Nine, the starlight I owe you

His gaze seemed to be glued to her, no longer moving. Dai Yimi lightly coughed, pretending to be casual as she glanced at her phone, "Oh dear, it's already past ten o'clock, I need to head back, I have to get up early for a flight tomorrow"

Dai Yimi chuckled foolishly, "Although you don't sound like it, I just can't believe it..."

She exaggeratedly smiled and said, "Why are you being so indifferent? I must have good news for you!"

Do you call this pretentiousness?

Then you speak. I will just listen and not say anything

Because the state of mind is different

He did not hold it against her, merely smiled lightly, extended his hand, and opened his palm in front of her eyes

Dai Yimi pretended not to sense the deeper meaning in his words and raised the corners of her mouth, "Thank you"

Oh, isn't this ... ...

Sun Xizhao smiled at her. The meaning behind that smile was difficult for her to discern, so she could only politely return a smile.

Sun Zhao Jing quietly lingered in the water, gazing up at the stars. After a long while, her neck began to ache slightly, so she lowered her head and stared blankly at the surface of the water

What on earth? Dai Yimi blinked her eyes in confusion, with a bewildered expression, "The great trends of the world, when divided for a long time must unite, and when united for a long time must divide?"

What is what? The straightforwardness of the guide is almost on par with Sun Xi.

Science. Existence is possibility

Why are you so ... ... Sigh, I always want to steer the conversation towards what I want to say, please do not interrupt me

One should always think positively; perhaps Sun Xi is merely dressed in a way that reflects her heartbreak. Today, she wore a long dress in a light purple hue, with wide sleeves that feature a very vintage design. Her outfit is perfectly complemented by the necklace.

You think about it, we have only known each other for a few days, you say you like me, is this scientific

Isn't it? You are usually so sparing with your words, always beating around the bush. When have you ever been so straightforward?

Do you not feel that the starry sky tonight is different

Although she had opened the box countless times before, this time her fingers felt somewhat stiff and her movements were slow

She swept into the women's changing room like a whirlwind, and everyone present paid their respects to this tornado.

She rolled her eyes dramatically, feeling a surge of resentment. Being a third wheel is far better than being around you, who is uncontrollable and could explode like a firecracker at any moment, ah!

She walked over, revealing an impeccable smile, "You haven't left yet? I was just about to look for you"

The guide looked at her, hesitating to speak. She pressed her lips together and said, "You can handle your own matters; as an outsider, I shouldn't say too much, so don't take it to heart. Let me show you his phone number... 137****5235, this is it."

Ah, actually, it's nothing..." She weakly supported her forehead, feeling a sense of collapse from being played with, "Sun Xi's things are with me, I have to return them to her.

What does this amount to? Refusal? Evasion?

She found it strange and had no choice but to wait in place

Before she could take a step, her arm was pulled. She did not want to turn back, only asking, "What do you want?"

Hmm

However, by the time the people around had dispersed and the fellow travelers from the same group had left in twos and threes, he still had not appeared

The bustling crowd that had greeted her remained unchanged, yet she knew that many things had already become different

Oh, necklace, will this be too eye-catching

Thank you. I will take my leave now, goodbye!

No," he slowly shook his head, "I think it is very beautiful." After a brief pause, he added, "Actually, no matter how you are, I find you very beautiful."

You really appear to be particularly aloof, even somewhat unapproachable. It was only today that I realized you can also say some very interesting things

"If you do not leave, then I will!" She suddenly turned around, splashing a spray of water, but the resistance of the water was too great, and she could not take a single step forward

The airport is bustling with travelers hurriedly coming and going, dragging suitcases or carrying bags of various sizes. The diverse skin tones and the myriad of languages have become the most intriguing scenery here

Ah, he hasn't left yet, it seems she doesn't need to go to the room to look for him

In the midst of his boredom, he turned on the television, attempting to understand the meanings of people through their body language

In the vast swimming pool, the crowd is widely dispersed. Those gathered together are either couples or boisterous children. The occasional sounds of laughter and soft whispers make her, a solitary individual, feel somewhat awkward

In a moment of hesitation, she looked at him in astonishment.

She took it with some hesitation

Outside the door, Sun Xi crossed her arms, her expression filled with pride as if to say, "You are still too inexperienced to compare with me." She shot him a glare, forcefully pushed the door open, and walked in without any reservations

Dai Yimi struggled to sit up straight. After completing a series of personal grooming tasks, she gradually became more alert. Looking at the time again, it was already 6 o'clock. She grabbed the unorganized clothes and stuffed them into her suitcase.

I do not know what just happened, I apologize. However, I actually really like your gift. Please give it to me

The guide thought for a moment, "Oh, it seems she has already left. She and her brother were among the first to come down, took their luggage and left. Is there something wrong?"

I will once again "risk my life to accompany the gentleman." This is already the second time today; if there is a next time, I will truly be angry.

Sun Xi and Sun Zhao are together ... She can already imagine the low pressure in the room. It seems that now is not a good time to give gifts, so it would be better to wait until later! Therefore, let's go swimming first!

She began to look into his eyes with utmost seriousness, her face full of determination, her hand suspended in mid-air, clearly poised to hold it up indefinitely if he did not take it.

He nodded slightly and said, "It is getting late, you should go back and rest. Good night, sweet dreams"

What do you want to do, can't you just say it directly

Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated several times. She looked at him helplessly and said, "Sigh, you are such a person..."

No, wait. I have something to attend to

It is commendable that you possess this awareness... continue to maintain it...

Goodbye, may we meet again if fate allows

Alright, I am giving this to you, and you must keep it well. It can only remain with you, do not give it to others.

He lost his balance and nearly fell off the sofa

Um... what should I say about this... Oh dear, I'm sorry, I suddenly need to use the restroom, I'll be leaving now

Her smile gradually solidified, slowly fading away, until it finally transformed into a hint of mockery at the corners of her mouth

She should have anticipated long ago that when it comes to being unreasonable, no one is more skilled than he is. She might as well stay here for a while, and later find an excuse to slip away to the restroom; at that time, he would definitely not stop her, nor would he follow her.

Dai Yimi could not remember when she had fallen asleep; when she awoke, they were about to reach their destination. The beautiful flight attendant was smiling as she walked down the aisle.

Well, once I arrive at the airport, I will certainly not have trouble finding him

... ... Alright ... ... but ... ...

"You, you, you, how are you here?" Dai Yimi attempted to mask her shock with a rapid-fire pace of speech

The elevator arrived at the floor while they were conversing, and they walked out one after the other. Dai Yimi quickly glanced around and patted her chest. Fortunately, there was not a single acquaintance in sight, especially not Sun Xi. Heaven has shown me mercy

However, in the next second, a tremendous banging sound of the door exploded in his ears

She solemnly opened the box, and the resplendent sapphire lay quietly within, its blue hue rendered even more profound against the black background. She fastened it around her neck, and a cool sensation spread through her heart.

"Good." He instantly radiated with joy, his face beaming with a smile like a child who has just eaten honey

One should not judge a person by their appearance

"Are you unwilling?" He immediately understood the message in the white eyes, "Then you must temporarily endure and reluctantly stay here.

Sun Zhao quickly glanced down the corridor, seeing no one else, and his anxious heart finally settled. He gently closed the door

Having had breakfast, the sun is already high in the sky, and the temperature under its direct rays remains quite hot

Suddenly, I feel that he is actually very much like a child

She gripped the box more tightly than before, her fingertips turning slightly white. She took one last look into his eyes and turned around forcefully

Then, farewell. She smiled, as if all the unpleasantness that had just occurred had never happened

Suddenly, a splash of water sounded nearby, as someone entered the swimming pool, seemingly intending to disturb her, and a huge splash of water splattered onto her face. She frowned and looked over, and after a glance, she was taken aback.

Well. Good night

Various responses came from around. "I want! To go home and eat Chinese food!" said the mother with her son.

I am somewhat unaccustomed to your pretentiousness

This is not good

Ah, this mockery is too obvious

Ah, it has unexpectedly arrived. A fleeting sense of melancholy swept through her heart. Her fingertips brushed against the object around her neck, the blue gem no longer cold, having absorbed her body heat

They sat quietly in the water, remaining silent for a while. A hint of awkwardness appeared on both of their faces

She looked at the small flame in his eyes, her heartbeat suddenly slowed for half a beat, unable to refuse

The guide blinked and looked at her, as if assessing the truth of her words, then smiled faintly, "Is his stuff with you? You seem to have a good relationship. I'll give you his number so you can keep in touch with each other."

What?" Dai Yimi's eyes flickered, "Did we not agree to be more straightforward? Why are you being so evasive again..."

Is it difficult to respond? Accept or do not accept?

I am not joking. Do I look like someone who jokes?

Hmm?

I promise you. However, we agreed that I will definitely not take it away

Please wait for me a moment

The guide's small flag fluttered in the air as she jogged along behind it. Upon reaching the luggage area, their group was about to disperse.

He held her hand firmly, his eyes filled with rejection. She simply pushed the box forcefully into his palm.

"I don't want to; I haven't even played enough. It's a pity that I've spent all my money." The couple in the front row elongated their voices, followed by a burst of laughter.

Dai Yimiton immediately rolled her eyes slightly, wondering how one could speak of the gentleman's way when there are gentlemen who would pull others to run in public

Of course, I came to swim, is that not allowed? Aren't you here as well

The box opened a narrow slit. By the light of the corridor, the flowing light within the box could be faintly seen.

She avoided the guide's gaze, pondered her words for a moment, and said very seriously, "I am going to study in another city, it is impossible for us."

Dai Yimi swore that she did not do it on purpose. It must be that he was too abnormal, which is why she always did not want him to continue speaking. However, she had a strong intuition that he would say something earth-shattering and soul-stirring, something she did not want to face immediately

He remains unmoved

In the rippling water, Sun Zhao drew closer. He stopped beside her, watching with great interest her dazed expression

I know this gift is somewhat modest, but I beg you to do me the honor of accepting it.

With a click, he closed the door. The room, not spacious, felt overwhelmingly large at this moment, leaving him with an immense sense of emptiness.

As she watched the box being held in his palm, she felt as if the weight of her entire body had been lifted, and her body suddenly became very light.

She suddenly felt a bit regretful for having escaped too quickly. She wished to stay a little longer, pretending naively not to know what the future held. Her hand gently brushed against the black box. As she tightened her grip, she made up her mind to give it to him after all, fearing that she might not find someone else to give it to.

Sun Zhao paused for a moment, slightly raised his chin, and looked at the ceiling. "What do you think of when you see that star?"

She quietly searched for his figure among the crowd. However, rows of seats obstructed her view, and she had no choice but to give up

She stood at the door, imagining many scenes in her mind regarding this issue, from the hotel room to his house, his bedroom, his wallpaper, the items that would be placed on his windowsill... unable to extricate herself.

I also only realize now that this is not good. Perhaps I should be more straightforward

This ... ... actually ... ... is nothing.

What are you thinking about

But what is it? Sun Zhao persisted, "Do you hate me?"

In fact, I did not come here to discuss this

The alarm clock rings

The wheels of the suitcase made a "clattering" sound against the ground. Outside the airport's floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the late summer sun shone brightly. It was another clear day with a cloudless sky; a gust of summer wind blew, lifting her skirt and making her shadow dance.

He watched her figure grow increasingly distant until the light could no longer illuminate the blur brought about by the distance

Oh right, he suddenly remembered something, "Thank you for your box, the design of the lotus is very exquisite"

The operation of the aircraft gradually became stable The cabin is very quiet

Cough, cough," she coughed a few times, "This matter is no joke, my friend.

She sincerely nodded as if she had not heard anything at all

The sudden intrusion of sound interrupted her thoughts. Sun Zhao's hands were clasped behind his back, and the contours of his face were sharply defined against the light as he gazed intently at her

Is it interesting? he said with a smile, looking quite satisfied

Five thirty in the morning

The feeling of stepping onto one's homeland is quite marvelous, especially after being abroad. Her first step was light and airy, accompanied by a sense of stiffness from sitting for too long, while the second step was incredibly firm.

Sun Zhao pulled her to his room, showing no intention of letting her in, rendering a series of refusals she had prepared along the way useless. After all, perhaps the room had not been tidied up; how could one simply enter without hesitation? Yet, she was somewhat curious about how he would arrange his living space. Would it be as simple and clean as he was, or would it be the opposite, filled with the warmth of home?

Arriving at the hall at 6:10, she was right on time. She let out a sigh of relief; this time, she was not the last one.

She spoke as she took an object out of her handbag, tightly gripping it in her palm, the hard texture causing her some pain. She slowly raised her hand, bringing it to his eyes, and opened her hands.

One by one, people closed the blackout curtains and leaned back in their chairs to sleep. She was not tired, yet she could not fall asleep despite her attempts. ... With her eyes closed, everything seemed to linger from yesterday: that starry sky, that pond, those dim corridor lights, and the light in his eyes ... . ... She feared she would never be able to forget, not for a lifetime.

Who knows whether the aftertaste of this candy is sweet or bitter, and who wishes to know? To have a moment is enough

A small black box is in the palm of the hand

A familiar black box

"Don't go," Sun Zhao grasped her arm and effortlessly pulled her back to her original spot. "Everywhere else is filled with couples; do you want to be a third wheel?"

Hey! She widened her eyes. She had been planning to give him a gift later, but now, all her emotions were in disarray

Dai Yimi buried her head, a myriad of thoughts surged to her mind

He nodded with a smile, appearing genuinely sincere

He neither answered nor took the box, but remained silent

The lawn outside the window stirred, large swathes of green passed by increasingly quickly, until only a fleeting shadow remained. At the moment of takeoff, she had a sense of illusion that this narrow window had severed all connections.

She turned her head to the side, gazing at the flow of traffic outside the window, and smiled quietly, the reflection in the car window flickering in the changing background

He smiled and nodded slightly

The elevator doors closed, leaving only the two of them in the confined space. Although the lights were bright and music echoed, she still felt a bit awkward

Typically, after the doorbell rings three times, Sun Xi will leave. He hears the outside gradually quieting down and lets out a long sigh

A large question mark appeared above Dai Yimi's head; what happened to him? It felt as though every word he spoke did not align with her impression of him...

There are many people gathered around the conveyor belt. After she received the box, she could not find his figure.

What I want to say is that I like you

Can Dai Yimi really withstand such a strange atmosphere, "I remember, the starry sky from the night before last was also like this"

Sun Zhao unceremoniously grabbed her hand and quickly walked towards the elevator. She felt surprised, but due to the large crowd in the hall, she had no choice but to follow him.

Indeed, she pressed her lips together and said, "After retrieving the box, I accidentally discovered that there was a mechanism inside the box."

Sigh. She let out a low sigh deep within her heart

The other party suddenly fell silent

At this moment, she can vaguely see the scenery on the ground. The familiar streets, the familiar river, and the familiar flow of traffic

She waved her hand and said, "Well, goodbye then"

Without needing to look, one can tell who it is; he continues to watch television as if he has not heard a thing

She pursed her lips and thought, forget it, it doesn't matter, after all, she had agreed to Sun Zhao. Moreover, she would eventually take it off.

Returning the item is simple; I will give you her phone number, and you can just meet up.

She cheerfully ran towards the elevator, carrying her swimming gear

I am sorry

Dai Yimi escaped from the swimming pool at an unprecedented speed, droplets of water clinging to her body, disappearing behind the glass door under the astonished gaze of everyone in the pool.

"Well, yes..." She scratched her head, feeling extremely awkward. "How should I put it? Actually, it is Sun Zhao's belongings that are with me..."

Why

They were at a standstill, and ultimately it was his concession, "Alright, you may choose not to accept it. But may I ask you to wear it, just for tonight? Before we part ways tomorrow, could you return it to me?"

She aimlessly walked out through the glass door by the swimming pool, her entire body wrapped in a shawl adorned with vibrant patterns. As she passed through the lobby, the evening breeze flowing through brought a refreshing coolness. A palm tree stood in one corner of the lobby, and a figure was hidden behind the tree.

When Dai Yimi finally emerged from the changing room, nearly an hour had passed

Seeing the necklace placed on the dressing table, she hesitated for a moment and quickly fastened it around her neck. After glancing at herself in the mirror a couple of times and tousling her hair haphazardly, she grabbed her suitcase and rushed out the door

Look, this is the gift I have prepared for you. Isn't it beautiful

No, no, no!" She quickly waved her hand, "I don't know how to respond to you.

She smiled somewhat awkwardly in response to his expectant gaze and asked, "Is it nice? I didn't choose my outfit well today; it doesn't match with it."

Dai Yimi felt that if she were drinking water at that moment, she would surely spray it all out.

Uh... he was speechless for a moment, "What you should be thinking of is not what is written in novels, 'Miss, your red star of romance has moved,' right?"

With a splash, Dai Yimi slipped and fell into the water

Hmm? What do you mean by that?

She took note

Sun Zhao does not need to guess what she is thinking, "It was my mistake to pull you just now, but I have said that I like you. A gentleman can also be a bit casual in front of someone he likes."

With a soft "click," after the door closed, a half head peeked around the corner at the end of the corridor. Dai Yimi's tense muscles relaxed, yet the box in her hand was gripped even tighter

He immediately tossed aside the remote control and ran barefoot to open the door

She stiffened slightly, feeling greatly surprised that he had actually noticed such a small detail. Alas, it was a miscalculation; she could only hope that he would not take it too seriously

"Open and take a look." Sun Zhao interrupted her question

He cannot clearly express his feelings at this moment. After much difficulty in gathering his courage, he clings to that faint glimmer of hope, yet in the end, the hope is still shattered to dust. Ultimately, this amounts to nothing; everything is left to fate. However, he still wishes to give her something, a gift that is perfectly suited to her. In his mind, no one else matches her so perfectly.

Just as he gradually understood the meaning of the film and began to immerse himself in it, the doorbell suddenly rang

He lowered his head, his eyes dark and unfathomable, and asked with little expression, "Looking for me?"

What is this and that? Are you joking with me? When did you learn to joke?" Dai Yimi's eyes suddenly widened, Sun Zhao is definitely not normal

Alright, if you do not wish to accept it, then so be it. After all, our encounter is merely a fleeting one, and giving a gift holds no significance. I hope you do not feel troubled by my actions, and I sincerely apologize for the disturbance.

He said, I like you. Is it true or false? She forced herself to think that he was joking, yet she couldn't help but feel happy, almost wanting to cheer. Silly girl, she sighed, tomorrow they will part ways, joy in the moment, sorrow at other times. She hopes it is true, yet it seems more like it is false.

The farewell bell tolls amidst the turbulence of the airplane's glide. The broadcast plays a phrase in authentic Chinese, "The flight you are on is about to take off"

She brushed aside the hair sticking to her face and felt a wave of heat. A glance in the mirror revealed her flushed face.

Why

Sigh... She let out a sigh and looked up at the sky. Above her head was a dense canopy of trees, and the lights on the shore appeared even softer under the filtering shadows of the trees. The gentle ripples of the water seemed to merge with the hazy glow of the lights, spreading out in layers. The night breeze brushed against the loose strands of hair on her forehead, its coolness washing over her mood. The moonlight was so beautiful, a delicate jade hook hanging in the horizon, exuding an enchanting charm

What are you here to say

I merely wish to follow the path of a gentleman, where courtesy is reciprocal. Since you have presented me with a gift, I cannot allow you to leave empty-handed

His voice is deep

All the images weave into a foreign dream, as she follows the procession, witnessing different people passing by, the light and shadow dissipate, and the dream is about to awaken

He knew she wanted to avoid embarrassment, so for the next hour or so, he remained silent. It was as if there was a dripping sound in his ear, the passage of time had such a tangible resonance. The farewell drew ever closer, while the encounter receded further away

Curling her hair, she anxiously asked the guide, "Guide, where has Sun Xi gone?"

She suddenly felt a sense of intoxication, wanting to forget what evening it was tonight

How? Do you want to claim this public swimming pool as your own?" He paused for a moment, pointed to the sky, and smiled, "You can see the moon here, I won't leave.

For example, encounters during travel do not necessarily mean missing out

"Alright, alright, you go swim, just don't stay next to me." Dai Yimi turned her face away and wiped the droplets of water from her face

She tilted her head back, as if she had never seen him before, carefully examining him over and over again, from the corners of her eyes to the tips of her brows, from the tip of his nose to his chin. In the end, she heard a low sigh from within her heart. A feeling of loss and longing rose from some corner, unable to dissipate.

Sun Zhao sat in the room, feeling a sense of idleness. Outside the window, the lights began to glow, and the bustling crowd filled the streets and alleys.

It is so similar, too similar, can it be a bit more similar? Please, if this is not a joke, can I pretend I didn't hear it?

No, I am sorry. She closed the box that had not yet fully opened and handed it to him, saying, "This gift is too precious; I cannot accept it"

Ah, there is nothing at all. She twisted her hands awkwardly, much like a child caught sneaking snacks.

Ah, I think this is quite good. Are you all in one place? It would be easy to meet up. How rare it is to have such a connection, we should cherish it

On the vehicle, there was a lively atmosphere. The guide smiled and said, "Alright, the next stop is the final destination of our journey— the airport. Does everyone want to go home?"