Section 2

Ruan Ruan heard the sound of water flowing from the bathroom. She glanced at the tightly closed bathroom door, and in the dim light, she could see him taking off his clothes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned her head, grabbing the landline on the table to call Feng Ling.

In Feng Ling's heart, a good friend is like this: even if you think the things she does are very foolish, as long as it is what she wants, you will support her despite your worries. At least, when the whole world mocks and opposes her, there is still one person who stands by her side, ready to give her a hug and say, go ahead, as long as you think it is worth it

She reached out, hooked her arm around his neck, slightly tilted her head back, and took the initiative to kiss his lips, both awkward and passionate

Feng Ling said: "If it were me, I definitely would not continue. However, Ruan Ruan, this is the first time you have so passionately desired something. Although I will worry about you, if this is what you want, I will support you."

However, all of this is what she has longed for, is it not? It was she who insisted on breaking into his world. He had refused, pushed her away, and warned her, yet she did not listen

Suddenly, he found himself feeling a twinge of jealousy towards her

That night, he lay in Dr. Zhu's clinic, staring blankly at the ceiling, much like when he first awakened from his slumber.

That evening, he accompanied Feng Mu and Feng Sheng to the ferry terminal to release paper boats, staying until it was completely dark, and then helped Feng Sheng launch two sky lanterns before returning. The riverbank was narrow, and there were no streetlights; he used a flashlight, walking in front of and behind Feng Sheng. At that time, there were many people returning home, with children playfully chasing behind them. In the midst of the pushing and shoving, it seemed that Feng Sheng in front was about to be knocked down, so he quickly reached out his hand, pulled him back, and pushed him inward. In the blink of an eye, he himself fell off the bank.

No need to thank me, it is as you wish

He cupped cold water in his hands and slapped his face vigorously

He turned his head to glance at the person on the bed, holding the watch as he walked out of the bedroom

Ruan Ruan gazed at his back, wanting to say something, but ultimately refrained. She knew that his mother had always been a taboo in his heart

Fu Xizhou looked at her with genuine concern in her expression, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart. He stood up in frustration, tidied up the ice towels on the table, and threw out a remark, "The person she least wants to see is me," before walking into the bathroom

And this past month has felt like a dream

He averted his gaze, attempting to rise. As he moved, her arms instinctively tightened around him, and her face nuzzled against him.

Ding Dong, I love you

This is their wedding night, and she is very clear about what is about to happen next. Before this, she had imagined this moment, but now that it has truly arrived, in addition to anticipation, she also feels a bit anxious. This may be a small anxiety that every girl experiences before becoming a woman.

He frowned

At 3 a.m., Fu Xizhou woke up from his dream, having once again experienced the nightmare that had haunted him for many years. In the dream, there was a long, dark, and eerie corridor, from which various piercing sounds emanated from countless closed rooms, intertwining into a kind of demonic melody that filled his eardrums. He saw himself running breathlessly down the corridor, pounding on the doors of the tightly shut rooms, shouting something loudly, anxiously searching for something, yet he could not make out what he was shouting or what he was looking for. The sinister corridor seemed endless; no matter how hard he tried to run, he could not find a bright exit. He saw himself running breathlessly down the corridor, pounding on the doors of the tightly shut rooms, shouting something loudly, anxiously searching for something, yet he could not make out what he was shouting or what he was looking for. The sinister corridor seemed endless; no matter how hard he tried to run, he could not find a bright exit.

Ruan Ruan silently recited this word in her heart, and her cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly

It is already past twelve o'clock, but she knows that the night owl Feng Ling must not be asleep

He wanted to sit up from the bed, but the weight on him startled him. Looking down, he discovered that Ruan Ruan was completely entangled around him, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist, her cheek pressed against his chest, and her hair messily covering her face

She grasped his arm, lowering her head a bit shyly, truly a fool, to fall down like this

Amidst the shrill cries of the wind, he felt only a dizziness overwhelming him, and finally his body settled onto a soft, damp riverbank. A sharp pain pierced his forehead, and liquid slowly flowed into his eyes... In the moment of closing his eyes, amidst the intense pain and dizziness, memories flickered like fleeting shadows, each frame squeezing into his mind... In the moment of closing his eyes, amidst the intense pain and dizziness, memories flickered like fleeting shadows, each frame squeezing into his mind...

Fu Xizhou stood in front of the mirror, turned on the faucet, and the sound of rushing water seemed to drown out all his anxiety. Yes, he was anxious. He gazed at himself in the mirror, and at that moment, the man within, filled with panic and a sense of guilt, felt so unfamiliar. He did not know what was wrong with him. For so many years, he had thought that his heart had been tempered in the battlefield-like Fu family, becoming immune to all poisons, as hard as iron. Yet, upon seeing that face, so trusting of him, he felt an unexpected cruelty within himself, and a sense of guilt arose that he had never experienced before. Perhaps it was because she was simply too innocent and foolish. She was not a person from the cold, cruel, and bloodthirsty world he was familiar with.

Ruan Ruan said: "Ding Dang, I knew it was you who told him I was here"

Twelve, do you know? You are a beautiful dream of mine

She left in a hurry. That morning, he had already gotten up and, as usual, sat silently under the grape trellis, watching her figure disappear at the gate. After a while, she suddenly ran back, breathless, standing in front of him, and said: "Twelve, wait for me to come back, I have a lot to tell you"

"What are you daydreaming about?" His voice suddenly rang out from above. Ruan Ruan came to her senses, standing up in a bit of a fluster: "Oh, it's nothing... Ah!" She cried out in pain, momentarily forgetting her foot injury and nearly losing her balance and falling. Fortunately, Fu Xizhou was quick-witted and caught her just in time.

He did not die from the fall, yet he remembered everything

Ruan Ruan recalled the moment at the airport when Feng Ling suddenly called out to her and asked that question. So that was it! She bit her lip, feeling both soft and sour inside: "I thought you would stop me from continuing this marriage"

Have you seen him?" Feng Ling's voice came through, sounding a bit weary

He still did not say anything, only gazed at her deeply.

To smile in one's sleep, for him, is such a luxurious thing

Husband

It is a men's watch

"Hello—" Her cheeks grew even warmer as she lowered her voice and murmured, "Dingdang, I am a little scared..."

Under the warm yellow light, the old watch quietly lies on the coffee table, the ticking sound of the hour hand in the stillness of the night seems like an echo of time

Feng Ling paused for a moment and said, "Ruan Ruan, don't be afraid. Isn't he someone you really, really like? A girl's first time should be with someone she loves; you should feel happy about it..." Feng Ling's voice suddenly dropped very low. Ruan Ruan was lost in her own thoughts and didn't pay much attention. "Alright, I still have to work on the design drawings, so I'll hang up now. Good night"

That year, he left on the morning of the fifth day after returning from the woods. When he left, Ruan Ruan was not in the ancient town. On the morning of the second day after searching for the wild rabbits, she was called away by a phone call; her grandfather had a sudden onset of high blood pressure and was admitted to the hospital

Alright, stop wasting time calling me. Feng Ling teased her, "A moment of spring night, I wish you a joyful wedding night!"

Feng Ling smiled and said: "Hmph, how cheesy! Save that for your husband!"

The fourth day after her departure coincided with the Zhongyuan Festival, a traditional holiday that is highly valued in the ancient town of Muyu. On the evening of this day, every household would prepare numerous paper boats to release at the ferry as a tribute to the deceased. When night fell, children would also release many Kongming lanterns to make wishes

When he opened his eyes again, the person in the mirror had returned to his familiar face

This watch, he knows it, no, he is very, very familiar with it, this is his watch, which he left as a token of gratitude when he departed from Mu Yun Ancient Town without saying goodbye.

When his kiss descended, she could not hold back any longer, and tears cascaded down her cheeks. He felt the coolness at the corner of his mouth, paused for a moment, and slightly withdrew, looking at her. She was also opening her eyes, gazing at him with tear-filled eyes. Noticing his furrowed brow, she realized he misunderstood her intentions. Her tears were not a sign of reluctance; in that moment, they were simply a reflection of her happiness.

"Boom—" Ruan Ruan's face immediately flushed, her heart racing wildly. He was wearing the hotel bathrobe, the soft texture pressed against her cheek, and the fresh scent of his post-bath fragrance wafted towards her, similar to the faint floral aroma on her own skin, which was very pleasant. She couldn't help but take a deep breath, closing her eyes, her hands slowly wrapping around his waist. Suddenly, she felt a bit like crying, as if time had turned back to that moonlit night many years ago when he held her while walking through the woods in the deep night.

In the next moment, he lifted his arm, picked her up horizontally, and walked towards the bedroom

His second embrace, she had waited so long for this. It was the warmth she missed, wrapping her up once again in a gentle embrace

Suddenly, all the anxiety and fear vanished, and her heart became calm and tender at that moment, filled with a hint of anticipation and a touch of sweetness

He paused for a moment, then moved her arm aside

He quietly gazed at her for a long time, then reached out to gently brush aside the hair that was scattered across her cheeks. In the dim light, he saw the corners of her mouth slightly curl up, as if she were having a sweet dream

I pray that this dream never awakens

When he got out of bed, he accidentally knocked something off the bedside table onto the floor. He bent down to pick it up and couldn't help but be taken aback.