Chapter 1, Departure, Cai Manxin's Past Continuous Tense
Oh... I understand. "Cai Manxin patted his forehead, "It seems that Classmate Zhang came to Beijing a couple of days ago, right?"
Her destination for this trip is a seaside town called Xianggang, which is not accessible by flights and has no train station; the only way to reach it is by long-distance bus or ferry. Cai Manxin took a flight to the nearest city, Danzhou, and planned to take a long-distance bus to Xianggang. On the map, the straight-line distance between the two cities is only thirty kilometers, but they are separated by a crescent-shaped blue inland sea, and the road winds around Blue Screen Mountain, requiring a three-hour drive.
At the end of her senior year, Cai Manxin arrived in Danhua
"Hello, you..." Cai Manxin said breathlessly, "That something sea, send the Buddha all the way to the West"
"Where should I go? I haven't booked a hotel yet," she said. "The internet says there are family inns everywhere here, but where are they?"
The young man rushed over and took Cai Manxin's hand, laughing: "Lu Shengjun, born handsome, just call me A-Jun." He smiled mischievously and shook hands warmly. Cai Manxin couldn't help but laugh and said: "Alright, A-Jun."
"Online." He snorted and continued to stride forward, not forgetting to pull A-Jun along. The young man turned back, looked at her with sympathy, and shrugged helplessly.
Suddenly, everything before me turned pitch black, and all the light in the world vanished
He Luo smiled faintly: "Leaving? I will be completely gone in no time. Once my heart is thoroughly broken, I will die rather decisively, so that I won't have any illusions after going abroad."
Cai Manxin suddenly understood. Light brown sports sandals, khaki wide-legged cropped pants, matching fisherman hats, and the E.T. 20th anniversary commemorative couple T-shirts. Their outfits were identical, their tall figures standing side by side. To anyone who looked, they were indeed a perfect couple
The economy class of this flight is incredibly cramped, with Cai Manxin's knees pressed against the back of the seat in front of her, making it impossible to stretch her legs. She finds amusement in the situation, watching the tall, burly blonde tourists in the first two rows and chuckling to herself, wondering if these fellows will develop some ailments after enduring more than three hours of this ordeal. Once the journey begins, she becomes excited, completely forgetting the chaotic rush of gathering necessities before the trip and the anxiety of finding little information online.
She is so naive, with her emotions clearly written on her face, easily seen through at a glance
Her fair complexion stood out among a group of dark-skinned local passengers
Initially, I wanted to find a companion, so I went to persuade my friend He Luo, saying: "Once you obtain your visa, let's go to Hong Kong together, what do you think? It was recommended by a colleague when I was in the United States. It is somewhat embarrassing to say that many interesting places in China have been discovered by foreign backpackers first. However, this is also good, as it prevents excessive development.
Without waiting for his consent, she tilted her head and leaned over, closing her eyes to sleep
Then I..." Cai Manxin was taken aback, as she noticed it was already dusk, and recalled the restless gazes from before. She tightened her grip on the shoulder strap of her backpack and followed closely behind the two.
He did not even glance, extending his right hand to push away the thoughts in his mind. "You can lean against the window to sleep"
What are you doing? He turned around abruptly, filled with anger.
She hesitated for a moment
Previously, she stood out among hundreds of competitors and secured a two-month internship opportunity at the World Bank. Returning from Washington, there was still more than a month until graduation. She had already found an enviable job, had plenty of time, and was idle, feeling restless and weary of the monotonous life. Her hands and feet longed to travel, craving adventure as one craves dance, allowing the restless elements within her veins to flourish freely in unfamiliar surroundings
The winding highway curves behind the mountains, passing through the lush green rice fields. At the halfway up the mountain, mist begins to swirl, unable to conceal the verdant scenery that envelops the hills, as the damp mist tinges the surroundings with a light azure hue
I will still leave room for the second and third signatures, as it is relatively safer
Upon arriving at the Danzhou long-distance bus station, Cai Manxin discovered that the bus to Ganggang would not depart for over an hour. The old fan in the waiting hall buzzed incessantly, failing to dispel the slightly damp and musty air that had arisen from the mild humidity. Not wanting to sit idly in this dim hall, which seemed capable of growing mushrooms, Cai Manxin sat cross-legged by the sidewalk. The tropical, humid breeze gently blew, and she could see the tall palm trees with a glance upward. She held a freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, filled with ice, cool and refreshing. As noon approached, the sunlight intensified, causing a slight burning sensation on her skin. Cai Manxin rarely used a sun umbrella, considering it too delicate and pretentious, so she bought a khaki fisherman’s hat from a roadside vendor. Even the two layers of canvas struggled to filter the dazzling sunlight. She couldn't help but repeatedly raise her hand to ensure the hat was still on her head.
No," He Luo shook his head, "but I might recall things from the past, I will reminisce.
Cai Manxin doubted her ears. "You should thank me!" she retorted, "You suddenly appeared behind me, and it was my timely discovery that prevented me from stepping on you."
On the winding mountain road, as the bus made a turn, Cai Manxin swayed and leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder. He gently nudged her, but she did not wake up; instead, she twisted and turned, settling into a more comfortable position.
Breathe evenly and gently... once, twice... He did not evade. Sitting stiffly, after a while, his head and shoulders began to ache. He squeezed his left arm with his right hand, fearing that the blood flow was obstructed, and soon it became numb to the point where he could not lift it.
"Where are there so many who fail to get a visa?" Cai Manxin scoffed, "Your professional pass rate is so high, and you have a full scholarship from a prestigious university, with fluent English. Don't believe those alarming words online. I have been to the embassy, and the visa officer is just a person with one nose and two eyes; what is there to be afraid of? We had a great conversation, and in the end, he laughed heartily and just handed me the yellow slip."
"Ajun," the man in front stopped and said, "We still have to hurry."
Cai Manxin thought he was hesitating and wiped the seat back and forth: "There, is it good now? If you don't sit down soon, I won't serve you anymore"
"It's just a tunnel." His voice was not without sarcasm, as if to say, I knew you were pretending to be asleep.
I have no obligation to escort you; go to the place you need to while it is still light.
The cold air at the mountain peak meets the warm winds of the ocean, and the thin mist and thick clouds linger year after year. Thus, it is called Blue Screen Mountain. Cai Manxin, in a moment of desperation, browsed many websites before setting off, sharing what she learned with her companions, but he did not respond, even pulling out his MP3 player to block out the noise. She couldn't help but feel a bit bored. After watching the scenery outside the window for a while, she yawned and tapped his left shoulder: "Let me borrow this!"
"Hush, you are too loud," he said, pressing down the brim of his hat as he spoke
The original color of the wooden strip, which was a pale yellow, has now been covered with a dark brown hue, and the edges have become polished and shiny
Cai Manxin searched high and low but could not find a suitable travel companion. Without like-minded friends, it is better to embark on the journey alone. A solitary traveler at the ends of the earth embodies an extreme form of romance and allure, representing the greatest adventure within a safe boundary. From one quiet town to the next bustling city, the freedom to come and go is never hindered by traffic lights
Cai Manxin glared at him. "Do you think your shoulder is comfortable? It's too hard." This statement lacked conviction; the other person's shoulders were broad and solid, and she could actually sleep soundly and comfortably.
Beautiful girl, I am leaving now ~ ~ This place is not big, see you another day!'' The young man ran away, constantly looking back and waving, ``Definitely!''
He Luo did not speak, which was tantamount to acquiescence
A bright spot appeared in front of the car window, resembling a small white golf ball, gradually expanding. The dazzling light rushed in eagerly, quickly filling the field of vision. A vast expanse of white light pierced the eyes
The first twenty-two years of this life were all wasted. Cai Manxin exclaimed in admiration
Many years later, she could still clearly remember the appearance of each other when they first met
No need to thank me. The deep voice, calm and unhurried
Her stomach began to growl, and Cai Manxin bought a bowl of beef rice noodles, squatting by the roadside and slurping it down with the locals. There were not many tourists, occasionally a few weary backpackers exchanged smiles and glances with one another
I really want to roll my eyes at him! Cai Manxin has always been proud and can't help but retort with a couple of remarks.
Just a second later, Cai Manxin began to laugh heartily. He was standing on her side, grinning widely, guarding the home. This metaphor made her laugh even more joyfully
Cai Manxin was the first to rush onto the long-distance bus, choosing a cleaner seat for himself, and occupying the window seat. He patted the seat beside him, signaling the impersonating couple to sit down. He glanced over.
At Jianggangnan Station, a young man in his twenties approached, his bright eyes strikingly black and white, laughing loudly as he called out, "Hai Ge!" He then pointed to Cai Manxin, who was following behind, and asked, "Hmm? Is this your... girlfriend?"
Ha, are you feeling numb? Just now, with that foul temper, I wonder if your shoulders will ache after a while. In her dazed state, she still manages to smile slyly, yet she must maintain an infant-like innocence and tranquility on her face. A young and beautiful girl, delicate and fragile, who could refuse? Cai Manxin understands well that most boys prefer gentleness over toughness.
Cai Manxin got up and walked over, wanting to ask them where they were staying. Suddenly, a hand grabbed hers. She turned around to see A Jun with crescent-moon eyes smiling at her. "Hehe, I sneaked out! Come, follow me. My grandmother just opened an inn."
Hurry up, Brother Hai is going to find out that I am meddling in others' affairs and will start scolding again" A Jun called out
Thus, curious gazes were cast in her direction, some overt, some covert, some filled with curiosity, others with envy, and some with a sly glint. Cai Manxin scanned her surroundings; some locals smiled at her kindly, while others approached her with a peculiar tone, asking if she was traveling alone and whether she needed assistance upon arriving at the harbor. Cai Manxin shook her head and stepped back, turning to gaze at the harbor, yet out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that he was still persistently approaching.
He Luo shook his head: "What if my first visa application is not approved?"
The next moment is a breathtaking deep and shallow blue. The shimmering surface of the sea lies beside the road, so clear that one can see the colorful coral reefs at the bottom, as if the waves could ripple onto the road.
Cai Manxin, filled with anger and not knowing where to go, could only lower her head and follow the two behind, walking through the narrow and elongated market. The further they walked, the faster they went, leaving her far behind.
I do not know her, " he said淡淡地.
What is there to be afraid of? Cai Manxin tossed her head and laughed as she followed along
Cai Manxin has always stood up for her friends and does not understand why she is so resolute, like a moth to a flame. Now, seeing her silent, she cannot help but feel anxious: "Are you really going to see him again? Hurry and leave this place of sorrow!"
She frowned, took a step back, and nearly stepped on the foot of the man behind her
Are you saying that you originally had fantasies
"How hard can it be?" she mumbled, somewhat reluctantly turning to the other side and covering her face with a fisherman's hat
Cai Manxin. What is your name?" She graciously extended her hand, "From now on, we shall be acquainted.
Blind? She suddenly sat up straight, her eyes wide open. The dim wall lights outside the car window flashed by.
I have never seen such a sea, so clean and pure that it makes one want to melt into it
If the first appointment does not go through, the second appointment will also require nearly a month of waiting, which is just the right time to go out and relax! To enjoy the breeze, see the ocean, bask in the sun, swim, and eat fruits and seafood is certainly better than being cooped up here. She continued to persuade, while He Luo repeatedly declined.
With his arms crossed, he stood there expressionless, his gaze coldly sweeping around. The lewd followers halted, turning away in disappointment. Cai, with no intention of making eye contact with him, shivered as she recalled what He Luo had said: in her hometown, every winter, someone would fall into the icy river; it must feel like this. Instantly chilled, ice crystals formed from within.
Cai Manxin has always been decisive and efficient, never dragging her feet in her work. It is difficult to understand why her usually clever and astute friend has been trapped in this deadlock for several years and still occasionally loses focus while shopping. Today, as she strolls through the streets, the nearby shop assistant is enthusiastically recommending the E.T. 20th Anniversary T-shirt, which comes in various designs, including couple versions for both men and women. When He Luo's gaze lingers for a moment, the shop assistant seizes the opportunity to say that this version is the best seller, with only one piece left in each size. The E.T. 20th Anniversary T-shirt, available in various designs, includes couple versions for both men and women. When He Luo's gaze lingers for a moment, the shop assistant seizes the opportunity to say that this version is the best seller, with only one piece left in each size.
Cai Manxin quickly turned around and said: "I am sorry"
This is exactly the place I wanted! Cai Manxin was overwhelmed with excitement, exclaiming "Ah!" as she stood up from her seat, gripping the backrest of the front row, eagerly looking around. A profusion of blooming trees greeted her, with white frangipani, light purple bougainvillea, fiery red flame trees, and bright yellow and soft pink hibiscus, all in a vibrant and bustling display. Occasionally, tall palm and coconut trees punctuated the scene amidst the azure sea, blue sky, and white sand, their large fan-shaped leaves allowing the floating clouds to gather and disperse, fluffy and low enough to touch at the horizon.
"Little woman, stop looking at those couple shirts!" Cai Manxin waved her hand in front of her eyes, "There are simply too many T-shirts in America, all cheap brands. More importantly, you don't need these at all." To prevent her friend from taking a few steps only to turn back, she simply bought the last one: "We both have the same size, you won't snatch this one from me, will you"
The man known as "Brother Hai" turned around and strode away.
Zhang Yuan is He Luo's high school classmate. Their youthful first love abruptly ended in the winter of their sophomore year, after which they maintained a somewhat ambiguous relationship characterized by a sense of distance and closeness. He Luo explains this by saying that emotions are sunk costs; it is not necessarily because the other person is perfect in every way, but rather because one has already invested too much and cannot retrieve it.
Is that so? He wore a smile that was neither fully a smile nor a frown, "I specifically stood here for this." Although the corners of his mouth lifted in a slight arc, there remained an air of detachment and indifference in his eyes and brows