They reached the shore, but Duan Ye didn’t put Jiang Yumo down.
Jiang Yumo didn’t say she wanted to get down either. He carried her on his back and walked slowly. The park was crowded with people: elderly couples strolling side by side, parents with lively and tender children… Occasionally, as they passed by Duan Ye and Jiang Yumo, they couldn’t help but turn their heads to look again and again.
The elderly couples’ eyes revealed a nostalgic expression.
Youth is perhaps like this, as if they are the center of the universe, unafraid of the heavens or the earth, and even less afraid of others’ strange gazes. They go forward without hesitation, doing whatever they want, passionate like a flame.
“I like it this way,” Jiang Yumo said softly, hugging Duan Ye’s neck.
“They probably think we’re college students,” Duan Ye replied.
If they were in Ningcheng, Jiang Yumo wouldn’t dare to act like this.
Perhaps this is the charm of traveling: being in a place where nobody knows her or him, not worrying about being seen by others, no matter what they do.
Duan Ye nodded.
The park became more crowded, and Jiang Yumo was afraid that Duan Ye might get tired, so she got down herself.
“I’m afraid you’ll be out of breath later, and I’ll get angry,” Jiang Yumo explained with a smile.
Duan Ye chuckled, “I’m not that weak.”
The two of them chatted and laughed as they left the park. Yanjing is very large, with many famous attractions, but when it came to choosing where to go, Jiang Yumo was at a loss. She didn’t even know where to start. So, they ended up going to a unique and creative street nearby, designed specifically for tourists from other regions. Almost all the small shops were open, selling local specialties and various snacks. It was almost overwhelming, and within half an hour, Duan Ye’s hands were full of bags.
These were all unique souvenirs Jiang Yumo bought for her parents and friends.
In addition to that, Jiang Yumo also visited a vintage-style postcard shop with a model of outdoor mailbox.
Excitedly, she said, “I want to buy postcards to send to Yan Qing and the others.”
Duan Ye could only follow her into the small shop.
Jiang Yumo carefully selected some postcards, and coincidentally, the shop owner was running a promotion: buy four postcards and get one for free. She earnestly wrote postcards to Zhao Zheng, Guo Shichao, Yan Qing, and Sun Mengting, and there was one more… As she was contemplating who else to send it to, she caught a glimpse of Duan Ye waiting patiently beside her like a knight. An idea came to her, so she cleared her throat and tried to divert Duan Ye’s attention, “I think there’s a place up ahead that sells lotus root powder dumplings. I really want to try them.”
Duan Ye didn’t think much of it and replied, “Sure.”
He had already walked out of the small shop but turned back.
Jiang Yumao was a little puzzled, and then Duan Ye took out a 100 yuan bill from his pocket and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, “Keep the change for her.”
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded, “Sure.”
Jiang Yumo: “…”
After confirming that he had left, Jiang Yumo still felt uneasy. She quietly ran to the door, peeked out, and saw that he had indeed gone ahead. It seemed like he wouldn’t be back soon. Only then did she open the pen cap, but she hesitated. What should she write to Duan Ye?
While pondering, she looked up and noticed a calendar hanging in the shop.
It was already the year 2010.
When she was thirty years old, it would be 2022. What would it be like at that time?
She had an idea and wrote on the postcard:
[Dear Duan Ye,
Starting from 2010, I will send you a postcard every year. Once you have collected twelve of them, you can summon me to fulfill one of your wishes.
Looking forward to it, aren’t you?
By Jiang Yumo in 2010.]
After letting the ink dry on the postcard, she discreetly asked the shopkeeper to help send it together with four others.
Not long after, Duan Ye bought some lotus root powder sweet dumplings and brought them to her. They were very sweet and chewy. She couldn’t finish them all, so Duan Ye ate the remaining half.
It’s still early, originally they planned to visit another scenic spot and park, but when Jiang Yumo saw a pottery experience shop, she became interested and pulled Duan Ye inside. She was very excited because she had seen others making ceramics on TV dramas before, and now she could try it herself. She bought a two-person package and discussed with Duan Ye. They decided to each make a cup for the other.
For seventeen-year-old Jiang Yumo, making a cup for each other by hand held great significance. They were not in the same class, and they had different teachers, which added a touch of mystery to the experience.
It was Jiang Yumo’s first time making a cup, but she was more serious than ever. After the cup took shape, she carefully wrote on the surface – ‘Drink more water.’ She loved drinking water, but Duan Ye was not very fond of it.
The purpose of making this cup was to remind him to drink water every time he saw it.
After shaping the cups, they had to be fired. That’s when they finally met. Duan Ye glanced at the cup Jiang Yumo made, especially at the three words, and smiled. He made a verbal promise, “I’ll drink more water from now on.”
However, Jiang Yumo noticed the cup he made, and it seemed more complicated than hers.
Because he also carved something on it.
Curiously, Jiang Yumo moved closer to carefully examine it and then looked at him with delight, “Did you shape and carve this yourself? You have such skillful hands. The grass you sculpted looks so lifelike!”
When Duan Ye heard the first two sentences, a smile formed at the corner of his mouth. He felt a bit proud for receiving praise from the girl he liked.
Upon hearing the last sentence, his expression froze for a few rare seconds. After some thought, he decided to hold back the words ‘This is a jasmine flower.’
Duan Ye : “…Yeah.”
For both of them, today was an ordinary yet special day.
They didn’t do anything extravagant – no watching romantic movies, no riding the Ferris wheel, and no fancy dinners – but they were both very happy.
This joyous mood lasted until they returned to Jade Garden.
Upon opening the door, both of them unconsciously suppressed the happy expressions on their faces, not wanting to make their good friends uncomfortable.
The house was quiet. If it weren’t for their shoes placed in the hallway, Jiang Yumo would have thought that no one was home. She tiptoed to her bedroom, opened the door, and saw Ning Zhiyu. She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Ning Zhiyu heard the movement, turned back, and smiled at her. “You’re back? Have you eaten? There’s food in the fridge, you can heat it up if you’re hungry.”
Jiang Yumao waved her hand, “No, we ate a lot of snacks outside.”
She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
Glancing over, she saw that Ning Zhiyu was actually reading a reference book…
“What’s this?” Jiang Yumao asked.
Ning Zhiyu said excitedly, “I found this book in the bookstore today. I couldn’t find such reference material in Ningcheng. This book is really great. I’m going to buy the entire series tomorrow.”
Jiang Yumo felt relieved instantly.
Ning Zhiyu had always been mentally strong. In the original story, she and Zhou Ji were separated for a long time, but during those years apart, she never stopped moving forward and actively living her life. At this moment, Jiang Yumo couldn’t be sure if Ning Zhiyu would end up with Zhou Ji in the future, but that didn’t really matter. Someone like Ning Zhiyu would be happy with Zhou Ji by her side, but even without him, she would still live a wonderful life.
“Alright, let’s go to the bookstore together tomorrow,” Jiang Yumo said, smiling at her.
On the other side, Duan Ye found Zhou Ji in the restroom.
Zhou Ji… He was doing laundry.
It seemed like he was venting his frustration, as he had almost rubbed his hands raw. Duan Ye glanced over and saw a pile of clothes on the sink. Among them, he could vaguely recognize Ning Zhiyu’s coat, Zhou Ji’s own short-sleeved shirt, and… Duan Ye squinted his eyes, it seemed like there was also his sweater??
Zhou Ji had noticed Duan Ye from the mirror and grumbled in a muffled voice, “There’s no that someone’s clothes here.”
Even if he was angry and trying to shift his emotions, he still remembered—never touch Jiang Yumo’s clothes.
Otherwise, Duan Ye would surely hit him.
Duan Ye shifted his gaze back and grunted, “No washing machine?”
Originally, Zhou Ji planned to throw the clothes in his hand to the side without looking, but upon seeing that it was Ning Zhiyu’s coat, he eased up and gently placed it in the sink. “Lao Duan, you really have a big mouth.”
As he spoke, there was a hint of grievance in his tone.
Duan Ye raised his hand, and on his wrist was the watch Jiang Yumo had given him previously. He glanced at the time and suggested, “Want to go out together?”
Zhou Ji replied unhappily, “What for?”
“To buy some hamburgers,” Duan Ye said, “McDonald’s has a promotion with toys in their combo meals, and she really likes them.”
Zhou Ji : “…”
“At a time like this, you’re not even comforting me; instead, you’re showing off.”
“Are you going or not?”
Zhou Ji endured and said, “I’ll go.”
He couldn’t keep today’s events bottled up; it would drive him crazy.
Before leaving, Duan Ye informed Jiang Yumo.
Jiang Yumo hesitated and looked at Zhou Ji, who had his head down and was emitting a gloomy aura. Unexpectedly, she told Duan Ye, “Sure, take care and call me if anything happens.”
She feels that Zhou Ji is quite unsafe right now.
He looks like he could go crazy at any moment.
Duan Ye chuckled, “Well, don’t worry.”
The two boys left.
As soon as they got out of the elevator, Zhou Ji couldn’t hold it in any longer and blurted out everything that happened today.
To be honest, what he said was all nonsense, and it could be summarized in one sentence: he confessed his feelings to Ning Zhiyu, and she rejected him.
“She told me that she doesn’t know me at all, that she only feels a sense of novelty towards me.” Zhou Ji felt frustrated, kicking a pebble on the roadside, “Does she have a heart? How can she say something like that? Am I just a passing fancy to her?”
Duan Ye kept his hands in his pockets, listening without saying a word.
Zhou Ji continued to pour out his feelings, “She even said that we are not people from the same world?? What does that mean? Aren’t we all part of the same Earth? If we are not from the same world, then am I dead or something?”
Duan Ye remained silent.
Zhou Ji went on with his crazy outburst until they were almost at the entrance of McDonald’s, then Duan Ye finally stopped, “She’s doing fine.”
“What?”
“Because she has told you so much,” Duan Ye glanced at him, “and they were all heartfelt words. You should be content.”
Zhou Ji laughed sarcastically, “So, she rejected me, and I should be content?”
“Yes,” Duan Ye nodded, “After all, she could easily come up with any excuse to brush you off, but she spoke from her heart. Shouldn’t you be satisfied with that?”
Duan Ye almost brainwashed Zhou Ji. He was on the verge of being persuaded and even moved by Ning Zhiyu’s ‘patience’. Suddenly, he remembered something and shook his head, taking a step back.
“Lao Duan, you are truly terrifying,” Zhou Ji was still afraid, looking at him incredulously, “Isn’t having one love brain like you in the world enough?”
Duan Ye was speechless, “Do you still want to chat?”
After saying that, he pushed the door and entered McDonald’s. He ordered a combo meal but didn’t rush to leave.
The two sat down after finding a seat, and Duan Ye carefully put the toy from the combo meal into his pocket.
Seeing Zhou Ji looking so dejected, Duan Ye sorted out the contents of the combo meal. He put aside the items that Jiang Yumo liked to eat, leaving behind the fries and cola she didn’t like, and pushed them towards Zhou Ji, “Eat.”
Zhou Ji usually didn’t like to eat these things, but after being rejected in his confession today, he had no appetite in the afternoon and barely had any food. Now he was hungry, so he picked up a fry and dipped it in ketchup and ate it.
Duan Ye asked him in a flat tone, “What do you plan to do next?”
Zhou Ji’s eyebrow raised, “If she rejects me, then I’ll give up. Don’t I care about my dignity?”
Duan Ye : “…”
Zhou Ji took another sip of the cold cola, feeling chilled by the ice in it. “Why add ice to cola in the middle of winter?”
Duan Ye thought to himself that she doesn’t drink it, so he naturally wouldn’t care if there was ice in it.
On this winter night, a cola with at least half a cup of ice left Zhou Ji feeling thoroughly chilled. At this point, he didn’t need Duan Ye, a well-meaning friend, to say anything to comfort him.
Duan Ye looked at Zhou Ji, who seemed lost and dejected, and found it quite amusing.
He was like looking back at the path he had once walked.
Like watching himself gradually turning shallow ‘liking’ into a lifelong ‘love.’
Zhou Ji, you really have a lot to learn from Old Duan 😌