If There Is a Next Life, I Will Marry You
Outside, the rain was drizzling, and the sky was overcast, casting a gloomy atmosphere. The withered trees stood quietly as if waiting for something. Inside, the people gradually dispersed, and the noisy ward became quiet. Yan Feng moved his exhausted body, and the nurse beside him quickly helped him lean against the pillow.
“Did my dad and the others leave?” Yan Feng’s weak voice carried a touch of sorrow.
“Yes, they have left and should be at the hospital gate by now,” the nurse replied softly after glancing at the instruments.
“Okay,” Yan Feng pointed to the table. The nurse understood what he wanted. These days, he always asked for that photo album whenever he woke up and wouldn’t put it down until he fell asleep from exhaustion.
Yan Feng gently flipped through the photo album, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, though his brows remained tightly knit. The album recorded the happy days he had with Yu, those moments frozen in time, now the only memories he cherished.
On November 4, 20XX, as usual, he was chatting with friends on QQ, talking about happy college memories and their lives after graduation. In his memory, college life was the happiest and most memorable time for him. There, he was just an ordinary person, unlike his current status. Everything was so simple and real, and the sincerity between classmates taught him about true feelings, making him miss them dearly after graduation. She entered his life that night.
Yan Feng, 24 years old, a graduate of a university in Province C, sales manager at Richen Real Estate Co., Ltd. His father was the director of the company, with a registered capital of 1 billion yuan. Due to the family’s prosperity, he had always been in contact with high society since childhood. The warmth of human relationships for him only existed within family love, the care from his grandfather, the love from his father, and the nurturing from his mother. Beyond that, he had no true friends.
He and she met, got to know each other, and fell in love online. To him, she was different from other girls, at least different from those he had met. Talking to her always made reality seem interesting. She never pursued anything deliberately, saying whatever came to mind without hiding anything.
“Did you chat with online friends like this before?” he asked.
“Yes, why?” she replied.
“Nothing, I just think you’re very bold. After all, this is the internet,” he said.
“So what? The internet is great, no need to hide anything. Even if you know, what can you do to me? You’re really strange,” she said, puzzled by his question.
“Haha, in front of you, I feel like a child!” he wrote with a smile.
“Haha…”
They chatted about many topics, and he learned that her name was Yu Die, at least her online name. He liked it. In the following days, he often logged in to chat with her, even in the office.
The nights in the south were not as cold as in the north. He liked to go out for walks at dusk, look at the flashing neon lights, gaze at the stars, and breathe in the winter air. Previously, he would wander aimlessly, without a moment’s thought. But now it was different. His steps always moved southward, and the longing grew. He missed her words, her gentle voice seemed to linger in his ears, and recalling her serene face, his mind couldn’t settle. “Yu, what are you doing at this moment?” he called softly, facing the distant west.
Some say that feelings on the internet are as fleeting as a flower and a butterfly, coming and going quickly. They are just brief emotional cycles, not worth cherishing, not worth being heartbroken over, not worth reminiscing about the beauty of the past. But he didn’t believe it. He had never missed someone like this before, never. The journey of emotions needs to be grasped by oneself.
“Yu, if I say I want to visit you, will you agree?”
“Haha, I don’t know how to answer.”
“Maybe it’s a bit abrupt, but I really want to see you.”
“Suit yourself. If you want to come, then come. Your legs are on your body; I can’t stop you.”
“Haha, but I’m wondering what it will be like when I see you.”
“What do you mean? You are you, and I am me. Can we change?”
“That’s not what I meant. I mean… I can’t explain it!”
“Then don’t say anything!”
Watching her busy with something, he smiled, a very innocent smile.
“Yu, are you seriously playing games again?”
“Yes, what else should I do? It’s boring!”
“Then tomorrow night, I’ll take you for a ride. How about that?”
“Pfft, I don’t believe it!” She stared at the screen indifferently, looking very cute.
He didn’t say anything more, just watched her busy. He took out his phone, “Secretary Yang, book me a flight to F City tomorrow. Also, have the branch over there pick me up. You arrange the time.”
“Feng, what are you doing? So boring!” she said lazily, sitting in the chair.
“Nothing, just thinking about what to treat you to tomorrow.”
“Pfft, keep dreaming!”
“Ugh, I’ve already booked the flight. If you don’t believe me, how will you greet me when I arrive tomorrow?”
“I don’t know, I have nothing good to offer. I’m a poor person!” she said while humming a song.
“You? Poor? I don’t believe it. Yesterday, you said you spent hundreds on cosmetics. Stop fooling me!”
“I’m too lazy to fool you. If you don’t believe me, forget it. I’m logging off now, so tired!”
“Okay, rest early!”
“Mm, bye-bye, good night!”
Before he could respond, she turned off the video and logged off. But he wasn’t disappointed; this was a common occurrence for him. After organizing the documents needed for the company tomorrow, he opened the city map of F City, carefully searching for her residential area. He didn’t like asking for help with her matters; doing it himself felt better, more satisfying.
The morning dew soaked his clothes, and the sky hadn’t brightened yet. The moonlight filled the garden in front of the villa, exceptionally fresh and natural, like seeing her face for the first time, as pure as a lotus. At this moment, he remembered a saying from her: there are no beauties on the internet, no handsome guys either. He never understood why she said that, and she never explained. The driver was waiting outside the door. He waved but was reluctant to leave this scene, as if stepping away would distance him from her.
Leaving the airport in F City, he forgot the morning garden. Perhaps now, or in the future, such a scene would never appear again. Sitting in the car, he admired the scenery of F City along the way, feeling different. He had never been here but felt a sentimental attachment. “How far is it to H City?” he asked the driver anxiously. “About an hour’s drive.” If F City brought him nostalgia, what would H City bring?
Taking out the prepared map, he pointed to the marked coordinates, asking the driver to continue. Everything was approaching reality, leaving behind illusions. He got out of the car and indicated for the driver to leave. Adjusting his attire, he realized it wasn’t necessary. He only knew she lived nearby, but not which building. He felt foolish for not knowing her exact address, deserving a knock on the head. He took out his phone and dialed her number. The ringtone echoed…
“Yu Die, what are you doing?” he asked, hearing her sleepy voice, he smiled.
“What are you doing? Calling so early? Let’s chat online later, okay?” she replied, sounding annoyed and sleepy, as if she would fall asleep in the next sentence.
“Silly, don’t sleep. I’m at H City, right at the entrance of the Tonghe Hotel!”
“Go to hell, making jokes early in the morning?” she said, but then realized something, “What? You’re at the entrance of the Tonghe Hotel? You’re really here?”
“Still don’t believe me? Alright, I’ll book a room. Come and find me. I don’t know where you live. Get up and come over, I’ll treat you to breakfast!” he said, laughing triumphantly. “Did you hear me, silly? Hurry, I’m waiting!”
She didn’t know whether to believe her ears, but she couldn’t deny it. Tonghe Hotel was not far from her place. She hesitantly asked, “Which room number?”
“Mm, get up first, I’ll book now!” He hung up, walked into the hotel, and approached the front desk.
“Hello, Miss, your friend is waiting for you in room 125.” The receptionist’s words surprised Yu Die.
“125? Who?”
“Oh, Mr. Yan booked the room. He asked me to inform you. Follow me!”
Yu Die followed the receptionist, her mind still fuzzy. How could the receptionist know her? After turning a corner upstairs, they arrived at room 125. “Miss, please enter!” Yu Die pushed the door open. The room was spacious, and a young man stood by the window smoking, one hand in his pocket, looking sharp. Hearing the door, Yan Feng turned, seeing the long-haired girl staring at him, looking embarrassed. He quickly extinguished the cigarette and walked over.
“Yu, what’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me in real life?”
“Oh, no, just didn’t expect you to
really come!” Yu Die seemed nervous, not knowing where to place her bag, avoiding direct eye contact with the familiar online friend in front of her.
“Come, sit down. This isn’t like you. You weren’t this shy in our chats.” Yan Feng took her bag, pulled out a chair for her, and sat opposite. Yu Die didn’t know what to say, only observing the surroundings. The table wasn’t big, and one wall was all windows, offering a great view. But in winter, it lacked vitality. This was her first time really noticing this place. Previously, she’d chat and eat with friends without restraint, but now it felt different.
“Yu, Yu Die,” Yan Feng called softly, surprised by this side of her, but also a bit pleased.
“Ah, nothing, just looking around. Haven’t been here for a while!” she said, flustered.
“This is your turf, but you seem more nervous than me! Not like you in our chats!”
“No, just a bit stuffy. You said yesterday you’d come, but didn’t think you’d be so fast. How was the journey?”
“Fine, took a midnight flight, about four hours. Quite fast. But didn’t expect you’d still be asleep when I arrived, haha.” He spoke as he did in their chats, something he learned from her. Though reversed now, he felt a bit regretful.
“Are you teasing me? I just quit my job. In winter, where else would I be but home? Unlike you, wandering around!” Over time, everything became more casual, given their long acquaintance.
“Not teasing. Let’s have breakfast; you must be hungry!” Yan Feng asked the waiter to bring breakfast. They ate while reminiscing about their fun chat moments and discussing their real-life jobs. Yan Feng only mentioned being a sales manager at a company.
After breakfast, they left the hotel, walking along the road, chatting about life’s trivialities. This kind of walk was perhaps the best tonic for deepening their bond. Starting from politeness, they moved into a more intimate atmosphere, discussing future plans and life, mixing jokes in their conversations. The distance between them seemed to vanish, with the first step leading to everything falling into place. They moved from online to real life, from knowing each other to falling in love, from longing to being together.
During their walk, Yan Feng held Yu Die’s delicate hand, strolling leisurely. Passersby would glance at them, and their playful exchanges ended with mutual smiles, eyes filled with tenderness.
“Yu, is there any place you want to go?” Yan Feng asked, slowing his steps, holding her hand tightly.
“I don’t know, just walking like this is nice,” she looked up at him, as if seeking answers in his eyes.
“Yeah, but I promised to take you for a ride last night,” he said firmly.
“Alright, how will you take me for a ride? With your legs?” she laughed, wanting to see his response.
Without answering, Yan Feng took out his phone, “Secretary Yang, bring the car over, we’re at…” Hanging up, he gently stroked her hair, “Wait, the car will be here soon.” She said nothing, starting to trust him, feeling he was a reliable man.
The car arrived, and Yan Feng let Yu Die sit in the front passenger seat, while he drove, taking her for a ride. She loved the feeling, being driven around by someone she liked, something she had dreamt of but didn’t dare to expect. Seeing him for the first time, Yu Die hadn’t expected this, but now she happily leaned out the window, facing the cold winter wind without feeling chilly. He didn’t stop her; he liked this feeling too.
Previously, when he drove around, the passenger seat was always empty. Today, with Yu Die beside him, he felt favored by heaven, satisfied with this moment, hoping time would stop and the present would become a permanent memory.
The river flowed silently, the march of history never stopping. The past, present, and future, time wouldn’t favor their romantic love. Everything depended on them cherishing it. This moment was destined to become the past, a tear in the river of history. The car stopped by the highway beside the river, distant mountains peacefully sleeping.
Holding Yu Die’s hand tightly, he gently touched her flowing hair. She said nothing, looking deeply into his eyes. They embraced and kissed, withered grass witnessing the scene, and sleeping mountains recording this tender chapter.
After getting out of the car, they ran, sang, and Yan Feng took many photos, thinking their children would see their mother’s carefree side. But these photos became his only concern before parting. Watching Yu Die dance and celebrate, Yan Feng laughed from the heart, feeling his love had a chance to be explained, his feelings had a result. Yet, everything faded slowly, his tired eyes finally closed, and the camera fell silently into the withered grass.
When Yan Feng opened his eyes, it was unusually quiet. Secretary Yang was dozing by the window. He didn’t know what had happened or where Yu Die was. Why was he here? Questions bombarded his mind, causing intense pain. He pressed the alarm bell, and a nurse came in pushing a medicine cart.
Yan Feng wanted to ask what had happened but found he couldn’t speak. He pointed at the dozing Secretary Yang. Waking up, Secretary Yang hurriedly asked about Yan Feng’s condition, but the nurse just shook her head. Exhausted from a sleepless night, Secretary Yang didn’t press further, knowing what Yan Feng most wanted to know.
After Yan Feng fainted that day, Yu Die called Secretary Yang, who retrieved him from the incident site and sent him to the hospital. Yan Feng had been unconscious for two days and a night. Yu Die had watched over him for a day and a night before being persuaded by Secretary Yang to rest. As for Yan Feng’s illness, Secretary Yang wouldn’t say, only mentioning that they had to wait for the chairman.
Yan Feng knew his illness must be severe; otherwise, Secretary Yang wouldn’t wait for his father. He wanted to ask Yu Die but couldn’t speak. He saw the photo album on the table, and Secretary Yang handed it to him, saying Yu Die had prepared it. Struggling, Yan Feng flipped through it, smiling happily. His father, busy with company affairs, had only given instructions over the phone to take good care of him, unable to come personally.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
