The One I Love Was Always By My Side
Wish
My hometown is in a small place in Guangdong. Though it’s remote, the scenery is beautiful. When I was in middle school, I moved to Guangzhou with my parents. Even though I left my hometown, I always missed it and had a wish—to watch the sunrise on the mountain top with the girl I loved.
Back then, I liked a girl from a neighboring class. I waited for her for three years because she didn’t want to get involved in a relationship before going to college, saying she wanted to focus on her studies. Finally, we both got into Wuhan University and could start dating, but the relationship lasted only six months.
We broke up because she thought I was too careless, spitting on the ground and littering. Two months later, I saw her walking arm in arm with another guy. As they passed by, her boyfriend loudly spat on the roadside grass. She leaned on his shoulder, talking about something that must have been very interesting because she was laughing so happily.
I felt down for a long time. I had originally planned to take my girlfriend back to my hometown in Guangdong for the summer vacation to watch the sunrise from the small tea stall on the mountain top.
Now I went back alone. Even by myself, I still went to that tea stall. The old couple selling tea were still there, their familiar smiles etched in their wrinkles.
But my heart was cold without needing any iced tea. I sat from noon until the old couple closed their stall at sunset. Their stall was never locked, just casually covered, allowing visitors to come and go.
As I sat there sullenly until the moon rose, the door was pushed open, and two or three people walked in. I turned and recognized one of them as my middle school classmate, Hualing.
We hadn’t seen each other since I started college. We were very happy to meet again. She said she brought two friends back to play and got delayed on the mountain. She also got into a university in Wuhan, so we agreed to return to school together after the Spring Festival.
Going down the mountain, even though the moonlight was bright, the path was still difficult. Among Hualing’s friends was a girl named Xinru, who was from Shanghai and not used to mountain paths. I became a chivalrous escort, taking care of her along the way.
“Life is so coincidental. When you feel there is no light, you will find a window. This chance encounter on the mountain brought me unexpected joy—I fell in love again.
The object of my affection was Xinru, Hualing’s good friend whom I took care of along the way.” Shufeng laughed heartily. He wasn’t very tall, but his laughter was hearty and grand.
Hualing told me the news on the train back to school. During a stop, Hualing pulled me aside while Xinru watched from a distance. Hualing asked, “Shufeng, do you have a girlfriend?” I replied, “I just broke up. Why?” Hualing glanced at Xinru and said, “How about I introduce you to a girlfriend? What do you think of Xinru?”
Separation
Hearing Hualing’s words, my heart started to race. It was a feeling of blossoming joy, a gift from the heavens. It was the first time a girl had taken the initiative to love me, and she was my type!
The relationship began again. Xinru was a thoughtful and caring girl, and I decided to cherish her. I learned from my last experience, maintaining good hygiene, a presentable image, and an environmentally friendly attitude. But love didn’t flourish just because I took great care. This seemingly love-at-first-sight relationship lasted less than a year.
The reason for our breakup wasn’t as specific as last time. Xinru simply summarized our love with, “I think we’re not suitable for each other.” I wasn’t ready to end it. I sought out Hualing, thinking Xinru must rely on her, otherwise, why would she entrust Hualing with her feelings? Hualing was hesitant. I pleaded with her, appealing to our past friendship and my deep love for Xinru. Hualing listened quietly, tears welling up in her eyes. But she didn’t immediately agree, only saying she needed to think about it.
“Two days later, she asked me to meet her at her school. At the gate, I saw Xinru standing there with a smile.” Shufeng sighed, “Friends are friends; she didn’t even want a thank you.”
Afterward, whenever Xinru and I had a conflict, I would go to Hualing, and she always helped us reconcile. But even the best remedies can lose their effectiveness. In the end, Xinru and I broke up.
This time, I didn’t feel as strong a sense of failure; instead, I felt a kind of relief. Perhaps our repeated breakups had numbed our hearts. Because of my relationship with Xinru, Hualing became my indispensable emotional healer. I confided all my life’s troubles to her, and she mostly listened quietly, offering help. She was like a “brother,” always there when needed, though I only thought of her during difficult times.
As graduation approached, I met another girl who reignited my long-cooled passion. She brought me feelings different from any other girl. I no longer had to worry about where to go or what to eat during dates. I just followed her lead. She was more like a general, controlling my every emotion, and I was happy to follow her.
I told Hualing about my new relationship. She didn’t seem happy. She had always been willing to listen to my chatter, but this time she kept changing the subject and eventually said she had to go. I knew her well; she wasn’t really busy, just unwilling to listen anymore.
Realization
This time, I loved intensely. After graduation, I fully prepared for marriage—earning money, buying a house, saving for a wedding. I was like a fully powered train. Of course, love was still full of ups and downs, and I continued seeking solace from Hualing in times of heartbreak.
She always listened calmly, not expressing much. Just being with her calmed my heart. Once, I asked why I never saw her with a boyfriend. She looked a bit strange, and I quickly apologized. I said I was just curious because girls can be mysterious. Some want to show their boyfriends to the world, while others treat them like rare treasures, keeping them to themselves.
I wondered which type she was. After a long silence, Hualing said, “Do you want my boyfriend to listen to your troubles too?” I laughed and shook my head, “Better not.”
When I saved enough for a wedding, I planned to propose on May Day while watching the sunrise on the mountain with my girlfriend. But she suddenly broke up with me. The breakup was unexpected. We had fought before, but I could always win her back.
This time was different. She was determined, and I felt confused. Later, I learned she had met a wealthy man while out. The new house I prepared became an empty nest. I felt like life’s joys and sorrows were a dream.
I called Hualing. For once, I didn’t want to say much, just simply told her I broke up again. Hualing didn’t ask why, only if I was still going home for May Day. I said yes. She “oh-ed” and said no more.
If breaking up with Xinru taught me heartache, this breakup taught me impermanence. Returning to my hometown, I went up the mountain alone again.
The old tea stall was gone, and the mountain had changed a lot, but I was still the same, alone. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure approaching—it was Hualing! I felt a part of my heart melt, and I wanted to cry.
Hualing sat beside me, the moonlight on her face. I looked into the distance and said, “I’ve left home for so many years and still end up alone.” Suddenly, I heard crying. Turning, I saw Hualing’s tears falling on the grass, making soft sounds. For the first time, I looked at her closely.
Under the moonlight, her face was tender and beautiful. In my gaze, she lowered her head, and my heart ached. She said nothing, but I felt as if I heard a thousand words. Suddenly, I realized.
I reached out and held her hand, remembering when she and Xinru returned to Wuhan by train. Hualing had given me a box with a beautiful glass wind chime inside. The card attached said, “You are the wind; I dance because of you.”
“I finally fulfilled my wish to watch the sunrise on the mountain top with the girl I loved. I wasted seven years, searching and seeking, not realizing the one who loved me most was always by my side.” Shufeng’s face was deeply moved.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
