City Love Story 2
Amidst the bustling airport, Junrong and I faced each other, stepping backward, repeatedly saying “goodbye” until the crowd completely separated us. Although we both knew the chances of meeting again were slim, we still sincerely hoped that the first one to turn away wouldn’t be ourselves.
1999: Saying Goodbye to Unforgettable First Love
That summer scorched by the flames of the college entrance examination was more suffocating than ever. Young me sat by the window, occasionally pushing away the sweaty strands of hair sticking to my forehead, pretending to study while anxiously glancing at the place where Jianing would appear.
People who fall in love at that age probably understand the meaning of the phrase “a love that ends without a resolution,” because of the unpredictable future, most of them timidly give up, just like Jianing and I. Facing separation, I would rather constantly talk to Jianing about trivial matters, laughing until I cried, than utter a word of longing. My young and humble pride prevented me from holding onto love.
As summer passed, Jianing and I tacitly ended our passionate but unwise first love. I took the guitar he left me and went south, while he abandoned all memories related to me and went to Beijing, and we lost contact.
Also, in that summer that tested the hearts of all the young people who took the college entrance examination, Junrong let go of his girlfriend’s hand, walked through the security check without looking back, and pursued his dream at University X.
In 1999, Junrong and I couldn’t gracefully move on from our first loves. When we arrived at University X, we both had travel-weary and sorrowful faces.
20xx: Meeting Two People
The beauty of the University X campus is nationally renowned.
The freshman recruitment activities of various clubs were held under the lush trees in the south. Holding the only trophy from my first love battle, I rushed to the front of the line to sign up for the Guitar Club. The person in charge, Zhang Chi, looked up and chuckled, “Freshman, the first spot is already taken.”
My first meeting with Zhang Chi happened when I was squeezing through the low, crowded line with my heavy guitar, grimacing. But none of that seemed to affect his good impression of me. During my days in the Guitar Club, Zhang Chi favored me, which sparked a conflict between him and Junrong.
Junrong believed that the club was a place for everyone to communicate, not for certain individuals to achieve personal goals. Zhang Chi didn’t back down, saying, “I just like Shen Ruo. If you’re not satisfied, try to replace me as the club leader, but you have to beat me in a guitar duel first.”
All the members of the Guitar Club were shocked by the sudden conflict, including me. But soon, everyone started to excitedly speculate about the outcome. Some thought Zhang Chi’s guitar skills were already masterful and that he would surely win. Others believed Junrong could be a dark horse because no one knew how skilled this cool guy was. Only then did I find out that the first person to sign up for the Guitar Club was Junrong.
20xx: A Duet on a Silent Beach
After that tense argument, Zhang Chi and Junrong maintained an uneasy truce. Zhang Chi’s pursuit of me became an open secret in the Guitar Club, and of course, Junrong was aware of it too.
From the moment I joined the Guitar Club, the handsome Zhang Chi was willing to run a long way to buy dry noodles for me, write love songs for me, and even take me to see the sea on his bike. But I, holding Jianing’s guitar, wasn’t sure if I should enter the next relationship.
In December, this southern city was still warm. I declined Zhang Chi’s offer to accompany me and went alone to the beach near the side gate of University X, barefoot, carrying my shoes, walking on the soft sand. I carefully considered all the good things Zhang Chi had done for me over the past year, feeling a warmth in my heart.
The moonlit beach was even more romantic, with the lighthouse in the middle of the sea casting a gentle light on me. I stretched comfortably and faintly heard the sound of a guitar. The melody tickled my ears, different from Zhang Chi’s passionate style, but with a unique tenderness. I followed the sound and found Junrong.
20xx: The Ripe Shatian Pomelos
I held Junrong’s hand, feeling my heart beat more firmly than ever before. Zhang Chi sat across from us, his handsome face showing an unfamiliar defeated expression. He stared at me and said slowly, as if engraving the words in my heart, “I wish you happiness.” Tears immediately streamed down my face. Zhang Chi, the last person I wanted to hurt, had been hurt deeply by me. As I wiped away my tears, all the memories of Zhang Chi treating me well came rushing back. Loving me, Zhang Chi was abandoned by me, just as Jianing had been.
Junrong’s palm, clasped with mine, was already damp with sweat, cold to the touch.
After that, Junrong accompanied me through the sunny days. We devoured a bowl of rich satay noodles together, crazily loved the golden pomelos of winter, enjoyed climbing mountains, and were passionate about diving into the sea… With Junrong, it felt like I was following another self, a devil inside me, realizing every wild idea that came to mind. It was the joy of truly living, an unrestrained joy that only belonged to children.
Junrong and I dragged each other along, racing from one peak to another without a moment’s rest. Junrong’s mischievous nature made him neglect love; my burdened heart made me obsessively miss Zhang Chi.
20xx: The Phoenix Trees in Full Bloom
University X is known for its phoenix trees. Every year, when graduates leave, the phoenix trees are at their peak. The leaves sway like phoenix tails, telling passersby about parting. Students who lost their battles with reality often choose to bid farewell under the phoenix trees. This farewell was likely a true separation, never to meet again. Wet faces were seen everywhere on campus.
Junrong held my hand, walking with determination through the phoenix tree-filled campus, ignoring the imminent separation.
Zhang Chi found me and handed me a piece of paper with a number on it. I didn’t need to look to know it was his cell phone number, one I had silently recited thousands of times in my heart. Zhang Chi didn’t know, Junrong didn’t know, and even I didn’t know whom the woman named Shen Ruo truly loved.
20xx: No Turning Back After Parting
After graduation, Zhang Chi stayed at University X, while I followed Junrong, moving from place to place. Junrong was never content with stability and routine. My guitar was lost in the wandering, and his guitar was locked away, never seeing the light of day. Junrong often took my hand, walking through various streets, eyes vacant, dreams unattainable, and hearts shattered.
Finally, I dialed the number ingrained in my mind. The moment it connected, I heard myself use all my strength to say in a firm voice, “Zhang Chi, come take me home.”
20xx: I Got Married, He Went Far Away
After going in circles, I returned to where I started, just like how Junrong couldn’t replace Zhang Chi as the Guitar Club leader, nor could he take me away from my original place.
I placed my hand in Zhang Chi’s, and he gently but firmly held it, making it impossible for me to pull away. At the wedding, my black hair was adorned with lilies, and the long veil covered my face filled with memories. My gaze searched through the noisy crowd, looking for a resting place. Where was Junrong? He said he would come.
Zhang Chi, in his handsome tailcoat, smiled with charming dimples, adjusted my dress, put on my wedding ring, and quietly wiped away my tears. I was full of joy, Zhang Chi. Even if I didn’t know who I loved, I always had to come back to you. You gave me such a deep embrace; there was no other place for a wanderer like me to settle.
Junrong, carrying a large travel bag, passed by the entrance of the banquet hall. The doorman handed a note to the smiling me. Zhang Chi and I unfolded it together, and Junrong’s words leapt off the page:
“Shen Ruo, don’t cry. I wish you and Zhang Chi happiness.”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
