CHAPTER 8: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE

The last day of the trip was a visit to Pudacuo National Park in Shangri-La, followed by a direct drive to Diqing Airport in the afternoon to return to City A. This marked the end of the five-day, four-night journey.

As usual, she was woken early by the alarm. While washing up in the bathroom, Ruan Zhizhi noticed that her complexion looked surprisingly good today. Perhaps it was due to the quality of sleep the night before—she had slept soundly through the night without waking once.

Could it be because of Shi Yan?

She finished her makeup and stared at her already-packed suitcase for a long time before finally pulling out a large pink down jacket from the bottom of the case. This jacket had been bought with Gu Nian before, and she always believed that wearing bright colors could lift her spirits. Hopefully, it would help.

The bus drove steadily toward Shangri-La. Ruan Zhizhi squinted against the sunlight streaming through the window, thinking that the weather was perfectly clear today, though still bitterly cold.

Her gaze happened to fall on Shi Yan, sitting diagonally across from her. He wore a beige trench coat and sat straight-backed, casually folding a paper frog from a napkin.

He seemed to enjoy origami.

After a bumpy two-hour ride, they arrived at Pudacuo National Park. The park featured lakes, wetlands, forests, and meadows, along with rare flora and fauna, with its pristine ecosystem well preserved—it was one of the main attractions in Shangri-La.

Following the tour group, they purchased tickets and entered. The guide walked in front with a portable microphone, while the middle-aged professors eagerly trailed behind. At the very end came Ruan Zhizhi and the other young travelers chatting in pairs.

“Zhizhi, you slept well last night—it shows. You look great!” Chen Jiayan greeted her cheerfully. Well… he was always the most enthusiastic in any crowd.

Ruan Zhizhi returned his smile politely. “Yes, slept very well.” She secretly glanced at Shi Yan, who was already surrounded by Yan Rui and a few other girls. She didn’t know what they were talking about, but despite his indifferent expression, Ruan Zhizhi felt as though he was slightly impatient.

Damn it—why was she reading so much into his mood?

Shaking her head, she tried to refocus and continued her light chat with Chen Jiayan.

There was no denying that the scenery in Pudacuo Park was stunning. Upon entering Bita Lake, clusters of vibrant red azaleas bloomed in layers, their beauty overwhelming.

Chen Jiayan took a deep breath and exclaimed, “The air up here is definitely fresher than in the city.”

Near Shudu Lake, the guide gestured for everyone to explore freely. Ruan Zhizhi found an excuse to drift away from Chen Jiayan and wandered to the lake, staring blankly at the view.

Bita Lake and Shudu Lake, two beautiful freshwater lakes, were known as the “Pearls of the Plateau.” Their blue waters were crystal-clear, mirroring the sky and clouds above—a perfect union of water and sky.

“Enjoying the view?”

A sudden voice spoke beside her. Abrupt, yet in a way that didn’t irritate.

Ruan Zhizhi smiled and turned. “Yes, the scenery here is beautiful.”

Shi Yan approached slowly from behind. With each step, the distance between them shrank until he was less than a centimeter away. He lowered his head slightly, lips near her ear, and whispered in a soft, intimate tone, “Miss Ruan Zhizhi, could you do me a favor?”

Ruan Zhizhi stiffened, caught off guard. She instinctively wanted to retreat from his personal space, but her mind recalled the care he had shown her these past days. Suppressing the impulse, she responded in a low voice, “What favor?”

“Stand here quietly. Don’t move. Don’t run away.”

“…Sounds simple enough.”

“Yes, it’s that simple. I hope you won’t refuse.”

“Just a small favor,” she replied lightly.

Though her words were calm, her heart was a storm. Aside from Li Sichen, she couldn’t recall ever being this close to another man. Of course, her brief intimacies with Li Sichen were purely practical—helping him tie a tie, or leaning heads together over a problem—nothing more.

But… Shi Yan felt completely different. He was mysterious, dangerous, and undeniably charming.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to ignore the warmth radiating from his chest. At that moment, he reached out and casually tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear.

His fingertips were cool, brushing against her earlobe, and a shiver ran down her spine.

In that split second, she realized the meaning behind Shi Yan’s inexplicable actions. Her gaze had accidentally fallen on Yan Rui standing a short distance behind them. The girl seemed angry at their intimate gesture and was gesturing animatedly toward Chen Jiayan and the other girls.

Ruan Zhizhi sighed. “So, you’re using me as a shield.”

Shi Yan let out a low, soft laugh, unexpectedly clear and melodious. He reached out naturally and brushed her hair back. “Shh, you know, I know.”

Her face flamed at his touch. This man was too dangerous… she had to withdraw. Thinking quickly, she eased away from the contours of his almost-embrace, forcing a harmless smile. “Yan Rui and the others have left. Mission accomplished. Goodbye.”

Expressionless, Shi Yan lowered his head slightly, looking at her from above, eyes as calm as a still well. “Goodbye.”

The itinerary at Pudacuo National Park wrapped up around 2 p.m. Since they had to rush to the airport afterward, the group’s last meal was eaten on the bus. Each person received a boxed meal with three dishes and a soup, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables that looked fairly appetizing. Unfortunately, Ruan Zhizhi, who had always had a small appetite, only managed a few bites before closing her box.

Upon arriving at Diqing Airport in Shangri-La, the guide efficiently helped them check in, tag their luggage, and gave a polite, official recap of the trip before escorting them to the security checkpoint.

After passing through security, Ruan Zhizhi wanted to browse a little or buy some snacks, but the flight information at the gate indicated only fifteen minutes left to board. She patted her stomach and sighed resignedly.

Come to think of it, she really was extremely picky. She liked snacks and small bites, but not proper meals. Standing at 165 cm, she weighed only around 45 kg, and Gu Nian always teased her, saying a gust of wind could blow her away.

Lost in thought, she noticed a long line forming at the boarding gate. She remained seated until most of the passengers had gradually walked into the gate, then calmly stood up.

By the time she entered the cabin, almost everyone had already found their seats.

“22C…” she murmured, glancing at her boarding pass, and walked down the aisle until she spotted the empty seat labeled 22C.

She approached and just as she was about to sit and fasten her seatbelt, she was surprised to see Shi Yan occupying the window seat next to her.

Were they bound by fate, or was this a cruel twist?

“Hi… what a coincidence,” Ruan Zhizhi said, turning to him with a slightly stiff smile.

It wasn’t a coincidence at all… two and a half hours sitting next to him would be painfully awkward.

Shi Yan ignored her half-hearted words, raising an eyebrow and replying politely, “Coincidence.”

The plane took off smoothly. Since the flight was only two and a half hours, no in-flight meal was provided—only a small bag containing milk and biscuits.

Ruan Zhizhi sat in her seat, watching videos on her phone, quickly finishing the bag of biscuits. She licked her crumbs-covered fingers, sighed with mild regret, wishing for more.

At that moment, a hand appeared in front of her, holding an unopened bag of milk biscuits. She swallowed and instinctively took it. Ruan Zhizhi opened the package, took a biscuit, and bit into it, secretly glancing at Shi Yan. A little embarrassed, she asked, “Shi Yan… aren’t you going to eat any?”

He looked down, focused on his book, indifferent. “I don’t like biscuits.”

Following his gaze, she saw that the book in his hands was Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Mouth full of biscuits, her mind unbidden continued talking. “I really like this book too…”

…Was she actually trying to strike up a conversation? Terrifying.

Shi Yan turned his head, squinting as if intrigued. “Which character do you like the most?”

Ruan Zhizhi swallowed her last bite, thought carefully, and answered, “I like Remedios the Beauty’s love story in the fifth generation the most.”

He nodded without surprise. His voice was low, slightly husky, and as melodious as ever. “Entering the convent to remain a widow for her deceased love, never speaking a word for her whole life. Truly admirable.”

She nodded in agreement, initially wanting to ask him about his favorite character as well, but hesitated. Would asking make them seem too familiar?

In the end, she didn’t ask. She wiped her fingers with a wet wipe, opened her phone, and quietly continued watching videos.

About half an hour before landing, she finished her video and stretched her stiff neck.

Beside her, Shi Yan sipped his coffee, his profile so refined it looked like a priceless display piece in a store window, silent and elegant.

Looking at him like that, Ruan Zhizhi suddenly felt that perhaps he wasn’t as inscrutable as she imagined. Perhaps, like her, he was just another ordinary person adrift in the sea of people, bound by his heart.

“Shi Yan… do you have someone you like?” she asked softly, turning to him for the first time, trying to reach out.

He closed the thick book in his hands, eyes dropping to the worn cover. “Of course.”

Of course.

“And… does the girl you like know?”

Shi Yan tilted his head to look at her, eyes reflecting the cabin lights. “She doesn’t know.” He paused briefly, then continued calmly, “But one day she will. And one day… she will marry me.”

Ruan Zhizhi froze. She opened her mouth to ask how he could be so confident, but looking at his face—beautiful enough to make the heavens rage—she wisely stayed silent.

Surely no woman could resist his charm.

She had thought her heart had been steady for three years, yet in just five days, this man had unsettled it completely.

But it was fine. Ruan Zhizhi knew perfectly well that her feelings for him were just a fleeting impulse—like a girl captivated by a crystal shoe in a shop window—beautiful, momentary, and temporary. Not everyone cherishes everything forever.

As the plane descended rapidly, she heard a faint murmur from the man beside her, as if he was saying something. Unfortunately, the roar of the wheels on the runway pounded her eardrums, and she could hear nothing.

While waiting in line to disembark, Ruan Zhizhi turned back and sincerely said goodbye to Shi Yan: “Shi Yan, thank you for taking care of me these past few days. If we meet again, I’ll definitely take you out to dinner.”

Shi Yan merely smiled faintly at her words. His deep eyes seemed to emit a hazy mist, lonely yet carrying a faint glimmer from within.

He replied, “That day will come.”And indeed, that day would come soon.