Don't overwork yourself; take care of your health while you're out.
Yan Shu
After sending the email, Yan Shu sighed and turned off the computer, but the phone in the room rang.
"Hello?" She quickly ran over to answer.
"Xiao Shu?" It was Mu Yang. "Can you come down now? I'm downstairs."
Yan Shu drew back the curtains and saw Mu Yang holding his phone and looking at his floor.
"Okay. Please wait a moment." After hanging up the phone, I quickly changed my shoes and went downstairs.
As soon as she stepped outside, she was greeted by a large bouquet of baby's breath. Yan Shu took it blankly, looked at Mu Yang, and smiled, saying, "I don't think I've ever given you flowers before."
"Probably." It's strange that I feel a strange sense of apprehension about this.
“When I came here, I saw a flower shop selling flowers. I thought they were cute and would suit you perfectly.” Mu Yang said, opening the door of a Toyota parked next to him. “Get in.”
"Thank you." Yan Shu got into the car, looked it over, and saw that it was clearly a new car. It still smelled of new fur. Curious, she asked, "Did you just buy this car?"
"Yeah. It's really inconvenient not having a car." Mu Yang inserted the key and started the car.
Sigh, typical thinking of someone who's lived in America. Yan Shu sighed inwardly and turned to ask Mu Yang, "Where are we going to eat today?"
"A Hunan restaurant," Mu Yang said with a smile, easily uttering the four words.
Hunan cuisine restaurant!
Yan Shu's eyes widened. Had she misheard?
It wasn't until she followed Mu Yang into the Hunan restaurant, sat down, and ordered food that Yan Shu was certain she hadn't misheard.
The first dish served was "boiled fish." Yan Shu picked up a piece; it was indeed fresh and delicious, and the spiciness was satisfying—not bad. However… she glanced up at Mu Yang, who had also taken a bite and frowned slightly. Seeing the question in Yan Shu's eyes, he smiled and said, "As expected."
"What do you mean, 'I guess'?" I still can't eat spicy food?
"Indeed, the spiciness in China is more authentic. In the US, it's been modified a bit."
Yan Shu stared blankly at him. The returned Mu Yang seemed like a stranger; she felt increasingly unfamiliar with the person sitting in front of her. She couldn't help but ask, "Mu Yang... you can eat spicy food now?"
"I can eat a little bit now," Mu Yang said with a smile. "There was a time when eating spicy food was all the rage in our circle. Plus, one of us is from Sichuan and is an excellent cook, but he never forgets to put spice in any of his dishes. With this exercise, I can eat a bit more now."
Yan Shu looked at Mu Yang, seemingly never to be seen again in his disheveled state after eating a bite of spicy food. Five years—a period that's neither long nor short—can change a lot, especially considering the differences between their two countries, which go beyond just time zones. They weren't from the same world, not on the same level. Five years have passed; what can you guarantee will remain unchanged?
"Xiao Shu, Xiao Shu." Mu Yang called Yan Shu's name, looking at her as if she had just finished sleepwalking, and said with a smile, "Xiao Shu, you haven't changed."
"ah?"
"They can quickly become absorbed in their own world while talking."
"We're here." Yan Shu watched as her building slowly approached, then stopped. She reached out and unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to Mu Yang with a smile, and said, "Thank you for dinner."
Mu Yang smiled at her, and Yan Shu suddenly felt a little embarrassed. She took a deep breath, pretending to be relaxed, and said with a smile, "Alright, little one, you need to go rest now. We'll chat again when we have time." With that, she went to open the car door.
But Mu Yang grabbed her hand.
Yan Shuxin panicked and looked up at Mu Yang, only to meet his dark eyes: that look...
“Xiao Shu…” Mu Yang looked at her earnestly: “I love you.”
Yan Shu's eyes widened upon hearing this, unsure of what to say, and she lowered her head. Mu Yang's head followed, and as if bewitched, Yan Shu closed her eyes. Mu Yang's lips gently brushed against hers, when suddenly, she felt a sharp pain on her lips. Yan Shu cried out in pain, but Mu Yang's tongue seized the opportunity to slip inside, with a force unlike that of five years ago, plundering Yan Shu's youthful innocence…
Mu Yang pulled away from Yan Shu's lips, and Yan Shu gasped for breath: "My head is spinning." When she came to her senses, she realized her hands were somehow wrapped around Mu Yang's neck. She quickly pushed him away, but it was all in vain.
"I love you." She heard Mu Yang whisper in her ear, "For the past five years, I have never been able to forget this fact: I love you."
Oh my god, she's going to have insomnia.
When Mu Yang got home, he collapsed onto the sofa, turned on the TV, and watched the evening news as usual.
Today's harvest seems plentiful; this should finally force that silly Yan Shu to face reality. However, he's exhausted. He slumped onto the sofa, sometimes wondering what Yan Shu was thinking. After so many years of rejection, shouldn't she reflect on whether her charm has faded?
Xiao Shu's inexplicable sense of inferiority.
"Ring ring—" The phone rang beside him. Who would call him at this hour? He answered the phone, only to hear an unexpected voice.
"Auntie?!" It turned out to be Xiao Shu's mother.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to bother you so late."
"It's nothing. I just got back. Auntie, is there anything I can help you with?" He sat up slightly and turned the TV to mute.
"It's nothing. Um, I heard from your mom that you're back..."
"Yes, I just got back not long ago. I want to wait until things are more stable here before I go back to see you all."
"Um, um... have you seen Xiao Shu?"
"We just had dinner together today." If you knew what I did to your daughter, how would you treat me?
“Oh, I see… It’s nothing… Mu Yang…” There was a moment of silence on the phone, then he suddenly said, “Xiao Shu hasn’t had a boyfriend in the last five years… um…” He paused, seemingly unsure how to continue, “Mu Yang, I think…”
Mu Yang didn't say anything, and listened quietly as she continued.
“I… Xiao Shu didn’t say anything, but I know she can’t forget… Mu Yang, I know you’re a very outstanding person. Our Xiao Shu has always been like this, a bit slow-witted…”
“Muyang, maybe it’s just my selfishness as a mother, but Xiaoshu is already 28 this year. You know, women are most vulnerable to the ravages of time. I think… something needs to change… no matter what, let her know…”
“Auntie,” Mu Yang interrupted her, “I know what you want to say. Auntie, you know I’ve always known what I want, and I will always stand by it. I will give you an answer.”
No, she was really going to have insomnia. Yan Shu tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep no matter what she did.
Yan Shu sat up in bed in frustration. She couldn't forget Mu Yang's words, and that kiss.
Shaking her head vigorously, Yan Shu got out of bed, sat down at her desk, and turned on her computer. Another new email had arrived on her hotmail.
Yan Shu:
good.
There are always some people in the world who are very persistent about certain things. Some people are persistent about certain ideas, and some people are persistent about certain objects.
For some people, it's a person, a feeling.
Some people are always lucky enough to meet that special someone in their lives, and they are happy, while others don't.
They could only find anyone at random.
Actually, I've always envied you. I can always easily smell the scent of happiness in you and Muyang. I now...
A song is playing nearby; it says, "It always takes until midnight to receive your birthday wishes." Yan Shu, you're already 28.
That's it. Don't give up on happiness that you've already achieved.
"Adai"
After reading the letter, Yan Shu felt even more confused. She turned her chair around and saw the music box on the bedside table. She went over and wound it up, and its clear sound filled the room. This was a gift from Mu Yang. Speaking of gifts, she hadn't even opened the one from their first meeting; she hadn't been in the mood since returning home, so it had just remained unopened.
She found the small box in the room, carefully opened it, and found it to be an exquisite little box. Yan Shu slowly opened it, and inside was: a ring! A few small diamonds were scattered on the delicate platinum band; the simple design was both elegant and beautiful.
This...this...it's a ring!
"I love you. For the past five years, I haven't been able to forget this fact: I love you."
The restaurant was bustling with people. Yan Shu went inside and sat down in the lounge area. She had just spoken to Mu Yang on the phone, telling him she needed to speak with him. Mu Yang thought for a moment and said, "Let's stop here then." He happened to have an appointment with a client here.
Today seems to be an auspicious day. Yan Shu looked around the restaurant and thought to herself. There were many people holding wedding banquets. Just now, she saw a wedding car stop at the entrance, and the bride in a white wedding dress happily walked out arm in arm with the groom. Relatives and friends sincerely blessed them, and they looked very happy, which made her smile as well.
Just then, a group of bridesmaids escorted the bride past. The bride, now dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, smiled happily, her rosy cheeks radiating joy, even overshadowing the bright red of her traditional Chinese attire. Her happy, confident smile and charming expression were truly beautiful.
"What are you looking at?" Mu Yang's voice interrupted. Yan Shu looked up and saw that Mu Yang was already sitting in front of her.
"It's nothing." Yan Shu looked at the departing bride's back and muttered to herself, "Happy bride, a woman is truly most beautiful at this moment."
Mu Yang turned to look at the bride, then turned back to her with a smile and said, "So, would you like to be beautiful just this once?"
"Wh...what?" Yan Shu's heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the implication in his words, she pretended to be calm and said, "I'm just stating the facts."
Mu Yang's smile deepened: "Did you need something from me?"
Yan Shu glanced at him, nodded, took the box out of her bag, and pushed it towards him: "This, Mu Yang, I can't accept it."
Mu Yang glanced at the box but didn't touch it. He simply said, "Your mom, Auntie, called me yesterday."
"Wh...what!" Yan Shu was taken aback. What was her mother going to do? Why was she making a phone call? "What did my mother say?" Yan Shu asked nervously.
“She told me you’re 28 years old, and…” He paused, looking at Yan Shu’s anxious expression, and continued, “you haven’t had a boyfriend in the past five years.”
"This... Mom said all this... really." Yan Shu cried out in her heart, why did her mother say these things? "This has nothing to do with you." Suddenly feeling that she was trying to cover up her mistake, she quickly added, "It has nothing to do with Mom either."
Mu Yang smiled and said, "Xiao Shu, you're already 28. I'm not young anymore either; I'm old enough and should be settling down. I've said it before, I love you." He glanced at Yan Shu, "Let's get married."
"No, that won't do," Yan Shu exclaimed. She pushed the ring away, stood up, and said, "I'm leaving. Keep it safe."
“Why not?” Mu Yang pulled her down to sit. “I love you. I believe you love me too. We’re not young anymore. Everything is perfect.” He paused, looking earnestly at Yan Shu. “I want you to be the most beautiful bride. Xiao Shu, believe me.”
Looking at Mu Yang's serious expression, Yan Shu recalled A Dai's words: "Yan Shu, you are already 28 years old. Please don't give up the happiness you have in your hands so easily."
"Besides, you've already accepted my ring, how can you refuse it now?" Mu Yang smiled, his eyes gentle.
Yan Shu looked at the man before her. This was the man she had loved for so many years. Even after all these years, even knowing they were from different worlds, she had made up her mind to take a gamble. Thinking of this, Yan Shu suddenly felt much lighter: "How could you be so dishonest?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Yang smiled, knowing that Xiao Shu had agreed to be the ring's owner. He took Yan Shu's hand and gently slipped it onto her ring finger; it fit perfectly. In America, when he first saw this ring, he immediately bought it because he thought of Yan Shu. He had an urge to return home immediately, wanting to see how the ring looked on Yan Shu's hand.
Now, it's finally where it belongs.
He gently took Yan Shu's hand, stroked her ring finger, and pointed to himself: "This ring, and this person, are both goods that cannot be returned or exchanged once they are sold."
8.1
Awakened by the bright sunlight, Yan Shu opened her eyes, unable to make out the room for a moment. After a while, as she became more alert, she saw everything around her: it was the home she and Mu Yang had decorated together.
Mu Yang's hand was still wrapped around her waist, their intimacy seemingly without distance, and the sound of his even breathing filled the air: a very reassuring feeling. Yan Shu couldn't help but recall a passage she had read in a book before: "To wake up in the morning and see the sleeping face of the person you love most is truly a blessing."
Is it happiness? It came so unexpectedly, will it also disappear just as unexpectedly?