng Yanqing leisurely said, “Who was it that wrote a love letter to Yanci...”

“I’ll kill you!” Cheng Wanyue pounced to strangle his neck.

Qing Hang scooped her into his arms and carried her outside to look at the stars.

The weather was good. The stars were bright, and the moon was also bright.

Cheng Wanyue’s attention was entirely on Qing Hang. He kept looking at her. After drinking, his gaze was different from usual. She even suspected he wanted to do something outside.

But he was more restrained. Cheng Wanyue wouldn’t hold back for a second. “Qing Hang, take off your clothes.”

Qing Hang closed his eyes briefly. “Be a little more reserved.”

He was clearly smiling happily.

Cheng Wanyue remained still. Not long after, Qing Hang walked towards her. She tasted wine on his lips.

________________________________________

006.

When it came to choosing college majors, the whole family was giving Cheng Wanyue advice.

Cheng Yanqing was determined to go to Beijing, and no one could persuade him otherwise. Cheng Wanyue outwardly followed him to Beijing, but it was actually because of Qing Hang, even though Qing Hang made his decision only after she had chosen.

Cheng Guoan didn’t object to them dating, only cautioning them to take it seriously if they did and not break up every few days. The facts proved that his worry was unnecessary; they rarely even argued.

During the military training at the beginning of the school year, Cheng Wanyue was chosen to be the flag bearer. After a few days of practice, she couldn’t even lift her arms.

During a video call, she looked sickly. Qing Hang took leave to see her and found she had a fever. He strongly insisted on taking her to the hospital.

While getting an IV drip and waiting for blood test results, Cheng Wanyue fell asleep leaning on Qing Hang’s shoulder. The crying and yelling children nearby couldn’t wake her. Qing Hang’s heart finally calmed down the moment he saw the test report.

She was just too tired.

The car could only stop at the intersection. Qing Hang got out first, carrying Cheng Wanyue on his back as he walked in.

Cheng Wanyue drowsily asked him, “Where are you taking me?”

“I rented a small apartment. Grandpa’s at the hospital. You’ll stay with me today. I’ve already called your advisor to ask for leave and told Cheng Yanqing. Does your head still hurt? Are you cold?”

Her forehead rubbed against Qing Hang’s face. “Doesn’t hurt anymore. The fever medicine worked really well. I’m wearing your jacket; I’m not cold at all. It’s fine, nothing to worry about. Just a false alarm.”

He also smiled. “Yeah, a false alarm.”

The rental apartment was in an urban village. The hallway light was broken. Cheng Wanyue used her phone for light. Qing Hang walked fast, and when they reached the door, he used one hand to find the key and open it.

The room was small enough to see all at once. After turning on the light, Qing Hang gently placed her on the bed. “The sheets are freshly changed and very clean. You lie down obediently, and I’ll make dinner.”

“But I can’t sleep anymore.”

“I just bought groceries this morning. I’m not going out; I’ll be right here. You can see me even if you just lie there without moving.”

“Okay.”

Qing Hang had already started classes last week. There were a few professional books on the desk. Cheng Wanyue flipped through a few pages, couldn’t understand them, and found watching him wash vegetables and cook more interesting.

Cheng Yanqing called. “Yueyue, are you feeling bad? This afternoon, I told the teacher you were too weak and had a persistent high fever from exhaustion. Your advisor gave you a sick leave note, telling you to rest for a few more days.”

After this illness, Cheng Wanyue didn’t have the strength to attend military training anymore. “I’m with Qing Hang; don’t worry.”

“Sleeping together?”

“Uh... you’d better not ask about that. Zhizhi and her dad are eating at our house today. Mom really likes her.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Only you still treat her like a child. In another two years, she’ll also take the college entrance exam, and maybe she’ll come to Beijing too. Okay, enough talk, I’m going to eat.”

Qing Hang made four dishes, all of Cheng Wanyue’s favorites.

“No bath tonight. You can bathe once your fever breaks,” Qing Hang brought a basin of hot water to the bed for Cheng Wanyue to soak her feet. “Although there are two beds, I won’t sleep separately from you.”

He sat on the low stool, his head bowed very low. Cheng Wanyue could only see his dark hair. “When is Grandpa coming back?”

“Next month.”

“Then I’ll stay here for a few more days. Anyway, I don’t have military training or classes. Qing Hang, what are you thinking about?”

“A lot,” Qing Hang looked up and kissed her chin. “Wanyue, I love you. But what can I do? I can only let you live in such an old rental apartment. I really want to graduate soon and start working to earn money, but I also cherish every moment now.”

He was the top scorer in the college entrance exam, and the school and government both awarded him prize money, but he had to use it to treat his grandfather first.

Cheng Wanyue knew that when she was sick, Qing Hang suffered more than she did.

“The apartment is very clean, and though it’s small, it has everything one needs. You can cook, wash up, and sleep. Didn’t you say that a princess doesn’t necessarily have to live in a castle? Grandpa hasn’t been here yet, right? He’ll definitely think it’s great here too, and he’ll be proud of you from the bottom of his heart. Oh, our Qing Hang is so amazing.”

“I’m healthy, you’re young, and we have a long life together. You’re the one working hard; I’m happy every day. If I stood on the street and shouted ‘I’m so miserable,’ someone might scold me. I eat well, drink well, and have fun. What more could I ask for?”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I’m still here, so just turn off the lights and sleep peacefully.”

The apartment wasn’t well-soundproofed. Someone was arguing upstairs, getting louder and louder, and the sound of things being thrown was jarring.

Qing Hang pulled the quilt over Cheng Wanyue’s ears. She had slept for half the afternoon and couldn’t sleep now.

Her body was sweating, and so was his.

She had a high fever at night and needed to take a fever reducer. She held it in her mouth but couldn’t swallow it. Qing Hang fed her water, and after she swallowed it, his lingering kiss still clung to the corner of her lips.

Cheng Wanyue hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him, saying she wanted to give him her cold.

The next day, her fever broke, and Qing Hang caught a cold.

He had class in the morning. Every cough made him think of her. When the dismissal bell rang, the teacher hadn’t even left the classroom, but he had already run out the back door.

She was still sleeping, her long hair spread across the pillow.

Half-asleep, she hugged his neck and complained indistinctly.

“Qing Hang, you’re pressing on my hair.”

________________________________________

#007

Grandpa passed away peacefully in his sleep, without much pain. From the cremation of the remains to the storage of the ashes, Cheng Wanyue stayed with Qing Hang the entire time.

Cheng Yuzhou drove to pick them up to go home for the New Year. Cheng Yanqing was distraught; he fell asleep as soon as he got in the car, and when he got home, he had no interest in doing anything.

“Did you break up with Qin Hua?”

“Yeah, it’s boring, I’m tired, I’m annoyed. Whoever looks back is a dog,” Cheng Yanqing watched the two people picking orange trees in the shop. “Even Yueyue and Qing Hang can last this long. Why can’t I have a good outcome?”

Before Cheng Yuzhou could speak, Cheng Yanqing shook his head. “You just shut up, don’t poke my heart.”

Cheng Yuzhou and Zhou Yu had also broken up once, but after getting back together, they were better than before.

Cheng Yanqing lifted his foot and walked into the shop. “Little sister, taste the oranges, are they sweet?”

“I’ve tasted them, they’re super sweet.”

Cheng Yanqing was half-skeptical. “Really?”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Qing Hang,” Cheng Wanyue nudged Qing Hang’s arm.

Qing Hang turned to look the other way. “They’re alright.”

They had already paid. Cheng Yanqing casually picked one, peeled it, and secretly put it into Cheng Yuzhou’s mouth when he wasn’t looking.

After seeing Cheng Yuzhou eat it without changing his expression, he picked another one. The first bite made him want to curse; half an orange made him completely sour.

What’s a breakup? It’s nothing.

After the New Year, with a few days left until school started, Cheng Wanyue went home with her parents, and Qing Hang naturally went too.

Cheng Yuzhou’s house was a detached villa. Even if they had separate rooms, they could still climb walls, but Cheng Wanyue’s home was on the 32nd floor. Cheng Yanqing was usually a quick sleeper, but he was heartbroken.

His phone vibrated twice, and Qing Hang glanced at the time.

“Not sleeping yet?”

“You go first.”

Cheng Yanqing gave a forced smile. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. It’s not that easy.”

Qing Hang calmly looked at the ceiling. “You’re overthinking.”

“Mom and Dad aren’t home. I’m the boss. Don’t let me catch you coming out of Yueyue’s room. Eh... why is there no internet? Do you have internet on your phone?”

“No, it might be a signal issue. Ask the neighbors.”

Cheng Yanqing put on a coat and went out. In the Huo family’s apartment, only Huo Zhi was home. She opened the door and ran back in without saying a word. Cheng Yanqing immediately felt confused and looked down at himself.

There was nothing wrong with his clothes.

Could it be that there was something wrong with his face?

“Huo Zhi,” no one was in the living room, and the bedroom door was open. She was standing in front of a telescope in her pajamas. Cheng Yanqing politely turned his back. “What do you mean? Do I look that scary?”

Huo Zhi asked him, “I found a very special star, want to see it?”

“What’s so good about stars... I guess I can take a look.”

...

Someone knocked on the door, three knocks.

Cheng Wanyue thought the day was over, especially since Cheng Yanqing was so difficult to deal with. She opened the door, looked left and right. “Where’s the third wheel?”

Qing Hang said, “He went next door.”

Cheng Wanyue jumped up and pounced into his arms. He caught her steadily, able to hold her with one hand. He closed the door behind him and took a few steps to the bed, putting her down on the bed. At the same time, she pulled him down on top of her.

She had just showered, and her hair wasn’t dry yet. There was a faint scent of roses in the air.

Her laughter was swallowed by him, and the rose scent enveloped them from all directions.

His hand reached under her skirt, caressing her delicate, soft skin, as if tracing her bones. After pausing in one spot, he restrained himself and withdrew his hand, propping himself on the bed, smoothing out the wrinkles he had made in the sheets.

Cheng Wanyue came to her senses and began to take off his clothes.

“Be gentle, these are Dad’s pajamas.” He only called him Dad when they were alone; normally, he called him Uncle Cheng.

The raging fire was doused with a bucket of cold water. Cheng Wanyue had already calmed down, but then she remembered that Cheng Guo’an had never worn this set, and she started acting up again, rolling from the bed to the floor.

Qing Hang pressed down her two wandering hands, breathing slightly heavily. “You’re not feeling well, don’t mess around.”

“Where am I not feeling well? I feel great,” Cheng Wanyue bit his chest, leaving a ring of teeth marks. “Qing Hang, you’ve become timid. Before, you dared to do it through the door, but now there’s not even a single person in the house.”

“It’s not that I don’t dare.”

“Then come on,” she provoked him deliberately.

Qing Hang kissed her forehead. “Wanyue, you’re still too young. Let’s wait until we’re married.”

Cheng Wanyue was a year younger than him, and when they graduated, their ages would be just right.

“I just wanted to see you smile, to tease you. Qing Hang, you really miss Grandpa, don’t you? That night of the New Year, you didn’t sleep at all.”

“Yes, I miss him very much, but I have no regrets.”

“We are all your family.”

“Wanyue, I love you very much.”

“I know... Oh no, something’s wrong, Cheng Yanqing, that third wheel, is back!”

She quickly scrambled up, her ear pressed to the door, listening to the sounds outside.

Cheng Yanqing seemed out of sorts, pacing back and forth. After a while, it was quiet again, he might have gone to the bathroom. Cheng Wanyue gently opened a crack in the door and peered out.

Safe.

She pushed Qing Hang out. “Quick, quick, quick!”

Qing Hang took two steps and then turned back, bending down slightly to kiss her. “Goodnight.”

A cough came from behind him. “Cough, cough!”

Cheng Yanqing, who was lying on the sofa, suddenly sat up. “You two, watch yourselves. I’m heartbroken, and heartbroken people are very fragile, understand?”

Cheng Wanyue pouted. “We weren’t doing anything, just chatting before bed.”

“Since we’re both awake, let’s just stay up and have a late-night snack. I’ll order takeout. Barbecue or hotpot?”

“Just order anything. Let’s call Zhizhi over to eat with us too, she’s probably bored by herself at home.”

Cheng Yanqing’s expression was a bit unnatural. Just now, he was at Huo’s house looking at stars. Huo Zhi was teaching him how to use the telescope, and they were talking close to each other. He hadn’t noticed at first, but when he turned his head, he almost kissed her. “She’s asleep, and she has to study tomorrow, so let’s not disturb her. Let’s just eat by ourselves.”

Cheng Wanyue turned and went back into the room. “Then I’ll find a movie.”

She wanted orange juice, so Qing Hang went to the kitchen to cut oranges. Cheng Yanqing followed him in, leaning against the doorway, hesitating to speak.

Qing Hang calmly explained, “It’s really nothing.”

“Let’s not talk about that for now,” Cheng Yanqing decided to ask. “It’s like this, I have a friend, he made a young girl angry, how should he apologize?”

“You’re asking me?”

“You can handle Cheng Wanyue, so you’re no ordinary person. My three roommates have all indirectly asked her if she has a boyfriend because they want to pursue her, not to mention her classmates. But look at her, she only has you in her heart. You must have some skill.”

Qing Hang put the oranges into the juicer. “I don’t know Huo Zhi very well.”

All the fruit he bought was perfectly suited to Cheng Wanyue’s preferences. Cheng Yanqing asked him to make another glass.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know her well, since you all know each other...” He suddenly reacted. “Wait, what does this have to do with Huo Zhi? I said it was a friend, not me! Qing Hang, Cheng Wanyue has corrupted you. Watch yourself, even though you’re a year older, you still have to call me ‘brother’.”

Qing Hang said, “Maybe Huo Zhi isn’t angry at all.”

Cheng Yanqing pondered for a while. Huo Zhi was a good girl. The Cheng family had only recently moved in, and he had been at school, only seeing her a few times during the summer vacation. This was the first time he had seen her since returning this time, and he didn’t know how she would act if she were angry.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it. Forget it, let’s just pretend it never happened.”

________________________________________

#008

As graduation approached, the roommates agreed to have a farewell dinner. One of them had something to do and would be half an hour late, so the others just wandered around the mall.

Qing Hang walked to the jewelry section, where the counter was filled with sparkling diamond rings.

“Isn’t it too early to buy a ring now?” His roommate remembered that Qing Hang’s birthday was on the winter solstice, still half a year away. “Wait a bit, it’s not too late to propose after you’re both settled.”

Qing Hang picked out a ring. “I’ve waited for too long, I don’t want to wait another year.”

“You decided on a style so quickly. There are many other styles over there.”

“I know what she likes.”

“I really envy you, Qing Hang. You have love, your studies aren’t delayed, and your future is bright.”

Cheng Wanyue was still at school. Qing Hang and his roommates went to find her after dinner. He called her from downstairs at the dorm, and it was lively on the other end of the line; they were probably having a graduation gathering with friends.

Qing Hang only waited a few minutes before he saw her running out of the dorm building, still wearing slippers.

She had been drinking, and her face was very red.

Qing Hang said they would stay out tonight and he would bring her back in the morning. She didn’t even bring her phone and just followed him.

He rented that two-bedroom apartment. When they reached the door, he suddenly covered her eyes.

“Is there a surprise?” Cheng Wanyue, now intoxicated, said, “Qing Hang, when I’m drunk, I have a bad temper.”

Qing Hang pressed the switch, and the lights came on. He removed his hand from her eyes, held her shoulders, and gently pushed her forward.

There was a small white kitten on the sofa.

“Coal Ball!” Cheng Wanyue blurted out. She ran over and squatted beside the cat. No matter how she petted or hugged it, the cat didn’t struggle and snuggled into her arms. “Its eyes are very similar, its mouth is also similar, it’s truly identical. Qing Hang, look, it likes me so much, it remembers me.”

She always said she could understand cat language. Qing Hang looked at her with a smile. “You understood again.”

“Coal Ball means exactly that,” Cheng Wanyue’s voice was a little choked. Every corner of this rental apartment was the most familiar sight in her memory. They had reunited, reconciled, argued, and parted ways here. “Where did you find it?”

“A pet store. I went to many stores. Some cats were only similar, but only this one was Coal Ball.”

“Why are there flowers too?” Only then did she notice the bouquet of roses. “Qing Hang, you’ve moved me so much that I have no temper left. Are you going to propose?”

“You guessed it,” the smile in Qing Hang’s eyes was helpless. He took out the ring. “I’ve practiced so many times, and this is the official one. I always believe that God wasn’t punishing me, but saving the best for me, just a little later, to teach me courage and make me steadfast. Loving you is the most important thing. Cheng Wanyue, let’s get married.”

“Okay,” Cheng Wanyue agreed quickly. “Put it on me quickly.”

He was nervous, she was excited. He didn’t hold the ring steady, and it fell to the floor, was touched by Coal Ball, and rolled into the sofa crevice.

Cheng Wanyue: “...”

“This doesn’t count, give me a few minutes,” Qing Hang’s expression wasn’t good either.

He stood up and moved the sofa, painstakingly retrieving the dusty ring from the corner, then carefully wiped it clean.

Before he could speak, Cheng Wanyue stood on tiptoes and leaned in to kiss him. Their teeth clinked against their lips, and a faint metallic taste spread on her tongue. Qing Hang naturally picked her up. Coal Ball tried to follow him into the bedroom but was shut out.

They both fell onto the bed.

He firmly slipped the ring onto her finger.

________________________________________

#009

A friend left a ticket for the graduation party for Li Yu. She originally wasn’t going to join the fun, but there were no experiments scheduled for that day, so she decided to go and see.

She went to pick up the ticket from her friend early and met Qing Hang on the way.

Qing Hang was her junior, and she had known him for two years. She always knew he had a girlfriend, and although she hadn’t met her in person, she had seen photos.

They were riding bicycles. To be precise, Cheng Wanyue was riding, and Qing Hang was sitting on the back seat. His legs were long, and both his feet were on the ground. Cheng Wanyue couldn’t pedal at all, but she was stubborn and insisted on riding him for a bit.

There was a bouquet of flowers in the basket in front of the bicycle, their vibrant red exceptionally eye-catching in the sunlight.

Among the students around them, nine out of ten broke up before graduation. Li Yu stood at the intersection, wanting to greet them when they rode over.

Qing Hang squatted down to tie Cheng Wanyue’s shoelace. After she switched to the back seat, he quickly rode the bike into the shade.

“Senior Sister,” Qing Hang introduced proactively, “This is my girlfriend, Cheng Wanyue.”

Li Yu politely looked at Cheng Wanyue. “Hello, are you here to accompany Qing Hang for his graduation photos? The school has many beautiful scenic spots. In a few more years, when he gets his doctorate, he can take photos again; it’ll be even more memorable.”

Cheng Wanyue smiled. “Yes, yes, that’s what we think too.”

“Senior Sister, we’re going now. She hasn’t had breakfast yet.”

“See you next time.”

Cheng Wanyue looked back at Li Yu, who had already walked away. The bike wobbled, and she immediately snapped back to attention, hugging Qing Hang tightly around the waist.

Qing Hang was scheduled to speak at the graduation ceremony this afternoon as an outstanding graduate. Non-students could also attend the ceremony in the auditorium, and many parents would be there.

Cheng Yanqing and Huo Zhi arrived late, and the auditorium was already full.

Qing Hang went backstage to prepare, unsure where Cheng Wanyue was sitting, until he went on stage and saw her holding up a banner that read ‘Happy Graduation, Qing Hang’.

She was in a place where he could see her when he looked up; he had nothing to fear.

“Qing Hang looks so handsome in a suit,” Huo Zhi took several more photos.

Cheng Yanqing draped an arm over Huo Zhi’s shoulder. “He’s alright, just slightly less handsome than me.”

“I’m talking to Yueyue, don’t interrupt.”

“I will interrupt! Little sister, put your hand on your heart, who’s more handsome, me or Qing Hang?”

“Qing Hang.”

“What? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

Cheng Wanyue clapped along with everyone else. “Qing Hang! Qing Hang! Qing Hang!”

“Alright, alright, he can see you, spare our ears. Oh, you’re wearing the ring already, that was quick,” Cheng Yanqing’s eyes were sharp. “If you dare to steal the household register, I’ll break your legs.”

Cheng Wanyue said he was worrying too much. “No need, Mom and Dad will agree.”

Cheng Yanqing said to wait and see.

The Cheng family only had one daughter, and for something as big as marriage, everyone had to be present to discuss it. It wouldn’t be too difficult for Qing Hang, but there had to be a formal ceremony.

Qing Hang proposed every year, from grass-woven rings to sparkling diamond engagement rings, he had walked many years.

Even though they were already family, he was still very nervous when meeting her parents, pacing back and forth in the downstairs garden repeatedly.

It was the same as the day he put the ring on Cheng Wanyue’s finger. That day, a funny mistake happened too. He was so nervous that his hand kept shaking, and the ring fell into the sofa crevice. It took a lot of effort to get it out. He carefully wiped the dust off the ring, sweat dripping from his forehead, and his dark eyes were shining.

Cheng Wanyue watched him on the surveillance camera, tidying his clothes again and again outside the door, watching him take a deep breath before pressing the doorbell. Her heart was filled with joy.

Qing Hang was mentally prepared. However, the house was quiet, and no one was home.

The person who opened the door was Cheng Yanqing. He spread his hands. “I don’t know what happened either. I woke up, and only I was left.”

“Where’s Wanyue?”

“I don’t know. She might have gone out, or she might be at Huo Zhi’s house. She’s a grown woman, she can’t just disappear into thin air.”

A sudden sense of panic welled up in Qing Hang. He pushed open the door to Cheng Wanyue’s bedroom, wanting to see if she was still asleep.

The moment the door opened, streamers blurred his vision, and the laughter filling the room pulled him back from the fluctuating sense of emptiness to reality. Amidst a pile of pink balloons, he saw Cheng Wanyue wearing a white veil.

The veil was fixed in her beautiful hair, not just held in her hand.

She was healthy, not thin and pale.

Cheng Guo’an said that from today, he was entrusting his daughter to him. Yang Huimin said to treat her well, to spoil and love her. Cheng Yanqing placed the household register on the table, emphasizing that he should be called ‘brother’ from now on.

Only she hadn’t said anything.

After everyone left, they could still hear the lively sounds from the living room through the door. As Qing Hang took his first step, the veil just happened to fall, covering her face.

He walked closer to her. She jumped up and pounced on him, enveloping him in the veil as well.

“Qing Hang, you’re amazing! You got such a smart and beautiful wife at 22.”

“Yes, I’m so lucky. I’m very happy, with family and a loved one.”

Cheng Wanyue picked up the household registration book. “Let’s go, let’s get our marriage certificate.”

________________________________________

#010

The wedding was held six years later, in the autumn, with Little Yueya as the flower girl.

Cheng Wanyue was so tired that she fell asleep on the sofa without even taking off her wedding dress. It wasn’t until Qing Hang had run her bath and came out to carry her that she barely recovered some strength.

The elaborate bridal updo had many hairpins, and Qing Hang used all his patience to remove them.

Yan Ci, the best man, helped drink a lot of alcohol, so Qing Hang didn’t drink too much, but he wasn’t completely sober.

Rose petals were pressed beneath her, their juice leaving marks on the sheets.

She kicked him, and he climbed up to kiss her, her long hair intertwined in his fingers, strand by strand.

He seemed to be drunk on her soft sobs, tireless, even more excessive than the night they got their marriage certificate.

The wedding dress lay in a messy heap by the bed. Cheng Wanyue recalled Qing Hang’s vows from the wedding earlier that day. She was only distracted for a few seconds before he turned her over in his arms, his soft kisses falling on the back of her neck, his scent invading, hot and passionate.

He used his intoxication to make her call him husband.

Cheng Wanyue didn’t listen to him, so much so that she slept until the afternoon the next day, only to be woken by a knock at the door.

“I don’t want to bother you, even though people won’t starve to death, but Mom is worried you’ll faint from hunger. Eat before you go back to sleep.” Cheng Yanqing said from outside the door, then went downstairs.

Cheng Wanyue covered her face. “Why do I feel a little shy...”

Qing Hang said, “Maybe because you’re not wearing clothes.”

“Then you shouldn’t wear any either. I can’t be the only one who’s shy. Anyway, people won’t starve to death. Do you still have energy?”

“Not for that.”

The box on the bedside table was empty.

“If there’s none, there’s none,” she began to take off his pajamas.

Before anything much happened, she was pressed against the pillow. She pretended to be in pain, pretended to cramp, and whimpered pitifully a couple of times. When Qing Hang wasn’t paying attention, she turned the tables and became the aggressor.

They only went downstairs an hour later. No one was home, and the food was already cold.

Qing Hang cooked four new dishes. After Cheng Wanyue had eaten her fill, her parents, who had been out for a walk, returned.

Cheng Guo’an cleared his throat. “The wedding is over, and your mom and I are ready to go home. Where are you two planning to go for your honeymoon?”

Qing Hang had already booked the flights. “To Japan. Wanyue wants to see fireworks, and there’s a fireworks festival in three days.”

Cheng Guo’an cautioned Qing Hang, “No matter what you do, no matter where you go, pay attention to safety. You can’t let her have her way in everything.”

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry, the few of us are going together, and we’ll definitely come back safely,” Cheng Yanqing turned his head and asked, “How many more days of wedding leave does Qing Hang have?”

Cheng Wanyue counted on her fingers. “Seven days. He saved a year’s worth of vacation and he’ll use it all this month.”

Qing Hang waited for Cheng Wanyue to finish her milk, then leaned in to kiss her. She tilted her head to look at the living room. No one was paying attention to them. She smiled and ruffled his hair.

Three days later, Cheng Wanyue fulfilled their delayed promise and watched a spectacular fireworks display with Qing Hang.

There were many people around wearing yukata, just like a scene from an anime.

Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, their light dazzling.

They didn’t finish watching outside, so they went back to the hotel to continue. Qing Hang took off the yukata Cheng Wanyue was wearing. Through the glass window, the flames flickering in the night sky looked as if they would land on her in the next second.

________________________________________

#011

They settled in Nanjing, adopting a cat and a dog. Cheng Wanyue managed her studio well, sometimes busy, sometimes relaxed. Qing Hang’s work at the hospital was as usual.

One day, Cheng Wanyue worked late. The rain was getting heavier and heavier. Qing Hang watched the time and went to pick her up. As he was about to arrive, he called her. The first call didn’t go through, so he called again. Her assistant answered.

The assistant cried and said that she had fainted and was in the ambulance.

Traffic was jammed due to the rain. Qing Hang ran to the hospital, completely drenched.

It was the first time the assistant had seen Qing Hang so distraught and broken. He was like a madman, too scared to speak. After learning the result, he silently sat in the hallway for a long time.

Cheng Wanyue woke up. Everyone was there, but Qing Hang was nowhere to be seen.

“Uncle is outside,” Yueya whispered to her. “I’m going to be a big sister. I don’t know if it’s a little sister or a little brother.”

Cheng Wanyue smiled and said, “It could be either.”

Cheng Yuzhou pointed to the paper bag on the table. “I brought clean clothes. Tell him to change out of his wet clothes.”

“Okay. The rain has gotten lighter, A Yu, Brother, you two take Yueya back first.”

“Then we’ll go. Come to our place for dinner tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Yueya was afraid of thunder and wanted to be held. She rested her head on Cheng Yuzhou’s shoulder, looking at Qing Hang, who was still sitting in the chair. She asked softly, “What’s wrong with Uncle? Why isn’t he talking to me? Auntie has a baby, isn’t he happy?”

Zhou Yu stroked her face. “He’s not unhappy, he’s too happy.”

Yueya didn’t understand. If he was happy, he should be laughing out loud, but Uncle was sitting motionless.

But Cheng Wanyue understood.

The corridor was quiet. Qing Hang looked up distractedly, the lights a bit dazzling. Cheng Wanyue slowly wiped the rain from his face and bent down to kiss him.

His voice was hoarse. “I was scared to death. I keep thinking I’m dreaming.”

“This isn’t a dream, Qing Hang, you’re awake,” Cheng Wanyue bit him on the back of his hand. “Does it hurt? If it hurts, it’s not a dream.”

She bit him gently, and the pain was subtle, but Qing Hang felt it.

“We have a child.”

“Yes, we do. I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl. Counting the time, it should be born around July next year. Let’s give it a nickname first, something like... Xiao Qi.”

Qing Hang stood up, and a plum blossom cake fell out of his clothes, but it was soaked by the rain and inedible.

Every time he picked her up from work, he would go to her favorite shop beforehand to buy one, and there would always be a bouquet of flowers in the car.

The ruined plum blossom cake was discarded, but a new life was welcomed, connecting them to each other, vibrant and full of life.

Qing Hang hadn’t slept all night, his emotions churning then calming. He only slept for a short while after dawn. Cheng Wanyue simply stretched, and he suddenly woke up with a cold sweat, instinctively pulling his arms in.

The warmth in his embrace dispelled the nightmare.

The rain had stopped, and the sun shone brightly into the bedroom. Their wedding photo was on the table, next to a fresh bouquet of roses. Coal Ball had already ruined one, stepping on it with its paw.

Cheng Wanyue was half-asleep and said she felt the baby moving.

“That’s not the baby moving, you’re hungry. It’s only been a month, the baby won’t move this early,” Qing Hang touched her stomach. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Hmm... let’s have plum blossom cake. Yesterday’s was wasted, let’s make up for it today,” she said with a smile. “Oh my god, I’m actually going to be a mom.”

“I can’t believe it either, but it’s really true. The test results don’t lie.”

“Qing Hang, did you have a nightmare just now?”

“Not a nightmare, a beautiful dream. Wanyue, I love you.”

“I love you too. Not only do I love you, but now there’s one more person who loves you.”

In the dream, a hundred flowers fell, and years passed like a long song.

The eaves catch the moon, and I am with you.