Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In Jiangnan Town, the cobblestone streets were adorned with blooming April Peach Blossoms, creating a sea of pink both inside and outside the walls.
From the depths of the narrow alley, the cheerful laughter of children occasionally echoed, mingled with the calls of their parents and the friendly reminders from passersby.
As one walked through the long alley and reached the wide road by the lakeside, a different scenery unfolded. The low-hanging branches of the Prunus mume were white as snow, while higher up, clusters of red ball flowers peeked out, occasionally accompanied by a few yellow honeysuckles swaying gently in the breeze.
In front of the street-side shops, hyacinths cascaded like waterfalls, and Xu Nuan was always drawn to these plants, stopping to admire them. It was also at these moments that a pair of hands would cover her eyes, and a melodious voice, reminiscent of a cello, would begin to play a tune in her ear. When she playfully swatted away those hands and turned around, she would always find a man with brown eyes wearing a bright smile. Behind him, large Evening Primroses shyly danced in the wind.
"Nuan, I want to borrow you for this weekend."
"Ah, but Mom wants me to go to Tutoring Class."
"Then just skip it. If you don't skip class a few times during your student days, you'll regret it."
"Hmph, that's just nonsense."
Xu Nuan clearly remembered that it was April during her third year of junior high when flowers were in full bloom. Despite her parents constantly emphasizing how important studying was, she still skipped her tutoring session that weekend and spent the entire morning at a newly opened Snack Shop with Qin Yaojie, who was in his first year of high school. They then spent the afternoon feeding goldfish and riding bikes at a scenic area.
"I'm so happy! Mom keeps nagging me, and Dad's temper is terrible; I just don't want to stay at home anymore."
"That's why I invited you out for some fresh air. But after this break, you still have to study obediently."
"The person who encourages me to skip class has no right to say that."
"Haha, then you can encourage me to skip class in the future; I promise I'll be there whenever you call."
"Hmph, just wait. I will definitely bring you food while you're in class."
"Haha, I'll be waiting, foodie."
Some things, the longer they linger in memory, the clearer they become. Xu Nuan also remembered that April, fragrant with blossoms, that warm April that made one nostalgic, when she and Qin Yaojie made a promise.
"Nuan, come to our school for high school."
"Uh-huh, let me think about it."
"If you come, I’ll give you a surprise, a really big surprise."
"Pfft, I'm not a child. How could I agree just because of a surprise?"
"Hmm? Don't you want to see me every day?"
"...I do."
"Then come to our school."
"Okay, but I’m definitely not agreeing just because of some surprise."
Xu Nuan always remembered what that surprise was—a kiss that intoxicated like a tipsy summer day.
"You're a liar."
"Hey, hey, doesn't Nuan like it?"
"Hmph."
"I was wrong, then let Nuan punish me and take my first kiss."
"You... you're so bad."
"Haha, Nuan is just too cute."
That Jiangnan Town, the place where she and Qin Yaojie grew up, held all their memories from infancy to high school graduation, from neighbors to lovers.
How long has it been since they returned?
Did the old man at the alley still tirelessly play chess? Was the scholar still under the willow tree? Did the aunties by the lake still love to sing loudly?
And him, would he still stand at the corner waiting for her, with a smile brighter than the sun, regardless of the wind and rain?
"Liars."
"Big liars."
Xu Nuan opened her eyes, and what greeted her was a patch of sky partially obscured by dense branches and leaves.
Azure Sky, drifting white clouds, swaying leaves in the wind, and the steadfast tree trunks.
Xu Nuan suddenly sat up, scanning her surroundings before realizing she was in a game, specifically in the level called 'Lonely Gorge.'
"I can't believe I slept so deeply; I was too careless."
She casually raised a hand to rub her eyes, inadvertently brushing against her cheek, which was still damp with tears that had not yet dried. The occasional breeze brought a chill to her skin.
Lowering her hand slowly, Xu Nuan leaned against the sturdy trunk of a tree, her gaze distant and filled with melancholy.
Not far away, towering peaks rose sharply, their cliffs adorned with plants that grew wildly and aimlessly. They displayed a myriad of forms yet possessed a unique charm, with unknown greenery that was soothing to the eye. As the mountains sloped downwards, they revealed lush green moss. The moss clung to the rocks, nourished by the waters of the Mountain Stream, standing resolutely despite the constant battering from the Stream.
The Mountain Stream did not flow carelessly like a brook; rather, it carved its way through varied terrain, creating different landscapes. The rocks shaped by varying degrees of erosion displayed a wide array of colors and forms.
Xu Nuan pulled her gaze back and noticed that the low thicket where she stood was shrouded in a light mist from the Mountain Stream. In the Gorge, staying dry was crucial, especially for someone with past joint injuries.
Even though she understood that the temperature in this level might be a comfortable ten degrees Celsius, Xu Nuan still wore a black quick-dry shirt layered under a blue short-sleeve top. She had a jacket draped over her arms and wore wind-resistant pants.
A suitable temperature also meant that other aspects would be quite challenging.
Thinking about this made Xu Nuan smile wryly; she recalled someone joking about being overly cautious and worrying unnecessarily.
"Here I am again, all alone."
She stood up and spoke to herself. After looking around for a moment, she picked up a towel and walked over to the Mountain Stream. Carefully avoiding the moss-covered stones, she dipped the towel into the cool waters of the Stream. After refreshing her face with the water, she exhaled heavily and steeled herself to move forward.
After walking in one direction for several minutes, Xu Nuan had to admit that this Gorge was quite primitive. It featured beautiful cliffs, cheerful waterfalls, tranquil springs, and within the dense forest were ordinary Old Vines as well as precious Sandalwood and Redwood trees.
The sounds of monkeys occasionally echoed through the dense forest, their cheerful calls instantly dispelling Xu Nuan's unpleasant memories of the Skeleton Monkey. Fish swam in the stream, appearing relatively normal despite their sharp teeth.
“At least I don’t have to worry about food here,” Xu Nuan muttered to herself. The thought of food reminded her of someone skilled at preparing game. The roast duck she had enjoyed during that time was the best she had ever tasted.
“Oh dear.”
Lost in thought for a moment, Xu Nuan failed to notice the stones underfoot and tripped, losing her balance due to the low ditch by the Mountain Stream. She barely managed to catch herself with her hands, avoiding a fall.
“Even if there’s food, it doesn’t change the fact that the Gorge is a troublesome place,” she sighed.
This Gorge was too primitive, with dense forests and intertwining mountain streams, where ditches lurked everywhere. One careless step could lead to a tumble, and if she fell into the rushing waters of the stream, it would be disastrous.
Imagining the possible scenarios, Xu Nuan quickly focused her mind and followed the markings hidden among the trees as she made her way down.
“Wait for me; I will definitely come.”
Meanwhile, Gu Ze and his group of five were also complaining about the dampness and slippery ground of the Gorge. The two ladies helped each other while Xu Hang and Xie Huai kept a close watch on them, leaving Gu Ze lagging behind.
“Ze, hurry up!”
Xu Hang turned around and noticed Gu Ze marking trees again. This action had become a routine since they left the Supply Station, but despite having traveled some distance, there was still no sign of the person Gu Ze had been hoping would catch up.
"Alright, I'll be there soon."
Gu Ze replied in his usual indifferent manner. After quickly making the necessary markings, he walked along the pebbles by the Mountain Stream and soon reached the others.
Seeing Gu Ze's expression, Xu Hang swallowed back the words he wanted to say, and the group continued on in silence.
They had a love-hate relationship with the Gorge's Survival Game. They loved not having to worry about food and water, but hated the dense trees that obscured their view of the Special Tree. The difficulty of finding it was comparable to searching for it in a forest.
Gu Ze spoke less and less. During each brief rest, everyone would chat, as the five of them were either close friends or colleagues of several years, familiar with one another. In the past, Gu Ze would have been the one to mediate and lighten the mood; his handsome looks and eloquent speech made him the center of conversation.
Now, however, as long as no one asked Gu Ze questions, he wouldn’t speak up. Instead, it was usually the quiet Xu Hang who took on the role of easing the atmosphere.
As Gu Ze's friend, Xu Hang understood why this was happening, feeling both guilty and angry at the same time.
They were not foolish; they knew what choice Xu Nuan had made when she decided to stay behind for her infusion. In his view, it was the best choice for the team and for him, as well as for Gu Ze and Deng Yinyin.
As a senior in this game, Xu Nuan's value to the Third Batch of Players had diminished; she could no longer offer guidance. Instead, her individuality and influence over Gu Ze could lead to conflicts within the team—something that Xu Hang, who preferred to maintain control over situations, disliked immensely.
He didn’t want to see their dynamic disrupted nor did he want his friend to become more entangled in an unresolved relationship. He also didn’t want to see his girlfriend’s cousin too heartbroken. While Xu Nuan’s hints made him appreciate her as a person, it didn’t mean he wanted to play alongside her.
A person who was useless to both the team and himself didn’t need to stay.
Xu Hang believed that Gu Ze understood his intentions; thus, he didn’t try to keep Xu Nuan around or blame himself. This was the capable Gu Ze he knew—someone who could reach great heights in a short time. With Gu Ze on their side, they would surely succeed in overcoming challenges quickly.
Xu Hang firmly believed this but dared not look at Gu Ze’s expression, resigning himself to accept Gu Ze’s silence.
After a brief rest, the Third Batch of Players set off again, and Gu Ze always paused to leave subtle, unique marks on conspicuous trees. This action repeated throughout the afternoon, adding to the previous day, making it two.
While Xu Hang remained silent and refrained from voicing any opinions, Deng Yinyin erupted.
“She’s not going to join us in clearing the levels. Isn’t she in a hurry? She must think we’re holding her back.”
Everyone understood Deng Yinyin's character well, and they didn’t take her harsh words to heart.
In the past, Gu Ze had been quite tolerant of such behavior. However, today, he looked at Deng Yinyin with a half-smile that was neither warm nor welcoming, his tone cold and mocking.
“Are you sure she’s dismissing us rather than you all isolating her on purpose?”
“Although I’ve been colleagues with everyone for three years, I’ve also been classmates with her for four years. I’m familiar with both sides. So, Deng Yinyin, do you dare to reveal what happened?”
“Well, there’s no need to because it’s definitely something trivial that everyone has blown out of proportion.”
Comment 0 Comment Count