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墨書 Inktalez
Unknowingly, the entire month of August was slipping away. The sweltering summer heat showed no signs of abating; if anything, it seemed to intensify. Yao Nian stepped out of her house with no desire to go anywhere, spending her days cooped up inside, binge-watching shows and reading books.
However, today she had to go out because Xu Jiayi insisted on it. Xu Jiayi was starting her university studies in Qiantang a few days earlier than Yao Nian, and although the high-speed train ride to Hushi took only about forty minutes, they certainly couldn't stick together like they used to in school. For some reason, Yao Nian felt a pang of sadness.
It was the beginning of the school season, and the train station was bustling with more people than usual, all of them university students. Yao Nian dragged along Xu Jiayi's suitcase, which must have weighed at least thirty kilograms, struggling to catch her breath. Were you planning to move your entire home here?
Xu Jiayi wasn't faring much better; she had a large travel backpack slung over her shoulders and was pulling along a suitcase that was even bigger than Yao Nian's. If it weren't for her relatively decent outfit, one might think she was fleeing from something.
Xu Jiayi pulled out her ID from her bag and shot a glance at Yao Nian. "You, who even brings a full set of bedding to a five-star hotel, have the nerve to criticize me?"
During their trip to Sanya, Xu Jiayi had been shocked as she watched Yao Nian pull out an entire set of bedding, a showerhead, an electric kettle, an iron, disposable slippers, and other unnecessary items from her suitcase. She even joked that Yao Nian's packing was more organized than her own life plan.
As they stood in line at the ticket counter, Xu Jiayi asked Yao Nian, "Are you coming back for National Day?"
"I'm not sure," Yao Nian replied coolly. "My life plan is only good for about a week ahead."
"Waiting for me here?" Xu Jiayi laughed. "I was thinking if you didn't come back, I would come to Hushi to visit you during National Day."
"I could just as easily go to Qiantang. We could take a little boat ride, enjoy the lake breeze while admiring the chubby squirrels and pigeons."
Xu Jiayi tucked away the tickets and ID into her bag. "Come on now, have you forgotten who's in Hushi? You'd actually want to spend your precious holiday here?"
"Come on!" Yao Nian insisted as she shoved the handle back into Xu Jiayi's hands.
"Tell me," Xu Jiayi leaned closer and winked. "Haven't been in touch with that Uncle Shen of yours lately?"
"Occasionally," Yao Nian sighed softly.
Ever since that last phone call, she could count on one hand how many times she had chatted with Shen Du. Although he would occasionally ask about her follow-up appointments at the hospital, Yao Nian couldn't find any reason to message him first. It always felt like whatever she said would be too obvious.
So instead, she could only count down the days on her calendar, praying for time to pass more quickly—eagerly anticipating the start of school.
The train station began announcing the boarding information for the train from Huaibei to Qiantang.
Xu Jiayi lifted a suitcase with one hand and looked at Yao Nian. "Don't hold back; call me anytime if you need anything. Just one ticket."
Yao Nian didn't respond, simply opening her arms to embrace her.
"Alright, alright," Xu Jiayi said, rubbing her arms. "Don't make it sound like a tearful farewell; I'm getting goosebumps here."
When Yao Nian arrived home, Yao Zhandong was in the living room taking a phone call. He shouted into the phone, startling Yao Nian, who was taking off her shoes by the entrance.
Hearing the door close, Yao Zhandong glanced back at her and lowered his voice as he walked to the study, quickly shutting the door behind him.
His actions clearly indicated that he didn’t want her to overhear anything.
Yao Nian had little interest in his sudden outburst. After grabbing a bottle of yogurt from the fridge, she headed towards the stairs. However, as she passed by the study door, she heard the sound of a lighter flicking open.
Once back in her room, Yao Nian took out freshly developed photos from a brown paper bag. Among a stack of graduation pictures, she found the one that featured just the two of them together.
The quality of the photo taken with her phone didn’t compare to that of a professional camera; the lighting and angle were nothing special. But with him in it, it was worth cherishing.
Suddenly, there was a knock on her door.
Yao Nian quickly flipped the photo face down on the table and placed two books on top of it before getting up to answer the door.
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