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After finishing her chores, Lin Suzhen wanted to take a nap, so she asked Zhuang Zi’ang to take Su Yudie for a walk around the village.
Seeing the mountains covered in azaleas, Su Yudie could hardly contain her excitement.
The two stepped out of the courtyard, basking in the warm afternoon sun as they made their way toward the back mountain.
As they passed by some houses, Zhuang Zi’ang greeted a few elders, who soon began teasing him.
“Zi’ang is making progress—he’s found himself a lovely girlfriend!”
“This girl is truly beautiful, like someone straight out of a painting.”
“You’d better hurry and get married. We’re waiting for the wedding feast!”
Zhuang Zi’ang smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Su Yudie, standing a little distance away, asked softly when he returned, “What were they saying?”
Zhuang Zi’ang put on a serious face. “Just adult talk. Kids shouldn’t pry.”
“I’m not a kid,” Su Yudie pouted.
“How are you not? You’re my junior,” he teased, stealing a quick glance at her chest.
“You big dummy, who’s your junior?” Su Yudie huffed and playfully punched him with her small fists.
Zhuang Zi’ang burst into laughter, raising his hands in surrender.
The villagers watched with knowing smiles. What a playful young couple. Ah, to be young.
Once they reached the base of the mountain, the surroundings fell silent.
It was just the two of them.
The mountain path was steep and rugged, overgrown with weeds, making it difficult to walk.
Zhuang Zi’ang hesitated before rubbing his right hand against his pants several times, gathering the courage to reach out.
Su Yudie met his gaze, her face flushing slightly. Shyly, she placed her soft hand in his.
Their fingers interlaced, their palms warm. Even though they had held hands before, the nervous thrill remained.
The last time was in the rented room.
After that, Xiao Yudie had disappeared for a whole week.
Zhuang Zi’ang had feared this tenderness would vanish just as suddenly.
Azaleas, they say, were once white, but turned red, stained by the blood of the cuckoo bird.
“Emperor Wang’s spirit lingers for a thousand years; how many springs have passed on the mountains?”
“To whom do the cries lament, as the years bring forth blossoms in red?”
Reaching the mountaintop, Su Yudie was out of breath, her cheeks flushed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Zhuang Zi’ang pulled out some tissues and gently wiped her face.
A sudden gust of wind lifted the hem of her skirt, revealing her slender calves, as fair as jade.
Zhuang Zi’ang found it hard to look away.
“Do you think it looks good?” Su Yudie asked playfully.
“Of course it looks good,” he answered dreamily.
When he snapped back to reality, he noticed Xiao Yudie was staring intently at a large cluster of azaleas nearby.
So, while she admired the flowers, he had been admiring her.
The azaleas emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance, carried by the wind.
Su Yudie suddenly climbed onto a large rock, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted into the valley, “Hey, Big Silly, can you hear me?”
Her voice echoed through the mountains.
Zhuang Zi’ang covered his ears, wincing. “Are you crazy? Why are you shouting so loud?”
Su Yudie grinned, waving him over. “Come on! Shout too! Yell what’s in your heart—it feels amazing!”
“I’m not doing something so foolish,” he muttered.
Su Yudie jumped down, grabbed his hand, and pulled him onto the rock.
The wind tousled her hair as she cupped her hands again. “Yes, I’m crazy! Do you have a cure for that?”
Zhuang Zi’ang, caught up in her enthusiasm, finally gave in and shouted back, “I don’t have medicine, but I’m crazy too!”
Their voices intertwined, dancing across the valley.
“Do you have a serious illness?” she teased.
“You’re the one with a serious illness!” he shot back, laughing.
The phrase “serious illness” had become an online meme, and shouting it out lifted the weight from his heart.
He had always cared too much about others’ opinions, trying to be the perfect student, the good son. But deep down, he wasn’t happy.
Until he met Xiao Yudie. Her carefree spirit was infectious.
Even though she walked through darkness and mud, she remained vibrant, radiant.
Perhaps, Zhuang Zi’ang thought, she was God’s last ray of light, sent to him.
Taking a deep breath, he shouted with all his might, “Xiao Yudie, I miss you so much—”
His voice rang through the valley.
“I miss you. I miss you. I miss you…”
Su Yudie blinked in surprise. “What a silly thing to say! I’m right in front of you; why would you miss me?”
Zhuang Zi’ang met her gaze, his eyes full of unspoken words. “Even when we’re face to face, I still miss you.”
After a moment, Xiao Yudie shyly looked away, tracing invisible patterns on her skirt.
Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart pounded.
He knew, given his condition, he had no right to say, I like you.
So he took a step back and said, I miss you.
Su Yudie smiled softly, then cupped her hands and shouted into the valley, “Big Silly, I miss you too—”
Her voice echoed, layer upon layer, fluttering in the wind.
This was her answer.
The whole mountain of azaleas bore witness.
Zhuang Zi’ang gazed at the girl before him, so pure, so beautiful, like a fairy untouched by the mortal world.
He knew he wasn’t worthy of such a wonderful girl.
After I’m gone, don’t think of me for too long. Three months, the same time as our acquaintance.
Three months later, forget me completely. Be happy.
Zhuang Zi’ang walked over to the most beautiful cluster of azaleas and picked the prettiest flower.
“Xiao Yudie, when I first met you, you wore a peach blossom. Would you let me replace it with this?”
Su Yudie hopped closer, tilting her head slightly.
He gently placed the flower in her hair.
A colorful butterfly fluttered by, circling above the blossom.
Su Yudie looked up, her eyes shining, more dazzling than the flowers.
“Big dummy, come closer.”
“What for?” Zhuang Zi’ang leaned in.
Su Yudie stood on tiptoe and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
A current shot through him, his blood rushing wildly.
The warmth on his cheek was real.
This wasn’t a dream. It couldn’t be.
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