Chapter 7, The Moon Represents Whose Heart, Cai Manxin in the Past Continuous Tense
Jumping, jumping
How is your American visa
I am afraid I have nothing to offer you, loving you also requires great courage
Hmm. He went to the embassy to pick me up, and on the way back, he also climbed the practice rock wall at the school. A child shouted, "Big brother, come down, or sister will be worried."
I am only afraid that I might fall in love with you, perhaps one day I will be unable to control my feelings
Continue by default
I am afraid I have nothing to offer you, loving you also requires great courage
The two individuals were chatting casually
Not far. On the way to Danzhou Airport, there is a fork in the road leading to Baisha Town, where there is an estuary, as there are many waterfalls in the mountains
Well, you will only believe in its existence when you see it.
Perhaps this is merely a detour on the journey of life, with beautiful scenery but no exit
Yet she possesses a kind of blind confidence, believing that as long as she is not a completely irrational girl, everything can unfold naturally. The worst outcome would simply mean returning to the starting point, but at least she would have experienced a wonderful journey.
What do you think? He Luo You Ran sighed deeply, saying, "Even if I had known how difficult it would be later, I would still choose him back then"
Missing you only brings suffering upon myself, falling in love with you is beyond my control
"Manxin, where are you?" A Jun shouted as he ran onto the beach
"I didn't expect the voice to be so deep," Cheng Ge asked, "How old are you, in your early twenties?"
"Hello, it turns out that a sixth magnitude star is indeed visible to the naked eye." She dialed He Luo's number, starting the conversation with a strangely puzzling opening.
Perhaps this is merely a detour on the journey of life, with beautiful scenery but no exit
Cheng Ge said: "I have not yet heard Manxin sing. Do you know any old songs? Choose one that I can play and you can sing. 'The Moon Represents My Heart,' is that alright?"
It is unclear who initiated the kiss. He kissed her, tender and delicate; she kissed back, awkward yet fervent
Have you seen it?
Cai Manxin could not help but laugh at herself, thinking that she was being overly sentimental
The rivers and seas gently hum a melody
"Not entirely." She pursed her lips, "I now believe even more that it is a peculiar feeling, perhaps due to fate."
I would like to see mangroves, preferably at the estuary of a river, in a freshwater area
In my childhood, I participated in the district's children's choir
Hey! Someone shouted loudly, throwing an empty can that hit the head of the dog in front. It whimpered twice, turned around, and threw it away, while the dog behind also backed away.
What reason could there be for me to encounter you again
The white sandy beach stretches gracefully, and she is wearing a light blue cotton sundress, holding a pair of bright yellow flip-flops. With her head down, she follows closely behind Jiang Hai, each step landing in his footprints. He is so tall, with such long legs, that she needs to make little jumps.
Imagine! I have heard that the seaside here is adorned with mangroves, and at night it is filled with fireflies, resembling a Christmas tree
I originally placed it on this side of the gravel path, thinking that the local customs were simple and honest, and that no one would take it casually. She laughed and jumped up, snatching the slippers, "Give it to me, you can't wear them anyway"
I am only afraid that I will fall in love with you, and I dare not let myself get too close
Your innocence, I wish to cherish; seeing you suffer injustice makes me sad
If he says to you again, "Stay here," will you waver
Unaware of the origin, unaware of the destination
Fortunately, her friend was accustomed to her flights of fancy and was not at all confused, responding: "The light pollution in Beijing is such that even the zero magnitude stars are not visible today"
In the eyes of others, you are still a couple; thinking of this, does it not evoke a myriad of mixed feelings
Cai Manxin felt somewhat despondent, "There are still two or three days left"
"A Jun has had too much to drink." Cai Manxin couldn't help but laugh, "Why did you come back again?"
"Do you see those lights? From a distance, don't they look like fireflies?" she asked
"How are you walking by yourself?" Jiang Hai emerged from the shadows of the lamp.
After finishing a song, A-Jun excitedly sat down next to Cai Manxin and clinked glasses with her
Jiang Hai glanced at her, picked up a crab to weigh it, then tossed it back and selected another one. Confidently, she placed it in front of Cai Manxin. She pinched the crab's legs and blew on them vigorously, as if that would cool the shell. She casually reached into the ice bucket for a piece of ice, rubbed it on the crab's belly button, deftly lifted the top shell, and murmured: "Steaming it with ice blocks for cooling, this is the treatment of a hot spring in Hokkaido"
Here! She stretched out her hand from the boat, feeling as if she were Count Dracula waking up at night, letting out a hearty laugh, and all those melancholic little emotions vanished into thin air
Ha, you didn't even report to me about it. But I already said you would be fine!" Cai Manxin smiled, "I called just to ask you, do you regret not coming out to play with me?"
He came to a silent stop, his silent figure blocking everything in front of her. She could not hold back her steps, and just as he turned around, she collided into his solid and warm embrace. His hand rested on her shoulder, conveying a reassuring warmth.
"Do not hang your entire body on me, or I will not be able to stand." Jiang Hai laughed, his voice deep and resonant, vibrating through his chest and reaching her ears. The moon had risen, illuminating a section of the sky behind the palm trees. The thick clouds were semi-transparent, edged with silver, resembling the rolling waves of the sea.
Did I say it right? Ah Jun made a "V" sign. She always runs to the terrace at night to look at the stars, not afraid of catching a cold
He is the sky, he is everything
A Jun looked at Jiang Hai for help, and Cheng Ge also handed over his guitar. In that moment, there was a hint of hesitation in his expression, but he still accepted it, saying, "Play along with me."
After singing it twice, he stopped and scratched his head, "How do I play the chords for the next part again"
As the music concluded, Cheng Ge gently asked while playing the guqin, "Have you studied vocal music?"
She shook her head
Jiang Hai glanced and said lightly, "Not like."
The steamed crabs were served, piled up in the basin like small mountains; two steamed fish drizzled with bright oil, the aroma of scallions and ginger further accentuating the freshness of the sea fish; along with several sea shells whose names she could not recall, all arranged on the table. The bright red crabs made her eager, and she reached out her fingertip to touch them, seemingly still very hot, and quickly withdrew her hand.
Why should I scold you
While in the United States, she was already in awe of the night sky that could not be seen in Beijing, but at this moment, the brilliance of the stars surpassed that, with countless new faces she had never seen before even among the constellations she was familiar with
A strip
I am only afraid that I might fall in love with you, perhaps one day I will be unable to control my feelings
"Little brat, you know everything again." He patted the back of his head with a full heart
However, yes, it is time to leave. A season of heat has swiftly arrived at the peak of summer solstice
Missing you only brings suffering upon myself, falling in love with you is beyond my control
Cheng Ge laughed: "This is really too difficult. I heard that you interned in the United States and then went to work for a multinational company after graduation. You are both intelligent and beautiful, no wonder your aspirations are so high. However, it is indeed important not to compromise oneself."
She raised her head, a hint of melancholy in her expression, her clear eyes veiled with a layer of mist, and her cheeks appeared bright and dewy in the moonlight
Just like those feelings that were once childish and laughable in her eyes
Where?
Jiang Hai originally intended to support her, but the girl had already buried her head in his chest, her long black hair slightly damp, faintly carrying the fragrance of shampoo. She seemed to be trembling slightly, yet her arms were tightly wrapped around him, her cheek pressed against his chest
"Go look at the stars." She pointed upwards
However, you have never regretted it, have you
Come back quickly, I am going to sing!
Cheng Ge shook his head, "I have never heard of it; you young people only listen to new songs."
I am not two years younger than you. " A Jun rubbed his head, " Why don't you believe that I am sincere? The next song is dedicated to my heartfelt feelings, and I still haven't practiced enough, so please bear with me! " He cleared his throat and strummed the guitar.
Holding your hands and feeling your tenderness truly makes it a bit hard to breathe
It is hard to forget the first time I saw you, with your enchanting eyes
I truly do not wish to fall into the trap of love like this
I was born there and attended elementary school; I studied junior high in Changgang, and since there is no high school here, I went to Danzhou.
"Are you wandering just to tell me that the stars are beautiful?" He Luo asked
Ha, if you were thirty-two, I would pursue you as well. Cheng Ge laughed, "However, I am certain that you must already have a boyfriend, right?"
Cai Manxin has always prided herself on having a calm and rational mind beneath her exuberant and cheerful exterior. Now, her heart is rapidly swelling in the gentle sea breeze of the southern country, filled with uncontrollable longing and attachment, almost overflowing from her body
I long to hold his hand and walk side by side on a night where the waves gently caress, beneath a starry sky, imagining the sweetness that would make one tremble all over
I guessed it again, you have seen Classmate Zhang
Just one
"I just said you are not much older than me, just three years!" A Jun shouted
Although it is not the golden season for eating crabs, this one is particularly plump and delicious. While Jiang Hai and others eat with ease and casualness, Cai Manxin appears much more awkward, with all ten fingers engaged, too lazy to take out a tissue from her bag to wipe her hands, simply childishly sucking on her fingers
In recent days, she has been tossing and turning, troubled by the soft and sweet longing in her heart, often sitting on the terrace at midnight to gaze at the moon. In the years prior, she had experienced innocent feelings for boys, yet none had truly left an indelible mark on her life. She believes that every relationship begins with a sense of novelty that makes one reluctant to part, but over time, it may lead to boredom and disappointment. She does not understand why, in such a vast and beautiful world, some people only wish to cling to fleeting emotions, unable to believe that tomorrow will be even more wonderful.
Should I return to my normal life? she softly asked herself, before everything changed, when all the memories were still beautiful and worth savoring repeatedly
"Certainly." He Luo replied without a moment's hesitation, "Ha, you are going to accuse me of harboring illusions again, aren't you?"
In all these years, Cai Manxin felt for the first time that she could empathize with her friend's heartache. Although it was not a pain that pierced to the core, the vague sadness and confusion about the future lingered in her heart like a faint blue mist
The initial flutter of my heart was given to him, the first embrace was given to him. The first gaze, the first heart, the first lips, all were given to you
Am I being a bit too heartless? Cai Manxin reflected on her words, Perhaps as you said, emotions are sunk costs; once invested, they cannot be recovered
Do you have any hope that he will try to keep you again
The attendant in the shop brought over a dozen charcoal-grilled oysters. After eating one, Jiang Hai's phone rang. He stood up and said, "You all take your time eating, I have something to attend to, so I will head back first"
Cai Manxin could not help but raise her camera, and at that moment, Jiang Hai happened to look up, gazing in her direction. A flutter ran through her heart as she wondered if this was the song you wanted to sing to me, whether you too were afraid that longing would only cause you to suffer alone
Cai Manxin lay on her back in the sampan, the vast sky adorned with countless stars, the Milky Way stretching across the heavens, making her feel as if she were melting into that boundless deep blue.
Is it that you are asking for too much
Where else do you want to go? he asked, Before we leave, I will take you there.
Indeed, he is quite a good singer, everyone echoed.
As everyone seemed to drink without end, mingled with dialects, Cai Manxin, although unable to understand ninety percent of their conversations, found that such leisurely moments were enough to bring her pure joy. Looking up from the edge of the rain awning at the food stall, she saw the sky filled with stars, stretching all the way to the horizon where the sea met the sky.
"Well, I hope he is stronger than me in every aspect." Cai Manxin hesitated for a moment, "Perhaps it is a kind of excuse, when one has not yet encountered the right person."
Twenty-two
I found this," he raised the flip-flop in his hand, "there is a stretch of gravel road ahead, I wonder how you plan to get across it
He Luo let out a faint laugh, his tone slightly melancholic, "You know, I am not in much of a mood."
Cai Manxin felt somewhat dejected and did not want to follow him in leaving. The subsequent oysters and scallops tasted rather bland.
I am truly exhausted, and I am really afraid. He always thinks that he can bear all the future alone, but when faced with difficulties, he gives up on me. Is this a form of protection? I do not blame him, but this repeated cycle from hope to disappointment has made me very weary. I do not know how to face the pain of losing him once again
I am only afraid that I will fall in love with you, and I dare not let myself get too close
At that time, Cai Manxin may have already realized that something was changing
"Are you about to leave?" Jiang Hai's voice was low.
Passing by a slightly larger inn, a string of golden lights hung from the porch. She paused to take a glance, and suddenly, the two dogs in the yard began to bark furiously, surprisingly unrestrained, leaping over the fence to chase after her. Cai felt a bit apprehensive, not daring to stop in place, and recalled that running away from animals could increase the likelihood of an attack. Thus, she found herself in a dilemma, unsure whether to run or to stay still.
Above is a deep blue sky, and suddenly a gust of wind blows down a few drops of rain
In my mind, your figure lingers, refusing to fade away
"Where has Manxin gone?" Cheng Ge asked
He Luo smiled faintly, which could be considered as tacit approval
And the gaze of the river and sea swept over her, then returned to the neck of the qin
A Jun turned sideways to stare at Jiang Hai's position, continuing to sing:
Many people had drunk quite a bit, staggering in a drunken haze. A Jun insisted on escorting Cai Manxin back, while he himself repeatedly went to the restroom. Taking advantage of Cheng Ge attending to A Jun, she quietly slipped down to the beach. In her haste to remember the way back, her flip-flops kept getting stuck in the sand, eventually being flung onto a fallen coconut tree on the beach. Thus, barefoot, she walked back along the edge of the sand.
Cai Manxin could not help but walk out of the food stall, making her way to the beach. The gentle waves shimmering in the night formed a silver line pushing against the white sand, softly brushing over her feet. Moving slightly away from the light, she walked into the water up to her calves and sat on the edge of a small boat.
The faint sixth magnitude stars do indeed exist
Without shame, without hesitation, Cai was astonished by her own audacity, yet felt that all of this was perfectly natural, fleeting. Her hands were tightly clasped behind Jiang Hai, as if letting go would cause him to vanish.
It was approved with just one signature, very smoothly
You often say that this relationship has caused you to lose yourself, that you have become neither smart nor strong. Would it not be better to completely let go and leave this place of sorrow?
Cai Manxin nodded and, amidst the melodious sound of the piano, softly sang: "You ask me how deep my love for you is, how much I love you..."
Hmm. She nodded vigorously