Emotional online romance
At the beginning of the new year, Si Yu lay on her bed in the early morning, browsing WeChat. She discovered she had been inexplicably added to a group. Fortunately, there were no idle chatter or disturbances. She was considering deleting the group when she noticed someone named “Yi Lu Si Yu” had sent a red envelope, which had gone unopened for eight hours. The temptation and curiosity about the red envelope led Si Yu to click on it. It contained 0.01 yuan. Was this a joke?
The sender had used her name and added “Yi Lu” (all the way). She was about to exit angrily when another red envelope appeared. Si Yu opened it again—still 0.01 yuan. Just as she was about to utter harsh words, another red envelope arrived. This time, it was an apology with 9.99 yuan. Si Yu’s anger turned to delight. As she pondered this, a message appeared:
“Hello! Happy New Year!”
“Hello! Thank you for the red envelope.”
“My name contains half of yours, no need to thank me.”
“Are you good at handling emotions?” Si Yu blushed inexplicably at such a straightforward confession and asked.
“Emotions are a natural expression. How can they be ‘handled’?”
Si Yu fell silent. She usually didn’t like arguing with self-righteous people. She put down her phone and busied herself with other things. At 9 PM, after tidying up, she lay in bed as usual, browsing her friends’ updates. Yi Lu Si Yu’s red envelope was flashing brightly, with the word “miss” on it. There were ten of them, exactly ten hours from their morning conversation to this evening’s log-in. Si Yu opened each one; each contained 1 yuan. It seemed they were sent specifically for her.
The people in the group seemed like decorations, or maybe he had instructed them. The warmth of being loved overwhelmed her. She wondered who could be so attentive. Could it be just another emotional game? But deep down, the longing for love bubbled up. After secretly liking a married man, she experienced the myriad flavors of love and had since closed her heart, afraid to open it again.
Such a novel and thrilling pursuit left her unsure how to thank him. The cute WeChat smiley face flashed, its eyes brimming with a smile, making Si Yu’s heart race. He had added her personal WeChat.
“Can we chat?”
“Sending so many red envelopes, you must be rich?”
“No matter how busy, there are always a few seconds to send a red envelope.”
“Why don’t the people in the group open the red envelopes?”
“They are allergic to red envelopes. After you love me, I’ll send them privately.”
“If you have so much money, why not help some poor students?”
Si Yu typed a few words while smiling, wondering how long he could keep it up. Meanwhile, she checked his profile to glean any personal information. Apart from being in the same area, it was blank. As she was pondering, another message appeared from him.
“I imagine you have a round face like a peach blossom, love shoulder-length hair, and prefer loose, elegant clothes.”
“Who are you? Do we know each other?”
“To understand love is to have precise feelings. This is the image of my beloved in my heart.”
“I might disappoint you.”
“Disappointment accompanies hope. Good night!”
Every morning since then, there was a “miss” red envelope with 6.66 yuan, and in the evening, a “good night” red envelope with 9.99 yuan. Si Yu slowly grew accustomed to these red envelopes. Valentine’s Day approached, and Si Yu secretly hoped for something. Sure enough, on the morning of Valentine’s Day, a “Happy Valentine’s Day” red envelope arrived with 999 yuan, followed by a few lines of text.
“Hope you buy roses and love that last forever.”
You can buy roses, but can you buy true love? The amount made her feel uncomfortable. Without rebuffing him, she sent back a red envelope of 1600 yuan, with a message: “Wishing you smooth success a thousand times.”
“Are you returning the exact amount of all the red envelopes I’ve sent? No one to accompany you today? How about I keep you company?”
Just a bored person playing online and toying with emotions, Si Yu couldn’t be bothered. Just then, her old classmate Zhen Zhen messaged her.
“How about I pick you up after work, and we spend Valentine’s Day together?”
“Sure. I’ll wait for you.”
Though Valentine’s Day without a lover was lonely, it was heartening to have same-sex friendship fill the day. As soon as Si Yu got into Zhen Zhen’s car, she received a call.
“A friend is hosting a singles party. Let’s join in the fun.”
Breaking the routine of her life wasn’t a bad idea. Si Yu and Zhen Zhen drove to the KTV room, where several peers were already seated. Though Si Yu didn’t recognize them, she was startled by a familiar face. Cheng Qiang was her high school classmate, notorious for being mischievous and writing her love letters. She had been so annoyed that she told her mother, who then approached their class teacher.
The teacher had sternly reprimanded him and informed his parents, making him stop. However, during the first winter break in college, while she was shopping one evening, Cheng Qiang had suddenly appeared, pulling her into a dark alley to confess his feelings. He had looked comical with his dyed yellow hair and unruly appearance, making him seem like a societal outcast, a disgrace to her. She had ignored him and walked away, but he had audaciously tried to hug her.
Fortunately, a neighborly aunt passed by, allowing her to escape. Now, he stood there in a suit, looking mature and successful. Si Yu felt dry-mouthed and uneasy. After scanning the room, Cheng Qiang’s gaze landed on Si Yu’s face with a smile.
“Am I late? Isn’t this old classmate Si Yu?”
Si Yu awkwardly smiled without responding. She quietly told Zhen Zhen and quickly left while Cheng Qiang greeted others.
Outside, the night lights sparkled. Cheng Qiang’s inappropriate actions still haunted her. Now, being so close to him again, she hurried to a taxi before she could calm down. Perhaps he had experienced countless women by now and no longer cared about past events. Thinking this, Si Yu felt somewhat relieved. She casually opened her phone, and there was another 999 yuan red envelope from Yi Lu Si Yu, along with a vivid rose.
“Roses are not given casually.”
“Haha…”
Indeed! One cannot accept the attentions of an unknown person for no reason. She immediately returned a 999 yuan red envelope. Just then, her father, returning from outside, told her mother:
“Who left 50 roses at our door?”
“Could it be Si Yu has a boyfriend?”
“Really? If she knew, she would have brought them in already.”
Si Yu jumped up and ran out, seeing the fragrant roses her father had brought inside.
“Better put them back in case there’s a mistake and we become a joke.”
She carefully placed them back outside and returned indoors. The emptiness in her heart floated back up. She should have a boyfriend, after all. She couldn’t be lonely forever, could she? But where was the vague image of her beloved? Bored, she googled “roses” and saw that 50 roses signified unconditional love. Who had such deep feelings for whom? If it were her, how happy she would be to embrace the roses, even if they were thorny.
Another red envelope from Yi Lu Si Yu arrived.
“Please accept my sincerity.”
Si Yu hesitantly opened it. This time, it was 99 yuan. She had no reason to refuse his goodwill. Since she wasn’t sleepy, she wanted to talk and typed:
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m self-employed.”
“No wonder you’re so ‘generous,’ constantly sending red envelopes. Business must be booming, right?”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“Do you often send random red envelopes to netizens?”
“Do I have a mountain of money with nowhere to put it? I send them because I like you. Yet, you keep me at a distance.”
“How can I accept such a grand gesture from someone I don’t know?”
“I’ve always been paying attention to you. Did you receive the 50 roses I sent?”
The unexpected realization made Si Yu feel like she was being watched. She nervously checked her windows. Thankfully, the curtains were tightly drawn. Was there a surveillance camera in her room? She meticulously checked everywhere, finally feeling relieved. Her parents were already asleep. She quietly opened the door and saw the roses still outside.
Some water droplets had fallen, while others remained on the petals, as if smiling expectantly. Si Yu’s heart was gently entwined. She carefully brought the roses inside, their fragrance spreading throughout the room.
“Thank you.”
“Hope you have a sweet dream surrounded by the scent of roses.”
Since then, Si Yu’s life had new expectations. The daily red envelopes continued, and her trust grew. With emotions and attachment, she accepted the red envelopes more naturally. One day, she couldn’t help but ask:
“Why don’t you ask to meet me?”
“Do you want to see me? I’m afraid of scaring you. Knowing I admire you and love surrounds you is comforting enough.”
“But I want to see you.”
“Can you accept me regardless of looks or flaws?”
“Love can transcend everything.”
“Your words stabilize me. I hope our meeting won’t disappoint. Let me tell you a story. Can you listen patiently? A boy in high school liked a girl in the same grade but different class. She was excellent in studies,
and her long black hair swayed his heart. He couldn’t concentrate on studies anymore. Fortunately, they were in the same class in their final year. But how could an outstanding girl notice him? He couldn’t resist writing to her, hoping for her appreciation but only getting her annoyance. Later, he regretted disrupting her intense exam preparations. However, she should understand his youthful ignorance and the fear of being separated forever…”
Si Yu realized he was Cheng Qiang. Why had she always dismissed his sincerity and only seen his playful side?
“Then why did you harass me near my home?”
“I just wanted to hug you. I was too reckless, making things worse. But you should understand my sincere feelings. My efforts over the years were to have the capital to love you. Now that I have it, I boldly pursue you. I arranged that Valentine’s Day party, hoping to see you. But you reacted so strongly. Do I leave such a bad impression? I decided to create a group, randomly adding friends and you, to chat and get to know you as a stranger. Don’t ask how I got your WeChat. I’ve been following your life all these years. The red envelopes were specially reserved for you, with special instructions for them.”
Si Yu’s heart was in turmoil. How could she forget his constant, silent gaze during high school? Maybe she should give him a chance.
One day after work, as usual, Si Yu hitched a ride with a colleague. Cheng Qiang got out of a nearby car. It was their first face-to-face encounter. Si Yu felt a bit nervous.
“Want a ride?”
Seeing him nervously, more so than she was, she couldn’t help but laugh. The tension broke, and the long-lost online emotional atmosphere surrounded them.
“Do you trust me now?”
His red envelopes continued, and the amounts grew. Si Yu saved them bit by bit. She planned to marry him once he had given enough for a dowry. Cheng Qiang didn’t disappoint her. She secretly bought a house, putting both their names on it.
Happiness arrived quietly, bringing a spring full of flowers and colors to the one she loved.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
