Long distance love Story: A Tender Embrace
“He knows I love Chinese gardens, so he gave me a bonsai tree. Although it sadly ‘passed away’ during my time back in Italy, it later miraculously revived under my careful care. Every day, when I see this little green plant, I long for the day when we can reunite, filled with both anxiety and happiness. Finally, this long holiday gives us a chance to spend quality time together.” A long holiday is meant for reuniting with your loved one!
Lu Shangyin’s unique experiences of moving between cities left her feeling dizzy. She was in a foreign land, while her beloved partner was in another country—Canada. Lu Shangyin decided to take advantage of the long holiday and make plans for a much-anticipated reunion, a way of “pursuing love to the very end.”
Whether it was short trips to Shanghai and Suzhou or long-haul flights to Canada, the melody of love echoed between these two cities.
The holiday itinerary in Canada was fully arranged by her boyfriend. Let’s take a look at the route he designed: Montreal—Quebec City—Ottawa—Kingston—Thousand Islands—Niagara Falls. Of course, in the email with the itinerary, he didn’t forget to add, “And of course, we’ll be spending a lot of time in Toronto, where I live.” Haha, lingering a little longer in your beloved’s hometown is only natural.
Meanwhile, in China, the host, Lu Shangyin, naturally took charge of the plans.
Lu Shangyin felt that bustling areas like the Bund were a bit too crowded, with people jostling and bustling around, making it impossible to get into the holiday spirit. “When I was in Rome, I was particularly fond of Piazza Navona. The silent statues created a serene atmosphere, and walking hand in hand, feelings of cherishment would naturally arise.”
So, she opted for something quiet, places where they could enjoy tender moments together, and spots where they could immerse themselves in Chinese culture. That was her holiday plan.
First, they toured Jiading in Shanghai, followed by Suzhou’s classical gardens. Lu Shangyin had visited famous sites like Beijing, Xi’an, Chengde, and Mount Tai, but her fondest memories were still of Suzhou and Jiading’s gardens in Shanghai. “These places maintain the essence of classical Chinese culture. The architecture reflects the craftsmanship of ancient artisans, and the intricate patterns never cease to amaze us with the wisdom of the ancients.”
She also had a wish to have a cheongsam made in Suzhou. Lu Shangyin already owned many beautiful cheongsams and often wore them on various occasions, even while simply watering flowers at home. “When my boyfriend’s father saw a photo of me wearing that blue cheongsam, he truly mistook me for a Chinese girl.”
Perhaps in those meticulously designed, serene gardens, Lu Shangyin found the sense of ease and comfort that ancient scholars once enjoyed in their private courtyards. Dressed in luxurious silk robes, strolling through bridges and streams, or gazing at the moon from a balcony, everywhere was enveloped in a faint poetic atmosphere. As she exchanged glances with her beloved, the essence of love quietly blossomed.
Whether it was the short holiday trips to Shanghai and Suzhou or the long journey to Canada, the melody of love continued to resonate between the two cities.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
