OVL 04 Cemetery

Luo Yao hailed a taxi and strolled around a nearby small town. She was in no hurry to return, so she ordered a bowl of the most ordinary pickled vegetable and shredded pork noodles at a small shop by the river, eating leisurely.

Lin Lin nodded slightly, her face filled with worry: "I study art. How could I not know? Those tickets are so hard to get. Our student union only distributed three in total, and I have bad luck, so I didn't get one. Sigh, the last time he came to our school, I only met him once..."

This burial site was chosen by Teacher Yu himself. Although it is not located in the most upscale area, it is surrounded by lush green mountains and clear waters, making it a pleasant scenic spot

As if yielding to the doctor's inquiry, he lowered his voice somewhat unnaturally: "It seems so." Immediately, the fingers resting on the armrest curled slightly, his head tilted gently, breaking away from that shadowy area, and a light ignited deep within his gaze, "So what?"

Now, when she sees him, all that remains is an endless sense of fear. When they first parted, she missed his always cold and piercing gaze, so she forced herself to engage in other activities. When there was truly nothing to do, she would lie in bed and count numbers. Deep down, she knew she could read, but reading required too much energy, so she preferred to engage in a single, monotonous task.

Luo Yao recalled Li Zhijin and couldn't help but chuckle: "Indeed, he is quite a good person, honestly standing in line with the masses."

The sound of a car approaching from behind could be heard. Luo Yao moved closer to the roadside, and indeed, a sedan brushed past her. It was a most dignified and exemplary black Mercedes-Benz, with a license plate from Wendaoshi. Luo Yao couldn't help but glance at it a few more times, but in just a moment, it had already disappeared around the corner

"The day after tomorrow?" She smiled, as if the ice crystals were gently colliding. "The winter solstice is a day for tomb sweeping. What do you think?"

The driver also smiled with her: "Yes, young people are quite open-minded these days. Our family went to pay respects at the grave yesterday, bringing along three full bags of pastries, incense, and paper money."

He patiently listened to Dr. Wang's explanation without missing a single word

Yiqin Group

Luo Yao followed her gaze, her eyes lingering on that letter, and couldn't help but ask, "Do you know?"

Did he not introduce himself? Li Zhengyuan is his great-grandfather

She was defeated by the recent young girl, just like the previous assistant, just like Lin Lin, and so she smiled as she handed her the invitation card: "Here, there is a ticket inside, it's for you."

This is merely during moments of solitude. Bai Luoyao can tolerate its existence because she always possesses exceptional willpower, allowing her to conceal it so well in front of others. At most, people might say, "Oh, is Luoyao still looking at the script?" She would smile, yet internally, she feels a quiet despair. She thinks that the day she can no longer hide it in front of others is the day she will truly admit that she is unwell. When she is with Zhan Zecheng, she does not want to look at his face, nor does she want to see his expression, so she desperately wipes that piece of clothing, forcing herself to suppress the overwhelming emotions. At most, people might say, "Oh, is Luoyao still looking at the script?" She would smile, yet internally, she feels a quiet despair. She thinks that the day she can no longer hide it in front of others is the day she will truly admit that she is unwell. When she is with Zhan Zecheng, she does not want to look at his face, nor does she want to see his expression, so she desperately wipes that piece of clothing, forcing herself to suppress the overwhelming emotions.

Doctor Wang asked cautiously: "In other words, these symptoms only occur in certain specific situations?"

Or to be more specific, she can restrain herself, only doing so in certain situations or when encountering specific individuals

The Sanlian Bookstore is located at the street corner. It is a small shop where the owner is often busy reading, resulting in piles of books being thrown together, creating a wonderful sense of compactness. It seems that what has accumulated is not merely various sheets of paper, but rather a confluence of wisdom and knowledge flowing like a river

Returning to Wenda Island after buying a ticket, the vehicle was quite empty, and sunlight had already begun to pierce through the clouds, filtering through the glass window and landing on her pale fingertips. At the moment she got off the bus, she felt somewhat at a loss, as if she were in a daze with nowhere to go. Today was her day off, and she did not have to go to the museum, while her home was cold and desolate. She was weary of the endless task of wiping the floors and sorting through clothes, followed by staring blankly at the television.

Li Zhijin's tone is very direct: "I am not well"

Zhang Zecheng did not respond, but simply stood up, slightly inclined his body, and extended his hand towards him: "I understand. Thank you. As for my friend, I will consult her opinion before contacting you again"

She really paid the money and was in a good mood: "This book is well compiled. Really," she said with great seriousness, "the author of the book is quite famous."

Luo Yao could hardly contain her laughter, and after a moment of thought, she said earnestly: "Boss, I will buy it and give it to you."

Luo Yao stood empty-handed, which indeed did not seem like someone going to pay respects at a grave. She simply smiled and said, "No need. When one arrives, the heart arrives."

Only after a puzzled "Hey" from over there did he respond with, "It's me"

Luo Yao interrupted her in confusion: "Li Zhijin looks very young, isn't he about the same age as you all?"

The print run of the first edition was very limited, and I never expected to find a copy here, still looking as good as new. A gentle curve appeared at the corner of Luo Yao's mouth, as if distant memories were stirred in her gaze. She took the book to pay, and as the owner scanned the barcode, he suddenly paused, sighed, and said, "Ah, this one, I just came across it and was about to read it."

She silently counted her steps down the mountain, long since losing track of whether they had accumulated to several thousand or tens of thousands, until she saw the long line of taxis ahead.

As it approached her side, the rear window of the car opened at a steady rate

However, no matter how much tolerance and forbearance there is, it is impossible to return to the time when we deeply loved each other

He can effortlessly destroy the thing she cherishes the most

Dr. Wang took a sip of water and said, "What I can say is limited. Based on the situation you described, I cannot conclude that your friend is suffering from a phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder." He paused and continued, "I can only say that your friend's emotional instability is undoubtedly evident. Furthermore, as there is no clear evidence indicating a genetic factor, the likelihood of being influenced by postnatal social factors is the greatest. However, regardless of the circumstances—though it may be impolite—I still need to ask some questions."

The breaths of one another can be heard, as if they could sweep away the harsh winter of all emotions to the point of coldness

Just as she was about to hang up the phone, Luo Yao suddenly heard Li Zhijin sigh in a tone that was almost helpless: "Who did you give the ticket to?"

Wuyue Mountain, what a beautiful name. The feudal lords of the beacon fires, the beauties of a chaotic era. It always brings to mind the stories of Xi Shi, Fan Li, and Fu Chai, three individuals each with their own infatuations, each without regrets, each splendid in their own right, yet in the end, there is always one who will be heartbroken

Luo Yao stood on the street with a smile: "Sure, I have nothing else to do."

He could tolerate her continuing to hate him, even if she punched and kicked him or cried loudly, just as she had done before—he just never expected to see her like this in the end. The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. He checked the time; it was 1:50. The invitation for 2 o'clock had not yet arrived.

Lin Lin almost jumped up: "I told you so! At that time, they all didn't believe it."

She also remembers that it was the first time Li Zhijin came, and she nodded slightly: "Yes, he was here that day"

Luo Yao pushed the door open, and the air conditioner hummed, blowing warm air. The boss sat behind the cash register reading a book, with not even a moment to spare to look up.

What does your friend usually look like

In an instant, I caught a glimpse of my own weakness, and I felt a subtle sense of discouragement.

There are not many people walking on the mountain path, she comes here several times each year and is familiar with the area. After bypassing the intersection ahead, the mountain terrain opens up, divided into several sections of hills.

Zhang Zecheng was taken aback

Fortunately, I am wearing a thick fleece jacket and running shoes today, which makes walking relatively easy

The young girl's expression seemed to recall something, and she slowly said: "The last time we came for the interview, I think I saw him in the crowd of people waiting... Is that right?"

The internal line rang in, reminding him of the meeting at 3:15. Zhe Cheng answered and simply said, "Postpone." He then looked up at Dr. Wang and said, "Please continue."

Luo Yao remembered a few kind words: "Oh, Xiao Lin? She admires you very much, a very lovely young girl"

Yes, I understand. Doctor Wang will arrive on time at 2:00.

She pursed her lips again, unsure of what to say to the teacher, yet reluctant to leave. Indeed, what could she say? That she hadn't read much in the past six months? That she had completely forgotten everything she had learned before? Or that she no longer believed in the existence of ultimate beauty in this world? Because no matter how ultimate the end, no matter how profound and enlightened the teachings of the masters, they could not help her regain her peace.

In fact, they were very close, with Luo Yao's half body squeezed into the bushes by the roadside. She naturally recognized Fang Liuyi. They had met before, at that time, Zhan Zecheng was holding her hand, and his mother was also kind and amiable towards her

Just as Xiao Li was about to interject, his phone rang

He dared not linger to joke any longer and turned to leave. Suddenly feeling a sense of curiosity, he realized that after following Zhan Zecheng for three years, it was the first time he had heard instability and an unmistakable daze in his voice. Thus, he became increasingly curious about the girl from last night's banquet, knowing that when his boss smiled, he indeed looked in her direction.

She carefully placed the card into her wallet, alongside her credit card, debit card, and various membership cards, her movements meticulous. As she finally stepped out, a light rain unexpectedly began to fall from the sky, and the pedestrians on the street hurried their steps, as if trying to avoid the gloominess that surrounded them

It is not that she does not want to go, but the performance is on the day of the Winter Solstice, and on that day, she truly cannot find the time. Unfortunately, in recent days, Li Zhijin's phone has been turned off, and she is unable to contact him, so she can only make decisions on her own.

The nearby hill is shrouded in a faint mist. This area feels particularly cold, perhaps due to the difficult terrain, which is far less accessible than the densely packed burial grounds to the east. Further over half a hill lies the most prestigious burial ground, reputed to have the best feng shui. Luo Yao saw that black car parked over there. Only in that area, with its open terrain, would there be parking spaces.

Luo Yao recalled the driver's words; although there was traffic control, some people would still have certain privileges. She quickened her pace, and the mountain breeze lifted her hair. As she walked faster, her slightly warm cheeks felt a touch of coolness. Moreover, as she was about to arrive, a sense of warmth arose within her, as if she were about to meet her esteemed teacher

When Xiao Li went out, the door was slightly ajar, and faint laughter could be heard from outside. As he looked on, it was almost unbelievable, for the soundproofing was excellent, and he had always been focused, never allowing the noise from outside to affect him. He could guess what was being discussed outside, as the entire building, from top to bottom, was engrossed in reading the newspaper today

Lin Lin was so beautiful that she almost smiled foolishly. The phone next to Luo Yao rang; it was the office phone, and there was no caller ID. Before she spoke after picking it up, she first made a gesture to the little girl: "Shh, quiet down."

A few mint leaves were added to the tea, and several strands of fresh steam penetrated deep into her breath. She curled her fingers around the mug and took a sip almost greedily. Someone knocked on the door, and a young face peeked in from behind it: "Is Teacher Bai here?"

He has visited the museum several times and has professional connections there

She had no choice but to lay everything bare, as she truly could not leave. After listening to her, Li Zhijin calmly said: "Fortunately, we still have one more match"

The cemetery has actually always been located halfway up the mountain, the driver said to her in a familiar tone: "Miss, today the vehicle can only go as far as the foot of the mountain"

The boss was even more astonished, staring at Luo Yao for a moment, unable to utter a word

Luo Yao raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise in her voice: "What do you mean? I did send you a text!"

The master said: "This year, traffic control is in place, and there are only so many mountain roads, yet there are so many people going to pay their respects at the graves. It gets congested every year, and this year it is stipulated that we can only go to the foot of the mountain. Everyone has to walk up from there." He kindly added: "How about I drop you off here first so you can buy a bouquet? It will be more expensive to buy one at the foot of the mountain."

The front page features a photograph of the editor, a dignified and elegant woman with slender phoenix eyes and a serene expression

The most ethereal black cursive script in two lines

"Text message? What text message?" Li Zhijin suddenly lowered his voice, and music could be heard in the background of the call. "Where are you?"

Luo Yao glanced again, turned to leave, but the boss hurriedly called out to her: "Hey, take a V card, you can get discounts next time you come." He smiled foolishly, "Making friends through books, making friends through books"

Luo Yao set down the cup and waved to Lin Lin, asking, "What is it?"

The snow-covered cedar trees on the mountains, in the early days of cold, make the entire peak appear as the only green in the world. The flowing and elegant color is as smooth and precious as jade. When the wind blows, the branches and leaves seem to flow like clear water, refreshing and soothing the eyes.

She bounced in, not yet addressing the main topic, her eyes wide open, resembling a small, exquisite bell: "Wow, an invitation card for a performance from Li Zhijin's studio?"

Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, many traffic police were already on high alert. In fact, it was still early, and there were not many people. Luo Yao got out of the car and slowly walked forward along the mountain path.

In the end, it was Li Zhijin who benefited. She said cheerfully, "Let me treat you to dinner tonight"

What is wrong with being young and promising? Teacher Bai, how did you come to know this?

After much contemplation, I fumbled to take out the phone, selecting a suitable name.

The shadows of the sun linger deep within the rocks

The warmth lingered all the way to her fingertips, and the snow vegetables always had a unique deliciousness that set them apart from other dishes. It was a very simple flavor, yet it made one feel at ease. Luo Yao heard her phone ringing; she glanced at the name and smiled slightly: "Hello"

She saw the person sitting in the back seat, their lips slightly curved, looking at her with an inexplicably complex expression

Several secretaries were in a flurry, their first reaction was to stand up and casually shove the newspaper under the table

Listen to that voice, almost fell down over there: "It's very cute, very cute..." and then hung up the phone in a hurry without saying anything else

She strolled to one of the shelves and unexpectedly saw that book. The cover was extremely plain, featuring a simple outline of a temple and a few wispy white clouds in the sky, evoking a sense of tranquil passage of time. At the bottom of the page were a few softly blooming pink lotus petals, the only striking detail.

Luo Yao hurriedly turned her gaze away, the car continued to move forward, and that luxurious silhouette gradually disappeared into the distance. She let out a long sigh, only to realize the cold sweat in the palm of her hand, yet deep down she couldn't help but mock herself: how foolish was she? Did she really expect that person to suddenly appear before her when the car window was rolled down in that moment?

Certain repetitive actions and behaviors are often performed by individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder to alleviate their inner tension and unease. Therefore... Dr. Wang pondered, "It seems that your friend's condition is not too serious, but to understand the specifics, I still need to speak with the patient personally. Mr. Zhan, do you think that would be convenient?"

Teacher Yu's grave is located in a distant place. Calculating the distance, it takes almost two hours, nearly reaching another city

She once went mad in front of him, hitting and scolding him, so hysterical that she could not even recognize herself. In the end, she pushed him to the brink, and he merely grasped her wrist, his expression revealing a cold fury: "Are you done making a scene?" It was just like that night when she slapped him; he simply did not flinch.

Each person has a copy of the newspaper, whether it is the morning edition, the evening edition, or the city newspaper, yet they all feature similar photographs, albeit from different angles. However, Zhang Zecheng is indeed smiling. Although his smile is faint, the corners of his eyes and brows reveal that he has never smiled so contentedly. In the photograph, right in front of him is a bronze wine vessel, yet the brilliance in his eyes shines like stars, clearly gazing into an unknown distance.

Is that true? Born into a prestigious family?

The moss on the ancient stone is thick

That voice carried a long-lost tenderness, flowing along an invisible current to the other end, leaving Zhan Zecheng in silence for a long time

A few secretaries began to whisper: "Do you think he looks better when he smiles or when he is not smiling?"

Xiao Li walked past the secretary's office and heard the chattering sounds inside. He pushed the door open and glanced in, deliberately putting on an expressionless face: "Hey, you haven't closed the boss's door properly." He then casually pointed at that door.

Luo Yao did not speak, but heard him ask her: "Do you have time the day after tomorrow?"

A thick volume of books, filled with couplets extracted from temples across various regions. This particular line captures the essence of Tang poetry, thus it was chosen to be printed on the cover

She has actually understood long ago that he is not her savior, and she is even less his angel

Three o'clock

She instinctively looked at the calendar, Saturday, with a note beside it indicating: Winter Solstice

Every newspaper featured his photograph. Last night, at the moment of unveiling the cultural relics, he was indeed in high spirits. This was because he thought about taking her to eat vegetarian food, because he remembered the promise he had made, or perhaps simply because he had resolved to be with her, making even the activities they would engage in together seem unimportant.

Luo Yao finally turned around and prepared to leave. Her steps down the mountain were not fast, moving against the flow of people, with her head lowered as she walked down. Suddenly, the crowd on both sides slowly parted, and she instinctively glanced back. It was still that car, occupying most of the road space, also moving slowly downward

She did not need to say another word and abruptly hung up the phone

At this moment, she looked at herself, her coldness unmasked, perhaps even tinged with disgust, chilling the heart more than the weather. Luo Yao simply could not understand why she had to lower the car window; if she disliked her so much, she could easily walk away instead of facing each other like this.

The other party was indeed not reserved at all, readily agreeing: "Alright, you are quite perceptive. However, it has to be later, around 7 o'clock? I still have some matters to attend to here"

It is quite normal

It took a moment to react, and then I lowered my voice and laughed: "You really are frightening!"

Luo Yao got off the bus at the station, reached out to adjust the collar of her coat, and hailed a taxi

Luo Yao stood before her teacher's grave, where the person in the photograph always wore a faint yet gentle smile. The eyes were of the standard phoenix shape, slender and slightly upturned, and even in old age, they exuded an air of elegance. In this winter season, a few slender blades of grass had emerged from the soil. She took out some Japanese sake from her backpack and slowly poured it onto the earth in front of the grave.

The office of Zhe Cheng is not particularly large, yet anyone who steps inside is always met with an overwhelming chill, much like his signature expression. With his lips pressed together, even when looking directly at him, one cannot help but feel as though he is coldly looking down upon them. He glanced at the time and suddenly felt that he could no longer continue with the report in his hands

Zhan Zecheng's brows furrowed slightly, a momentary flash of sharpness and displeasure. He remained silent for a long time, repeatedly recalling Luo Yao's words, she said: "I am not sick... but I feel nervous when I see you... I am afraid..."

If inappropriate expectations are quietly budding in the depths of your heart, you must extinguish them in a timely manner. It is that simple

Little Li laughed heartily: "I ran from the ground floor to here, everyone gets one!"

Luo Yao could be certain that Lin Lin's eyes瞬间变成了红色的心心眼, as if she had heard explosive news

She was taken aback

A delicate and faint aroma of wine wafted through the air, and inhaling it brought a sense of mild intoxication. However, Luo Yao felt a pang in her nose and softly said, "Teacher, that book has been reprinted. The publisher called me, but I haven't received the sample copy yet; otherwise, I would have brought you one to take a look."

Luo Yao knew that he had lost control too much last night, and he must have noticed his own abnormality, which is why he easily let himself off the hook

Zhan Zecheng nodded, the sunlight streamed in from behind him, casting his features into shadow, making his expression difficult to discern between reality and illusion

On the day of the Winter Solstice, Luo Yao got up early. The weather was as cold and dreary as the forecast had predicted. The heavens seemed unwilling to grant any relief—refusing even to deliver a proper freeze, instead continuing to numb the hands and feet in the damp chill.