The rivers and lakes are shrouded in night rain, with ten years of lanterns flickering

They traveled thousands of miles to come here, not because Jiang Yeyu wished to curry favor with her privileged family, but out of genuine gratitude towards her mother, who saved their daughter and rescued this family. For eight years, they have persevered through storms and hardships, and in the years to come, they will absolutely not forget.

Chuchu always remembers that it was a warm winter day, sitting in Jiang Yeyu's computer chair, wearing his headphones and watching one movie after another, holding a cup of warm milk tea in her hands. He was not far away, with his head lowered, reading a book, occasionally leaning back to close his eyes and rest for a moment

To him, Chu Chu is a habit; when a person has been in your life for twenty years, the bond between each other is inevitably more complex than love or marriage

Jiang Yeyu ate a piece of osmanthus cake. The chef, knowing his taste, added almost no sugar, resulting in a faint, delicate fragrance. He thought to himself that none of this had anything to do with him; the impoverished and pitiful girl before him was worlds apart from his own life. Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Chuchu, and so he spoke softly, "Would you like to have a piece?"

Madam Jiang touched his frail arm, the veins at his wrist prominently visible, and she cried to the point of near fainting. Throughout her life, she had saved countless lives, and at the age of fifty, when one understands the will of heaven, she was forced to watch helplessly as her son's life withered away. Jiang Yeyu gently patted his mother's back, sighed, and calmly said: "Mother, then I shall get married."

In the evening, while returning home, Chuchu discussed her college application choices with her parents. Her father, who was only in his forties yet already had a face full of wrinkles, suddenly asked, "Chuchu, do you want to go to Beijing?"

Jiang Ye Yu remained silent and did not speak. When did this begin? He asked himself. He started to feel lost and at a loss, having been born to command the wind and rain, yet the more he grew up, the more he realized that he had no idea what he truly wanted. Across countless rivers and mountains, he found himself unable to locate a path back home

In this year, Chuchu is thirteen years old, and Jiang Yeyu is sixteen. The Mid-Autumn Festival brings a full moon, and the osmanthus flowers are fragrant. The future seems like an unattainable matter.

In the autumn of 2001, Chuchu was already quite familiar with the route from the station to Jiang Yeyu's home. The osmanthus flowers in the courtyard had bloomed, and even during the day, one could smell their intoxicating fragrance. Chuchu stood under the tree, somewhat reluctant to leave.

They truly loved each other, but for young people in their twenties, there are always things in the world that are more important than love. He sent Gu Ling onto the train home, while she hid behind a pillar at the airport, tears in her eyes as she watched him leave

She had also seen Jiang Yeyu in a state of despair and sadness for Gu Ling, living his life in utter disarray, refusing to treat himself well. She used to think that if he would not take care of himself, then she would take care of him. It did not matter how long he remembered Gu Ling, because she had a lifetime to spare.

However, this time, Chu Chu opened her eyes with difficulty. The airplane was flying at an altitude of tens of thousands of meters, crossing the lonely and desolate Pacific Ocean. She saw the glow of dawn slowly illuminating the clouds outside the window, yet tears could not help but fall.

After Jiang Yeyu was discharged from the hospital, he felt that Chuchu had become increasingly silent. He thought she was still under the shadow of that car accident and did not know how to comfort her, so he could only softly apologize to her: "I am sorry"

In fact, Gu Ling deceived Jiang Yeyu. She took the earliest flight from Miami to San Francisco overnight and, as expected, saw Jiang Yeyu in the hospital room, who was not seriously injured. After chatting for a long time about various topics, she finally asked, "I heard you got married?"

Jiang Yayu looked at her mother with a hint of amusement. Lady Jiang, however, sighed a little: "In my memory, you were still so small, and now you are about to graduate from university. When you come back during the summer vacation, be sure to bring your girlfriend home for a visit."

Although he said so, he actually walked over to Chu Chu's side, gesturing for his mother to hurry up and take the picture. Chu Chu tried hard to force a natural smile, but her face was extremely stiff; her lips trembled with nervousness, and in the end, she had to close her mouth and bite her lower lip tightly to suppress the shaking. When Chu Chu received the developed photos, it was already six months later, after she had finished her college entrance examination. In the scorching summer, she saw two people wearing the same scarf, standing under a tree, very close to each other, yet both appeared somewhat reluctant.

Jiang Yeyu reached out to pick up the divorce certificate placed on the cabinet by the window. He had seen too much English in his daily life, and at this moment, upon suddenly seeing these three Chinese characters, he felt an overwhelming sense of strangeness and discomfort.

Winter 2013

Jiang Yeyu, as expected, was admitted to Tsinghua University, so Chuchu could only see him once a year during the Spring Festival. Chuchu had once secretly gone to the First High School where Jiang Yeyu studied, and his photo was posted on the bulletin board. Through the thick, somewhat dirty glass, she saw the handsome features of the boy, his gaze deep, as if he were a perfect statue

Madam Jiang sat in the living room, crying and scolding him: "Is this how you treat your own people!"

With a shy smile, Chu Chu noticed a pleasant fragrance emanating from Madam Jiang. She politely addressed Madam Jiang, saying, "Hello, godmother"

Jiang Yeyu, who grew up in privilege and has a cold demeanor, looks down on rural people just like many city dwellers. He cannot understand why his mother is so happy about the annual visit from this family. He despises the country chickens they bring, which cluck incessantly and make a mess of the house, along with the large bag of fresh peanuts, which are covered in dirt.

There remains very little conversation between them, the plum blossoms in the courtyard have bloomed, Chuchu stands by the window holding a book, turning her head to look, the trees by the lake have already shed their leaves, presenting a desolate yet uniquely poignant scene

The four of them chatted and laughed as they walked into the living room and sat down, where tea and pastries had already been prepared. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and beautiful mooncakes were stacked together. Madam Jiang smiled and asked Chu Chu what flavor she liked, then said: "You take two lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk and go upstairs to find your brother to play. Your brother is playing a game; let him take you to play."

Do I want to go to Beijing? Chu Chu asked herself. Of course she wanted to, she dreamed of it, for it was the city where Jiang Ye Yu resided, but what could she do? In his heart, she would always be that little girl from many years ago, dressed in shabby yet gaudy clothes, looking dirty. But why did she still feel such reluctance deep down? She set down her chopsticks and said, "Dad, I want to go."

Chuchu from their family was merely one of the countless patients that Madam Jiang had seen. In this vast world, the relationship between patients and doctors is fundamentally one of fleeting encounters, merely connected by a prescription.

Osmanthus cake is certainly no longer available, it is glutinous and carries a hint of fragrance, which is the favorite pastry of Jiang Ye Yu

How she wished that when she woke up, everything would turn out to be just a dream, and she would still be that young girl in her teens, lifting her head to steal a glance at him

With a trembling heart, Chu Chu cautiously stepped forward, while Jiang Ye Yu leisurely took off his glasses: "My mother said you are in the third year of junior high? Where do you want to go for high school?"

Jiang Yeyu suddenly felt sympathy for her again. He was not a person overflowing with compassion; having grown up in a family of merchants, he had witnessed various deceptions and intrigues. Moreover, he was naturally hard-hearted, and he had always believed that feelings such as sympathy and gratitude would never arise within him

He began to care for her politely yet distantly, and although they lived under the same roof, they were as courteous as strangers. Unable to find a job, Chu Chu spent her entire day researching how to prepare delicious meals. Under her care, Jiang Yeyu finally began to live a normal life.

Chuchu and her family walked cautiously through the courtyard and reached the entrance to change their shoes. Madam Jiang had already come to greet them, wearing a knee-length dark plaid shirt that was both gentle and charming. She smiled and embraced Chuchu, saying, "You are truly enchanting, Chuchu, becoming more beautiful by the day."

Jiang Yeyu turned her head to stare at Chuchu and asked with a hint of sarcasm, "Are you afraid of me?"

However, Jiang Yeyu appeared indifferent, seemingly unaffected by the news. Chuchu observed his demeanor and vaguely guessed something, yet she did not dare to seek confirmation.

Unfortunately, he did not look back. He is Jiang Yeyu, and Jiang Yeyu's life will never look back

How did he respond at that time? He said he forgot

Madam Jiang smiled and comforted her son: "What are you doing? I am not selecting a daughter-in-law."

No, she does not love me

Chuchu obediently nodded, picked up a plate of pastries, and carefully walked upstairs. The innermost room was Jiang Yeyu's room. She rubbed the sweat from her palms and gently knocked on the door

On the night it rained in Northern California, Jiang Yeyu had a dream

Gu Ling learned from an old classmate that he was going to sell his beautifully located house. She made an overseas call to Jiang Yeyu and remained silent for a long time before speaking: "So you love her"

What surprised Jiang Yeyu was that he received a call from Gu Ling. She had just been sent by the company to the United States to negotiate a pharmaceutical collaboration project and heard from an alumnus of the same company that he had been in a car accident

Indeed, Jiang Yeyu looked up in confusion and thought to himself that he had fallen in love with her

Chuchu quickly shook her head

On the night before Chu Chu returned to her country, she was alone at home packing her luggage. Jiang Ye Yu had been staying in a hotel for several consecutive days, stating that this arrangement was better for both of them. He remained the elegant and aloof Jiang Ye Yu. As Chu Chu looked at the two thirty-inch suitcases stuffed to the brim, she suddenly went mad and threw everything inside into the trash can

That summer, Jiang Yeyu found an internship opportunity at Google in Silicon Valley, and Mrs. Jiang planned to visit him in the United States, but he refused her. In the autumn, Chuchu heard about this matter, and Mrs. Jiang sadly said: "What a sin"

Chuchu finally came to her senses, her face flushed as she lowered her head and took a few steps forward to quietly stand in front of the villa, waiting for the servant inside to come and open the door. Out of the corner of her eye, Chuchu noticed her mother's fingers involuntarily curling up, while her father also made an effort to straighten his back. It turned out that they, like her, were quite nervous in the face of this beautifully picturesque and exquisitely designed garden villa and the noble and elegant family residing within.

I happen to be in Silicon Valley, so I thought I would come and see you, after all, we are classmates.

Madam Jiang said that if he insisted on returning to the United States, she would resign to take care of him. Madam Jiang is quite advanced in age, and moreover, she has the large Jiang family behind her. Jiang Yeyu smiled wryly and said, "Mom, please stop joking."

She knows that the man she loves is a lion, and he should possess an entire grassland

Chuchu suddenly looked up and saw a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of Jiang Yeyu's mouth: "Let's talk about it later"

Indeed, in August of this year, Jiang Yeyu boarded a flight to San Francisco alone. Gu Ling's mother was gravely ill, and she had to return to Inner Mongolia to care for her. Moreover, her major was pharmacy, which was not recognized in the United States. Both she and Jiang Yeyu were exceptional individuals, unwilling to give up everything for each other

Autumn 2001

At this thought, Jiang Yeyu turned her head to glance at the upright and composed Chuchu, who was already captivated, staring motionlessly at the book she held in her hands. She had her hair styled in an old-fashioned braid and was wearing a floral dress custom-made at the town's tailor shop, which was both gaudy and unattractive

Chuchu followed him into the courtyard, where an unknown tree was in bloom, emitting a faint fragrance. Chuchu, clutching the hem of her clothes and lowering her head, suddenly heard Jiang Yeyu speak: "Chuchu, would you marry me?"

The person beside, Jiang Yeyu, stood up first and said: "Chuchu, could you come over here for a moment?"

Jiang Yeyu remembered that once when he went on a business trip to Seattle, his flight was delayed on the way back, and he did not arrive home until after 3 a.m. Chu Chu had moved a chair to sit in front of the floor-to-ceiling window waiting for him, her eyes smiling like a crescent moon. She said, "The two things I like the most are the night scenery and the sound of rain."

That winter, Jiang Yeyu returned from a business trip to Seattle. By the time he got home, it was already past midnight, and the courtyard's streetlight faintly illuminated the desolate room. He stood dazed in front of the window, momentarily unsure of where he was.

However, he often feels sympathy for Chu Chu; more precisely, it is a kind of condescending pity.

Jiang Yeyu teaches Chuchu to drive in the community during his leisure time. When he is not around, Chuchu can drive herself to the supermarket run by Chinese people to buy things. Occasionally, when she sees cute and beautiful little children sitting in shopping carts at the supermarket, Chuchu feels a pang of sadness as she recalls the day they received their marriage certificate, when Jiang Yeyu walked up to her and apologetically said: "Chuchu, I am sorry, I can give you anything you want."

Jiang Yayu has always disliked the Chu family. The Jiang family has been engaged in business since their ancestors, with his father being a well-known Confucian businessman and his mother serving as the deputy director of the largest hospital in the provincial capital. Eight years ago, during a medical outreach organized by the hospital in a rural town, Mrs. Jiang visited the remote town where the Chu family lived. At that time, five-year-old Chu Chu was suffering from a high fever and diarrhea, having visited all the local hospitals and tried various folk remedies without success. In their family's moment of despair, Mrs. Jiang prescribed a remedy that miraculously cured Chu Chu, who was on the brink of death.

Marriage? Jiang Yeyu was taken aback for a moment before realizing that he was married

Chuchu lowered her head, interrupting his words: "Alright"

She wanted to know what he was thinking. After long deliberation in her heart, she finally mustered the courage: "Brother Jiang, it seems that they are showing Harry Potter movies recently. Would you like to go watch it together?"

Chuchu suddenly raised her head and saw her father smiling shyly: "After all, this is the capital. While you are young, go out and see more. The world is very large."

In this lifetime, Jiang Yayu saw Chuchu's silhouette for the only time, disappearing at the end of a road lined with osmanthus trees

Chuchu understood that the relationship between them was different from her hopeless unrequited love; it was beautiful and precious. After breaking up with Gu Ling, Jiang Yayu seemed to become even more silent. He was originally a person who did not express his emotions, and as time passed, this silence made him seem as if he were submerged in the darkness.

After a long while, Jiang Yeyu quietly replied: "On the day of the divorce, she walked away without looking back. I always thought of myself as a heartless person, but in the end, I realized that the one who lost was me"

No one answered, and Chuchu did not dare to call out to him. After trying a couple more times, she simply sat down against the wall. Opposite her was a bright floor-to-ceiling window, perfectly positioned to see the lake outside the villa. It had rained a few days ago, and now the sky was blue, the sunlight just right, and the surface of the lake sparkled. This scenery was different from the great river she had seen in the town.

Thank you. Chuchu happily picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, allowing its delicacy to slowly melt in her mouth, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really delicious"

In the winter of the first year, Jiang Yeyu was reluctant to return to her homeland. Separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, she video-called Madam Jiang, and Chu Chu happened to be beside her. Madam Jiang urged her to say a few words as well

His voice remained calm and unruffled, and Chu Chu looked up at him in surprise. After confirming that she had not misheard, she surprisingly did not ask for the reason, but simply nodded and said, "Alright"

She has never loved him for even a second

Outside the ward, she saw two people leaning against each other, discussing something while pointing at the computer screen. Vaguely, she could only see their profiles. That person had once smiled and asked Jiang Yeyu, "So you have a younger sister, why have you never mentioned her to me?"

Jiang Yeyu felt somewhat annoyed by her reaction; she always appeared before him with a pleasing demeanor, carefully observing his expressions and acting accordingly. It had been this way since the first time he met her. At that time, she was still quite young, yet she was surprisingly worldly and sophisticated, far from resembling a naive and lively girl.

Jiang Yeyu turned his head, as if he had just realized that someone was beside him, and then he glanced at Chuchu lightly: "I apologize, I have already seen it," he then thought for a moment, opened his computer to find online resources, "Have you watched the previous few episodes? If you don't mind, you can watch it on the computer."

"Are you thinking of coming to the provincial capital?" Jiang Yeyu smiled coldly and said, "Do you know how difficult it is for students from outside to get admitted to high schools in the provincial capital?"

Three years later, Chu Chu once again met Jiang Ye Yu at the Jiang family villa. He seemed like a different person, even paler, and carried a sense of world-weariness. Chu Chu was unaware of his terrible work conditions and eating habits. Based on the clues from three years ago, she still thought he could not forget Gu Ling, that sunny girl. At the dining table, Madam Jiang looked at Chu Chu, hesitating to speak: "Chu Chu..."

Jiang Yeyu seemed to be in a good mood and was not in a hurry to return, so she accompanied Chuchu to stroll around the school and the nearby supermarket. Watermelons were sold at a low price in Beijing during the summer, and Chuchu also picked out some apples and bananas. Seeing her bending down and carefully selecting the fruits, with a few strands of long hair falling down, she casually tucked them behind her ear. Jiang Yeyu curiously asked, "How do you choose your fruits?"

Winter 2014

Chuchu had previously entered Jiang Yeyu's room. His room was different from those of other boys; it was spacious and bright, kept in perfect order. On his desk, there was a very precious basketball signed by a basketball star, but unlike his peers, he would never cover the walls with posters of NBA stars. This is how Chuchu remembers Jiang Yeyu, who has always been a distant and unapproachable presence.

After the divorce from Chu Chu, the usually calm and rational Jiang Yayu seemed to flee back to San Francisco overnight

At that moment, after a long silence, Gu Ling finally spoke, "I truly want to go with you"

She said, "Brother Jiang, let's get a divorce"

On a rainy night, Jiang took out the newly released "Harry Potter" from the bookshelf, just like in previous years, and wrote the same words on the title page with that black fountain pen before handing it to Chu Chu

In the dream, her expression was sorrowful, and tears unexpectedly fell from her eyes. He could not distinguish whether all of this was a dream or reality. Jiang Yeyu sat up from the bed, turned on the pale yellow bedside lamp beside him, and listening to the patter of rain outside the window, he recalled that this was her favorite scene in America

Every time I write the four characters "Peace and Joy" in a signature or blessing for the readers, I am reminded of this story

Everyone keeps saying the same things, and Jiang Yeyu is feeling somewhat impatient, merely responding with a faint "mm". Chuchu knows he is in a bad mood but still wants to talk to him. She stares at the screen: "Brother Jiang, fortunately, you didn't come back this year. There has been an outbreak of SARS across the country, causing widespread panic. Our school started the break early; otherwise, I probably wouldn't have been able to return this year. Both my godfather and godmother are doing well, and there haven't been any reported cases in the provincial capital." She continues to gaze at the screen: "Brother Jiang, fortunately, you didn't come back this year. There has been an outbreak of SARS across the country, causing widespread panic. Our school started the break early; otherwise, I probably wouldn't have been able to return this year. Both my godfather and godmother are doing well, and there haven't been any reported cases in the provincial capital."

I am fine, how about you?" Jiang Yeyu sat on the hospital bed, browsing through emails while responding.

What a luxurious time that was, and later she married Jiang Yeyu and lived in the United States. Most of his weekends were spent at home, and the two often shared the same room, each engaged in their own activities. The California sun shone brightly, yet Chuchu could no longer find the joy she once had.

She grew up in a family where one could only rely on oneself, where survival always took precedence over living. Bit by bit, he offered his generosity, which earned him her love that was both resolute and profound, akin to a moth drawn to a flame.

Because she knows the destination of the journey, she will inevitably see the boy she admires, like the pines and cypresses in winter, clear and pure, making her unable to resist the urge to look up in admiration

Both of these contain his name

Moreover, the pampered Jiang Yeyu has never been accustomed to American fast food, carrying energy bars with him solely to satisfy his hunger. At just 25 years old, he has already experienced two instances of gastric bleeding that required emergency hospitalization.

One week later, Jiang Yeyu returned to the United States. With the assistance of the Jiang family, Chuchu began the process of applying for an F2 visa. Two months later, she met Jiang Yeyu again at San Francisco Airport, at which point she had already become his nominal wife

I... gulped nervously and said softly, "I suppose the provincial capital has... books."

Sitting upright and properly in the chair, she initially wanted to shake her head, but after glancing at Jiang Yeyu's expression, she swallowed and said, "Hmm"

That summer, Chuchu received her college entrance examination results, falling significantly short of the key line, but she was still able to attend an undergraduate program, which made her entire family extremely happy. Her parents held conservative and traditional views, firmly believing that knowledge could change one's destiny

Having known each other for twenty years, in the end, they surprisingly did not even have the chance to say goodbye

In that era, let alone computers, even a pager was a luxury for a family like Chuchu's living in a small town. She widened her eyes and shook her head vigorously at the images on the screen. Jiang Yeyu had long been accustomed to her timid and cautious demeanor. He walked to the side, opened the bookshelf, and said coldly, "Then how about reading a book?"

She seemed to be right in front of him, smiling as she turned her head and said: "Night Rain, do you know? The two things I like the most are the night scenery and the sound of rain"

Jiang Yeyu turned his head, the notebook screen was small, and Gu Ling had to lean closer to him to see the photo clearly. Jiang Yeyu looked at her familiar yet unfamiliar face and suddenly felt that fate was quite marvelous. If the person he loved back then had not been Gu Ling, perhaps they would not have broken up, and he and Chuchu would not have ended up in their current situation.

Two years later, in the provincial capital located in the south, it does not snow in winter, yet the weather is extremely cold during the Spring Festival. Chuchu sat on the large sofa of the Jiang family, shyly hiding her hands that were covered in frostbite.

Jiang Yeyu turned on the computer screen, clicked on "Xuan Yuan Sword" with the mouse, and then asked Chu Chu: "Do you want to play? I will teach you"

Chuchu placed the thermos on his bedside and nodded, saying, "Alright"

He turned around, but only heard the silent sound of the rain

Chuchu's English was very poor, and as soon as she spoke, her English was heavily accented. When she first arrived in the United States, she indeed went through a difficult time; she couldn't even understand the word "appetizer" on the restaurant menu. Jiang Yeyu bought her cosmetics and daily necessities, writing labels such as "shampoo," "body wash," "day cream," and "sunscreen" on the back of each bottle. To protect them from getting wet, she even covered them with transparent tape.

Uncertain if it was the lighting, Chuchu felt that Jiang Yayu had lost a lot of weight, making his gaze appear even deeper. She tentatively spoke up: "Brother Jiang, are you doing well? Are you getting used to life there? I heard that the food over there is not good. You seem to have lost weight."

In the night, Jiang Yeyu felt a surge of anger within her. She had always obeyed him without question. He wanted to loudly ask her if she truly desired those so-called riches and glory, and whether she could endure everything he did to her in silence.

That is the life he has chosen; he cannot bear to work a monotonous job with no technical content in a small city in Inner Mongolia, day after day, just to be with the person he loves. Even if he were willing to take a step back, Gu Ling would absolutely not agree.

At this moment, it was finally Jiang Yeyu's turn to be surprised, and he said: "I ... ... "

After Chu Chu entered university, she remained introverted and preferred solitude, not making many friends. Jiang Ye Yu, of course, would not take the initiative to seek her out, so the two of them only returned home together during the holidays as ordered by Madam Jiang.

Chuchu is probably the most timid female protagonist I have ever written. Throughout her life, she has only done two bold things: one is to fall in love with Jiang Yeyu, and the other is to leave him

Gu Ling asked him, since he loves her, why he agreed to the divorce

In the third year of Chu Chu's arrival in the United States, she had already become accustomed to this way of life. During Christmas, Jiang Yayu drove her from San Francisco to San Diego. Suddenly, heavy rain began to fall at night, and he momentarily failed to see the obstacles on the road. The tire was punctured, the car skidded, and it collided with the railing on the side.

Chronicles of Time

He closed his eyes in despair and violently threw the divorce certificate on the ground

Chuchu. The mother beside her tugged at Chuchu's sleeve

Ten years? He curled the corners of his mouth and laughed self-deprecatingly

Chuchu

Jiang Ye Yu replied softly: "I forgot."

Winter 2006

Chuchu called softly, "Mom."

This became Chuchu's secret; every weekend she would ride her bicycle across half the city, just to catch a glimpse of his figure in the campus where Jiang Yeyu once studied

Jiang Yeyu silently listened to Chuchu's rambling, and suddenly heard her say: "... ... Inner Mongolia is quite nice too"

Jiang Yeyu has not been without tenderness, but perhaps even his tenderness feels too grand for Chuchu, leaving her in a state of trepidation. To love someone truly requires one to lower oneself to the dust.

In the end, she only took away the seven copies of "Harry Potter" that he had personally given her, and the initial memory began here. From 1997 to 2007, the story of a brave boy's growth was written by J.K. Rowling over a span of ten years, and thus Chu Chu received seven "Peace and Joy" from Jiang Ye Yu. He remained her entire world, yet in this love story that was destined to have an ending from the very beginning, she had never been brave.

Every time, every time

Chuchu has indeed become the first student in the town to be admitted to a high school in the provincial capital, although in the eyes of the people from the provincial capital, it is not considered a good school. Her parents are very happy; they had long wanted to go to the provincial capital to work, but they were always worried about their daughter. Now, they have rented out their fields to others and moved the whole family to the provincial capital

Besides love, he does not love her

Jiang Yeyu suddenly looked up at her, but she turned her head away for reasons unknown.

Fortunately, there were no other vehicles nearby, and both individuals were unharmed. Chu Chu sustained an injury to her wrist, while Jiang Ye Yu's condition was more serious, requiring a stay in the hospital for a period of time. Jiang Ye Yu felt guilty, thinking about how he almost implicated Chu Chu. Despite her injury, Chu Chu still prepared soup for him and brought it to the hospital. Jiang Ye Yu simply said: "Please do not come again, there are nurses to take care of me"

He rarely took the initiative to speak to Chu Chu, which startled her. She stood up straight, a bit nervous, and held the apple in front of his eyes: "Look at this, the color is rosy, and the skin has many streaks of red. An apple like this will be very sweet. If you smell it carefully, you can also detect a refreshing fragrance. Mom says this is the scent of sunshine"

In the winter of her senior year, when Chuchu visited the Jiang family again, Madam Jiang gifted her a scarf. Chuchu and Jiang Yeyu each received one, a deep red one and a deep gray one. Madam Jiang smiled as she patted the two standing together: "Come a little closer, and I will take a picture of you. You really do look quite compatible."

Winter 2003

The fragrance of osmanthus in that courtyard, the pair of worn-out gloves, seven "peace and joy"... The memories of youth are vivid, yet that was all she possessed during the twenty years she loved him

He possesses everything she never dared to dream of. The fleeting glimpse from her youth gradually takes root and sprouts under the nurturing of time, along with her growing admiration for him

But she was too late; Gu Ling has returned

Jiang Yeyu looked up; the sky outside the window was azure, the water in the swimming pool warmed by the sunlight, and sparrows soared into the air.

In that moment, Chu Chu suddenly felt how cold this summer could be. And she would hold onto her remaining love and fantasies, staying alone in this summer.

He expressed some emotion: "Didn’t expect that, did you?" Then he searched for a long time on the computer before finally finding a photo of Chu Chu, the one that Mrs. Jiang insisted they take together seven years ago. He pointed at Chu Chu and showed it to Gu Ling. Gu Ling leaned closer to the screen, surprised and saddened, and said: "It’s actually her. Back then, she was always trying to curry favor with you; I knew all along that she actually liked you."

He closed his eyes in despair

Then, when the staff knocked on the door to call them downstairs for dinner, Jiang Yeyu stood up and glanced at Chuchu. Chuchu, not understanding the situation, instinctively took a step back, only to see Jiang Yeyu expressionlessly grab her own wool gloves from the table and hand them to her: "After all, you are a girl."

Uncertain how long it had been, Jiang Yeyu opened the door and was surprised to see Chuchu standing at the door with pastries beside her. Chuchu immediately stood up, lowered her head shyly, and said cautiously, "Brother Jiang, my godmother asked me to find you"

At seventeen, Chu Chu has always held expectations for Jiang Ye Yu and for the future

He bent down to open the bottom drawer, took out his notes from the third year of junior high, and tossed them to her, too lazy to even say words of encouragement.

He said that he would give her whatever she wanted

They did not hold a wedding; it was Chuchu who made the request herself. After all, this absurd union, which is mismatched in terms of social status, appears to outsiders merely as a transaction involving the sale of a daughter

Chuchu tightly grasped the pair of gloves with her hands, which were covered in frostbite, as if the delicate wool still retained Jiang Yeyu's body heat. The tall and slender figure of the boy gradually disappeared at the staircase. If Jiang Yeyu were to turn around at that moment, he would surely see the warm tears falling from Chuchu's eyes

Eighteen-year-old Chuchu met Jiang Yeyu for the first time that summer. He wore a white T-shirt, had his hair cut short, and looked handsome and sunny, like a poplar tree. The girl beside him had a neat and tidy short haircut, and her smile was radiant. She turned around and shot a glare at Jiang Yeyu: "So you have a younger sister, why have you never mentioned it to me?"

However, at the age of twenty-four, Chuchu has already reached a dead end, with nothing to her name

At that time, people were very simple and sincere, especially those in the countryside. Chuchu's family referred to Madam Jiang as their living Bodhisattva, asking Chuchu to regard her as a godmother and to serve her as if she were her own mother for life. In fact, such occurrences are not uncommon in hospitals. Madam Jiang had a kind heart and excellent medical skills, having taken in many godsons and goddaughters. However, these relationships were often warm at the time, but over the years, only Chuchu's family continued to visit Madam Jiang in the provincial capital every year during the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Autumn 2009

Jiang Yeyu is currently in his third year of high school. The results of the first mock exam have come out, and he ranked fifth in the city. He does not seem particularly happy; instead, he sits alone at his desk reading. This is the first time Chuchu has seen him wearing glasses, which obscure his eyes that seem to keep others at a distance, giving him a scholarly and gentle appearance. Chuchu steals a few more glances at him and notices that the book in his hands is a university textbook. To the fifteen-year-old Chuchu, Jiang Yeyu is like a god.

When Chu Chu graduated from university, Jiang Yayu was finally brought back to the country by Madam Jiang, feeling dejected. She was always worried about her son, and after inquiring, she learned that he indeed found a good job. The mobile phone that became a global sensation overnight was designed and developed with his involvement, but behind it was the hard work of staying up late every day. Young people always think they are in good health, disregarding the costs, and recklessly squander their well-being.

Occasionally, he would still wake up in the middle of the night, seeing the sleeping Chuchu curled up beside him, and an indescribable emotion would surge in his heart

Chuchu did not know how to respond. After a long silence, she managed to suppress the immense pain in her heart and forced a smile as she said: "Well, Brother Jiang, I also do not have someone I like. Please do not feel sorry. If you truly feel guilty, could you arrange a more leisurely job for my parents?"

In the winter of her sophomore year, Jiang Yayu returned and was disheartened to find that he had grown much taller. She did not know what kind of city Beijing was, and he still looked at her with disdain, maintaining a cold demeanor. However, as she observed him closely, she noticed that he would occasionally fall into a daze.

Jiang Yeyu casually took out a copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and handed it to her. Seeing the girl accept it with a serious expression and open it with great care, he expressionlessly took out his exercise book and began to work on the problems, showing no intention of engaging her in conversation.

I understand, "Chu Chu lowered her eyes and said, 'I cannot get into a key high school. I have discussed it with my parents. Attending a third-rate high school is also acceptable, as the teaching resources in the provincial capital are always the strongest. In our town... there is no high school, and we can only go to a slightly farther county to study.'"

The fragrance of osmanthus in that courtyard, the pair of worn-out gloves, seven "peace and joy"... The memories of youth are vivid, yet that was all she possessed during the twenty years she loved him

"The Night Rain in the Jianghu and the Ten-Year Lamp" is the title I chose when writing this story. The night and the sound of rain are inspired by a poem I greatly admire: "A Cup of Wine in the Spring Breeze of Peach and Plum, The Night Rain in the Jianghu and the Ten-Year Lamp"

Who would know that she is truly willing

Chuchu had a lot of luggage; she was worried that things in Beijing would be too expensive, so she wanted to bring all her daily necessities. Jiang Yeyu accompanied her all the way to the dormitory and did not complain about her at all. The school was small, but the only comforting aspect was that it was filled with phoenix trees. Jiang Yeyu bought Chuchu a milkshake, and Chuchu insisted on paying for his drink as well: "I have never treated you to anything."

The airplane took off amidst a deafening roar that caused ear ringing, then smoothly and steadily glided through the clouds. Jiang Yeyu and Chuchu sat in the spacious first-class cabin, yet there was no conversation between them. Chuchu had not slept for several days and finally could not endure it any longer, falling asleep in an uncomfortable position under the blanket.

As soon as he spoke, Jiang Yeyu realized that these thoughts had been accumulating in his heart for a long time. He said calmly: "What she wants is something other than me. Back then, when I asked her if she wanted to marry me, she agreed without a moment's hesitation, yet she was not happy at all. Later, when I asked her, she said she hoped I could take care of her parents. Gu Ling, you have no idea how ruthless she is; she sold herself to me. " Back then, when I asked her if she wanted to marry me, she agreed without a moment's hesitation, yet she was not happy at all. Later, when I asked her, she said she hoped I could take care of her parents. Gu Ling, you have no idea how ruthless she is; she sold herself to me. "

He Jiang Yeyu will never know that for the Chuchu family at that time, the plump and tender free-range chickens and the freshly dug peanuts were the best they could offer. The clothes they had specially tailored were also only worn during these three days each year. In order to arrive in the provincial capital a little earlier during the day, the Chuchu family had to set off early on the morning of the previous day. The bus from the small town only departs once a day, and they would have to transfer to two long-distance buses afterward. The round-trip fare for the family was already a significant expense, costing them one to two hundred yuan each time.

Summer 2010

Chu Chu felt a mix of emotions in her heart, and after a long while, she finally raised her head to ask Madam Jiang: "Godmother, do they have mooncakes in America as well"

Jiang Yeyu rarely says sorry; he is accustomed to saying "excuse me" or "I apologize." The last time he said sorry to her was when they were still in the country, holding a bright red marriage certificate in their hands. He said: "Chuchu, I am sorry. I can give you anything you want."

He remembers standing on the steps after signing the divorce agreement at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, calling out to her: "Chuchu."

It is only at this moment that Jiang Yeyu would truly focus his attention on Chuchu, but even then, it is merely a fleeting glance before he shakes his head

Gu Ling is an enthusiastic girl from Inner Mongolia. Like all northern girls, she is generous and straightforward. Her facial features are very three-dimensional, and she always laughs heartily with a "hahaha." She took Chu Chu to eat ice cream, and she can finish a large tub by herself, each time being stopped by Jiang Yeyu with a frown. She asked Chu Chu to accompany her shopping; in the glaring lights of the large shopping mall, Chu Chu hesitated and did not dare to step into the store. Gu Ling threw beautiful dresses onto Chu Chu, saying, "I can't wear short skirts and things like that... Indeed, girls should be like you, Chu Chu." She asked Chu Chu to accompany her shopping; in the glaring lights of the large shopping mall, Chu Chu hesitated and did not dare to step into the store. Gu Ling threw beautiful dresses onto Chu Chu, saying, "I can't wear short skirts and things like that... Indeed, girls should be like you, Chu Chu."

He dreamed of Chu Chu, dressed in a linen long dress, turning around to look at him in a daze. She said, "Jiang Yeyu, do you know that I have loved you for a full ten years"

Sitting beside her, Jiang Yeyu had just finished sending an email on his phone when he heard Chuchu suddenly say this. Looking at Chuchu's shy expression, he thought she was trying to curry favor with her mother again, and he frowned.

Jiang Ye smiled ambiguously without making a definitive statement

Because from this point onward, her destination will no longer have Jiang Ye Yu

Jiang Yeyu took a look at the situation and guessed most of it. She bent down, picked up a plate of exquisite pastries, turned around and walked inside, saying lightly: "I didn't hear just now, come in."

Looking at his smile, Chuchu felt an emptiness deep within her heart

His calligraphy is vigorous and graceful, with strength that penetrates the paper

Chuchu seemed to see the old and dirty long-distance bus she had taken in her childhood, its windows scratched in a chaotic manner. Through the thick, poor-quality glass, she could still faintly see the scenery along the road. She would get motion sickness on the bus, and the journey from the small town to the provincial capital, lasting over ten hours, was undoubtedly a torment for her. However, each time, she boarded that bus departing in the early morning with anticipation and hope, smiling.

Her expression, as if she had obtained a precious treasure, made Jiang Yeyu feel a twinge of reluctance. He took the book from her hands and wrote on the title page with a fountain pen: For Chuchu, wishing you peace and joy

Madam Jiang has always liked Chuchu, who is sensible and well-behaved, with beautiful features. The more Madam Jiang looks at her, the more she likes her, and she pats Chuchu on the shoulder, saying: "After so many years of calling me godmother, why not call me mother instead"

After all, as the years go by, she is now thousands of miles away and can no longer accompany her parents, who are gradually aging. They no longer have to support her or worry about her food and clothing, and she sincerely hopes that they will no longer have to toil in the wind and rain.

Chuchu blushed and lowered her head, while Jiang Yeyu, somewhat displeased, furrowed his brows and said: "Mom"

Chuchu's mother helps others watch their shops at the wholesale market, while her father pedals a rickshaw. The family lives frugally, but their life is somewhat better than it was in the town

Wherever there is a need for reason, if he is the Heavenly Father, she must be his most devout disciple

On the Spring Festival of that year in his senior year, Jiang Yayu received the admission notice from Stanford University. At that moment, Chu Chu sat across from him and slowly raised her head to look at him.

That evening, Chu Chu returned home alone, changed her clothes, and mindlessly cleaned the entire house of over 200 square meters thoroughly. On the kitchen table lay the osmanthus cake she had finally succeeded in making early that morning. After finishing, she carefully placed them into a lunchbox to take to the hospital, hoping to let Jiang Yeyu taste them while they were still fresh

So it is, Chu Chu finally smiled, and she said: "Hmm, I have thought of it, I know what I want now"

Then she lifted her head and nudged Jiang Yeyu with her elbow, teasingly saying: "Hey, such a beautiful girl, why didn't you take her in as a child bride?"

Prologue

Before long, a neatly dressed servant indeed smiled as he opened the door: "Oh, Madam Jiang has been waiting for you since early morning, please come in, come in."

However, the slender figure of Chuchu, with her back turned to him, merely paused for a moment before continuing to walk. She did not wish for him to see the tears of sorrow and embarrassment on her face, yet he still believed that it was her heartless silhouette.

Although Jiang Yeyu has never caused her any worry, his temperament is too cold, and Madam Jiang finds it difficult to engage him in conversation. She can only constantly lament how nice it would be to have a daughter. Therefore, for more than a decade, she has truly treated Chuchu as her own daughter.

Over the years, she had always thought that what was distant were some other things, such as his family background, his intellect, his graceful demeanor, his striking presence, and his love. She stared blankly at Jiang Yeyu, who was leaning over to whisper something to Madam Jiang, a table full of exquisite dishes, with the wild mushroom soup still steaming. What does it matter? She comforted herself in her heart, this is the conclusion for her and him, in their respective lives, they would finally never meet again. She stared blankly at Jiang Yeyu, who was leaning over to whisper something to Madam Jiang, a table full of exquisite dishes, with the wild mushroom soup still steaming. What does it matter? She comforted herself in her heart, this is the conclusion for her and him, in their respective lives, they would finally never meet again

"Come here." Jiang Yeyu waved to Chuchu

Noticing the gaze of Chu Chu upon him, Jiang Ye Yu had no intention of delving into the meaning behind it; he merely frowned in displeasure. Chu Chu, feeling somewhat timid, shrank her neck slightly

Chuchu chose a third-tier university in Beijing, located outside the Sixth Ring Road. Senior students were at the train station to welcome the new students, but Madam Jiang had Jiang Yeyu, who was also returning, book two plane tickets.