Parting Is Better Than Meeting
Prologue
Missing someone is an indescribable pain, and not seeing them can be unbearable. Meeting is a blessing, and knowing someone is fate! We don’t seek everlasting love, just peace and safety! Continuing a calm relationship is a kind of joyful enjoyment, but sudden disappearance increases the longing. It’s been more than a year with no contact, and the mind and body are tortured. Truly, “Don’t say it doesn’t break your heart, the curtain flutters in the west wind, and people are thinner than chrysanthemums.”…
Main Text
In early spring in Jinan, under the warm sunlight, the city is already full of vitality. Gusts of wind from the south and north come to play, making the willow branches sway. Buds gradually break through the bark, eager to appreciate the pure spring water. What a magnificent “Impression of Jinan”!
It’s past 9 am, and Jinan’s main road, Jing Ten East Road, is still busy with traffic. A black Audi car is speeding from west to east. Inside the car are my buddy and me. I’m in the passenger seat, my buddy is driving, and the speed is fast as we are rushing to Zhangqiu for a real estate sales agency business meeting.
When the car passed the Phoenix Road intersection on Jing Ten East Road, I suddenly thought of Sister Zou, whom I hadn’t contacted for more than a year, upon seeing a nearby real estate project.
She is a standard beauty, graceful and elegant in every move. Her noble and elegant demeanor is evident in every smile. According to current popular terms, she is a true “Bai Fu Mei” (fair-skinned, rich, and beautiful). After a long acquaintance, I gradually realized her other side – gentle, kind, and demure. Her speech is slow but expressive, possessing a unique leadership style, yet she is approachable and friendly during interviews or dinners, without a hint of arrogance. Her noble character is worth writing about!
I have to thank the golden decade of the real estate market for our acquaintance. I remember I needed to interview her for a real estate section article, but she was too busy. After several failed attempts, I thought she was playing hard to get. Unexpectedly, a few days later, she arranged for someone to contact us for the interview. At first sight, I was stunned. Not only was she young and beautiful, with a charming figure, but her elegant manner also revealed her intelligence and high education. It was a fantastic feeling. “A beautiful lady, a gentleman’s desire.” Everyone loves beauty! As our interactions deepened, I felt her high qualities even more, and she quickly became my “goddess.”
In a flash, over ten years passed. During this time, we would contact each other for events like real estate exhibitions, annual conferences, seminars, and city forums. Otherwise, we were busy with our own lives, occasionally sending New Year messages. It was a simple yet delightful emotion. Of course, as interactions accumulated, the longing grew silently and gradually. Over time, feelings developed, but it was a pure and true friendship. Honestly, it wouldn’t be complicated – I’m too ugly, and she’s too beautiful. She’s wealthy, and I’m poor. Complicated thoughts never crossed my mind, let alone actions.
Life went on quietly until early last year when I couldn’t reach her several times by phone, and my messages went unanswered. After a few instances, worry set in: “What’s wrong? Is she okay?” I silently prayed for her safety and health, but it was useless, still no news. I asked friends to inquire, but every attempt was like a stone sinking into the sea. Over time, I lost weight, and the wrinkles on my face became noticeable. I thought, “Longing is better kept in the heart, why does it show on the face?” This outward expression doesn’t suit me, haha!
Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but ask my friend, “Have you seen President Zou recently? I haven’t seen her for a long time, and I can’t get through on the phone.”
“No, I have dealings with her company, but I haven’t seen her or heard any news. Maybe she’s retired?”
“No way?! But it’s strange, the phone just doesn’t get answered, and it’s not out of service.”
We chatted casually, nothing unusual at first, but one of his remarks threw my thoughts into disarray.
“Could she be on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight?” he joked.
“Ah… Shut up with your crow’s mouth, don’t say such things!” I angrily replied. He didn’t say more, but I broke into a cold sweat. For several days after finishing our business, I was restless. Last night, we “reunited after a long separation.”
One day, through a friend, I sent her a message: “Sis! I can’t reach you by phone, are you okay?! If convenient, let’s meet near the old archway at the south gate of Thousand Buddha Mountain after work?”
Thousand Buddha Mountain, one of Jinan’s three famous attractions, was already embraced by green pines and cypresses. The antique south gate was bustling with tourists. I stood early by the agreed spot, anxiously waiting for her to come. As the sun was about to set, a tall and graceful figure approached from a distance. I peered at her from the bushes about ten meters away. She waited briefly, then picked up her phone to dial. My phone vibrated, and seeing the unregistered number, I quickly answered.
“Hello! Who is this… Sis! Is it you? You really changed your number?”
“Yes, sorry, I changed my phone, and all numbers were lost during the reset, couldn’t notify you. I’m here, where are you?”
“I see you.”
“Ah…” She quickly looked around, “Where are you? Come out quickly.”
“Parting is better than meeting. It’s enough to see you well. You are still so youthful and beautiful!”
“Sweet talker! Why? You’re here, and you won’t come over? Long time no see, are you mad at me?”
“No, I really wanted to see you, otherwise why would I send a message? Seeing you safe and sound, I’m content. But I’ve lost weight, almost becoming a skinny old man, even uglier. You know my personality, I don’t like showing up when I’m not in good shape, fearing it might affect others’ ‘appetite’ and leave a ‘criminal record,’ which is bad for me and might cause ‘psychological shadows’ for others. Better not meet, or else I’ll find a chance to ‘shine and heat up’ again!”
“Haha! Still so humorous. Why lost weight? Sick or deliberate diet?”
“Yes, I’m on a diet.” I said with tears.
“Tell the truth? Is it…”
“In the past, we met often, nothing special. During the time I couldn’t contact you, I ‘benefited’ a lot, so let’s meet again after a while. Give me more to remember.”
“Thank you for always thinking of me, this old friend! If you really don’t want to come over, then next time. But health is the capital of revolution! There are still many things waiting for you! Don’t always be busy, find time to exercise, try to drive less, and reduce drinking. You used to drink too much, be careful as you age!”
“Thank you, sis! I will definitely keep ‘the party’s teachings’ in mind, haha!”
…
I don’t know when an alarm rang: “Unlock me, the most mysterious waiting, stars fall and the wind blows, finally holding you again. Two hearts tremble, believe in my unwavering true heart, thousand-year wait, I promise, no matter how many winters pass, I will never let go…” It was Jackie Chan’s “Beautiful Myth.”
Usually, when I hear the alarm, I get up quickly without thinking because my child needs to go to school. But today, I listened to the end before slowly sitting up, eyes red.
What you think about during the day, you dream about at night. Amitabha! Blessings to you, sis!
Epilogue
Sis! Where are you? It seems the answer is yet to be found, and the clues still need to be searched. Actually, meeting or not is not important; what’s important is that you are well. Wishing “A Good Person Safe Life”… There have been many past events, as if just yesterday. There have been many friends, as if still by my side. There were once deep feelings, whether bitter or sweet, now I toast to wish… A good person safe life. Who can be drunk with me, year after year…
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
