As the date approached, Bai Huaiyu and Jiang NanJin felt as if they were being gently caressed by the spring breeze, lighthearted and full of anticipation.
One afternoon, sunlight streamed softly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Jiang NanJin's home, casting a warm glow on the living room floor. The two sat around the coffee table, surrounded by a pile of various luggage and supplies.
Bai Huaiyu held a list, checking items off while murmuring to herself, "Sunscreen, camera, power bank..." Her eyes occasionally glanced at Jiang NanJin, seemingly seeking his confirmation or advice.
Jiang NanJin lounged lazily on the sofa, holding an art book, but his attention was not entirely on the book. Instead, he occasionally observed Bai Huaiyu's busy yet slightly confused demeanor, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Are you sure we need to bring so much stuff? We're not going to war; we're going on vacation," Jiang NanJin finally spoke, his tone carrying his characteristic nonchalance and a hint of sarcasm.
Bai Huaiyu paused his actions and turned to look at him, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. "But what if we need it? I don't want to find ourselves short on supplies later."
Jiang NanJin put down the sketchbook in his hands, stood up, and leisurely walked over to Bai Huaiyu's side. He looked down at the pile of "essentials" and couldn't help but smile. "You know, what we truly need isn't that much. What's important is who we travel with, not what we bring along."
Bai Huaiyu looked up, meeting his gaze, her eyes shimmering with complex emotions. Jiang NanJin's words always had a way of easily touching her heart, making her tension and anxiety dissipate.
Jiang NanJin gently brushed Bai Huaiyu's hair and said softly, "Don't worry, even if you didn't bring anything, with me around, everything will be fine."
Bai Huaiyu bit her lip lightly and then burst into laughter. That genuine smile brightened the entire room a little more: "Alright, I'll listen to you and reduce my luggage by half."
In the room, there was a warm and slightly chaotic scene. Outside the window, the leaves were gently swaying, while inside, there were clothes and travel items scattered all over the floor, as if it were the prelude to a small adventure.
Jiang NanJin folded the clothes one by one, and each movement exuded an effortless elegance. Occasionally, the corners of his eyes would lift, revealing a certain delight in the scene before him.
Bai Huaiyu was focused, occasionally showing a puzzled expression as she looked at the map and travel guide in her hands, as if rehearsing various possibilities for the journey in her mind. Her movements were not as practiced as Jiang NanJin's, but each small success brought a radiant smile to her face, like sunshine.
Jiang NanJin couldn't help but speak up, his tone teasing: "Are you planning to take your entire home on this trip with the way you're packing?" He held up a noticeably heavy coat, raising an eyebrow.
Bai Huaiyu stopped her actions, her expression serious as she retorted, "What if the place suddenly gets cold? It can't be as cold as an ice pop, right?" Her voice was firm, yet it revealed a hint of adorable helplessness.
Jiang NanJin chuckled softly, setting down the clothes in his hands. He walked over and gently tidied her hair, saying, "Your preparations are truly amusing. But with me here, what do you have to fear from the cold?" His tone was filled with unintentional tenderness and affection.
Bai Huaiyu's cheeks were slightly flushed, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted. She looked at Jiang NanJin, her eyes filled with trust. "Thank you, NanJin. With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
They returned to the task of organizing their luggage. The air was filled not only with a pleasant atmosphere but also with a unique sense of understanding and warmth that belonged solely to the two of them. Occasionally meeting each other's gaze made their hearts race, yet this feeling revealed an extraordinary strength amidst the simplicity.
As the discussion between the two grew more intense, Bai Huaiyu continuously added new ideas and plans to her notebook, her face radiating a childlike joy. Jiang NanJin occasionally swiped through his tablet, searching for more information about their destination, his expression a mix of anticipation and caution.
"Do you really think we should go to that ancient site first instead of heading straight to the art museum in the city center?" Bai Huaiyu squinted at Jiang NanJin, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
Jiang NanJin lazily stretched and smiled slightly. "Huaiyu, you always worry so easily. The ancient ruins offer us not only the weight of history but also a unique sense of tranquility. Besides, we can avoid the crowds, can't we?"
"But do we really have enough time to explore there? What if we get lost?" Bai Huaiyu bit her lip, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Lost?" Jiang NanJin scoffed, "Have you forgotten who your guide is?" His voice was filled with confidence, and his steady gaze eased Bai Huaiyu's unease a little.
"Alright, I trust you," Bai Huaiyu said softly, a smile appearing on her face. "But if we really do get lost, you'll have to carry me back."
Jiang NanJin pretended to sigh, "It seems I have to be not only a tour guide but also a hero." His words were filled with jest, yet they carried a hint of tenderness.
In their conversations, Jiang NanJin would occasionally throw out some mildly provocative remarks just to see Bai Huaiyu's face, which feigned anger but couldn't help breaking into laughter. Although Bai Huaiyu often found herself puzzled by Jiang NanJin's words, she always managed to respond cleverly in her own way, allowing their little "arguments" to end with even more laughter.
"You see, this place on the map," Bai Huaiyu said excitedly, pointing to a spot on the map, her eyes sparkling as if she had found a treasure. "I heard there's a dessert shop hidden in an alley, and it's very famous."
Jiang NanJin walked over, leaned down to look at the spot she was pointing to, and said lightly, "That place? Sounds good, but if we go there, aren't you going to get lost for half the day again?" Although his tone was teasing, his eyes were filled with affection.
Bai Huaiyu pretended to pout in displeasure but couldn't help laughing: "Well, at least that's better than you; I won't walk into a hotel just to ask for directions."
Jiang NanJin was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then he started to laugh as well. He knew very well that he sometimes exhibited some strange behaviors. He gently patted her head and said, "Alright, this time let's get lost together and find that dessert shop."
The process of packing was carried out in such a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. As time passed, their suitcases were finally neatly packed, and each item contained their anticipation for the upcoming journey.
Finally, when everything was ready, they stood in the center of the room, smiling at each other. In that moment, their eyes held not only anticipation but also the reflection of each other.
One afternoon, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Jiang family home, casting a warm glow on the meticulously arranged plans of two individuals. Various maps and notes were scattered across the desk, bearing witness to their enthusiasm and preparation for the upcoming adventure.
Bai Huaiyu picked up a map, pointed to a route on it, and thoughtfully said, "If we start from downtown and take this old street, we'll pass by that famous museum. What do you think?"
Jiang NanJin looked closer and his eyes sparkled with interest. "This route is great; it allows us to experience the vibrancy of the city while also passing by cultural landmarks, enriching our journey. However, we need to consider the timing in our itinerary to ensure we can fully explore each stop."
As the plan gradually took shape, their conversation was frequently interrupted by discussions about details. From the choice of transportation to the duration of each stop, they aimed for precision. Bai Huaiyu admired Jiang NanJin's attentiveness and thoughtfulness, while Jiang NanJin was impressed by Bai Huaiyu's enthusiasm and creativity.
However, while they were busy with their plans, a completely different scene was unfolding at the other end of the city.
At a busy intersection, a group of delinquent youths were causing trouble. Their leader, a young man named Lin Yi, was staring provocatively at another group across the street. The atmosphere between the two sides was tense, and it seemed like a conflict could erupt at any moment.
"Do you really think you can dominate this area?" Lin Yi said with a sneer.
A tall young man across from him took a step forward. His name was Zhou Jie. "We're not here to cause trouble, but if you insist on this, we're not ones to back down."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere between the two sides became even more tense. Just then, an unexpected incident broke the deadlock. A middle-aged woman accidentally fell from the crowd, her handbag scattered all over the ground, its contents flying everywhere.
Seeing this scene, the confrontation between the two sides was immediately interrupted. Zhou Jie and his friends immediately stepped forward to help the woman, and Lin Yi and his group also had to put away their hostility and join in the helping.
Afterward, when Bai Huaiyu and Jiang NanJin read about the incident in the newspaper, they couldn't help but feel comforted by the reconciliation of that moment. This small event became a topic in their plans, reminding them that amidst the bustling city, connections and kindness between people still exist.
They decided to seek out more stories like this during their journey, documenting the lesser-known aspects of the city in their own way. Thus, their plan transformed from merely an adventure into a quest to discover and record the brilliance of humanity within the urban landscape.
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