The Lilac Blossoms of Love in Memory
When the lilac flowers bloom, the entire city is filled with their subtle fragrance.
During that season, Zhou Kaihan would take a longer route to work every day just to pass by the central square, where large patches of lilacs were planted. The layered flower clusters, with their teardrop-shaped petals, stretched toward the sky like pairs of tiny wings, looking so charming and elegant in the morning sunlight. And their intoxicating fragrance made people want to stop their cars, close their eyes, and take a deep breath to savor the sweet scent.
But Zhou Kaihan was not just drawn by the scent of the lilacs. There was also a small newsstand in the corner of the square, and inside was a beautiful girl. He had fallen for this tall, slender girl at first sight. Every day, he pretended to pass by casually, always catching a glimpse of her sitting quietly in the newsstand, with her clean, fresh, and fair face devoid of any makeup, often wearing a floral dress. Her long, straight hair hung down on both sides, making her look as graceful as a fairy.
Zhou Kaihan always wanted to go in and buy a newspaper, to strike up a conversation, but he didn’t dare. It wasn’t because he was shy but because he was afraid of failure and losing his chance. He considered himself quite good-looking, with many girls in the company showing interest in him, but none of them appealed to him. He found them too frivolous, not suitable for him. Only this girl he occasionally discovered could make his heart skip a beat.
The taste of a secret crush is bitter. His heart wavered between confessing and not confessing. He was afraid that if he approached her and expressed his feelings, he would scare her away, and he was also afraid that his hesitation would lead to missed opportunities.
So every time Zhou Kaihan passed by her door, he would slow down, hoping the girl would suddenly look up and see his intense gaze. Hope, like the rising and setting of the sun, finally presented an opportunity.
It was a fresh morning; the sun had just peeked out, and the sky was as blue as if washed clean. Zhou Kaihan was crossing the square on his bike when the fragrance of lilacs overwhelmed him. He suddenly felt dizzy, and in a moment of distraction, an accident occurred. A speeding motorcycle knocked him down and sped away.
When he opened his eyes amidst the noisy crowd, her figure appeared in his vision. Her eyes were filled with worry, and he was stunned. He forgot he was lying on the road, forgot the noisy crowd, forgot everything—there was only her in his eyes. The feeling was like recognizing someone after a thousand years and the excitement of reuniting after another thousand years.
Muzi had noticed this boy on the bike long ago, especially when he stopped, closed his eyes, and inhaled the fragrance of the lilacs with such concentration that it fascinated her. Every time she saw him pass by her door, she wished he would stop, come over, buy a newspaper, and chat a little so the story could develop. But he would always pedal away, disappearing at the end of her sight.
Unexpectedly, he had an accident in front of her door. Although his injuries weren’t severe, she was still nervous and helped him into her small room, busying herself with buying medicine and disinfectant, gently applying it to his wounds. He grimaced in pain, and she couldn’t help but laugh, “A grown man, so afraid of pain?”
He groaned even louder, but his voice was joyful and bright. Then he pointed to his bandaged arm and said seriously, “It’s not that it hurts; I feel sorry for this arm. Look at it now; it looks like it’s broken.”
Muzi blushed, turned her head, and said, “If you can still joke, it means you’re fine. Hurry up and go to work!”
Zhou Kaihan then exclaimed, “Oh no!” Seeing the time ticking away, he was going to be late. He mounted his bike, steering with one hand, and shot off like an arrow.
Muzi opened her mouth, stunned by his series of actions. Before she could say “be careful,” he was already back, his face slightly sweaty, and hoarsely said, “I’m Zhou Kaihan.”
“I… I’m Muzi.”
Zhou Kaihan nodded in satisfaction and sped away. She watched his departing figure, unable to help but break into a sweat for him.
On their first date, they didn’t know what to say. Muzi looked very nervous, her hand shaking as she held her coffee cup. Zhou Kaihan was no better, tense and stiff all over, with even his smile frozen awkwardly on his face.
Fortunately, the square under the night sky was quiet and beautiful, filled with the fragrance of lilacs. People were walking in twos and threes, bustling and noisy, so no one noticed the two sitting upright in the square café like tomatoes.
“Pfft,” Muzi suddenly laughed. Zhou Kaihan was stunned for a second, then his mouth also widened into a smile. Actually, love is like a thin piece of paper; once you poke it, it breaks.
Hesitating, Zhou Kaihan finally grabbed Muzi’s hand. She didn’t resist, just shyly lowered her head. At this moment, Zhou Kaihan wished time would stop, so this beautiful encounter could last forever.
But time is impartial and doesn’t pause for anyone.
It’s said that lovers are like being soaked in a honey jar, their sweetness rippling like spring water.
Zhou Kaihan and Muzi felt like they were soaking in a honey jar at that moment. Love grew rapidly in their hearts, and they envisioned many futures. Zhou Kaihan said, “I want to marry you.”
Muzi, delighted inside, pouted and said, “Where are the flowers? The ring? How can you propose without anything? Hmph! I won’t agree.”
Zhou Kaihan said nothing, pulled her close, gently embraced her, and then kissed her…
Time flew by quickly, and a year passed in the blink of an eye. Their love only deepened. Every day, Zhou Kaihan would ride his bike past her door. If time allowed, they would chat for a few minutes; if not, they would smile at each other, and he would head to work.
One day, it was raining, and he left late. He quickly rode to her door, only to see her nestled in another man’s arms, laughing.
His head buzzed, and he almost crashed into a flowerbed. He stopped to stabilize his emotions and then went to work. That day, he was absent-minded, made several mistakes, and got scolded severely by his boss.
From then on, he never went to the square, never looked at the lilacs, never went to that newsstand, and never saw the girl who haunted his dreams.
Years later, he got married, had children, and entered middle age. One day, his son insisted on seeing the lilacs. He took his son there, and the long-lost memories broke through the barrier of time and flooded back. He couldn’t help but walk into that newsstand. The man sitting inside was someone he would never forget.
Zhou Kaihan bought a newspaper and then casually asked, “I remember a girl used to sell newspapers here.”
“Oh?” The man glanced up and said, “She’s no longer here…”
“Oh? Where did she go?”
The man emphasized, “She’s no longer here.”
Zhou Kaihan suddenly understood what “no longer here” meant. He angrily grabbed the man’s collar and shouted, “How could you not take good care of her? How could you let her die?”
The man was stunned and said, “She had a rare form of leukemia that was incurable. Oh! I know who you are; you’re Zhou Kaihan, right? My sister was thinking of you even on her deathbed. I thought you’d come earlier to see her one last time, but you didn’t…”
Zhou Kaihan’s whole body trembled as if he had been punched. He took a big step back, tears instantly flooding his eyes. It turned out that some people, once they turn around, are gone for a lifetime, leaving only memories as fragrant as the lilac flowers.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
