Old Dreams of London
I heard a faint crackling sound coming from the fireplace, and I knew that outside the window, London was being blanketed in a heavy snowfall. I silently stepped forward, picked up the blanket that had fallen to the ground, and gently draped it over his legs
Relying on my memories from ten years ago, I arrived in the United Kingdom, only to find that the butler who awaited me was no longer the same; the new butler was astonishingly young
He looked up at me and replied: "Unfortunately."
Let go
"There is nothing wrong," I replied numbly, "I have fallen in love with someone, but he will never love me back."
At this moment, Ouyang Jing lowered his hand from the door lock and looked at me with a furrowed brow
Ouyang Jing smiled faintly, as if soothing a child: "All of my everything."
I nodded
That year, you returned to China, while he was shot in the left shoulder by a rival in London
He told me in person that he did not mention his leg, so I suspect that... he is actually not injured
He lay on the sofa, eyes closed, as if he were asleep. I did not dare to stop, fearing that I might disturb him, so I could only continue reading. Until I finished the entire book, I stared blankly at the empty last page, unsure of what to do next. The flames behind me danced continuously, suddenly making a crackling sound.
It no longer matters, he said, everything in this world reminds me of this matter
"No," he said, "she enjoys playing the piano and occasionally sings. It is only when I hear her voice that I feel at ease"
I hesitated for a moment: "Is she one of them?"
Yes," he said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work.
I felt somewhat disappointed and couldn't help but ask the driver, "May I ask, what is his name?"
I stood before the iron gate, reaching out to touch it, eagerly wanting to see him, but suddenly withdrew my hand.
He said softly, "Your voice is very pleasant and can help me fall asleep"
He did not answer me; he simply sat in his wheelchair, his hands crossed, looking at me. He had a pair of very beautiful hands, with long fingers and distinct knuckles. However, I noticed that there was a scar on the back of his hand, which was indeed quite hideous, yet it somehow became a form of beauty on his hand
In reality, the gap between ideals and reality is vast. What we need to do every day is to continuously study customer needs, marketing management, and financial statements. Those beautiful things that shine under the lights behind the display window are merely a distant dream for us
Ouyang Jing arrived by my side at an unknown time, and like me, he gazed at the distant mountains, softly saying: "The world is vast, isn't it?"
Before I left London, I recorded a tape. The recorder started to turn, I cleared my throat softly, and I said: "Are you listening?"
He frowned slightly in displeasure and said, "This is not a hospital."
My relationship with Ouyang Jing is not too bad. I am actually an extroverted person who enjoys talking incessantly, but Ouyang Jing is very quiet, and in front of him, I do not say much. However, every time he falls asleep, I quietly chatter away and say a lot to him.
I believe I must look utterly unattractive right now, having traveled in a disheveled state, rushing through the night, and even forgetting to touch up my lipstick
"Paradise," the driver replied
"No need," he said, "is this the only birthday gift you want?"
I smiled faintly: "The person he has been waiting for has never been me"
I do not know what else to say, my mind is completely blank, I can only change the subject: "Let me read to you."
Oh," he succinctly interrupted me, "there is no need.
"You figured it out," I said, sticking out my tongue, hesitating as I told him about receiving the job offer. I asked him expectantly, "What do you think, should I go?"
I love the things I cannot possess, you are so distant
In an instant, his eyes brimmed with tears, and he said: "Miss, the young master has been waiting for you all along"
On the second year, during my birthday, Ouyang Jing suddenly remembered this matter. While having dinner, he asked me: "What birthday gift do you want?"
I said: "Where can I go now?"
Because I love you," I looked into his eyes and softly said, "I love you with my life
I just feel that it seems very difficult to see you, I said, We haven't had a meal together for a long time
He respectfully asked me, "Miss, may I ask who you are looking for?"
Perhaps due to the excessive consumption at the shooting range, I did not see Ouyang Jing during breakfast the next morning
I feel that he is actually mocking my childishness, and I couldn't help but retort: "I am not."
I smiled sadly: "Yes, you have told me before to take good care of my voice, not to let it be damaged, and not to let you down"
Additionally, my favorite British author is Jane Austen
In the past decade, I have encountered countless others and numerous possibilities, yet in this life and the next, only he alone can be adorned with my beautiful dreams
My major is luxury goods management, which sounds quite flashy, as if one is constantly immersed in a pot of money, enough to boast about it for a lifetime to outsiders who do not understand the field
What should I read to you? I awkwardly changed the subject, My English is not very good, please don't mind.
I have always known that Ouyang Jing and I are from two different worlds. However, I never expected that there would be no friendship between us even to say a proper goodbye; he merely stands on the cloud, looking down at me coldly.
The car drives along the banks of the Thames, in this historic city that once stood at the pinnacle of the world, and it is enough to draw the frequent glances of passersby on the street.
I had long since fallen in love with Ouyang Jing, perhaps it was at our first meeting when he sat in the grand and magnificent hall, quietly looking up at me with a glance that was more dazzling than the luxurious background behind him
I discussed with my parents, and they replied: "You just need to do what you like."
He was sitting in a wheelchair, his head slightly bowed. As I happened to pass through the hall, I saw him and approached with a smile, asking, "Can I help you?"
I tremble all over, I am so afraid, I stand right in front of him, yet he can no longer recognize who I am
I stood rigidly, watching as he slowly wheeled himself in front of me. Then, he bent down, picked up the photograph, and turned around, leaving the study.
I love you here, Ouyang Jing
She and Ouyang Jing were childhood sweethearts, with both families being well-matched in social status. They were betrothed by their families from a young age. Seven or eight years ago, Ouyang Jing was a rebellious young man, while Alice was a spoiled and proud princess. Although they clearly liked each other, they deliberately provoked one another and ignored each other. It seemed that admitting to having genuine feelings would mean losing. Although they clearly liked each other, they deliberately provoked one another and ignored each other. It seemed that admitting to having genuine feelings would mean losing.
At that time, "The Years Have Suddenly Passed" was about to be published. Due to my studies and work, I had not written anything for a long time. Therefore, I had to take advantage of the lunch break when everyone was eating, and with an empty stomach, I secretly took out my notebook to write a novel. It took me three lunch breaks to complete this piece, "Old Dreams of London." Regrettably, I did not lose half a pound.
"I do not like your voice," he said淡淡地.
I gazed at the red wine before me and tentatively asked, "Is it really possible to have anything?"
The flames in the fireplace flicker and dance, displaying a fierce and clawing demeanor. Meanwhile, he, seated on the sofa, has fallen into a deep slumber; his usually stern features have finally softened. His long, curled eyelashes flutter slightly, resembling an angel that has lost its way
I nodded blankly and replied: "I believe."
The tenth year since leaving the United Kingdom, Lucky has also departed from me. I found it when it was already two or three years old, and it lived to this age, passing away naturally in my arms, leaving me with no other regrets
After a decade, I finally heard his voice once again. Tears streamed down my face, and I could hardly stand.
I hired you solely because your voice is similar to hers," he said mercilessly. "Your tone has changed; to me, what difference does that make compared to others?
He did not speak again, and I also did not know whether he had heard my response. The entire dining hall was so quiet that the only sound was the gentle clinking of my spoon against the edge of the bowl. I asked Ouyang Jing: "Are you... very busy lately?"
The steward, fearing that he might catch a chill, took a blanket and draped it over his legs
A very romantic story, filled with my longing for England, old castles, heavy snowfall, and a handsome man with a past and memories.
"There were originally other things," I said with a bitter smile, "but it no longer matters."
Seven years ago in winter, Ouyang Jing was on a date with another girl when he was caught by Alice. Unable to restrain herself, she mocked him a few times, leading to a heated argument and an unhappy parting. Ouyang Jing felt deeply regretful and called Alice to apologize. On that very day, they were kidnapped by a group of criminals who had been waiting for an opportunity. The criminals were ruthless; despite Ouyang's family delivering the ransom they demanded, they still refused to release them, believing Ouyang Jing to be a cash cow. At that time, Ouyang Jing had a fiery temper and acted recklessly. He and Alice found an opportunity to escape but were caught by the criminals again. As punishment and a warning, they severed Alice's legs in front of Ouyang Jing.
On the day I hit the bullseye for the first time, Ouyang Jing gave me an approving smile. At that moment, I realized that Ouyang Jing was capable of smiling.
The medication in the UK is too weak for me, I said, I just came to tell you that I am going back to my country
Linda was taken aback and said, "The company is not recruiting models, and there have been no recent press conferences"
Linda forced a smile: "Him? He is a top-tier luxury item"
"Little girl," the butler sighed and shook his head, "the so-called truth is that those who do not know tend to be happier."
I know that you actually no longer wish to hear my voice, but, "I strive to force a smile, " let this be considered a farewell.
The next day, I went to see Ouyang Jing. His complexion was pale, and I asked him, "Have you not been sleeping well lately?"
I stared at him in a daze
On the day of the Spring Festival, it coincided with the time I was to go read to Ouyang Jing. I went to the Chinese supermarket to buy glutinous rice flour and red bean paste, and made tangyuan myself, borrowing the kitchen to cook a pot.
In the winter of 2002, I went to London to pursue my studies. At that time, the British pound was still very strong, with an exchange rate of 15:1 against the Chinese yuan, and I was reluctant to even buy a bottle of the cheapest mineral water
After my birthday, I noticed a subtle change in the relationship between Ouyang Jing and me. In other words, he has become more indifferent towards me than before
I hurriedly nodded at him, then, holding a large stack of folders, rushed to the elevator.
"Twenty years old," after a few seconds, he suddenly chuckled, "truly too young."
Gradually, Ouyang Jing would also take me out of the castle for a walk. I followed him to his shooting range once, and he was in a good mood, personally teaching me archery
I turned my head and looked at Ouyang Jing in despair
No. 1 Daylight, day after day, chasing each other
It was at the moment I beheld the castle that I truly understood what it means to be a genuine noble.
He rarely practices archery now, so I asked him why
I took a nap in the car, and when I woke up, I opened the car door and finally understood what the driver meant by "paradise"
How?
That evening, I read "The Little Prince" to Ouyang Jing
I nodded foolishly
He glanced at me and said, "I have no friends"
Ouyang Jing did not deny it, but simply looked at me
Suddenly, Ouyang Jing appeared at the door of the study and coldly said to me
I do not like this story, Ouyang Jing said to me
Please proceed
I stand in the empty study, feeling so uncomfortable that I can hardly breathe
Only at this moment do I realize that Ouyang Jing is not a healthy person; no matter how strong he may be, he can only rely on a wheelchair to move about
The time we spend together for meals is becoming increasingly scarce; apart from when I read to him, I can hardly see him at any other time.
At that moment, I heard footsteps, and the next second, the door was opened from the inside. He was wearing a checkered coat with a stand-up collar, and around his neck was the black scarf I had knitted for him ten years ago. What astonished me was that he was standing.
I couldn't help but say to Linda: "I just saw someone in the lobby, he was incredibly handsome, I have never seen such a beautiful model before"
"Yes," said the butler, "because Miss Alice has lost her legs, the young master is no longer willing to walk upright."
In these three years of meeting you, the joy is real, and the pain is also real. If possible, I hope you no longer have to live so lonely. You can try to stand up, let the past be the past, and you can start anew
On his desk, there is a thick black leather-bound book, adorned with gold edges, which is quite beautiful. Out of curiosity, I reached out to open it. Inside the first page, there is a photograph that has been roughly torn in half, leaving only one half visible, which features a girl. She is wearing a British high school uniform and a British-style coat, standing under a streetlamp, smiling at the camera. I suspect she has Chinese ancestry, but her features appear more three-dimensional and captivating.
He raised his head and quietly looked at me. This was the first time someone had looked at me with such eyes, calm, devoid of sorrow or joy, his gaze profound, leaving me unable to move.
I had a glutinous rice ball in my mouth, neither able to swallow nor spit it out, and at that moment, I felt utterly tasteless
Because the Little Prince will never be able to obtain his rose, right
I asked him: "You asked me to read for you because my voice is very similar to hers, right?"
In my youth, I was always very conflicted. I was troubled by Ouyang Jing's past, by his lack of love for me, and by the disparity in our statuses. However, after ten years, I suddenly feel that nothing matters anymore. I just want to see him once, to convey the feelings I was unable to express ten years ago, so that I can endure the next ten years.
The simplest sentence was stammered by me
Yes, I said softly, everything about him is very important to me
No, she is a wonderful girl," he said
Sometimes my kiss travels with these heavy vessels
I looked into his eyes, smiled softly, and then gazed at the red wine in the cup, saying slowly and deliberately: "If I should see you, after long years. How should I greet you, with tears, with silence"
He did not answer me, but instead frowned and said, "What happened to your voice?"
On the fourteenth day after Ouyang Jing issued the eviction order against me, I could no longer restrain myself and called the butler, requesting to meet with him.
The first time I met Ouyang Jing was here
In his youth, Ouyang Jing appeared much more vibrant than he does now, resembling the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Although he is still quite young now, with skin as fair as jade, he exudes a stillness akin to a stagnant pool of water
I took it in and named it Lucky, because Ouyang Jing once sarcastically remarked that British dogs are either named Lucky or Happy. After having Lucky, my days became much easier; every time I thought of Ouyang Jing, I would take Lucky for a walk. We walked along Binjiang Avenue again and again, pretending we were by the Thames.
At that time, my mother's surgery had already been completed. She was afraid of delaying my studies, so she only informed me of this matter after her condition stabilized. I had nothing I could do for my parents, so I devoted myself to studying culinary skills every day, thinking of ways to cook dishes that would please them
He quietly looked at me, not moving at all, and after a long while, he finally spoke, asking: "Why are you here?"
On the day I bid farewell to Lucky, I sat alone by the windowsill for a long time. It was on that day that I suddenly made up my mind to see Ouyang Jing once more
"You may leave," he said
In fact, my despicable means did indeed work; the butler sent a driver to take me up the mountain. However, he repeatedly cautioned me: "This is not the young master's intention, so I cannot guarantee whether you will be able to see him or not."
After a long time, she replied to me with just one sentence: "Under no circumstances should you fall in love with Ouyang Jing"
"Feel free," he said, rubbing his brow, "you can choose what you like from the bookshelf"
"You have such a strange temper," I muttered, "Isn't it possible for us to be friends?"
On the day the driver came to pick me up, it was still snowing in London. The black Rolls-Royce parked by the roadside was covered with a thin layer of snow, and the driver opened the car door for me, not sitting inside the vehicle.
The butler turned his head, took a few steps, then stopped and said, "Is this important?"
Good morning. I greeted him somewhat awkwardly
I actually want to stay in the UK, because I know that if I return to my home country, then Ouyang Jing and I will truly become nothing more than strangers with no connection. But even if I stay, what can I do for him?
The butler said that after I left, Ouyang Jing began to try to stand. His muscles had atrophied severely, and in the beginning, he had to spend more than three hours a day on exercise and rehabilitation. It took him about four to six months to recover, becoming no different from a normal person
I sat down at the long table, and under the orange light, his face appeared increasingly pale. I once joked that he was a vampire living in a castle
I nervously placed my fingers under each line of the poem, trying to read it fluently: "I love you here, even though the horizon futilely conceals you. Among these cold things, I still love you. Sometimes my kiss embarks on a heavy ship, crossing the ocean, it never stops..."
He said coldly: "We will not meet again"
Thank you for agreeing to meet with me
Miss, please forgive him. The incident that occurred when the young master was in his teens had a profound impact on him. Everyone envies the young master, as he is favored by fate from birth. However, for the young master, his greatest wish is perhaps to abandon this family and live a simple life like an ordinary person. But he cannot do so, so he hopes that at least you, Miss, can.
I fell ill with a moderate illness, experiencing a fever of 38.5 °C. I truthfully informed the steward of my condition, hoping to move him with my plight
I reached out with my hand to touch the torn edge, pondering in my heart, who is the person on that half? Why was it torn away by someone? Who is this girl? ... Why would her photo ... be on Ouyang Jing's desk
I wish to speak but hesitate
That day after class, he announced the end of the lesson, yet he showed no intention of leaving, quietly sitting at the podium. Many girls couldn't help but rush forward to speak with him, but he merely smiled and shook his head. When everyone in the classroom had finally left, I still lingered, reluctant to depart. At that moment, he suddenly lifted his head and glanced in my direction
However, you still disappointed me
I was pondering when Linda suddenly turned her head and asked me: "Is the person you mentioned black-haired and black-eyed, sitting in a wheelchair?"
I handed him the book in my hand, standing up carefully, only to realize that my legs had gone numb from sitting. I dragged my feet and took two steps when the butler smiled and said, "The young master has instructed that you may stay here tonight."
He is trapped in the abyss of hell, and he is unwilling to drag me into this enchantment
I feel very sad, as graduation is approaching and the job market in the UK is quite bleak. Many international students around me have started to prepare for returning to their home countries. Some Chinese companies have also come to the school for recruitment, and I have submitted several resumes, but I still feel very lost.
I bit my lip tightly with my teeth
The first time I read to him, I sat with him by the fireplace
Upon meeting Ouyang Jing for the second time, he was wearing a simple nylon suit and presented to us a documentary he had invested in and filmed about luxury goods
Behind this tightly closed gate lies one of the few remaining private castles in England, situated atop a mountain, isolated from the world, accompanied only by the sunrises and sunsets of the heavens.
He said that he hopes I can work for him, and the tasks I need to perform are quite simple; I only need to go to his place once a week to read some books or poetry for him
I gradually began to get used to the days of being single. One time, my mother couldn't help but ask me: "What exactly happened when you were in the UK?"
He revealed that mocking smile again and continued to ask me: "So what do you think love is?"
After a while, having finished with the miscellaneous tasks, I went to the corridor and looked down towards the hall; he was no longer in sight.
That day, I had just picked up the book and read a sentence to Ouyang Jing when he interrupted me
Ouyang Jing did not show much surprise; what is a major event for me seems to have no relation to him
The girl in the photo is named Alice, and she has been deceased for seven years now
My supervisor Linda is of mixed British and French descent, able to switch effortlessly between a London accent and a New York accent. My English proficiency can only be considered mediocre. Once, when she reprimanded me, she surprisingly used Chinese.
Chronicles of Time
For example, the events from my childhood, my homeland, occurrences at school, or any unpleasant disputes with my landlord. It is precisely because I know he will not hear this that I can speak freely without restraint
He did not speak, only gazed into my eyes. I thought I must have been enchanted, as I inexplicably opened my mouth and replied: "Alright"
From beginning to end, he did not look at me once
No. 6 I love what I do not have, you are so distant
I devoted all my emotions, but to him, it was merely a topic of light conversation after a meal
That night, I stayed in Ouyang Jing's castle. I thought I would be unable to sleep, but in reality, I fell asleep quickly after lying down in bed. However, I spent the entire night dreaming, a night filled with nightmares.
His tone was icy, as if he were merely an indifferent passerby. I mockingly thought to myself, what more could I expect from Ouyang Jing? Would he still try to persuade me to stay?
No," Ouyang Jing said, "Do you believe in love?"
At this moment, I was certain that Ouyang Jing's leg injury had other underlying issues
He raised an eyebrow: "When is it that a little girl gets to lecture me?"
"It's nothing, sir is in good health," he looked at me with a complex expression, "it's just... I have finally been waiting for you, please hold on a moment."
I felt even more embarrassed, and I quickly waved my hand, stammering in English to Ouyang Jing: "You don't have to give me money, I haven't done anything."
Did she often do this before? Recite poetry for you?
He sat in a corner beside me, the light flickering on his face. During those two hours, I did not remember a single scene from the screen, nor did I understand a word of the narration; all I could see and feel was him. I sat in the back row of the lecture hall, hearing the sound of my own heartbeat, thump, thump, thump
I have never heard of such a job before. I was left speechless
Ouyang Jing smiled and did not continue to discuss this topic with me. He seemed very tired that day, and before long, he unexpectedly fell asleep on the sofa
Every instance of unrequited love serves only as a reminder of how deeply I love him
What? I stood there holding the book, stunned
I do not recommend that you refuse," he said淡淡地, "or would you like me to go find your principal to pay your entire tuition for you?
However, so many years have passed, and I am no longer that naive and fearless girl who once ventured alone to study abroad.
My life is gradually weary, yearning for a boat without arrows. I love the things I cannot possess, you are so distant. My fatigue confronts the slow dusk. Until the night falls, it begins to sing to me
I casually opened the poetry collection, and it turned out to be that poem "I Love You Here" again, which feels like a highly ironic joke
After the Christmas holiday, I resumed my busy studies. One day, our brand culture teacher suddenly informed us that he had invited a prominent figure to teach our class for the following week. I was not particularly interested, as to me, it was merely a foreigner with a very complicated English name. I did not quite understand the noble status embedded in their surnames.
No. 3 I love you here, and the horizon vainly conceals you
The person torn from that photograph is none other than Ouyang Jing himself. Having grown up together, he and Alice have only had that one photograph together.
The next day, I woke up to find that the heavy snow had just cleared, and the sun was shining brightly. I got dressed and went downstairs, where Ouyang Jing was already awake, sitting at the long table having breakfast. The table was right by the window, and with a slight turn of my head, I could see the pristine white snow on the mountaintop
"I am not used to it," he said淡淡地.
Having spoken, he turned around and left the hall
The initial and final verses of this poem
When I wrote this story, I was interning at a renowned gaming company, extremely busy, with hardly any time to sleep each day
By the time the rescuers arrived, Alice had already died from excessive blood loss
I can only depict his image over and over again in the void of the air
Can you answer me a question? I gathered my courage and asked, "The girl in the photo I saw in your study a year ago, who is she?"
He let out a light laugh, full of sarcasm. I turned my head to look at him, but he had already turned away, wheeling himself off.
He smiled faintly and said, "Miss Jian, I have an unwelcome request."
I feel as if something is lodged in my heart, causing discomfort yet unable to be expressed.
This is the person I love deeply; because of this profound love, I cannot even bear to hate them.
"The pressure on the spine is too great," he said
I do not know what to say, he has done nothing wrong, yet I still feel sad because I have developed genuine feelings for him
I was taken aback, thinking I had misheard, no, I must have misheard
He has fallen asleep I said
"Unfortunately," he said succinctly, "I have come for you"
The young master said you can just call him Ouyang Jing, as he has one-eighth Chinese ancestry
Sometimes, meeting is not as good as reminiscing
I foolishly said: "Are you having trouble sleeping? My grandfather is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner; I can ask him for you"
This is the first time I have seen Ouyang Jing sleeping in, meticulous and disciplined. In my view, Ouyang Jing seems to have no shortcomings whatsoever
Since that day, I have not gained any further understanding of Ouyang Jing
No. 5 I still love you among these cold things
After returning to China, I began to live a life similar to most people, commuting between work and home, following a two-point line. After two years, my parents started to worry and tried every means to arrange blind dates for me. However, after meeting Ouyang Jing, I found that other men were simply too inferior. I tried to get along with them, but each time ended without any results.
Ouyang Jing did not look at me, he merely nodded. Someone handed me a card and informed me that my salary would henceforth be deposited onto the card.
During the winter of my freshman year, upon the recommendation of my professor, I became an intern at a well-established jewelry company. When I first walked in, standing in front of the magnificent staircase in the grand hall, I was so nervous that my whole body trembled. I was born in a city in the northern part of my country, where my family did not have much money, but we were never in want of food or clothing. However, in the face of those expensive jewelry luxury goods, I still felt a sense of fear
I apologize for mentioning your sorrowful matter
I whispered: "Ouyang Jing."
At this moment, the distance between him and me is approximately ten meters, yet this ten meters feels like an insurmountable chasm. I have a premonition that in my lifetime, I will never be able to cross it
He was taken aback and looked up at me. At that moment, I suddenly had a sense of foreboding, and I trembled as I asked, "What happened to him?"
Here lives the person I deeply love
The next second, my phone rang, and Linda asked me where I had gone
I waited outside for a full two hours before receiving a response from Ouyang Jing. I felt a sense of despair myself, yet his reply was, since you are here, let us stay and dine together
"When I was your age, I was a downright rascal," he said softly, his head slightly bowed, as he gently rolled the cigarette in his left hand. "I smoked, raced cars, and slept with women"
I began to seek information about Ouyang Jing, but online I could only find some news about his investments. He comes from a large and ancient family, and much of the information is confidential. After thinking for a long time, I sent an email to Linda, asking her what kind of person Ouyang Jing is
It was a snowy dusk when I picked up a collection of poems by Neruda, and as I casually flipped through it, I unexpectedly came across my favorite poem, "I Love You Here".
The butler glanced at me and said, "Little girl, there are things that should not be asked."
He is punishing himself in his own way, punishing the self that still exists in this world
"It's up to you," he said incisively. "I suggest you go back, because staying in the UK won't help you find a job."
About six months later, I received an opportunity to go to Ouyang Jing's study to help him retrieve a document.
He arrogantly believes that the only thing he can do for me is to let me go
My smile froze awkwardly
Behind me, snowflakes fill the sky in London
I gathered up the courage, nervously walked up to him, and forced a stiff smile, saying, "Hi, what a coincidence... We've met before, do you remember?"
Ouyang Jing raised his head and glanced at me, a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully serious on his face: "I only go to bed with beautiful women now"
His health has never been particularly good, and had it not been for timely rescue efforts, he might not have even had the chance to see you again. While he was lying in the hospital, he received a photo sent by those below, showing you shopping with your family, blending into the crowd, utterly ordinary, carefree, and unaware of anything. It was at that moment that the young master told me he wanted you to leave
I was startled by him, and the photo slipped from my hand. I hurriedly crouched down to pick up the photo, but I heard him say: "Stop."
Goodbye.
After waiting for a while, I saw the butler from back then. He was dressed meticulously, and surprisingly, his figure and appearance had hardly changed in the past ten years.
I cut a few roses in the garden, still covered with morning dew, and secretly placed them on Ouyang Jing's bedside. Leaving the room, I asked the butler, "What's wrong with his legs?"
I blurted out: "Can he still stand up?"
On the dining table, Ouyang Jing took a bite and then put down the spoon. I felt uneasy and asked him, "Is it not tasty?"
I found myself standing in the midst of a mountain, with a cliff on one side, shrouded in mist, and before me stood a castle
I looked at him in disbelief
Time flows endlessly, tranquility leads to far-reaching aspirations
The recorder emitted a noisy "squeaking" sound, and I reached out my hand to press the pause button. The room suddenly fell silent, and with my hand still resting on the recorder, I choked back tears and said in Chinese to the dust dancing in the air: "I love you, Ouyang Jing"
I dreamt that a castle was engulfed in a raging fire overnight. I stood outside, repeatedly calling out Ouyang Jing's name. I knew he was right there, I knew he could hear me, but my feet felt as if they were shackled, unable to move an inch. My mouth was dry and parched, waking up in the deep night from thirst. I walked barefoot on the carpet to find water, pulled back the heavy curtains, and saw a cold crescent moon hanging in the blue-purple night sky
Years passed again, and one rainy day, I found a shepherd dog hiding next to a trash can, drenched from the rain. By some strange twist of fate, I walked over and held an umbrella for it, standing in the rain waiting for its owner. After a long wait, the convenience store owner helplessly informed me that this dog had been abandoned for quite some time.
As I read to the end, I was rendered speechless with tears, covering my face, and the collection of poems slipped from my embrace to the ground
I hesitated in my heart, mustered the courage to call Ouyang Jing, only to have him hang up on me directly
What are the things I like? I only want to be by Ouyang Jing's side
I said in a daze: "Is everything you said true?"
I cover my mouth, unable to suppress the urge to scream
I did not expect that just after discussing the topic of returning home with Ouyang Jing, I would receive news a month later that my mother was ill and hospitalized. I requested leave from Ouyang Jing and hurried back to my country
I finally couldn't help but ask him: "Why me?"
A week later, I refreshed my email and unexpectedly received an interview notification from a luxury goods company's branch in China. After several rounds of selection, they later sent me an offer.
His smile froze
I suddenly raised my head and asked in disbelief: "He was shot? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why can't you understand?" the old steward sighed heavily, "Apart from you, he has never stood up for anyone else."
I do not think this is a significant issue. On the flight back to London, I was still contemplating that Ouyang Jing could not possibly dismiss me because of this
Someone walked up to me and handed me a thick envelope
Looking at his thin lips, I have to try very hard to restrain myself from the impulse to kiss him
He was somewhat surprised: "Miss, why do you say that?"
I trembled as I asked: "Is it just because of this?"
Over the past month, I have surprisingly not adapted to the climate in China and have come down with a severe cold. I have been coughing for a long time; originally, this was just a minor illness for me, but my voice has been affected as a result, becoming somewhat hoarse
After a while, he suddenly asked me: "Do you miss home?"
Sometimes when I awaken in the early morning, my soul is still damp
At that time, I did not understand how a person could be likened to a luxury item
"His leg isn't actually injured, is it?" I suddenly asked the butler.
The butler approached silently and slightly bowed to me, saying, "Miss."
I asked with some unease: "Where are we going?"
What is love? I was taken aback, my mouth opened in a daze, yet I could not provide an answer
I forced a bitter smile at the computer screen, replying in my heart, it is already too late
In his study hangs a photograph of him from his youth at the shooting range, dressed in loose black clothing, drawing the bow into a perfect arc, his profile soft yet his gaze piercing
I want to. I said softly