Shen Yue walked over and, with a raise of her hand, Qi Rui, stiff-bodied, did not move.
Her slender, fair fingers moved closer, straightening his slightly askew tie.
The woman lowered her gaze, her long, dense eyelashes like butterfly wings, her hair long and dark, softly draped over her shoulders. Her warm, white sweater made her appear even more pure.
Outside, the world was a realm of ice and snow, while indoors, it was like spring all year round.
After tidying his tie, Shen Yue took a small step back. Her eyes were gentle and pure, her lips pursed in a smile, "Remember to eat on time, and smoke less."
"Okay," Qi Rui's words grew fewer.
In the afternoon, the snow stopped. Warm sunlight finally broke through, casting golden rays across the snow-covered ground, creating a beautiful scene.
Shen Yue left, delivering the lunchbox to Qi Rui's company as usual.
There was no other way; she couldn't see Qi Rui directly. Without an appointment, and given that he hadn't answered her call last time, she didn't want to bother him further. She handed the lunchbox directly to the receptionist, and someone would deliver it up.
After delivering the lunchbox, Shen Yue didn't immediately return to the villa. She walked along the bustling streets, wanting to buy something.
Qi Rui's birthday was approaching, and Shen Yue had always remembered it. She instinctively touched the necklace around her neck, only to realize she was wearing a high-necked sweater and couldn't feel it. She lowered her hand again.
Shen Yue's savings were not much, and she couldn't afford to go to high-end luxury stores. She could only browse the shops along the street.
Finally, Shen Yue stopped at a men's clothing store. She thought for a moment and decided to look at ties. A sales associate immediately approached to offer assistance. Shen Yue felt uncomfortable and quietly asked if she could look around herself. The sales associate then left.
These ties were quite expensive, starting from two to three thousand yuan. Shen Yue didn't understand why a simple piece of fabric could cost so much.
Clutching the small wallet in her pocket, Shen Yue braced herself and continued looking.
Just as she was picking and choosing, a deep, resonant voice, beyond control, suddenly came from behind her.
"Shen Yue?"
Shen Yue froze for a moment and instinctively turned to look.
It was a man, with a resolute and handsome face, a tall stature, and healthy wheat-colored skin. His features were less dull than before.
The moment Shen Yue saw his face, she instinctively cried out, "Ge!"
The woman was elegant and serene, her dark, moist eyes clean and gentle. In the silhouette of the sunlight, she appeared like a clear lake.
She was very thin, very pale, and very delicate.
Even a small injury could make her cry for a long time.
Her eyes held a smile, like a clear spring, emanating a hint of warmth, drawing one in to drown in her gaze.
Zhang Cong heard her voice.
As he drew closer, the person before him became clearer.
Shen Yue was still the same as she had always been, as pure and green as a narcissus flower.
Zhang Cong had arrived in the capital a long time ago. Due to his mother's worsening illness and the inadequate medical facilities in the mountains, he had brought his mother to the capital for treatment.
Years passed, and Zhang Cong, relying on his own abilities, had established himself well in the capital, owning a car and a house. His mother had also been discharged from the hospital.
Zhang Cong had changed, but Shen Yue had not.
Shen Yue seemed even thinner than before, her slender, tall frame wrapped in a cotton coat, revealing the high-necked sweater underneath.
Her dark, moist eyes were clean and pure, as calm and gentle as ever.
The man broke into a long-lost smile. The cigarette had burned down to his fingers, but he no longer felt the pain, suppressing the surging emotions in his eyes.
Shen Yue called out again, "Ge."
Zhang Cong, controlling his tremor, took a deep puff of his cigarette. The strong tobacco scent instantly calmed his agitation. He turned and flicked the cigarette into a trash can.
Looking at Shen Yue, he said calmly, "How did you end up in the capital?"
Shen Yue was a little happy because she had met someone familiar. "I came to find someone."
Her words were the same; Shen Yue was not lying. She had indeed come to find someone.
Zhang Cong paused. "Do you need my help?"
Shen Yue shook her head. "No, thank you."
At this point, she didn't know what else to say.
Seeing Shen Yue continue to browse the ties, Zhang Cong finally spoke softly, his eyes fixed on her, "Are you picking out a tie for someone?"
Shen Yue's steps faltered. She turned slightly, then smiled, "Yes."
The atmosphere fell silent again.
The man's expression revealed nothing. His eyes were calm. After watching the woman for a long time, he finally said in a low voice, "... Someone special to you, perhaps?"
This question was particularly pertinent.
Because even Shen Yue herself didn't know what her relationship with Qi Rui was.
She wasn't even considered a friend.
Because Qi Rui had no memory of her; only he alone held onto this recollection.
Shen Yue's heart felt as though it was pierced by countless needles, the pain making it difficult to breathe.
The woman's complexion was pale, her lips a vibrant hue. She was like a narcissus flower nurtured in water; once removed from it, she would gradually wither and fade.
After a while, Shen Yue managed a faint smile and said, "... Just an ordinary friend."
Qi Rui had been observing the woman's expression. Upon hearing her words, the place that had been empty for four years began to beat again – it was his heart.
His rapid breaths seemed to signify his heart beating vibrantly, and he gazed at the woman before him almost greedily.
In front of Shen Yue, he seemed as awkward and shy as Zhang Cong in the mountain village.
At this moment, he lowered his head obediently towards the woman, his eyes filled with nervousness and uncertainty. He stood straight before her, honestly and clumsily making an excuse.
"That's perfect. I was just about to buy one myself. Can you help me pick one out?"
Shen Yue pursed her lips and smiled. She rarely refused anyone. She was always like this, showing unconscious familiarity towards people she knew.
Her skin under the light exuded a warm, jade-like texture. When she smiled, her dimples were shallow, and her eyelashes long and dark.
"Okay."
Zhang Cong was tall, a large, potentially dangerous beast, but before Shen Yue, he showed no aggression, appearing docile, honest, and harmless.
Each time the woman picked out a tie, she would turn to ask him, then hold it against his neck to see if it fit.
The man would stand obediently in place, appearing clumsy.
Qi Rui had just concluded a business deal and was sitting in his car, smoking. He had been suffering from insomnia lately, or having nightmares, and often experienced headaches, requiring medication.
The ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts, and the dense smoke made the car almost suffocating.
With a casual glance, he saw the two people in the clothing store through the transparent glass.
His fingers stiffened, his eyes deepened, but his gaze remained indifferent.
However, only those intimately familiar with Qi Rui would know that beneath his unfathomable calm lay an inferno of rage.
He suppressed his ferocity, maintaining an appearance of composed tranquility.
He watched like this, the sparks igniting at his fingertips, yet the man seemed unaffected.
Shen Yue walked over and, with a raise of her hand, Qi Rui, stiff-bodied, did not move.
Her slender, fair fingers moved closer, straightening his slightly askew tie.
The woman lowered her gaze, her long, dense eyelashes like butterfly wings, her hair long and dark, softly draped over her shoulders. Her warm, white sweater made her appear even more pure.
Outside, the world was a realm of ice and snow, while indoors, it was like spring all year round.
After tidying his tie, Shen Yue took a small step back. Her eyes were gentle and pure, her lips pursed in a smile, "Remember to eat on time, and smoke less."
"Okay," Qi Rui's words grew fewer.
In the afternoon, the snow stopped. Warm sunlight finally broke through, casting golden rays across the snow-covered ground, creating a beautiful scene.
Shen Yue left, delivering the lunchbox to Qi Rui's company as usual.
There was no other way; she couldn't see Qi Rui directly. Without an appointment, and given that he hadn't answered her call last time, she didn't want to bother him further. She handed the lunchbox directly to the receptionist, and someone would deliver it up.
After delivering the lunchbox, Shen Yue didn't immediately return to the villa. She walked along the bustling streets, wanting to buy something.
Qi Rui's birthday was approaching, and Shen Yue had always remembered it. She instinctively touched the necklace around her neck, only to realize she was wearing a high-necked sweater and couldn't feel it. She lowered her hand again.
Shen Yue's savings were not much, and she couldn't afford to go to high-end luxury stores. She could only browse the shops along the street.
Finally, Shen Yue stopped at a men's clothing store. She thought for a moment and decided to look at ties. A sales associate immediately approached to offer assistance. Shen Yue felt uncomfortable and quietly asked if she could look around herself. The sales associate then left.
These ties were quite expensive, starting from two to three thousand yuan. Shen Yue didn't understand why a simple piece of fabric could cost so much.
Clutching the small wallet in her pocket, Shen Yue braced herself and continued looking.
Just as she was picking and choosing, a deep, resonant voice, beyond control, suddenly came from behind her.
"Shen Yue?"
Shen Yue froze for a moment and instinctively turned to look.
It was a man, with a resolute and handsome face, a tall stature, and healthy wheat-colored skin. His features were less dull than before.
The moment Shen Yue saw his face, she instinctively cried out, "Ge!"
The woman was elegant and serene, her dark, moist eyes clean and gentle. In the silhouette of the sunlight, she appeared like a clear lake.
She was very thin, very pale, and very delicate.
Even a small injury could make her cry for a long time.
Her eyes held a smile, like a clear spring, emanating a hint of warmth, drawing one in to drown in her gaze.
Zhang Cong heard her voice.
As he drew closer, the person before him became clearer.
Shen Yue was still the same as she had always been, as pure and green as a narcissus flower.
Zhang Cong had arrived in the capital a long time ago. Due to his mother's worsening illness and the inadequate medical facilities in the mountains, he had brought his mother to the capital for treatment.
Years passed, and Zhang Cong, relying on his own abilities, had established himself well in the capital, owning a car and a house. His mother had also been discharged from the hospital.
Zhang Cong had changed, but Shen Yue had not.
Shen Yue seemed even thinner than before, her slender, tall frame wrapped in a cotton coat, revealing the high-necked sweater underneath.
Her dark, moist eyes were clean and pure, as calm and gentle as ever.
The man broke into a long-lost smile. The cigarette had burned down to his fingers, but he no longer felt the pain, suppressing the surging emotions in his eyes.
Shen Yue called out again, "Ge."
Zhang Cong, controlling his tremor, took a deep puff of his cigarette. The strong tobacco scent instantly calmed his agitation. He turned and flicked the cigarette into a trash can.
Looking at Shen Yue, he said calmly, "How did you end up in the capital?"
Shen Yue was a little happy because she had met someone familiar. "I came to find someone."
Her words were the same; Shen Yue was not lying. She had indeed come to find someone.
Zhang Cong paused. "Do you need my help?"
Shen Yue shook her head. "No, thank you."
At this point, she didn't know what else to say.
Seeing Shen Yue continue to browse the ties, Zhang Cong finally spoke softly, his eyes fixed on her, "Are you picking out a tie for someone?"
Shen Yue's steps faltered. She turned slightly, then smiled, "Yes."
The atmosphere fell silent again.
The man's expression revealed nothing. His eyes were calm. After watching the woman for a long time, he finally said in a low voice, "... Someone special to you, perhaps?"
This question was particularly pertinent.
Because even Shen Yue herself didn't know what her relationship with Qi Rui was.
She wasn't even considered a friend.
Because Qi Rui had no memory of her; only he alone held onto this recollection.
Shen Yue's heart felt as though it was pierced by countless needles, the pain making it difficult to breathe.
The woman's complexion was pale, her lips a vibrant hue. She was like a narcissus flower nurtured in water; once removed from it, she would gradually wither and fade.
After a while, Shen Yue managed a faint smile and said, "... Just an ordinary friend."
Qi Rui had been observing the woman's expression. Upon hearing her words, the place that had been empty for four years began to beat again – it was his heart.
His rapid breaths seemed to signify his heart beating vibrantly, and he gazed at the woman before him almost greedily.
In front of Shen Yue, he seemed as awkward and shy as Zhang Cong in the mountain village.
At this moment, he lowered his head obediently towards the woman, his eyes filled with nervousness and uncertainty. He stood straight before her, honestly and clumsily making an excuse.
"That's perfect. I was just about to buy one myself. Can you help me pick one out?"
Shen Yue pursed her lips and smiled. She rarely refused anyone. She was always like this, showing unconscious familiarity towards people she knew.
Her skin under the light exuded a warm, jade-like texture. When she smiled, her dimples were shallow, and her eyelashes long and dark.
"Okay."
Zhang Cong was tall, a large, potentially dangerous beast, but before Shen Yue, he showed no aggression, appearing docile, honest, and harmless.
Each time the woman picked out a tie, she would turn to ask him, then hold it against his neck to see if it fit.
The man would stand obediently in place, appearing clumsy.
Qi Rui had just concluded a business deal and was sitting in his car, smoking. He had been suffering from insomnia lately, or having nightmares, and often experienced headaches, requiring medication.
The ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts, and the dense smoke made the car almost suffocating.
With a casual glance, he saw the two people in the clothing store through the transparent glass.
His fingers stiffened, his eyes deepened, but his gaze remained indifferent.
However, only those intimately familiar with Qi Rui would know that beneath his unfathomable calm lay an inferno of rage.
He suppressed his ferocity, maintaining an appearance of composed tranquility.
He watched like this, the sparks igniting at his fingertips, yet the man seemed unaffected.
The next day, Shen Yue realized she might be catching a cold. Her forehead was burning hot, and her limbs felt weak and powerless.
She found a packet of instant cold medicine, mixed it casually, and drifted back to sleep.