one

Life is a river without an end, filled with the unknown. We are like helpless fish struggling in the river, gradually becoming stranded, lying powerless on the beach, watching the trickling river water slowly dry up, feeling the passage of life, hoping for a sudden redemption, yet ultimately falling asleep in fear

After all, Xiang Nanfeng and I are from two completely different worlds. He is like a bright and scorching flame that suddenly burst into my life, catching me off guard. Such a temperature could burn me.

After a while, he finally raised his hand, and with his long fingers gently tousled my hair: "Wen Yu, what if you considered it from a different perspective?"

In front of the bright floor-to-ceiling window, Nino's tall figure leaned against a vintage floor-standing phonograph nearby, his fingers seemingly idly fiddling with the buttons on it, yet his brow was slightly furrowed in distress.

Listening to his calm voice, the previously chaotic emotions stirred by the south wind gradually settled. I pursed my lips and smiled, saying: "What, is there anything you don't know how to do?"

Ni Nuo smiled slightly: "I am just a psychologist, not an omnipotent genius. Alright, Wen Yu, tell me if anything fun happened today"

Sympathy ... ... is it not?

"So you are somewhat wavering, aren't you?" Ni Nuo gently rocked the swing chair, "In the midst of this wavering, there is also fear and confusion, doubting whether he is deceiving himself or feeling pity for himself?"

This is fundamentally impossible! I blurted out, "We are different..."

I gazed at him intently, as scenes of what had happened before replayed in my mind

Am I overthinking this?

The two of us sat quietly on the swing chair in the yard, where he patiently guided me with gentle words, occasionally sharing a few anecdotes that would make one burst into laughter

"Is there something troubling you?" Nino's voice was soft, "I can tell from your expression. Since you don't want to talk, I won't force you. The phonograph is broken today; it would be better for us to go outside for a walk." He swiftly drew open the light purple curtains, "Look, the sunlight is just right."

I cast a humorous glance at him and continued, "He is a very outstanding young man, in every aspect. We have never had any interaction, yet today he came to my rescue and even said he wanted to be friends with me..."

"For someone as outstanding as him to approach me, what else could it be if not sympathy?" I said softly, "I cannot comprehend it."

My smile is somewhat awkward as I seriously ponder whether everything that happened today can be considered "fun"

The refreshing and sincere face of the south wind reappeared before me, and I stared blankly at his ethereal face in the sky, hoping to find an answer in those eyes—was it really not sympathy?

An irresistible force enveloped me, and I lazily yawned, revealing a smile that I had never shown at school: "Alright"

I squint my eyes, feeling the warm golden sunlight shining on my body, face, and cold hands

Not knowing how much time had passed, Nino, still standing beside the phonograph, sighed helplessly: "It seems that I am unable to manage this thing today, and the music I prepared for you cannot be played. How about we try a different approach?"

Hmm? I momentarily did not understand the meaning of his words

I wearily closed my eyes, every muscle in my body relaxed, lying peacefully on the soft sofa in the corner of the room, with a faint scent of flowers and grass at the tip of my nose

The psychotherapy center where Nino resides is also his place of living; it is a seemingly unremarkable and quiet villa. The outdoor garden is filled with various flowers and plants that he has personally cultivated, with the color combinations and arrangements meticulously designed, providing a sense of physical and mental comfort at just a glance

Turning his head, he saw Nino standing against the light, the smile at the corner of his mouth made even more dazzling by this hue, making it almost impossible to look directly at him

Oh? Ni Nuo immediately showed a great interest, "Even we, Wen Yu, find it strange, and I really want to understand it."

Nino gazed at me for a long time without speaking, as if wanting to leave me some space to digest things on my own

Fun things

What I mean is, if he approaches you not out of pity, but simply because he wants to be friends with you, why not think of it that way

"Do not jump to conclusions, no one is different. Sometimes the world is very simple; perhaps he just thinks you are a good girl and wants to connect with you, to integrate into your life." Ni Nuo's words were irrefutable, "To approach someone out of sympathy? Heh, that is a troublesome matter. The young man you mentioned is so outstanding; he would not do that."

After much contemplation, I ultimately decided to tell him everything that happened today, "I met a strange person."

I also lifted my legs, swaying up and down in accordance with the arc of the swinging chair