Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qin Zhiâai watched Gu Yusheng in the driverâs rearview mirror until she couldnât see him anymore. She pressed her mouth against her arm and bit it before she started to cry.
...
Once the taxi had disappeared into the traffic, Gu Yusheng fumbled a cigarette out of his pocket and with shaking hands struggled to light it.
A breeze blew at him after he inhaled his first drag, and the smoke he blew out immediately enveloped him, making his eyes suddenly become red.
The cafe behind him was repetitively playing that same song. For the fourth or fifth time he was hearing the lyric, âThe best part of my life was when I met you.â
Back in high school, Gu Yusheng had been depressed one day and was leaning on a pool table while smoking deep in thought. Wu Hao had walked up with Qin Zhiâai at his side and introduced them. âBro Sheng, this is my wifeâs neighbor, Qin Zhiâai.â
The song continued. âYou looked like a stranger but also looked so familiar as I quietly looked at you.â
Early in the summer two years ago, heâd noticed her at the entrance of his grandfatherâs house. Their eyes met for a second, and she stole his heart.
âI could not embrace you even though we breathe the same air.â
Gu Yusheng looked down at his hand that had held her wrist just moments ago. He could still feel her, but his hand was empty now.
âI will be able to recognize your eyes even if the times and our lives are different.â
That lyric flooded Gu Yushengâs thoughts with questions.
Years later, will she and I meet again among a sea of people?
Will she already be married and have a baby girl who resembles her?
Will she smile at me with a loving man by her side and say to me, âMaster Gu, long time no seeâ?
The final lyric further mixed his emotions. âOur story is not splendid but very memorable.â
Love is never rational. I remember we laughed when we were in love, but we cried at the end.
You left, but I chose to stay.
......
Qin Zhiâai took a taxi to the airport by herself at 9:00 a.m., and she had her boarding pass in hand by 10:00.
After checking in her suitcases, she went to an ATM to withdraw some cash and then waited for 20 minutes in line at the currency exchange.
When it was Qin Zhiâaiâs turn, a sharp-looking, middle-aged woman looked at her and asked, âWhat country? How much do you need to exchange?â
Qin Zhiâai passed her the cash sheâd just withdrawn from the ATM and told her the currency she needed.
After a moment, the woman told her, âYou can exchange into a whole number if you can give me another 50.â
âOkay.â Qin Zhiâai took her wallet out of her purse and pulled out the only two paper notes left in her wallet. She passed one to the woman and put the other one back into her wallet. As she did, she noticed handwriting on the note.
She pulled it out again and raised it in front of her: âLittle troublemaker, I am in love with you.â
Qin Zhiâai recognized Gu Yushengâs handwriting when she saw the nickname âlittle troublemaker.â
âWhat are you giving me these for?â
âHave you play this kind of game before?â
âWrite down what you want to say on the note and then spend it so it circulates. Wait and see if your note with your message will find the person you wrote it to.â