Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Junxi looked at the exquisitely carved golden bead on the jade and shook her head at the price tag.
"I don't want it."
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
"I do, but it's too expensive."
She lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow on her pale face.
Zhou Xuanyu paused for a moment, genuinely surprised by her straightforward refusal. The reason was so blunt: "It's too expensive."
The girl who used to do everything possible to possess what she liked had been softened by the passage of time. Now, she seemed indifferent to material things, no longer fixated on wanting or forcibly claiming anything. Just a glance at something satisfying was enough; she would not let greed take root.
He had overlooked this; the price meant little to him, but for her, it might represent several months' salary, a year's rent, or more meanings he couldn't fathom.
"Anyway, I wouldn't wear it to work."
Seeing him silent, she quickly added that line, as if feeling a bit guilty for rejecting him.
Yet, the one who should feel guilty was clearly him.
Zhou Xuanyu shook the pendant in his hand and glanced at Junxi again. Her small face was resolute, showing no signs of wavering.
He placed the Pendant back on the counter, a smile playing on his lips.
"Someone is so good at being frugal, then I won't buy it."
His words were pointed, and she understood them well. She furrowed her brows, placing her hands on her hips, and pretended to scold him, "Where do you get all that money? I knew you were hiding a little treasure. Hand over your salary card next month."
Zhou Xuanyu's light smile turned into a hearty laugh as he pulled her into his embrace, playfully pinching the tip of her nose, his eyes filled with affectionate warmth.
She always managed to surprise him in the most unexpected ways. Truly, she was his little clever one.
The Love Lock was actually a Heart Lock. After engraving their names on it, it became a testament to their "love." Junxi thought that even if this love lasted no longer than three days, lacking grandeur and not weathering the storms of life, it still needed to leave something behind. At least in the future, when she looked back, she could clearly tell herself that this was not a dream.
There were many Love Locks on the Old Bridge, but she insisted on choosing a special spot to hang theirs, to show how different their "love" was.
Zhou Xuanyu had no objections; it seemed that since they had started this silly act, he would accompany her through its absurdity to the end.
Indeed, what could be so different about love? It was merely a story of entrusting one's heart to another person. The ending of that story couldn't be uniquely crafted; the only difference lay in whether that person chose to keep that heart or not.
In the end, Junxi really did find a unique place—a bridge arch.
Zhou Xuanyu asked her why she wanted to hang it under the arch.
She replied, "Because that's the only place where our Love Lock can be sheltered from wind and rain."
It was a gentle answer. Just for those words, he would go through any trouble to help her hang it up.
Though Zhou Xuanyu wanted to tell her that there was no love in this world that didn't weather storms, he held back. Life had too many cruel truths; there was no need to douse her enthusiasm with cold water while she still held onto her passion.
Of course, there was a moment when he harbored selfish thoughts and a glimmer of hope, wondering if fate would compensate him with a peaceful future after being so merciless to him.
If it could, he hoped that this future would somehow be connected to the girl before him.
After finishing the Love Lock, they boarded a boat.
The boat was a long, flat-bottomed vessel, with the Ferry Man standing at the bow, leisurely gliding along while singing loudly in a cheerful tone.
Since the rain had just stopped, there were very few passengers. It seemed that their boat was the only one moving along the long canal.
Junxi was infected by the relaxed atmosphere and appeared particularly excited, while Zhou Xuanyu sat at the end of the boat, quietly watching her run back and forth, occasionally chatting with the Ferry Man, both of them bursting into laughter.
The bright laughter brought him comfort, even though he felt dizzy as soon as he got on the boat.
"What's wrong with you?" She eventually noticed something was off with him.
Zhou Xuanyu shook his head and pulled her closer, making her sit on his lap.
"Is it fun?" he asked her.
"Very fun," she replied smoothly, shifting the topic: "Counting the last time we went to the beach on a yacht, this is my first time on a boat..."
As she spoke, her voice gradually trailed off.
Junxi remembered that their trip to the beach had been a collective outing for both families. It was also her who insisted on riding on the yacht; despite her father's attempts to soothe her, they ultimately had to rent one to satisfy her desire.
Riding the waves in the ocean was as thrilling as it could get. She and Zhou Ziyan were bustling about with their cameras, eager to capture dolphins leaping from the water, completely oblivious to where Zhou Xuanyu had gone. It wasn't until dinner that evening that he finally appeared, looking unwell and lacking energy, like a wilted vegetable.
Someone accompanying them laughed, "Xuan Yu is fearless, but who would have thought he'd get seasick?"
Right! He was seasick!
How could she have forgotten that?
Later, she recalled her mother mentioning that while she was having the time of her life, he had been hiding on the yacht, throwing up uncontrollably. The group had suggested returning to shore early, but he had insisted they stay out longer, saying Junxi was enjoying herself and he didn't want to ruin her fun.
He didn't want to spoil her enjoyment, but it nearly cost him his life.
So much time had passed since then. If it weren't for the fact that they were back on a boat together today, she might have completely forgotten how Zhou Xuanyu always endured the discomfort of being on a boat just so she wouldn't be disappointed.
Today was likely no different.
"You’re seasick."
Junxi reached out and cupped his slightly pale face in her hands, checking his temperature. Goodness, he was still sick; how could she be putting him through this?
"Why didn’t you remind me you get seasick?"
"I’m not seasick anymore," he replied.
"You're lying."
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Then stand up and walk for me," she insisted, pointing to the position of the Ferry Man.
He paused for a moment, then took her hand, pulling it back into his palm. He quietly asked, "Can you not make this difficult for me?"
Junxi glared at him. "You should have asked me that when we boarded."
How could she bear to make things hard for him?
"Let's hurry down," Junxi said, immediately translating her words into Italian and shouting towards the Ferry Master.
The Ferry Master hesitated and informed her that it would take over twenty minutes to reach the next docking point.
Upon hearing this, Junxi became anxious.
Zhou Xuanyu, though he couldn't understand, realized they wouldn't be able to disembark anytime soon.
"It's really fine," he reassured her.
"I don't believe you. You always tell me the good things," her voice trembled slightly.
This trip to Italy could have ended smoothly and effortlessly, but because he wanted to indulge her little whims, he had endured so much unnecessary hardship.
Just thinking about it made her heart ache.
"So what should we do?" Zhou Xuanyu smiled. "You wouldn't want me to swim back alone, would you?"
Junxi felt a pang in her heart, but despite herself, she let out a soft laugh at his teasing.
"How about this? Let's row the boat ourselves, okay?" She stood up from his lap and extended her hand to him, signaling him to get up.
"Huh?" Zhou Xuanyu was puzzled but obediently stood up.
"People who get car sick don't feel sick when they drive, so if we row the boat ourselves, maybe we won't feel seasick either. That way, you won't get sick."
Where did this strange logic from Wen come from?
Zhou Xuanyu found it amusing, but Junxi had already taken his hand and was leading him toward the bow of the boat. She glanced back at him with each step, her cautious demeanor suggesting she was worried he might faint.
After discussing with the Ferry Master, the Italian Master readily handed over his oar.
"Are you really capable of this?" Zhou Xuanyu asked, somewhat skeptical.
She grasped the oar, and the boat instantly changed direction under her control. Junxi turned back to look at Zhou Xuanyu, a bit flustered.
He stood calmly in place, smiling at her without any intention of intervening. However, he couldn't bear to see her looking so helpless. With a sigh, he walked over and joined her in holding the oar from behind.
To those onshore, it looked more like a display of affection than rowing. The scene of him embracing her from behind resembled Jack and Rose from Titanic. Although they didn't share the same "you-jump-I-jump" vow from the movie, Junxi felt a solid sense of security in his arms.
Nothing felt more reassuring than turning around to find Zhou Xuanyu standing right behind her.
She hoped he would always be there, just within reach behind her.
"Could you... kiss me?" Junxi slightly turned to face Zhou Xuanyu, looking up at him.
The sudden question clearly caught him off guard.
"Junxi..." He frowned, the expression on his face genuinely troubled.
"Is it not allowed? Aren't we still a couple?" She blinked, fully aware that she was being unreasonable, yet she spoke with a sense of righteousness.
Zhou Xuanyu remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
"Just for a moment." She reached out and grabbed the fabric of his shirt. "Just one..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she felt him pull her close.
The boat gently swayed to a stop.
He lowered his head, his soft lips brushing against the corner of her mouth.
Junxi didn't have time to close her eyes before he released her.
What kind of man is this! She said just for a moment, and he actually did it?
Comment 0 Comment Count