Volume 1, The Moonlight of Cambridge (Part 2)
"Perhaps it will. " Mo Jing pondered for a moment, "But at that time, we were still just children, and then we would be separated for many years. Perhaps, in the end, it would be quite similar to now."
Mo Jingze opened his arms and embraced her. The snow outside was falling heavier, the snowflakes fluttering down, forming dense strands of fluff in the dim yellow glow of the streetlight. The wall-mounted heater emitted a red light reminiscent of charcoal, and the two of them held each other, resting their heads on each other's shoulders, feeling a sense of peace and warmth in their hearts
At that time, he sincerely felt that Liang Chen was like a shining star. When she spoke as the student representative, she was calm and composed; on the playground, she was lively and agile; when she spoke, her pace was neither hurried nor slow, yet she knew so many interesting things, and her storytelling was full of spirit.
"Your ex-girlfriend did not choose not to return to the country; rather, she is tired of being by your side and needs a release." Liang Chen said seriously, "Those who can walk alongside you cannot have too many demands of you." She reached out her hand and gently stroked Mo Jingze's forehead, "Your capacity for affection is limited."
Do you think she married him just to stay in the United States? Liang Chen asked, a hint of mockery playing at the corners of his mouth
Previously, we were together for eight years. When she was telling me about the breakup, she informed me that she was going to marry someone else
I received the second letter from Liang Chen, which was still three pages long. At the end, it was written: "I heard from Dad that over the years, the number of Chinese students studying has been increasing. Perhaps one day, you will be able to observe everything here with your own eyes"
"Your knowledge, your experience, your abilities, all of these are still present." Liang Chen seemed to see through his thoughts, and as she spoke, she began to smile, "You should still have some savings. No matter where you go or what you do, you will do well." She gently held Mo Jingze's hand, "In my heart, you are also a brilliant and outstanding person."
"I really hit the nail on the head; one day, you will come to see everything here for yourself," Liang Chen said, shaking the red wine glass in his hand and smiling, "A stroke of genius, isn't it?"
I have always believed that matters of the heart should unfold naturally. A good relationship should not bring about too many negative effects, nor should it restrict each other's development. Two people should naturally come together, moving in the same direction. Mo Jing then rubbed his temples and chuckled softly, saying, "I must have had too much red wine; I really never thought carefully about my views on relationships before. Ultimately, it probably comes down to my own selfishness."
On that day, they argued fiercely, and I finally understood the reason. Looking back at the letter I wrote to you, the novelty and excitement after arriving in the United States now seem like a great joke. My life of over ten years was suddenly turned upside down. Therefore, I tore up that letter
The small regrets once held in the heart may perhaps reappear before you in a different, more complete form after a turn of events
Emotions are probably not an important matter in your life. Liang Chen gazed into his eyes, Have you ever tried to strive for something on your own? Have you ever encountered someone you particularly wanted to be with, someone for whom you wanted to change something?
My father was originally a visiting scholar. After staying in the United States for a year, he changed his status to pursue a doctor's degree here, so he brought my mother and me over. However, unexpectedly, during that year alone in the United States, he met a female student from our home country... At that time, my father still hoped to put an end to this matter, which is why he brought the two of us over. However, the two of them had some lingering connections, which my mother discovered. My father still hoped to put an end to this matter, which is why he brought the two of us over. However, the two of them had some lingering connections, which my mother discovered. She is a particularly strong-willed person; no matter how much my father pleaded, she would not forgive his actions. At the same time, her self-esteem is very strong, and she did not want to return to our home country with me to face friends and family. She needed to maintain her status in the United States, so they continued to live under the same roof, but it was a form of mutual torment through cold violence. She needed to maintain her status in the United States, so they continued to live under the same roof, but it was a form of mutual torment through cold violence
Mo Jing took a deep breath and recounted the time he wandered outside the park with a badminton racket on his back; he described the anxious feelings he experienced when he dropped a greeting card into the mailbox. "I have never shared these things with anyone else," he smiled, "I just want to tell you that, in places you are unaware of, there are people who appreciate and care about you. Even if your self-esteem is shattered, what remains in your heart is still that shining you.
She and I are alumni of the same university, and she is two years my junior. After arriving in the United States, she traveled a long distance to find me. However, her application to transfer schools was unsuccessful at that time, so she remained in two different cities. After graduation, she initially taught in the Midwest, but because I wanted to develop my career in New York, she moved to the East Coast to pursue a master's degree. Just as she started working, she encountered layoffs. However, she did not want to return to her home country, and coincidentally, there was a boy who had been pursuing her.
She said the same thing. Mo Jing recalled Sun Weixi's weary expression, "She said not to try to keep her. If I had the heart to keep her, I should have married her long ago"
Indeed. This must be fate... to have met you before I left the United States
It sounds like you are truly a heartless and cold-blooded person
What if the ship has disappeared
Liang Chen reined in her smile, lowered her eyelids, and said, "I received your letter. I had actually finished writing a reply and was about to send it. However, something happened at home..." She let out a long sigh, "It's been so long, it won't hurt to talk to you."
Liang Chen lowered his head, "Since the day I left home, I have always felt uneasy. The back of the car was piled high with luggage, so I could only look out the window beside me. But all I could see was frost and snow, nothing was clear. There weren't many people on the street; I vaguely saw someone walking by from behind. I was leaning on the window, trying to see more clearly, because I felt that person looked remarkably like a boy I knew. However, I thought it was impossible for him to come to see me off." There weren't many people on the street; I vaguely saw someone walking by from behind. I was leaning on the window, trying to see more clearly, because I felt that person looked remarkably like a boy I knew. However, I thought it was impossible for him to come to see me off.
Mo Jingze's reply was still brief, as he felt there was not much new to share with Liang Chen. At this moment, he felt a bit regretful that he had not conversed much with her in the past, leaving him with few memories to draw upon for conversation. However, he sincerely wrote: "Reading your letter is like seeing a fascinating world across the ocean."
The snow fell continuously for two whole days, and finally stopped on the night of the second day. The clouds dispersed, and a crescent moon hung at the horizon. However, under the reflection of the pristine snow, the faint light illuminated the streets, as if the moonlight was a pale blue, cool like the snowflakes.
4
I felt very regretful at that time, thinking that if I could be more familiar and closer to you, I could express the grievances and sadness in my heart to you without reservation. Liang Chen leaned back, examining him, and said, "Do you think it would be different if we were born a little later, without being so reserved and restrained?"
"It is not that dire; you have not lost everything. You simply need to change your environment and start anew." Liang Chen fixed his gaze on his eyes, "I understand that, in your heart, the most challenging part is how to face the people around you."
"So lacking in confidence?" she chuckled softly
Liang Chen left his embrace, straightened his body, and said, "Since she is an ex-girlfriend, it is bound to happen sooner or later"
Mo Jingze still had not spoken much with Liang Chen, but he did not feel the need to suddenly become close to her. They had not been intimate, yet it seemed they would not become distant either. Just like in their previous encounters, there was no need for any formalities; they could casually find a topic and continue to chat naturally and effortlessly.
6
7
He sent a letter back to Liang Chen at the address on the postcard, which was very brief, containing only a few words of greeting
Mo Jingze returned to his home country at the end of the year. After arriving in his hometown, he made a special trip to the museum, which had been newly decorated. Previously, the dinosaur fossil there had been destroyed in a fire during a touring exhibition many years ago. However, according to the promotional pamphlet of the museum, it seems that two new fossils have been unearthed, which are even larger than the previous ones. Now, there is no need for an admission ticket; one only needs to present an identification document to enter. However, Mo Jingze did not carry his ID with him. He thought to himself that it was not essential to go in. So, with a smile, he put his hands in his pockets and felt a sense of ease as he left, even humming an old song from long ago.
It is truly a pity that just after we have met, you are already leaving
In the spring that followed, several students who had signed received postcards from Liang Chen, sent from the United States. Mo Jing, on the other hand, received a postcard featuring the Half Dome of Yosemite National Park, with the message on the back reading: "Hope the next one is Yellowstone"
When I entered university, I began to smoke and throw parties; the more my parents disapproved, the more I felt compelled to do it. They finally divorced officially, and my father did not end up with that female student. Later, through introductions, he found a gentle-tempered lady. They finally had enough of their quarrels, and I also felt exhausted. While moving, I came across those letters you wrote, and it felt as if I was seeing that simple life from the past again. I longed to return, but I knew I could never go back.
It was indeed because I saw your words that I developed the desire to go abroad. Previously, I always thought that America was particularly distant, just something I read in magazines. However, after that, I didn't hear from you again
Mo Jing then wrapped her arm around her shoulder and gave her a pat, and the two of them began to laugh softly
Knowing these matters is truly comforting. Liang Chen sighed lightly, saying, "In fact, none of us are introverted people. Back then, we hardly spoke to each other, perhaps because we had something to hide in our hearts."
Originally, I was very angry, that was what I thought. But when she said not to hold her back, I found it hard to hate her. Mo Jing then patted his chest, "She is right, why didn't I choose to marry her earlier? I had eight years, but I kept telling myself to wait until life settled down. Every step she took before was for me; finally, for the last time, she made a choice for herself"
There are indeed other classmates from middle school, and so they began to get close to the two of them. The news of Liang Chen's departure abroad reached Mo Jing through various channels, as she heard it from others. Liang Chen's father is in the United States, and he is bringing her and her mother over for a reunion. They were originally supposed to leave at the end of December, but the elders in the family hoped they could spend one more Spring Festival at home, so the departure was postponed to February. A middle school classmate who also got into the same high school suggested sending Liang Chen a New Year's greeting card, with everyone signing their names on it. Liang Chen's father is in the United States, and he is bringing her and her mother over for a reunion. They were originally supposed to leave at the end of December, but the elders in the family hoped they could spend one more Spring Festival at home, so the departure was postponed to February. A middle school classmate who also got into the same high school suggested sending Liang Chen a New Year's greeting card, with everyone signing their names on it.
In this way, perhaps it is for the best. Mo Jing then laughed self-deprecatingly, saying, "After spending a long time together, it will ruin the image I have in your heart"
Liang Chen nodded, "It is truly wonderful to meet you and talk about the past."
Mo Jingze smiled faintly, which could be considered as tacit agreement. From being full of ambition to having nothing at all, the more than ten years spent across the ocean felt like a fleeting dream of life.
Later, I received your greeting card. Liang Chen continued, I received it on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The card depicted two little children setting off firecrackers, while in our home, we were breaking plates. I held the greeting card, squatted in my room, and cried. How I longed to return home, to go back to my past home, to miss the happy and confident self... I told my mother, but she said I was not ambitious. She placed all her hopes on me, and everything I did was to bring her pride—achieving the best grades, applying to the best schools. How I longed to return home, to go back to my past home, to miss the happy and confident self... I told my mother, but she said I was not ambitious. She placed all her hopes on me, and everything I did was to bring her pride—achieving the best grades, applying to the best schools. I hated my father's infidelity, but I also found it difficult to calmly face my mother's obsession and pressure.
He said: "At that time, I thought you were so happy here that you had no time to pay attention to me."
A month later, I received a reply from Liang Chen, which filled three pages. He wrote about the schools and cities in America, sharing amusing anecdotes and embarrassing moments from his initial arrival.
Her tone was calm, yet there were tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. Mo Jing remained silent, walked over, and sat beside her, gently patting her arm. Liang Chen turned to the side, leaning on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. "I have never spoken of these things to anyone else," she said
Their middle school years were spent in a state of familiar strangeness and a distance maintained through familiarity. Subsequently, Mo Jing was granted direct admission, while Liang Chen achieved a top ten ranking in the city’s high school entrance examination, and the two of them entered the same key high school. They were still in different classes, but since there were not many students from the same middle school, everyone felt closer to one another. Even classmates who had little interaction during middle school would nod in greeting when they met in the hallway or chat for a moment, borrowing textbooks or exercise books from each other. They were still in different classes, but the limited number of students from the same middle school fostered a sense of closeness among them. Even classmates who had little interaction during middle school would nod in greeting when they met in the hallway or chat for a moment, borrowing textbooks or exercise books from each other. There was no longer any need to worry about someone asking, "How do you two know each other"
Liang Chen extended her hand, placing her palm against his cheek, her fingers brushing past his temple. "We shall not say goodbye," she leaned in and gently pressed a soft kiss on Mo Jingze's lips
Still, there was no response. She simply vanished from his life like that
Mo Jingze hesitated for a moment, but still revealed the truth: "Actually, I am not here on a business trip; I am here to seek a final opportunity. As you know, the financial sector has been struggling recently... HR has given us a period of grace, but by the end of the year, the H1-B will also expire."
Speaking of my recent situation, I truly feel like I have failed in life. Mo Jingze said, "In a life meticulously planned, not a single thing goes as desired"
My girlfriend, or rather, my ex-girlfriend, got married a few days ago
If a girl is willing to spend eight years accompanying you, then why didn't you two get married earlier?
In less than two years, he was hired as a senior financial talent at a securities company in Beijing. That night, the moonlight was just as beautiful, reminiscent of a snowy winter night in Cambridge
I believe you are still on the right track of your own planning. The efforts and contributions made previously will not be in vain. Just like encountering rapids while drifting, you may capsize in the water, but you can get back up and continue paddling.
The only time I impulsively went to see a girl was many years ago. Mo Jing glanced out the window, "It is snowing so heavily. I knew she was going to the airport, but I only knew which neighborhood her home was in, not the specific building. I waited at the entrance, and from a distance, I saw a Jeep with several large suitcases in front of it. I knew it was her, but I felt that rushing out would be too abrupt. I waited at the entrance, and from a distance, I saw a Jeep with several large suitcases in front of it. I knew it was her, but I felt that rushing out would be too abrupt. What could I say to her? At that moment, I truly believed I would never see her again. I walked back and forth outside the gate, afraid of being seen, hiding around the corner of the building, like an underground worker... Then, the car drove out and turned in another direction. The snow was heavy, and the car was moving slowly, so I followed behind it, thinking that if I ran, I might catch up. I walked back and forth outside the gate, afraid of being seen, hiding around the corner of the building, like an underground worker... Then, the car drove out and turned in another direction. The snow was heavy, and the car was moving slowly, so I followed behind it, thinking that if I ran, I might catch up. But I just followed the Jeep forward, watching it get further and further away from me... until it disappeared into the thick fog.
They exchanged three or four letters. However, after autumn, there was no news from Liang Chen. Mo Jing did not know whether she had not received the last letter or if she had integrated into her new life, leaving no time to keep in touch with a friend she barely knew. Naturally, he would not write to ask. So he waited, all the way until the winter break. He tentatively sent Liang Chen a Spring Festival greeting card, merely to remind her of his existence
"This is already the most impulsive thing I have ever done," Mo Jing said slowly. "You are right, my feelings are limited. I do not know how to say goodbye."
5
Even without saying goodbye, they must face the impending farewell, unaware of when they will meet again on the long journey of life. However, a snowstorm in Cambridge, a pool of moonlight, and a moment of reunion seem to encapsulate the entire significance of Mo Jingze's visit to Boston.
Mo Jingze was unsure whether to tell Liang Chen. While eating ice pops in front of the park, she had mentioned that sometimes she would wake up early to play badminton with her neighbors. He then took a racket with him and rode his bike past the park in the early morning. However, thinking about her being with friends, it felt quite abrupt for him to enter alone. He made an excuse about the morning market having flowers and birds, coaxing his little cousin to go out with him, intending to take her to the park to play badminton, which would be a legitimate reason. Yet, once his cousin saw the flowers, birds, fish, and insects, she lost interest in leaving. They wandered around the morning market for over an hour, and she insisted on buying two goldfish, thus the plan to play badminton had to be abandoned.
Leaving? Are you going back to your home country to develop your career
Many households have colorful lights hanging in their windows, bright yellow, twinkling like stars, making the night feel warm. On this peaceful night, it is tranquil and harmonious