one

Let us first go and take a look at a cave that is currently being copied. Professor Su reviewed the materials in his hand, saying, "Let us see the environment in which you will be working"

This is essential equipment. Professor Su stood beside Sicheng and said, "When you first come in, you feel cool. After staying here for a whole day, you won't think that way anymore. I don't know how many people have developed arthritis from the cold."

"Sicheng, I will go buy you something to eat, is porridge okay?" When I reached the door, my companion said, "You go in and rest first."

Tang Sicheng calculated that this would be the longest period of separation since she and Qiao Yuanchuan had been together. By that time, he had already been working for more than a year. Although he was busy, they could still meet from time to time. However, this internship would last for two and a half months. Even though Sicheng was not particularly clingy, considering the job search or other reasons, it was inevitable to feel that the time was a bit too long.

The voice on the other end of the phone sounded somewhat weary, and Tang Sicheng was a bit surprised: "Why do you sound like you haven't woken up?"

Qiao Yuanchuan would always reply to her promptly, though it was just a few words, it made her feel that there was still someone tolerating her boredom... However, upon arriving in Dunhuang, Sicheng ungratefully... temporarily forgot about him

Qiao Yuanchuan called her during the lunch break in between meetings, speaking through gritted teeth: "Why didn't you let me know you were safe?" For a full thirty-plus hours, he kept his phone by his side at all times, even reaching for it in the middle of the night to reply to her with a few words. God knows whether he was resting any better than she was.

Later, Qiao Yuanchuan said faintly: "This is the most wrong decision I have made in my life"

"Who said I would cry?" Sichen said somewhat awkwardly

Ah, I just passed through the tunnel, my ears hurt so much

"If you end up exhausting yourself to the point of getting sick, Tang Sicheng, don't expect me to come see you." After a long pause, Qiao Yuanchuan said this contradictory statement. Seeing her indifferent expression, he added, "And don't call me to cry either"

Si Chen could not help but notice his sunken eye sockets and the disheveled stubble on his face, yet all ability to speak seemed to have vanished. She could only bury her head in his chest, holding him tightly, and then holding him even tighter.

I have long been accustomed to hiding alone in my heart, and I have also grown used to numbing myself with work and study. On such an evening, with such an excellent listener, it suddenly occurred to Tang Sicheng that shedding all outer shells and relaxing while gazing at the sky is a wonderful idea

The can spilled some, pouring onto the back of her hand, cold enough to startle her. Sicheng looked up at him and forced herself to say, "How could this happen?" She originally wanted to say, "How could this happen? I have seen his girlfriend..." but ultimately lacked the courage, lowering her head and pretending to seriously wipe away the wine stains.

The students quietly followed Professor Su through the staff passage, ascending along the walkway, gradually distancing themselves from the throngs of tourists.

As she exited the cave, her legs went weak, and she almost stumbled onto the back of the boy in front of her. Shichen touched her goosebumps-covered arms and said to the boy, "Hey, can I borrow your jacket for a moment?"

"How could that be? If I said he doesn't take you seriously, would you believe it?"

Xu Boyuan clinked his beer can with hers and smiled, saying: "Agreed"

Originally, while ordering food at the restaurant, Sicen noticed him fiddling with his phone and couldn't help but nudge him: "Hey, what are we eating?"

Regardless, for the young people filled with anticipation before their departure, this is merely a small hesitation before the journey begins. They read about the story of the great master Zhang Daqian, who traveled west to the Gobi Desert and stayed in Dunhuang for three years, returning with a greatly advanced painting style, filled with lofty aspirations.

As they walked past the playground, Sicheng tentatively asked, "Would you like to sit for a while?"

He originally did not smoke or drink, you know that, right? Xu Bo said lightly, "At that time, he got involved in everything. My sister would go directly to the nightclub to find him. Later, he finally gained some rationality and gradually restrained himself. But then he became a workaholic, and his stomach problems also developed during that time. I have never seen this guy go crazy like this. Once, after a month of continuous work, I dragged him to play basketball and said, 'In the past, you wouldn't even let a shadow touch your rest days, so what's going on now? Suddenly, work has become the priority?' I have never seen this guy go crazy like this. Once, after a month of continuous work, I dragged him to play basketball and said, 'In the past, you wouldn't even let a shadow touch your rest days, so what's going on now? Suddenly, work has become the priority?'

That night, she had a high fever of over 39 degrees. The team leader took Si Chen to the hospital, where she curled up in a chair receiving an IV drip, enduring the ordeal until nearly dawn. Upon returning to the accommodation, she coincidentally caught up with her classmates as they boarded the bus heading to the research institute to arrange specific internship tasks. Si Chen insisted on going with everyone, and despite the team leader's attempts to dissuade this stubborn student, they could only acquiesce.

At noon, while eating noodles at a small shop on the street, Si Chen received a call from Qiao Yuanchuan

Professor Su's husband, Mr. Qian Zhihuan, is a professor at Hainan University, and he was previously the head of the History Department. He is also referred to as the "living treasure of the university." As a result, the students of Hainan University feel increasingly close to her.

I am very strong!" Si Chen joked with a smile, somewhat nervously averting his gaze, unable to bring himself to tell him about the hard seat tickets booked by the school

Professor Su, who was listening nearby, kindly turned his head and said, "Put on your coats; soon you will no longer find this cool."

A group of young people exited the station and boarded the minibus of the Dunhuang Research Institute. Although they felt completely exhausted, the students strongly insisted on entering the caves immediately. However, the teacher leading the group said, "What's the rush? Let's go back, tidy up a bit, and get some sleep. We have plenty of time."

Qiao Yuanchuan stood up without saying a word, quickly walked in front of Sicheng, and embraced her in a swift and fluid motion. The last-minute decision made this trip unusually hurried; he only managed to buy a ticket to Lanzhou overnight, and he simply waited at the airport until dawn before flying to Dunhuang.

During their senior year, the Art Department of Hainan University arranged for students to undertake internships in other regions. Fortunately, Tang Sicheng's cohort was given the opportunity to go to Dunhuang to copy murals.

What is there to say? Tang Sicheng said softly, "I feel so uncomfortable"

Then go ahead. He didn't say much more, "It's two and a half months, right? I'll come to see you when I have time."

The dignified is great; the brilliant is prosperous

Breathing momentarily stilled, without any warning, tears began to slide from the corners of her eyes, dropping one by one onto the back of her hand. The sound of the wind brushed past Tang Sicheng's ear, and she felt flustered as she tried to wipe them away, while Xu Boyuan simply handed her a handkerchief in time and wrapped his arm around her shoulder: "Cry. If you felt you didn't cry enough back then, make up for it now"

I will never agree to let you go to such a distant place again

Furthermore, people often say that after a breakup, one should be magnanimous and wish the other party well—however, I find it impossible to do so. Tang Sicheng intentionally lowered her voice, making her expression appear more sinister, "At that time, I cursed him with misfortune every day. But—he seems to be living quite well."

Still loves to show off, cannot stand being provoked by others. Sichen pouted, somewhat disdainful, "In fact, he doesn't know... when drunk, he makes an even bigger fool of himself"

You can't be serious? It's so hot!

"Are you sick?" Qiao Yuanchuan immediately recognized it, "What happened?"

What else is there

"Oh, I am very well..." she said with a smile, "Come here when you are on vacation, the desert is truly beautiful—ah, I have to go gather now, I have something else in the afternoon"

While lying in bed, Sicheng wrapped himself tightly in the quilt, feeling somewhat resentful as he thought that if he were truly ill, it would be the result of Qiao Yuanchuan's ill-fated words

Silently pondering in the morning, yet my fingers tremble gently

The summer vacation has just ended, and it is still considered the height of summer. The weather in Dunhuang is characterized by hot days and cool nights, with a significant temperature difference. Si Chen was still wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, and upon entering the cave, he only felt a cool breeze. A classmate beside him remarked, "Ah, it feels so cool."

Qiao Yuanchuan did not answer the phone. After a long while, he called back: "Only now did you think of me?"

Before the words had left her lips, unsure if it was her own sensitivity, Shichen truly felt a chill sweeping over her body. She hurriedly put on her coat and smiled, saying: "It seems to be a bit cold after all"

... ...

Hmm? Si Chen was taken aback

The room is empty and desolate. On the first day in Dunhuang, although the train journey took more than thirty hours, the young people were full of energy and called their friends to go play at the Singing Sand Dunes. Si Chen got up, took cold medicine, and then, with tearful eyes, called Qiao Yuanchuan

Si Chen, do you know why at that time ... ... did I hope for you to meet again?

Seeing you all reminds me that I was only twenty-five years old when I came here, about the same age as you. In the blink of an eye, I have been here for over forty years. Professor Su said with a smile, "Time truly flies like a fleeting horse."

Si Chen placed the empty can down, reached out, and picked up a bottle, opening it with a pop. He looked at her but did not stop her

As Sichen had to go to the hospital in the afternoon, the teacher arranged for a student to accompany her in the staff vehicle to return first, while the other students remained to officially begin their work

There was no movement over there for quite a while, and she was almost dozing off while holding the receiver, yet she was reluctant to hang up. In her drowsiness, she naturally did not hear the conversation between Qiao Yuanchuan and the others, only hearing him remind her: "If you have a fever, go to the hospital, don't delay and refuse to go."

It is precisely because Yuan Chuan is not living as well as you might think

The students also sighed and expressed their sentiments

I saw a flock of sheep

She traveled all the way by bus, and since she was in a hard seat, she couldn't sleep, so she occasionally sent text messages to annoy Qiao Yuanchuan.

It is also for this reason that many students choose to give up. Before finalizing the list, Shicen hesitated and called Qiao Yuanchuan, who was much more straightforward than her: "Do you want to go?"

The passage of time has honed this elderly man, whose hair is now completely silver, making him appear calm and clear-minded. His straightforward and articulate Mandarin, spoken with a northwest accent, commands genuine respect from everyone present

Her breathing was heavy, and she sniffed forcefully: "Hmm."

I want ... ...

As we spoke, the vehicle had already arrived at the entrance of the Mogao Caves. The first sight was the Dunhuang Academy Historical Memorial Hall, with its brown building gracefully resting beside it, featuring smooth lines. However, all the students directed their gaze in another direction—towards the foot of the Sanwei Mountain, beyond the parking lot filled with tourist buses and bustling crowds, where statues frozen in time stood still.

Xu Boyuan laughed out loud, unable to resist reaching out to touch her hair: "Is that so?"

Her cheek gently rubbed against ... ? ... it was wet, could it be that she really cried?

In the cool breeze that arrived quietly, Si Chen was somewhat astonished to discover that she had actually consumed two whole cans of beer. She tucked her hair behind her ear with her fingertips, shook the can in her hand, and tilted her head back, her gaze becoming slightly hazy: "You know what? That guy Qiao Yuanchuan has a really poor tolerance for alcohol."

He only said, if it were earlier, I would either be on a plane or on a train now

The staff of the Art Research Institute is copying the murals on the south wall of Cave 427 from the Sui Dynasty. The artist is climbing a tall ladder, holding a cold light lamp in hand, carefully observing the flying celestial being, then climbing down to add a few strokes to his drawing paper, repeating this process.

His face was somewhat ashen, and he pinched her arm, saying: "Taking the train is exhausting, are you alright?"

The newly built Dunhuang Station is somewhat spacious and desolate. The azure sky, the towering trees, and the dry air—this pearl of the desert, captivating and enchanting.

Professor Su Meijuan, the director of the Art Research Institute under the Dunhuang Academy, personally received this group of young art students who had traveled a long distance.

There was still ... . ... Sichen was momentarily taken aback ... . How long had it been since she had mentioned even the slightest detail about him to anyone else?

Xu Boyuan took everything in, and his seemingly indifferent expression might just be a facade. This was something he should have told her long ago, yet he hesitated several times, only now finding the courage to speak it—after all, there is still a selfish motive behind it.

It was on that afternoon that Tang Sicheng met a person who would become extremely important on the path he later chose

The breath coming out was warm and toasty, and Sicen, feeling a bit dazed, said: "Where is it? Why do I feel like it's getting colder and colder?"

Pushing open the rather unyielding glass door, Sicheng took a few steps forward, and out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a figure, prompting him to stop. ... On that small and dirty sofa ... . ... It appeared that a familiar silhouette was seated there.

That smile gradually transformed into tenderness, and Qiao Yuanchuan looked at her, letting out a low sigh: "Tang Tang, I really can't rest easy with you going alone"

Not far from here, there is a small shop.

Qiao Yuanchuan disregarded her chaotic thoughts and only expressed slight dissatisfaction with their itinerary. Ever since she mentioned taking the train, this fellow has been wearing a tense expression and has not spoken again

Xu Boyuan responded cleverly: "Such weather makes one want to drink beer"

In fact, the name Su Meijuan is well-known to everyone present. Her father, Mr. Su Moliang, is praised by later generations as one of the "North-South Twin Pearls" of the art world alongside Mr. Zhang Daqian. Professor Su Meijuan comes from a prestigious family and studied abroad when she was young. After returning to China, she has been in Dunhuang ever since, dedicating her artistic talent and efforts to the Dunhuang murals throughout her life.

After a long time, he looked up and said: "From here to Lanzhou, and then to Dunhuang, the train takes more than thirty hours."

As Qiao Yuanchuan caressed her hair, in that moment, his heart softened into a shallow pool of water. His voice was somewhat hoarse, sounding even a bit resentful and helpless.

The students did not bring flashlights, and apart from the cold light lamp, there were no other lighting devices in the cave. They could only lean in closely to examine the paintings on the wall through the glass. Shichen noticed that the painter was wearing a thick military cotton jacket, and his knees were exaggeratedly wrapped in two circles of knee pads.

The long cliff range stretches endlessly. Unlike the elegance of Jiangnan, this brownish-yellow hue belonging to the desert resembles the spine of a giant dragon, never bending. Murals and sculptures, these cultural and artistic wonders, now quietly bloom within each dark and mysterious cave, as if the eye of time gazes out, revealing an indescribable splendor.

The place where they live is in the city center, but the conditions are quite poor. Six students share one room, with bunk beds, a shared bathroom, and they need to run to the public bath next door to take a shower

It turns out he used his phone to search on Baidu. Sicheng supported his chin with his hand and said, "Yes."

The body after the IV drip seems to be much better than the previous day, no longer feeling as if it is falling apart with soreness, only experiencing some exhaustion and shortness of breath. Si Chen and his group of twenty people were assigned to the ancient mural protection base to first gain a general understanding of the situation before proceeding to the caves for copying and practical training

Tang Sicen still remembers that morning after nearly forty hours on the train, when he finally arrived in the city of Dunhuang, having endured a bumpy journey.