Yu Yao recalled the thought she had when she walked into the house two days ago. She had wondered if Jiang Zhonglin had remarried and possibly had children by now. But now she realized that Jiang Zhonglin was even more stubborn than she had imagined.

Tears overflowed from Yu Yao’s eyes, as if a dam had burst. She wasn’t someone who cried easily; in her rebellious teenage years, she adhered to the principle of “bleeding but not crying.” As she grew up, she became more laid-back, living for happiness, and rarely cried. But now, she couldn’t stop, as if she were crying not just for herself but for the man who had walked alone from youth to old age.

Yang Jun sat beside her, offering tissues to wipe her tears, and also wiped her own. Despite her own tears having dried, Yu Yao continued to cry.

“Yao Yao, please stop crying. Your eyes are so swollen. Please try to calm down.” Yang Jun, like a concerned elder, was distressed seeing Yu Yao unable to stop crying.

“Don’t cry anymore. Everything is okay now, you’re back. Everything will be fine from now on.”

Yu Yao covered her mouth and closed her eyes, but tears kept streaming from the corners of her eyes. Thinking about Jiang Zhonglin’s feelings back then, she felt something inside her was being torn apart, with sorrow seeping through the cracks.

When they returned home, Jiang Zhonglin was startled by Yu Yao’s red and swollen eyes. He asked in surprise, “What happened? Why are you crying so much?”

“Sit down first, I’ll get you a towel,” he said, going to dampen a towel and placing the cool cloth on Yu Yao’s eyes.

Yu Yao’s emotions had calmed down, but seeing Jiang Zhonglin again made her feel sad.

Jiang Zhonglin asked them to sit, brought some honey water, and spoke with a serious tone, “Sudden extreme emotions can harm your health. It’s good to let out your feelings, but don’t be so sad all the time. Adjust your mindset, things will get better. If you’re not used to the current society, we can help you. Don’t worry too much.”

He spoke gently, with concern and worry in his eyes.

Yu Yao held the cool towel and stared at him, thinking, is this calmness real?

Between the two of them, Jiang Zhonglin’s most painful period was after her disappearance, when he had to bear everything alone. Her most painful period was now, with the forty-year gap, the sudden aging of loved ones, and the realization that she was not alone anymore. Since bringing her back, Jiang Zhonglin had been gently helping her adjust to this world, including himself, and trying not to put any pressure on her.

Yu Yao saw his careful consideration in the clasped hands of Jiang Zhonglin.

Is that so? Is it really like that?

Throughout the afternoon, Yu Yao remained silent. That evening, Yang Jun and her husband went to stay at a nearby hotel, a suggestion made by Yang Jun. Yu Yao didn’t object, leaving her and Jiang Zhonglin alone at home.

Jiang Zhonglin was trying to set up the game Yu Yao had bought, stumbling through the instructions as he hooked up the game console to the TV. He had also placed the game controller nearby for her, but Yu Yao didn’t move to use it.

Jiang Zhonglin went to the kitchen to cook, and Yu Yao followed him, standing at the kitchen door while he rinsed rice.

“Jiang Zhonglin,” Yu Yao asked from the doorway, “doesn’t waiting for someone for many years make you very sad?”

Jiang Zhonglin paused his rice rinsing, looking back at Yu Yao with some surprise. Then he smiled faintly, shaking his head. His warm eyes held a gentle light. “No matter what, you can get used to it.”

Yu Yao stared at him. “I thought you wouldn’t be happy about my sudden appearance, but Yang Jun said you are. Is that true?”