7. Draw a rainbow in the realm of dreams

Xi Siyong seemed to hesitate about something, uttering the word "I" twice but not continuing further. She coldly scoffed, "If you don't speak up, I will hang up!"

"Well, let's arrange to have a meal together when we have time," Cheng Bing said as he picked up his bag, and then smiled again, "I will send you an invitation once the wedding date is set."

What the ears hear may not necessarily be true; what the eyes see may also not necessarily be true; there is too much reality that needs to be experienced with the heart

Do we have a little boy in our family? The junior sister pulled over a handsome young man and said, "We are planning to get our marriage certificate on August 8 this year, to choose a good date. Your Highness, why didn't Senior Brother Xi return with you?"

Zhao Xu pulled out a recording from his phone. As soon as it played, it was filled with static noise, with faint sounds of someone breathing. For about ten seconds, no one spoke. Cheng Bing looked up in surprise, questioning with her eyes. Zhao Xu gestured to her to continue listening. Then there were a few muffled crashing sounds—chaotic and disordered noises that inexplicably sent chills down one's spine. Thirty seconds passed, and the heavy breathing became increasingly pronounced. Just as Cheng Bing raised her eyebrows, preparing to ask Zhao Xu what was going on, she suddenly heard a very familiar voice: "Ah Xu, it's me..."

Time has passed, and we have lost the battle; after all, we were once friends. Yet, I must still speak with a sharp tongue: "As for money matters, you might as well save your breath. Si Yong is not in need of your two dimes for support! He has sung at the bar for me for half a year, and he has already earned enough. There is no need for you to come now and feign sorrow with a couple of crocodile tears."

Shi Jingwei furrowed his brows tightly and after a while, he self-deprecatingly said: "Ah, indeed you are President Lin's daughter. When you got married, I was still worried that Si Yong would not settle down, but now it seems, haha, you are much more carefree than he is!"

The child is very adorable, and his mother follows him closely, as if afraid that someone might harm him. The father, having had a child in his old age, devotes all his attention to his son. He has been searching for a name in books for the past six months, yet has still not settled on one even after the child was born

Cheng Bing was finally provoked by Shi Jingwei: "Did you take the wrong medicine today, or did I owe you money yesterday and haven't paid it back? We have been divorced for two years, do you really need to jump out now to mock me? However," she said coldly, "Xi Siyong is better than you; at least he knows when to go home after it's over. What about you... your home is just a public inn, right? From this perspective, saying you and he are two of a kind is already flattering you!"

"Go ahead and smash it, go ahead! Whoever doesn't smash it is a little dog..." Zhao Xu almost jumped onto his office chair in glee, "I don't feel sorry at all. Let's see whether you are reluctant or I am reluctant!"

She can no longer deceive herself; if given a chance to start over, she would be willing to relinquish all her dignity and pride in exchange for clarity

Mother took out the thermometer again to check her temperature: "37.5 degrees, a slight fever." Seeing the notebook on the table still half-open, she complained: "Why are you working so hard for others? You've made yourself sick. At your age, you still can't take care of yourself!"

"I have an impression, please close the door." Cheng Bing lowered her eyes and pulled the blanket up to cover her head. Closing her eyes, what appeared in a hazy state was that stormy night filled with thunder and lightning, the figure of Xi Si Yong drenched in the rain—can this truly be summarized by the three words 'have an impression'?

Li Rui hesitated to speak, then苦笑道: "One must cherish blessings in life"

Zhao Xu shrugged and smiled: "The matter has passed, what more is there to say? Why cause worry for the family?"

Forever, forever, forever

Unfortunately, they were all wrong, including Cheng Bing.

Zhao Xu chuckled twice, leisurely strolling to the edge of the sofa, and swiftly grabbed his phone: "Shall we reminisce about Si Yong's heartfelt expressions on the brink of life and death?"

Why did you say he doesn't say anything? I didn't even mind asking, yet he just lets me guess and think wildly? It's not like I didn't give him a chance to explain. Is he... is he annoyed by my jealousy? I admit I am a bit spoiled... and a little willful... but isn't it still within the tolerable range?

Sister, it has been more than a year since your divorce

The luck in playing cards is often related to one's mood. Along the way, Cheng Bing has repeatedly crushed Shi Jingwei's cards, leaving him quite frustrated, and he even wore a long face during dinner. Cheng Bing couldn't help but find it amusing that returning to school could make someone as seasoned as Shi Jingwei revert to a state of innocence, getting worked up over a few wins and losses

With the ice forming as default, Shi Jingwei thoughtfully tilted his head, the corners of his lips slightly twitching: "So efficient, quietly going for a second marriage like this."

If one were to meet such a person for the first time, Cheng Bing would definitely be too lazy to even speak to anyone. However, Li Rui has always been particularly considerate towards her, and there is truly nothing to say about their friendship. She hummed a couple of times and did not continue, but after a while, she asked: "He hasn't even graduated, how did he manage to get to North Carolina?"

I first replied to the important emails regarding the ice-making, and I plan to take the rest home to work on. Yan Xuan is wandering around the mall across the street. After receiving her call, I took a long detour and ended up at the Waibaidu Bridge, which was once a landmark of the old Shanghai Bund and has now been completely relocated to the shipyard for major renovations. We are meeting at the French restaurant in the Shanghai Mansion, BELLE VUE, which means 'beautiful view' in French, a most fitting name. Across the river, the Jin Mao Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Lujiazui Financial Center are shrouded in mist, while the sunset glow reflects on the surface of the Suzhou River, creating shimmering golden waves. Together with the restaurant's floor, resembling the black and white keys of a piano, all embody the endless charm of old Shanghai.

However, at that time, their emotions were as fervent as the bright sun in September, wishing that every moment could be spent in an intense embrace, how could they possibly look back or around?

Cheng Bing shook his head in confusion, and Ji Shenyan smiled and said: "You and Yan Xuan have a particularly common language?"

The person one encounters in a lifetime appears at the wrong time; apart from a sigh, what else can be left behind

Cheng Bing was so anxious that she was on the verge of tears, wishing she could dig three feet into the ground to find the missing part, yet she could not locate it no matter what. She felt both anxious and fearful; anxious because she could not piece together her phone, and fearful that Xi Siyong would think she was deliberately turning off her phone by not answering, and would stop calling her. She stomped on the floor and screamed: "Come out! Come out!"

Xi Mu's words were only half-spoken, what does Xi Siyong want? Cheng Bing reflected on this question and found himself unable to come up with an answer

Yet even so, she still clearly remembers his handsome profile, his sharp eyebrows—oh, perhaps also those broad shoulders, which often gave the illusion that so many people believed he was someone they could rely on for a lifetime

Both are lost souls in this vast world, at least Yan Xuan will not let her suffer injustice, and when she steps out, she will not bring shame to Yan Xuan, let us all just make do with this situation

A sudden message, Cheng Bing hurriedly called back: "What are you doing in North Carolina?"

Zhao Xu hurriedly handed a tissue to Cheng Bing, who leaned on his shoulder and cried, yet could not produce a sound. When one is in extreme sorrow, even tears can dry up. She found herself to be ridiculous; just a few days ago, she believed she had seen through the bustling world, understood the infatuations and grievances of men and women, and had become indifferent to the emotions of love and affection in the world—she even fancied herself to be in a state of oblivion, almost ready to shave her head and become a nun.

Is this not a form of happiness? After marrying Xi Siyong, they lived in peace without quarrels—perhaps because this marriage was hard-won. To utter a harsh word would be akin to undermining their previous efforts. Yet, why did they part ways?

Thus, Yan Xuan sent Cheng Bing back. When her mother saw Yan Xuan, she showed a hint of surprise but did not say anything. However, as Yan Xuan continued to invite her to watch plays, attend concerts, or play tennis, her mother could no longer hold back and said: "Bing Bing, marriage is a lifelong commitment. I want you to find a good place to settle down, but you should not force yourself either"

The tone is ambiguous, as if they had arranged a betrothal: "Aunt, how have you been lately? Since I returned, I've been so busy that it's been chaotic, and I haven't had the chance to visit her. She won't hold it against me, will she?"

Cheng Bing hurriedly said: "It is my youthful ignorance that has caused trouble for him"

Cheng Bing, momentarily taken aback, said: "I have been married."

Cheng Bing was at a loss for words and, after a moment of silence, had to change the subject. Seeing Sha Sha sitting on a small sofa in the distance, he curiously glanced over at her and asked Xi Mu: "Is this ... ... "

I am happy. It doesn't matter if we lose or win, after all, playing cards is just for fun. What difference does it make whether we win or lose?

After a moment of surprise, Mother Xi smiled and said: "Indeed, Siyong must have told you, Sasha's dish is even better than that of the restaurant!"

The difficulty lies in the fact that Sister Yan has undergone years of treatment with no hope of recovery, and she has long lost the will to continue living

After hesitating for a long time, I finally pressed the doorbell. The little girl who opened the door looked somewhat familiar; perhaps she was a relative. Before Cheng Bing could speak, a voice from inside the room called out: "Sasha, who is it?"

Cheng Bing no longer had anything to disguise herself with. She thought she had buried it deep enough, deep enough for her to believe that the divorce was because Xi Siyong had wronged her; she thought she had buried it long enough, long enough that she would not even think of it in her dreams. Little did she know, Zhao Xu had developed a keen insight, and with just a few light words, that solid ice barrier crumbled. Zhao Xu stood up, walked to Cheng Bing's side, and patted her shoulder. She buried her face in his shoulder, crying uncontrollably, her body trembling beyond her control. The person in front of her was still her Brother Xu, who had shared oranges with her when they were young, sitting on the swing, peeling the orange segments, the sweet and sour taste was happiness; now he lent her his shoulder, allowing her to cry until she was breathless, not even offering her a tissue. Yet she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time: "Zhao Xu, when did you become so eloquent? Which spirit has possessed you?"

The company is dispatched abroad, and it is said to be a government aid project for Senegal, where he has been sent as the supervisor from the design team

Cheng Bing found Yan Xuan at a bar, where he was drinking without any restraint. The bartender dared not let him continue drinking, nor did he have the courage to advise him. Before Yan Xuan completely passed out, the bartender asked if he had any friends who could come to pick him up. Cheng Bing followed the address given by the bartender along Hengshan Road and finally dragged him out just before Yan Xuan smashed a bottle in front of someone.

Cheng Bing stared warily at Yan Xuan, who smiled lazily and even reached out to cover her eyes, dragging her along without looking at the traffic lights as they ran towards the intersection. Just then, a car came rushing over, and it was only by slamming on the brakes that a disaster was averted. Cheng Bing was so frightened that he shook off her hand, only to see Yan Xuan squatting down and laughing heartily, nearly gasping for breath—her laughter was even more unpleasant than crying.

"Dead—dead?" This statement struck like a thunderclap, causing Bingxin to sink into disbelief, "How is that possible? Li Rui even said he wanted me to go see Sister Yan!"

How could he possibly come back? You should know this person well enough; he would rather endure in silence than say a word, and coming back would only make him the subject of ridicule. Li Rui laughed at her for not understanding Xi Siyong after all they had been through as a couple. Cheng Bing suddenly felt a heaviness in her chest, as if something burdensome was pressing down on her heart, so she decided to return to the hotel for a short rest

Zhao Xu noticed her indifference and lack of intention to engage, and gritted his teeth. "Cheng Bing, I..." he pressed his hand against his chest, "There are some things I don't know if you are clear about in your heart. As your older brother, let me be frank with you: Si Yong is indeed a bit stubborn, but don't you think it's understandable for him to behave this way in front of you?"

Cheng Bing quietly reproached himself: "It is our recklessness in handling matters."

The ice fox turned around suspiciously: "Hasn't he returned to work in K City?"

How could you even think of that

The entire table fell silent at once, and those in the know lowered their heads to cough. Before Cheng Bing could respond, Li Rui had already laughed and said: "Chairman Xi has gone to support the countries of the Third World"

The collaboration with Zhao Xu was extremely high in terms of immersion throughout the entire performance. As we parted, I heard Zhao Xu laughing joyfully: "Well... when you get married, I won't have time to come over, I'm really sorry. By the way... you need to choose a wedding dress, right? I have a friend who owns a wedding dress shop, and he sources directly from Suzhou. I can mention it to him, and you can choose as many sets as you like to try on, no problem!"

Suppressing a laugh, Cheng Bing said coldly, "What do you want from me? Speak up."

Cheng Bing initially thought it would take a long time to adapt to life without Xi Si Yong, but everything happened quite peacefully. Not long after, the little boss gave birth to a daughter, and she prepared a set of baby clothes to send over. It turned out that the little boss, who was very career-oriented, suddenly informed Cheng Bing that she intended to apply for a position transfer in order to spend more time with her child. Cheng Bing was somewhat surprised, yet it was also within her expectations. During the autumn evaluation, the promotion email was officially sent out, saving her a lot of trouble. Soon after, her father called her to inform her that she had a younger brother. Cheng Bing was somewhat surprised, yet it was also within her expectations. During the autumn evaluation, the promotion email was officially sent out, saving her a lot of trouble. Soon after, her father called her to inform her that she had a younger brother.

This sounds really familiar; just a few days ago, Ji Shenyin said something almost identical. Cheng Bing's gaze swept over the phone on the table, and he chuckled lightly: "If I agree, would you be scared away?"

Two little figures kissing, perfectly forming a calligraphic word— the word that represents eternity: Eternity

That is a model of a palace, crafted from an unknown material to resemble the pure white snow and the vast snow-capped peaks, making the palace a part of an icy world. "It is quite beautifully done," Cheng Bing remarked with a smile. The young girl, turning her wheelchair, brought the model closer and opened the palace door to show her: "What’s inside is truly special, but it seems that no one has ever discovered the wonders within."

Recollection is a profoundly injurious matter

Cheng Bing nonchalantly hummed twice, and after a while asked, "How did he end up in that godforsaken place?"

"Cheng Bing, wake up! You have been divorced from Xi Siyong for nearly two years! In these two years, your father's child has already been weaned, how long are you going to lock yourself away? Has he contacted you even once in these two years? Has he ever called you? Has he come to see you even once? No, not once. And what about you? What have you been doing? You said you wanted to sell that one-bedroom apartment, but the real estate agent told me they have contacted you at least twenty times, and each time you made excuses saying you didn't have time. Do you think that by keeping that apartment, he will—Cheng Bing, don't be foolish!" Has he come to see you even once? No, not once. And what about you? What have you been doing? You said you wanted to sell that one-bedroom apartment, but the real estate agent told me they have contacted you at least twenty times, and each time you made excuses saying you didn't have time. Do you think that by keeping that apartment, he will—Cheng Bing, don't be foolish!"

It is about the same

"Come out?" Cheng Bing said with a smile, "Aren't there cars to ride now?"

Zhao Xu gestured for her to continue, and Cheng Bing reluctantly began to reveal everything: how she initially thought that Xi Siyong would remain steadfast and triumphant, only to return to school and realize within just a few days that she had been completely mistaken.

The number that cannot be dialed, the nightmare that startled her awake... biting her hand until it froze, gnawing fiercely at her joints, "What does he want to tell me, what does he want to tell me?"

Ji Shenyan gripped the steering wheel, his face showing displeasure, and after a long while, he said: "Why is it Yan Xuan?"

Yan Xuanyi reached out and pulled Cheng Bing closer to the bedside, without any warning, he embraced her as if a drowning person were reaching out for the last piece of driftwood with a glimmer of hope: "Cheng Bing, let us get married."

I don't know, Zhao Xuwei bit her lip, looking quite troubled, "This is something I specifically saved from the voicemail."

Dilated cardiomyopathy. It was diagnosed when she was in middle school, and it has persisted for nearly twenty years

Cheng Bing smiled helplessly and briefly recounted to Zhao Xu what she had seen and heard during her return to K City. Then she spread her hands and asked, "What do you think I should do? Can I use a pair of pliers to pry open his mouth and make him speak honestly from the heart? Bullets have flown past my ears, and now he remembers me. Is he trying to say a final word to me before he dies? Why didn't he say those things before? Why didn't he say them when it came to divorce—if he had even the slightest intention of wanting to keep me... Bullets have flown past my ears, and now he remembers me. Is he trying to say a final word to me before he dies? Why didn't he say those things before? Why didn't he say them when it came to divorce—if he had even the slightest intention of wanting to keep me..." Cheng Bing shook her head self-deprecatingly and said, "Forget it, let life go on as it should. I have no more thoughts on it."

Oh, the child of a relative, the daughter of a great-aunt from his father's hometown, named Peng Qiusha," said my mother-in-law with a smile, "In terms of generational hierarchy, she is of the same generation as his father, so Siyong still has to call her 'cousin aunt'.

Mother Xi's expression was not pleasant, and she retorted, "I only scolded him a couple of times for forgetting his mother after marrying his wife, and I didn't say anything wrong!"

It was at the beginning of the year

Is there something going on? Why didn't you call first

It turns out he has always known the meaning of Eternity

Cheng Bing followed Zhao Xu into his office, closed the door, and asked: "If you want me to help you cross the bridge, you must at least provide some bridge toll, right?"

In contrast, the nonchalant demeanor she was striving to maintain was so deliberate that Li Rui specifically sought her out to say: "Si Yong has been in Senegal for two years, are you all just wasting time like this?"

The contact with old friends has gradually diminished. Half a year later, news of Du Jinyun's marriage arrives. Du Jinyun has been with her boyfriend for several years, and they have finally achieved a happy outcome, which is indeed a joyful event. Unfortunately, it coincides with the company sending Cheng Bing to the headquarters in the United States for further training, so I can only congratulate Du Jinyun over a long-distance call. The two of us chattered away, reminiscing about the glorious past, and she went on endlessly while wrapped in a bedsheet. After hanging up the phone, I suddenly felt a sense of loss, as if I had seen candied hawthorns on the street that I used to eat as a child. I rushed over to buy some, only to find that they were still the same candied hawthorns, yet the joy of childhood could never return.

Cheng Bing thought that Xi Mu's expression would definitely be even worse, and if things went poorly, she might be directly kicked out. She did not want to make herself look foolish, so she spoke up first: "I returned to school and stopped by to take a look on the way. I apologize for not calling in advance to let you know."

However, it was unexpected that Yan Xuan would call her. They had only nodded in acquaintance that day, and she hadn't even remembered his phone number, let alone any friendship. He didn't say much, just asked if she was busy. Cheng Bing replied that she was writing the annual summary, thinking he would take the hint and hang up. To her surprise, Yan Xuan seemed to be in a strange mood today, engaging in idle chatter with her. Cheng Bing had no choice but to plug in her phone's earphones, handling emails while on the call, responding to his two or three sentences. When Cheng Bing finally realized, she found that he had been silent for quite a while, which made her a bit awkward: "I'm sorry, I'm handling emails and I'm a bit busy."

Mother Xi sighed lightly, her smile tinged with helplessness and melancholy: "It is my son who is unfortunate, and as his mother... In our hometown, there is a saying: 'Raise your head to marry a daughter, bow your head to take a daughter-in-law.' Therefore, when you got married, I did not give you a pleasant expression."

Taking a taxi back to school, the layout of the original Lockstone Café had not changed much, only the addition of Cantonese-style desserts. When Cheng Bing arrived, a group was playing a card game called "Smash Six Houses," which originated from Tianjin and requires six players, emphasizing teamwork. Time Jingwei, being quite clever, quickly grasped the game upon learning it and, noticing Cheng Bing's arrival, offered to let her take his turn. Cheng Bing, feeling low-spirited, made an excuse to have some dessert first and went to the bar to order a bowl of fruit sago. The tender yellow banana pieces, vibrant strawberries, and fragrant coconut milk made one salivate at the sight. Just as Cheng Bing was about to compliment the owner, she leaned over and discovered that the owner's chair was actually a modified wheelchair. Upon closer inspection, she realized that this sweet and lively girl was, in fact, disabled. Cheng Bing was momentarily taken aback, quickly realizing her abruptness, and turned her gaze to find another topic. She then noticed a building model placed beside the counter and smiled, saying, "The model is beautiful, who made it?"

Cheng Bing suddenly recalled many years ago, when he accidentally overheard Li Rui and Sister Yan flirting with their cheesy tones: "It's good that you don't trust me; if I made you feel completely at ease..."

Yan Xuan nonchalantly remarked: "After all, no one is worried."

The ice formed, and it was perfectly in sync, just short of having the entire person hanging on Zhao Xu's shoulder: "It's not just my mother who blames you; even Yang's mother has made me so tired of hearing it that my ears are getting calluses."

Yan Xuan's teasing lightened the atmosphere. Initially, I was reluctant to come out and deal with him, but after chatting for a few moments, I found that this unscrupulous real estate developer also had his charming side. Among my classmates, there are also those who have ventured into entrepreneurship, but in terms of age and experience, they are certainly not on par with Yan Xuan. Those engaged in the real estate business are like wolves and tigers; one can smell their cunning from ten meters away. As for Yan Xuan, I secretly categorized him in my mind as a relatively well-groomed wolf.

The young girl's gaze was extremely vigilant, lacking even a welcoming smile. After a moment of hesitation, she finally said: "It is Cheng Bing."

Then let's not talk about it

Spare me, if I go back, they will definitely pressure me into marriage. If I resist any further, they might as well drug me!

The next day, at the airport, Cheng Bing received a call from Yan Xuan, asking when she would return, saying there was something to discuss. After finishing the call, Cheng Bing was preparing to board the plane when she looked up and saw Shi Jingwei's face twisted in a way that suggested he had an upset stomach: "Boyfriend?"

After fastening the seatbelt, Cheng Bing recalled something and asked: "How much money did he borrow from you in total? I... it's not convenient for me to transfer the money to him, could you help me with the transfer?"

What does he want to say to her

I am afraid I have to work overtime, the current situation is not good, and the boss is keeping a close watch.

Ji Shenyin's starting price for taking on cases is increasingly high, gradually leaning towards economic matters; Shi Jingwei has also established a prestigious reputation, and being featured in his exclusive interviews has become a mark of distinction; Zhao Xu is still in Xiangxi, and it is said that his relationship with his girlfriend is precarious due to the long-distance separation, and he is making efforts to adjust; it turns out that friends from school are also in contact, the original lineup of the band, those who are getting married are marrying, those who are graduating are graduating, the golden era is undergoing a renewal, Li Rui remains the same as before, and it is heard that there are still several courses he has not yet retaken... It is said that his relationship with his girlfriend is precarious due to the long-distance separation, and he is making efforts to adjust; it turns out that friends from school are also in contact, the original lineup of the band, those who are getting married are marrying, those who are graduating are graduating, the golden era is undergoing a renewal, Li Rui remains the same as before, and it is heard that there are still several courses he has not yet retaken... Cheng Bing speculates that everyone actually knows about her divorce from Xi Siyong, because originally everyone would routinely ask "How is Mr. Xi lately?", but now they all subtly avoid mentioning this person.

Then are you prepared to keep this secret for a lifetime? Those two elderly people, they have only one precious son—how long can we keep this hidden?

Fuming with anger, she felt like kicking him into the Huangpu River, but had no choice but to grit her teeth and drag him back to the hotel. After a frenzied bout of vomiting in a daze, she finally collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep

Cheng Bingxin felt a sense of melancholy, while Yan Jie, known for her boldness, reprimanded Li Rui for his lack of diligence, scolded her for smoking and drinking, and criticized Xi Siyong for his cold-heartedness and moral decay—yet it was impossible to discern that beneath such a capable exterior lay such a fragile life. Li Rui, maintaining a calm demeanor, said in a very light tone: "When I am not around, please come and check on me more often."

Her breath suddenly stopped, yet she feigned nonchalance: "Is there something wrong?"

Zhao Xu shook his head repeatedly, and finally, unable to withstand Cheng Bing's relentless persuasion, confessed that he had met the round-faced girl during a business trip to Nanning—perhaps everyone must experience a heartbreak at least once to learn and grow. The once inarticulate Zhao Xu could now articulate, resting his chin on his hand: "I don't know how to describe that feeling, it's as if... you were born in this life just to meet this person."

Cheng Bing intended to take his leave in the afternoon, citing a classmate gathering at school as the reason. Suddenly, his mother-in-law recalled something and asked, "Are you feeling well? Previously, Si Yong mentioned that you were deficient in vital energy and blood. How are you now?"

Indeed, the educational environment in my hometown is quite poor. My aunt wants us to help her find a job in the city. We noticed that she has good potential, so we brought her along to study. Her father was unwell during those years, and I was busy with work. Despite her young age, she was quite diligent, handling chores like laundry and cooking, and her academic performance was also commendable. The year you graduated, she was admitted to the Financial Institute, and she is now in her third year. Oh... she was also there last time, but she had just started living on campus and came back infrequently, so you might not remember her. " A slight smile appeared on my aunt's face, "I didn't introduce her to you back then."

Thus, Li Rui, who entered K University with a top 3 score in the entire school, subsequently experienced a dramatic decline in his academic performance, becoming a man often regarded with disdain as someone who relies on others for support

Come on, sister, with your barren romantic history, what are you pretending to be, a butterfly flitting through a garden of flowers? Moreover, that Xi Siyong is actually quite infatuated with you; I, with my discerning eyes, can see that he cannot escape your grasp.

Yan Xuan was not frightened away; on the contrary, he said, "I think we make a good match."

Cheng Bing grew increasingly suspicious: "What is the background of Li Rui's family?"

After a long time, he said again: "Please accompany me to the hospital tomorrow. I know I need treatment. I must overcome this, forget her, and live well, because she wishes for my happiness"

Ji Shenyan glared at her with a bitter expression, saying, "Do you know what I mean!"

That Xiaopingtou used to work at Li Rui's shop, pouting and looking extremely aggrieved: "At the beginning of the year, Old Li stayed with me for two months, relying on medication for psychological treatment every day. Those who haven't seen him really cannot imagine what state he was in at that time—like a string on a guitar, constantly being pulled, constantly being pulled, you don't know when it will break, but you know it definitely will—until one day, without any warning, suddenly there was a snap..."

No one is a saint, and no one can make the most correct choice at all times and in all places. You think he is a man, so he should bear the active responsibility, all the responsibilities, but you must understand that this responsibility can also become a burden. The more he cares about you, the more he fears he cannot provide you with happiness. He hopes you can live in the best house, drive the most beautiful car, and not have to suffer for him... The more he cares about you, the more he fears you will regret it in the future. Yes, you say you do not regret it, but the more you sacrifice, the more guilty he feels. He hopes you can live in the best house, drive the most beautiful car, and not have to suffer for him... The more he cares about you, the more he fears you will regret it in the future. Yes, you say you do not regret it, but the more you sacrifice, the more guilty he feels... Letting go does not necessarily mean that the love is insufficient; it may very well be the opposite.

Indeed, what does it matter if you are unconvinced? I can handle it!

Li Rui evaded the topic, and upon hearing that she had just resigned, said: "Ashi is planning to come back this weekend. You haven't returned to school for a long time, have you? If you have time, it would be just right to come back... and also see your sister Yan."

Since the conversation has become so candid, and Shi Jingwei shows no restraint, wearing an expression that clearly says "I find you displeasing, what can you do about it?" he remarks: "Well, you are not the only one who can act like a young lady. You play rebellious when you feel like it, and when you get tired of it, you obediently return home, ready to flaunt your charm again! If you enjoy playing, why not seek out a companion? Why drag Si Yong into the depths, playing him to the point of near death, thinking it gives you a sense of accomplishment? I truly feel sorry for that foolish and naive person!" Why drag Si Yong into the depths, playing him to the point of near death, thinking it gives you a sense of accomplishment? I truly feel sorry for that foolish and naive person!

It is true that she had a nightmare, but the events in the dream had indeed occurred—Xi Siyong had indeed attempted to call her.

She did not know what had happened to Yan Xuan, and she herself was left in a disheveled state, covered in dirt. She had no choice but to borrow a set of clothes from the hotel room and first nestle on the sofa for a short rest, waiting for Yan Xuan to wake up so she could properly interrogate him.

The next morning, Li Rui came to pick them up again and they took a taxi to Pear Blossom Lane for breakfast, as if he was eager to engrave all the memories related to this city in the final moments. Li Rui was still bustling about, but in the rare few moments, Cheng Bing would catch him staring thoughtfully at the door.

I have been divorced for two years now, " Cheng Bing smiled faintly, " Besides... do you really want me to throw a divorce anniversary party and announce to the world... that I am getting remarried?

His father went to a friend's house to play chess, so I will make a call to ask him to come back... Let's have lunch here at noon, Sasha's cooking is quite good, you should try it too. I am not good at cooking, but both of them enjoy the dishes made by Sasha, you can also have a taste later.

Ji Shenyan is right; she should wake up. Her mother has already begun to show silver strands at her temples and is still worrying about her, which is her unfilial behavior

The desserts at BELLE VUE are quite famous. When Xi Siyong mentioned treating her to a couple's buffet, she felt sorry for his wallet, and he had no choice but to give up. Now, as she eats, she finds it rather mediocre. She tries to muster some energy, and Yan Xuan notices and asks, "Is work very hard?"

Zhao Xu was taken aback. After a while, he suddenly realized, and his smile became somewhat sly: "Do you think he is dead?" The more he thought about it, the more he laughed, slapping his thigh and bending over with laughter, "I really regret that there was no video recording in the office; it would have been so wonderful if it had been captured. If I had recorded it, I would sell it to that kid Si Yong later. I bet that even if I asked for an exorbitant price, he would still have to buy it..."

Why can't that person be me? Cheng Bing is also pondering this question, why can't that person be me

How did he/she die

The hotel is built by the lake, featuring dark tiles and white walls, exuding an ancient charm. As I stroll along the willow-lined shore, I suddenly feel that the surrounding scenery is somewhat familiar— it turns out I passed by here when I returned to City K two years ago... In my impression, the Xi family seems to live nearby.

Indeed, this young woman has likely read too many romance novels during her university days, as she seems eager to cast everyone into the role of a lovesick fool.

Of course, it is reading. Am I supposed to go play basketball

His extremely low yet clear laughter came through the earphones: "Your godmother often mentions you, saying that the person she envies the most is Aunt Lin for having a daughter like you. She has been talking about it in my ear for years, and I have never had the chance to meet you... Do you have time tonight? Would you do me the honor of having dinner?"

Zhao Xu pushed the paper cup in front of her, perhaps because it had been many years since he had managed to gain any advantage under the combined efforts of her and Xi Siyong. Now, holding such significant leverage over the two of them, he felt somewhat elated and smiled triumphantly: "I knew you when you were in kindergarten, and I am fully aware of how your duodenum bends!"

Cheng Bing was at a loss for words. Her mother-in-law pulled her into the living room and asked about her parents' health and whether her work was going well. Cheng Bing could hardly find an opportunity to interject. When Sha Sha came out with the water, her mother-in-law made a sound and said, "I made some sour plum soup, would you like to have some?"

On the way back, Li Rui still had to go to the municipal talent market for some formalities, so the group parted ways. Cheng Bing checked his phone for information on dilated cardiomyopathy and found that it requires avoiding fatigue and stimulation. The course of the disease can vary; some may experience sudden death within a year, while others may persist for over twenty years. Cheng Bing, feeling somewhat displeased after reading the information, remarked, "Avoiding fatigue, huh? I remember that before Li Rui rented a shop in the computer city, he hadn't worked for several years and was supported by Sister Yan, right?"

Shi Jingwei laughed and said: "Cheng, do I still need to teach you about such matters? If you haven't graduated, don't even mention North Carolina; any of the Ivy League schools, Lin can get you in."

In the past, there were many student works exhibited here. When I took over, the College of Civil Engineering said they wanted to take them back. I found this to be quite special, so I contacted the authors to keep it.

This statement is not false at all. From family background to appearance, there really is nothing to criticize, and what is even more remarkable is that they have all been divorced, and no one holds it against anyone. However, my mother disagrees: "Bingbing, if you are going to get married, why not find someone who truly loves you? Shenyan is better than Yanxuan in many ways, do you know about Yanxuan..."

I do not wish to drown in the same river twice

It is called some kind of cardiomyopathy, but I can't quite remember the name. I heard that she has had this illness for over ten years, and considering that, she has done quite well up to now

Little did Yan Xuan know that she seemed to have become quite attached to her, as she pretended not to understand such a polite refusal: "It's fine, I'm not hungry anyway. Just call me when you're done, I'll be nearby."

At that moment, Shi Jingwei scoffed and said in a sarcastic tone: "Of course you don't know, you have been treated like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm, so naturally, you know nothing. That person, he absolutely detests owing others anything, it's the same for everyone."

With a mix of anger and anxiety, he clutched his phone, fearing it might break: "What on earth does he want to say?"

What exactly does he want to say to me

Regretting not having met before marriage may sound clichéd, yet when it truly befalls you, what can you do

It is still the same as before; he hasn't changed jobs.

He knew that the other party also had such feelings, even though she tried her best to conceal them. However, she already had a childhood friend who was discussing marriage with her—who happened to be a junior of Zhao Xu with whom he had a good relationship during school. Before anything could take root, they both stifled it within the bounds of reason.

Cheng Bing suddenly smiled, resembling the appearance of an old couple, much like a boy in elementary school who snatched an eraser from his female classmate, prompting her to come and talk to him, while the mischievous boy secretly laughed in his heart at the success of his scheme

Cheng Bing followed Shijing Wei onto the plane, only to find his words utterly incomprehensible—yet he could not recall who had been so carefree in the beginning

Li Rui also shook his head in confusion: "Before he left, he returned to school, wandered around, and told me about your divorce, but he didn't mention changing jobs. Who did you hear that from?"

The ice formed does not prevent feelings of compassion; in fact, she has always held a resistant attitude towards Mother Xi from the bottom of her heart—because Mother Xi does not favor her, she has chosen to place her in the opposing camp, constantly on guard as if against a class enemy. Reflecting on it now, Mother Xi was far more wronged than she was at that time: her son secretly married someone else without a word, dragging her husband to the brink of the underworld—who in such a situation could still show a good face to the woman who took away her son?

In the end, his extremely despondent voice said: "If you are just casually picking someone to accompany you, why can't that person be me"

Approaching the ice, one can see that at the center of the palace lies a pale blue snow lake, fragmented into pieces of broken ice, creating an extraordinarily realistic effect. Two exquisitely carved figures are seen kissing and embracing on the surface of the snow lake

Things remain, yet people have changed. Countless tears well up in my heart, like wood that remains, how can a person endure this? Like a familiar face that I no longer know where it has gone, the twisted dough still enters the hot oil. All these instances are but the flowing past that can never be reclaimed.

Cheng Bing sighed helplessly, and after a long silence, Du Jinyun suddenly asked: "Actually, you are still thinking about Xi Siyong, aren't you?"

Father Xi shook his head and laughed, saying to Cheng Bing: "Si Yong doesn't even retort, just like he said to his mother... I am filial to my own mother, so naturally, I should also care for the mother of my future son—his mother was so angry that she couldn't say a word!

Think about it, Zhao Xu is in a difficult position: "You know very well that kid, he won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin. As soon as he escaped from the Congo, he became stubborn again, refusing to let me tell you even if he dies!"

It is unimaginable that at this very moment, if there were no one who understood her in such a way, to tear open the abscess, to force her to confront her anguish, to compel her to lift her head from the gravel—would she continue to indulge in self-destruction, maintaining her so-called dignity with that meager pride? Then, many years later, sitting on a lonely balcony, watching the sunset sink into the sea, in the depths of the night, would she regret having once missed the person she loved so deeply?

Did he not say that he could return with global pay? Living in Shanghai on a salary from the United States would be simply paradise, if it were me, I would be overwhelmed!

Perhaps everyone harbors a wound deep within, yet some have long since learned to conceal it through countless trials and tribulations

The century-old bridge has reached its expiration. It is said that the British design team sent a letter stating that the intended lifespan of the design was 100 years, and maintenance should be considered upon expiration

Perhaps these are merely the figments of the elderly couple's lonely lives. As time slowly passes, people tend to prefer to remember beautiful things, while the unbearable fragments of the past are ground into dust under the磨砺 of time—doesn't Xi's mother herself serve as the best example? Back then, she would not retaliate or acknowledge her daughter-in-law when her son was insulted, yet now she laments the loss of such a good daughter-in-law, even allowing her to stay for another dinner.

Looking back now, so many things happened that autumn, truly echoing what Xi Siyong once said: when you feel that something must be done, that it is impossible not to do it, and you are completely resolute, the most important thing to do is precisely to turn back and consider the way out

After coming out from Zhao Xu's place, I only then realized I was hungry. I had spent the entire lunch watching a show and hardly ate anything. I casually found a small shop to go into and ordered a portion of fried rice, when I overheard a quarrel between the boss and the boss's wife. The couple appeared to be around fifty or sixty years old, and to be precise, the old lady was continuously berating the old man in a sharp and piercing voice. The gist of it was that the old man had moved a string of dried chili peppers that the old lady had put out to dry in the morning, and from this incident, she traced back to thirty years ago when she was in confinement after giving birth, during which her mother-in-law had been harsh and had taken away her two old hens, resulting in her now suffering from back pain all day long. The old man, on the other hand, would interject with a joke or two, which inevitably led the old lady to another topic of conversation.

When Cheng Bing found Zhao Xu, he was at a Dai restaurant treating friends to a meal. From a distance, he waved his arms at Cheng Bing through the glass, simultaneously instructing her on the angle of her view over the phone, displaying an unprecedented enthusiasm. Just as Cheng Bing located his table, Zhao Xu strode out of the restaurant with great energy, warmly placing his hand on her shoulder and pushing her inside—his grip almost felt like a kidnapping. Before she could react, she heard Zhao Xu whisper, "Be smart about this, cooperate well later!"

When she woke up, it was already near dusk. The bright cabinet door reflected the last light, and Yan Xuan was lying on the bed, staring at her. Behind him was a large solid wood cabinet, and the shining cabinet door mirrored the final rust-red sunset, dazzling and colorful

Believe, Cheng Bing gazed at Zhao Xu in confusion. Zhao Xu asked again, "What is the word formed by the third letter to the fifth letter?" She seemed to understand, and Zhao Xu sighed: "Even in 'Believe', there is a 'lie' in the middle. It is precisely because he trusts you too much that he would rather deceive you."

Cheng Bing was taken aback and asked, "What about Sister Yan?"

Ji Shenyan was extremely angry, turning to ice, turning to ice; she truly was frozen solid, revealing not the slightest crack.

Zhao Xu chuckled lightly: "Are you leaving just like that?"

I do not know whether I should speak or not

Zhao Xu lightly tapped the desk, staring intently at Cheng Bing: "You two really are... a few minutes ago, you were crying like something, and now you are telling me you want to get married—can you even go through with it?"

Well

In fact, it is all false

His cracked lips brushed against her cheek, causing a slight pain, which then deepened: "Let us live well together"

Zhao Xu stood up to make tea for Cheng Bing, holding the tea bag over the boiling water, and said with a smile: "Hurry up and wash your face, look at you like this, if you go out, others will think I have done something to you. Fortunately, Si Yong is not here; if he were, I might end up getting beaten up again."

In the valley, the roses grow abundantly, where we encountered the Holy Infant Jesus

At that time, a wave of intense cold swept over me, causing goosebumps to cover my body; now... now I finally understand the implications behind this statement

Zhao Xu's expression suddenly changed: "Si Yong, which part of your brain is not functioning properly to take a liking to someone like her, a source of disaster!"

She opened her mouth slightly, yet could not utter a word. She had a strong intuition that she had made a mistake, but at that moment, she could not sort out her thoughts—like a person wandering in a maze, finally finding a door that opened, yet it was not the exit she had anticipated. Everything was beyond her expectations, and nothing was as she had imagined. She supported her forehead, trying to clarify her thoughts, when she heard her mother-in-law ask: "When are you coming back, to take care of things?"

A person stood frozen like ice, and the taxi driver asked, "Miss, where are you going?"

Perhaps for Xi Siyong, there is simply no such "person," or rather, he does not need that person

I haven't figured out how to tell you

I advised him that there was no need to hastily change his work environment

With a flicker of her eyelids, Zhao Xu immediately adopted a serious expression, gazing at her thoughtfully for a long time: "Are you interested in listening to a recording?"

Another round of dense sounds, like a torrential downpour, crackled sharply, resembling the sound of bullets hitting glass. Xi Si Yong's voice grew increasingly urgent: "Ah Xu, if anything were to happen to me, take good care of my parents, and don't let them know..."

Mother Xi took a list from the room and handed it to her. It was a recipe for making Gu Yuan Gao, detailing the proportions of ingredients such as yellow wine, sesame, donkey-hide gelatin, longan, and five-needle pine. Cheng Bing only glanced at it briefly, but felt the weight of the paper. Mother Xi sighed lightly and smiled, saying, "When your father and I were young, we carried instruments everywhere, climbing mountains and crossing rivers. Young people are so reckless; we almost left behind health issues. Your father got this recipe from a villager to make it for me, and I even complained about its bitterness, saying, 'Do you wish for me to die early..."

Everyone knows that it was Cheng Bing who first proposed the divorce, but this is also a tacit understanding. It was agreed upon back then that even if they were to part ways, Xi Si Yong would still have to hold an unplugged concert for her, giving her enough face to avoid being ridiculed as a discarded woman. Thinking of this, she suddenly laughed again: "No, actually both of us are quite extravagant; being tied together feels rather awkward."

"You ... ..." Du Jinyun came to her senses and exclaimed, "This is too unyielding!"

This is a message from Li Rui, who has not been in contact for a long time: I will be going to North Carolina at the end of this month. This number will soon be deactivated. Please reply with your latest online contact information for future notifications

She took a couple of breaths in the icy air, filled a paper cup with some purified water, and wiped away the tear stains on her face against the glass window. The overlapping shadows on the window were blurred, and she could not see her own eyes clearly. In a daze, she felt a lack of interest and cleared her throat twice: "I won't delay you from work, I'll head back first"

Having taken traditional Chinese medicine for another year, one should be feeling better now

Zhao Xu leaned against the back of the chair, tilted his head to scrutinize her, and finally couldn't help but let out a chuckle as the corners of his lips twitched: "Cheng Bing, after all these years, you finally had a minute to act like a little woman."

Shi Jingwei hurriedly clarified: "It's not that serious, we just... you said we've known each other for so many years, who would have known that his girlfriend had this illness? If we had known earlier, we would have urged Li Rui much more at that time, wouldn't we?"

Perhaps the Waibaidu Bridge has lingered here for too long, to the extent that everyone has become accustomed to it and views it as if it were invisible. Only when it suddenly disappears one day do we realize that it has long taken root in our hearts. Cheng Bing does not feel as melancholic as Yan Xuan appears to be; she and Xi Siyong have been here before. After their marriage, there was an occasion when Zhao Xu asked them to host a junior sister, a rather cute young girl who insisted on seeing the Waibaidu Bridge, claiming it was the location of the most melodramatic river-jumping scene in "Qing Shen Shen Yu Meng Meng." Later, that junior sister had something come up and could not make it, so Cheng Bing and Xi Siyong, having a rare free weekend, decided to walk along the Waibaidu Bridge. The pace of life in Shanghai is astonishingly fast; often, one cannot help but quicken their steps as soon as they step outside. However, that day they walked exceptionally slowly, savoring the moment. The Waibaidu Bridge is always filled with young, romantic couples who kiss passionately, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. Cheng Bing inexplicably felt as if her heart had melted, and she smiled at Xi Siyong, saying, "It feels like we are back in love."

Cheng Bing ambiguously smiled and said, "I guessed; I thought he would come back." After a pause, she added, "If he comes back... things might develop a bit better."

Cheng Bing felt deeply deceived and, grabbing Zhao Xu's phone, was about to smash it: "You dare to deceive me!"

Cheng Bing shrugged and smiled: "Come over, Yan."

Cheng Bing chuckled and said: "What do you mean by 'just hanging on'? I'm about to get married, and the marriage of men and women is unrelated; I'm not clinging to him!"

He, unable to believe his ears, said, "He has been singing at the bar for you for half a year? When did this happen? How come I know nothing about it?"

In the afternoon, Li Rui took Cheng Bing, Shi Jingwei, and others to pay their respects at the cemetery. Sister Yan's ashes are located in a small plot at a cemetery called Qiyuan in the eastern part of City K. It is just a small compartment, marked with a number, name, and the name of the person who placed it there, along with a black-and-white photograph. Cheng Bing, touching that photograph, still could not believe that this had really happened: "What illness did Sister Yan have?"

Look at those butterflies and bees around you, always flaunting their BMWs and Mercedes, and as soon as someone mentions dining, they rush to the banks of the Huangpu River! Take Ji Shenyin for example; the year I graduated, he drove a small Peugeot to your house every day. And what about Si Yong? He couldn't even afford a Polo—do you think a man, seeing you living in a villa in Qingpu, would feel at ease coming to share a 60-square-meter unfinished apartment, squeezing onto buses and subways every day?

Zhao Xu propped his chin on his hand, gazing at her with an expressionless face, and without saying a word, Cheng Bing shook his head and sighed: "Do you understand what I mean?"

Mother Xi looked at her for a while, then said: "I was always afraid he would suffer losses. Now that he is out there alone, even if he gets sick, there is no one to take care of him. Shasha taught me how to go online, and I know that place is extremely difficult... Sigh, actually, the children and grandchildren have their own fortunes, why should we worry so much... If I had been willing to take a good look at you back then, you wouldn't be in such a situation now. At that time, Siyong even advised me, saying that I always thought of it as my own son being abducted, and couldn't I think of it as having gained a daughter instead?"

After analyzing the performance data until 2 AM, I felt a slight headache. I lifted the silk blanket and nestled in, my head buzzing as if there were bombers making noise. Not long after, my phone rang. Cheng Bing turned over to answer it. It was an unfamiliar number. Upon answering, I was surprised to hear the voice of Xi Siyong: "Cheng Bing, Cheng Bing..."

Cheng Bing was drinking water and almost spat it out. This was the first time I had heard someone say that Xi Siyong was infatuated. Over there, Du Jinyun proudly declared, "My sixth sense is exceptionally accurate. The first time I saw him, his eyes were fixed on you. But this big brother is too reserved; he actually managed to hold back until almost graduation before making his feelings clear. During our organizational activities, every time I saw him struggling internally, I couldn't help but laugh in my heart, wondering how long he could endure... But this big brother is too reserved; he actually managed to hold back until almost graduation before making his feelings clear. During our organizational activities, every time I saw him struggling internally, I couldn't help but laugh in my heart, wondering how long he could endure..."

Yet she always remembers that in the days after their marriage, every morning upon waking, the lingering scent of him on the pillow.

Yan Xuan was somewhat surprised: "Why has it been dismantled here?"

"Well done," said Shijinge, as the ice did not reveal the secret of Eternity to the girl. When Shijinge called her over to play cards, she smiled and got up. Sitting opposite Shijinge, he deliberately played with her cards, showing off: "Now no one is feeding you cards or letting you win, your luck must be bad, right?"

为了重新赢回我们的爱

Cheng Bing could not help but express his indignation with a few words. One of the crew members, a crew-cut man, suddenly lost his temper and said: "What do you all know! If you don't know something, don't speak carelessly. Just because you have some success, does that mean you can look down on others?"

Zhao Xu looked up at the ceiling, cast her a sidelong glance, and smiled: "Have you had enough of the show?"

Cheng Bing recalled for a moment and asked: "I remember you have a ... ... "

Cheng Bing immediately apologized to Yan Xuan, saying that an old friend of many years was going abroad. Yan Xuan happened to have matters to attend to at the company and needed to return first, advising her to be careful on the way. She then called Shi Jingwei, asking him to book an extra plane ticket for her. On the plane, she asked Shi Jingwei: "Is there a problem between Li Rui and Sister Yan? Why is Li Rui going to North Carolina alone?"

The delicate and handsome young boy seemed to sense something, quickly pulling that little junior sister back. Cheng Bing tilted his wine cup and smiled sideways: "He has run so far away, then how can I even deliver the wedding invitation to him?"

A crisp sound rang out, and the recording came to an abrupt stop. Cheng Bing sprang up from the sofa, panic-stricken, clutching his phone: "When did this happen, and where is he?"

No matter how foolish she may be, she can clearly hear that final crisp sound, which is unmistakably the sound of a bullet being fired

Cheng Bing still couldn't believe it. In her impression, Sister Yan was truly good to Li Rui, so much so that there were no words to describe it. After graduation, she stayed in K City for work, while Li Rui, who had not yet graduated, rented a place near the school to live together. Yet, Li Rui always seemed to take life as it comes; he had time to open a small shop in the computer market but no time to retake his exams to graduate. Whenever this matter was brought up, Cheng Bing would get angry: "What kind of man does this? He has been living off her for a few years; shouldn't he be making money now? ... Does it take too much effort for him to spare some time to take the exams and get a diploma? He has been coasting along until now. ... I think if Sister Yan didn't have to work overtime every day, she wouldn't have died so early!"

"Miss Cheng, this is quite damaging to my self-esteem," the person across from her pointed at their watch and protested with a smile, "I have been watching you for half an hour, and you have actually been in a daze for thirty minutes—has my market already fallen to this extent?"

Shi Jingwei coughed lightly, and Cheng Bing understood his meaning. The attitude towards life that Shi Jingwei held in the highest regard was precisely the disdain for a group like Li Rui, who merely lived off others without ambition. However, everyone has their own way of life; since Sister Yan is willing, why should others interfere? Yet, Cheng Bing could not help but think, if Sister Yan's work were not so exhausting, and if Li Rui had a bit more drive, perhaps she could hold on for another two years

Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, the disturbing sound in my ears is the gentle friction of the train against the tracks on that night of graduation... I do not know where that train is headed, and when I got off, the square was filled with vendors selling maps, their incessant calls ringing in my ears... She simply sat up, glanced at the time which had not yet reached eleven o'clock, and began to wander around the vicinity of the hotel