The Early Spring - Chapter 96

Chapter 96 - A Long Journey

Shang Zhitao departed early the next morning. It was only upon leaving that she realized she fundamentally disliked farewells. She hated hugging or crying in places bustling with people; leaving lightly and effortlessly like this was so much better.

Sun Yu asked her why she chose to be stationed far away just as they had started dating, saying it wouldn't be good for their relationship.

Shang Zhitao told Sun Yu: "Love isn't everything."

There were practical issues troubling her: age, career, and how to take root in this city. She didn't want to still be drifting by the time she turned thirty. Although she longed for love, she was also struggling against reality.

"You can rely on him. If you love each other, these problems will naturally be resolved," Sun Yu told her.

Shang Zhitao looked at her: "Do you know? There hasn't been a single day where I felt we were truly in love. Even if we're together now in the name of dating, it doesn't feel real."

Shang Zhitao didn't want to rely on Luan Nian. She knew an unequal love would give rise to countless problems, making one party always appear to be bestowing charity. In her imagination, perhaps one day she could love Luan Nian on equal footing—for instance, when she became a truly outstanding person, when she became an expert, or when she bought a small apartment of her own without depending on him entirely. She knew these were all her obsessions and wild delusions; she was merely seeking a form of psychological equality.

As long as I don't rely on him and earn my own living, every bite of delicious food I enjoy, every pretty piece of clothing I wear, and every wonderful trip I take will be realized through my own hard work. That way, I will still be myself.

As the plane took off, she looked down at the city below. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Luan Nian, yet she had turned into a pessimist in love. One night, she had dreamed that Luan Nian got married. The girl standing beside him was dazzlingly beautiful, and it wasn't her. The sense of loss from that dream lingered deep inside her body long after she woke up.

Upon landing, she received a call from Sun Yuanzhu: "I'm waiting for you at the exit."

"Great!"

Shang Zhitao hung up the phone and saw a text message from Luan Nian: "Have you arrived?"

"Yes."

"Stay safe."

Sun Yuanzhu had grown even thinner. Shang Zhitao felt as if she had never seen anyone so thin before; even his face had carved out lines sharp as blades. It looked as though he had traveled a vast distance, braved wild winds for a long time, and crossed many deserted wildernesses. Yet his gaze remained as gentle as ever.

"Have we not seen each other for so long that you forgot what I look like?" Sun Yuanzhu asked her with a smile.

She nodded, then shook her head, handing her luggage over to him while secretly sizing up his expression.

"Did I scare you?" Sun Yuanzhu asked her again.

"No."

The two walked out together. Sun Yuanzhu's company had assigned him an SUV, the kind that could pack a lot of things. After stowing Shang Zhitao's luggage, he finally asked her: "Shall we go eat a bowl of ramen first?"

"Of course! I didn't eat anything on the plane, just craving this bowl of ramen. When I came here to rent the apartment last time, I ate it for three straight days. But strangely enough, I never got sick of it." Shang Zhitao spoke of her endless love for ramen while fastening her seatbelt.

Sun Yuanzhu listened with a smile and said to her: "The county town isn't large, but delicious ramen is everywhere. Today, I'll take you to the place I frequent. The side dishes are great too, plus the fermented sweet rice milk you love."

"Awesome!"

"From the airport to where you're staying, it counts as a long-distance journey itself." Sun Yuanzhu pointed ahead: "Fortunately, it's open here with few people and cars, so driving all the way over won't take too long."

"How about some music?"

"Sounds good."

The two put on some songs and set off. Shang Zhitao looked at the scenery on both sides of the highway, deeply impressed by the mastercraft of nature. She pointed at the distant ridge and said to Sun Yuanzhu: "Sun Yuanzhu, I see a dragon's spine." She began to form imaginations about this place.

"Suddenly, I feel the plan our company's expert panel made for this place's cultural tourism industry isn't exciting enough."

"The reason?"

"I just feel it lacks a bit of heritage. Chinese people love dragons and deify dragons because the dragon symbolizes a kind of spirit. Our creativity should match this spirit, shifting our gaze away from the grand mountains and rivers to look at the generations who have taken root here for thousands of years. Scenery carved by time, culture passed through generations—that's how it should be." Shang Zhitao grew a bit excited: "Yes, I know what's still missing!"

Sun Yuanzhu listened attentively to her, pondering deeply before speaking up: "I agree with what you said. Student Shang Zhitao is truly amazing. This afternoon, I can take you to have a look around; we pass through many small villages when running tests."

"We'll go right after eating ramen!"

"Aren't you waiting for the home appliance delivery?"

"Oh right, we'll go after receiving them."

Sun Yuanzhu took Shang Zhitao to a very run-down ramen shop. The moment they stepped through the door, they caught the aroma of chili oil made with hot oil. Shang Zhitao's sense of taste awakened. She ordered a large bowl of hair-thin noodles, while Sun Yuanzhu ordered a small bowl of leek-leaf noodles, along with a small cold side dish and lamb skewers.

"Listen." Sun Yuanzhu tilted his head, signaling Shang Zhitao to listen to the slapping sound of the ramen dough smacking against the wooden board: "I like this sound the most. It has a special rhythm. A few days ago, Long Zhentian called me, saying he really missed the aroma of Chinese food. I mailed him vacuum-packed barbecue."

Shang Zhitao giggled: "I suspect Long Zhentian is intentionally playing the pity card. He called me that day and said the exact same thing, so I mailed him Nanjing salted duck, Beijing roasted duck, Shandong large flatbreads, and Laoganma chili sauce."

"Whether they clear customs depends on his luck." The two looked at each other and smiled.

Shang Zhitao noticed that Sun Yuanzhu ate very, very little. He only took three bites of his small bowl of ramen before stopping. Seeing Shang Zhitao looking at him, he explained to her: "I already ate."

"Oh. But we've been together for almost three hours now, haven't you digested it yet?" Shang Zhitao was puzzled.

"Not yet. I ate too much this morning."

"This ramen shop is even better than the one I went to. I'm going to eat here often from now on. Thank you for treating me to a meal, Sun Yuanzhu," Shang Zhitao told him.

"If you like it, I'll treat you often."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Sun Yuanzhu brought Shang Zhitao a sense of security. He was like an indispensable family member or old friend, always helping her whenever she was in a tight spot. Shang Zhitao even felt that she probably wouldn't meet another person like him for the rest of her life.

The company provided housing rental and living allowances for stationed employees, offering great benefits. Shang Zhitao rented a relatively nice apartment and bought matching home appliances. She felt that since she was going to stay for fourteen months, she had to live these fourteen months properly as a real home—not just getting by, but living well.

Shang Zhitao gradually came to understand the meaning of life.

Life wasn't meant to be lived for anyone else to see; it was for oneself.

She shared her realizations with Luan Nian, and Luan Nian asked her: "So, are you happy now?"

"I'm happy."

"I'm not. Your silly dog bit my shoe yesterday."

"Could it be that you didn't put your shoe away when you went out?"

"? Are you even speaking human language?"

Shang Zhitao felt a bit guilty. She had never disciplined Luke regarding chewing on things; the three people at home always put their things away whenever they left.

"Did he chew on anything else?"

"Does the sofa count?"

"The set in your living room?" Shang Zhitao sat up in shock.

"Otherwise?"

"Oh, my goodness."

Luan Nian's living room featured an aniline leather sofa set. He was fastidious, buying sky-high priced furniture when decorating. Hearing that Luke had ruined the sofa, Shang Zhitao felt an unprovoked pang of distress: "How about you buy him a muzzle to wear? That way he won't be able to chew on things."

"Why don't you wear a muzzle?" Luan Nian retorted, putting away his phone. How ridiculous—she actually fucking wanted to put a muzzle on Luke. He cast a glance at Luke and said to him: "Now you know who's good to you, right? Your master wants to put a muzzle on you."

He had just finished walking Luke and was preparing breakfast for him: frying two eggs, along with salmon he bought from the supermarket that he personally made into salmon floss, adding a quarter of an apple and half a bowl of dog food. The combination was different almost every day, and Luke loved it. Because he had to make breakfast for Luke and walk him, he had to get up at least half an hour earlier every day.

The bond between Lu-ke the dog and Luke the man was cultivated precisely through these everyday meals. Lu-ke listened to Luke exceptionally well, and Luke understood every single one of Lu-ke's expressions.

Sometimes Luke would pinch Lu-ke's ear and speak to him: "Your master has no heart, does she?"

Lu-ke tilted his head, reacting after a long moment with a bark.

"I can't even talk about her?" Luan Nian rapped his head.

Today was no exception—pinching the dog's face while scolding him and his master. Because Lu-ke had just eaten Luan Nian's food, he refrained from talking back due to a full belly, listening to his nagging obediently.

Shang Zhitao sneezed and said to Luan Nian while waiting for her luggage: "It feels like you're scolding me."

"?"

"I sneezed."

"Maybe Luke is cursing you in his heart."

Shang Zhitao wiped her nose and smiled. Having spent a long time together, she could sense Luan Nian's childish side—he was remarkably skilled at protesting his innocence too loudly, telling lies with his eyes wide open.

"Oh. Then did you sneeze?"

"?"

"Because I'm thinking of you."

"Got it."

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing else."

Shang Zhitao felt it was far too difficult to hear a sweet word from Luan Nian's mouth, so she coaxed him: "You say it too."

"Say what?"

"Say you miss me."

Luan Nian sent over a half-dead emoji.

He didn't like speaking sweet nothings; what was there to say? It sounded overly mushy. If you missed someone, just go see her—what good did talking do? So he picked up his phone to browse his schedule, seeing that three weeks later he had two and a half days of free time to go visit her. He could also stay a few extra days to attend the project kickoff meeting.

He then said to his secretary: "Clear out these few days I'm sending you. Don't schedule any work."

"Understood."

Luan Nian packed up to head out. Seeing Luke looking a bit anxious, pacing back and forth on the floor continuously, he asked him: "Do you think I'm going on a long trip too?"

"Woof! Yes!"

"I'll come back early after work." Luan Nian felt he truly had more patience with Luke than with anyone else. Like a lunatic, he chattered endlessly to a dog: "Your master went to work, she didn't abandon you; I'm also just stepping out for ten hours. You don't need to be so sensitive. After all, you're just a dog—eating then sleeping, sleeping then eating, isn't that great? Who cares where that mindless master of yours is!"

Only after coaxing him for a long time did Luke lie down on the floor, looking thoroughly pitiful. Luan Nian thought about it and casually placed an order for a camera. In those years, technology advanced rapidly, and home cameras began to be widely used. Installing one meant you were on this end while he was on that end, and he could hear you when you spoke. Luan Nian installed two in the living room that very evening, achieving a true 360-degree coverage without blind spots.

Then he sent the account username and password to Shang Zhitao.

"What's this?"

"Log on and look at your dog."

"Oh."

Shang Zhitao actually logged on, seeing Luan Nian lying on the sofa flipping through a magazine, with Luke playing beside him. That sofa... had been chewed by Luke beyond recognition.

"Luke," she called out to Luke.

Luke sat up, looking left and right without spotting Shang Zhitao.

"Luke," she called again: "Why did you chew the sofa? Can't you chew on something cheaper?"

Confirming he hadn't misheard, Luke searched high and low across the room for three rounds without seeing Shang Zhitao. Suddenly growing very angry, he barked loudly at Luan Nian. Luan Nian said to the camera: "Are you out of your mind? What are you teasing him for?"

Shang Zhitao giggled: "Sorry, Luke. I'll shut my mouth."

Luan Nian turned around on the sofa, presenting his whole face to Shang Zhitao. In a comfortable posture with his hands pillowed behind his head, he asked Shang Zhitao: "Completely settled in?" Such a handsome man paired with that ruined sofa created a weirdly aesthetic vibe.

"I still have to tidy up for another full day tomorrow."

"Is someone helping you tidy up?"

"Yes." There really was—colleagues from the local branch office were coming over tomorrow to help warm the house for Shang Zhitao, incidentally helping her install the home appliances: three or four people, both men and women. Seeing Luan Nian stay silent, she said: "Linda organized people to help me, and incidentally warm the house for me. They said it's a local custom to make it lively so there won't be ghosts at night."

"..." No ghosts—how did she come up with that phrase? He asked again: "Did they assign a car to you?"

"They arranged a vehicle that I can drive every day. But actually, it's not really needed; the county town isn't big, so hailing a taxi works fine. The base fare is three yuan, and taking a lap around the entire county costs fifteen yuan. I can also walk. It's just a bit far when going to the project site."

"Mm."

Chatting like this felt a bit strange to the two of them. Shang Zhitao could see Luan Nian, but Luan Nian couldn't see her. Installing a camera at home and opening access to her was equivalent to him giving up half of his privacy.

"Do you feel like I'm invading your privacy?"

"What do I have that can't be seen by you?"

"Like bringing a woman home?"

"I might bring home a female companion for Luke." Luan Nian stood up: "If you miss him, open the camera anytime during the day. He seems to think you abandoned him, so he's a bit anxious."

Shang Zhitao suddenly felt a bit heartbroken and said to Luke: "Luke, that's not true! I'm earning money, earning lots of money to buy you meat to eat."

"Without you, Luke could eat even more meat," Luan Nian pointed out the fact.

Shang Zhitao didn't speak. After a while, Luan Nian's phone rang. He had already returned to the bedroom, resting in bed. Answering Shang Zhitao's video call, he saw a giant face prominently displayed on the screen. Luan Nian jumped in fright: "Fuck!"

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't expect you to answer so fast."

Neither of them had video-called before, so both were a bit awkward. Luan Nian adapted faster than Shang Zhitao, saying to her: "Show me your new place."

"Then wait a moment." Shang Zhitao adjusted the camera, taking Luan Nian on a remote tour of her residence in the Northwest. It was a one-bedroom apartment bought by the landlord as a marital home, so the decoration was fairly neat. Shang Zhitao didn't have many belongings, leaving the room quite empty; those few plush toys of hers sat there forlornly, adding a touch of lived-in warmth.

"Is it alright?" She adjusted the camera back and asked Luan Nian.

"Pretty good." Luan Nian placed his phone on the nightstand, lying on his side as he asked her: "Where will I sleep?"

"What?"

"Where will I sleep when I go there?"

"How would you have time to come? If you really come, you can sleep with me."

"I'm sensitive to unfamiliar beds." The implied meaning was: it's uncomfortable, and I'm not used to sleeping on it.

"..." Shang Zhitao was momentarily rendered speechless; she had forgotten the man opposite her was extremely fastidious and difficult to deal with.

"So give me the address and bed dimensions now, and I'll pick out the bedding myself."

"...If you buy ones that are too expensive, I won't be able to take them with me when I leave, and it'd be a pity to throw them away. If you come, can you just make do?"

"No."

Shang Zhitao knew Luan Nian—whatever he said had to be done, and she couldn't out-stubborn him, so she let out an "Oh." Picking up her phone, she sent him the address and bed dimensions. The video hadn't been hung up yet, with the camera pointed right at her nostrils and double chin. Luan Nian uttered a "Fuck" and turned away, not wanting to look at that ugly face. When he turned back around, he saw Shang Zhitao wearing a camisole dress thin as a cicada's wing, her body faintly visible through it.

The atmosphere suddenly turned ambiguous. Luan Nian felt his blood rushing downward, pooling together, and there was even a sound when he swallowed. He asked her: "Late-night perk?"

Shang Zhitao was actually blushing, but she had done her homework—long-distance couples often did this. Lightly biting her lower lip, she asked him: "Satisfied?"

"You must be out of your mind." Luan Nian hung up the video call and sent her a message: "You just wait!"

Tossing the phone aside, closing his eyes brought back the image from the video: Shang Zhitao's full breasts and bright red lips. Luan Nian didn't like using his hands; he liked having the real person right before him, held in his arms, able to knead and caress however he wanted. But fucking Shang Zhitao chose to go to the Northwest. Luan Nian couldn't tell whether he was angry or resentful, taking a long time before he finally relieved himself.

Pulling out his phone again to check his schedule, he felt he couldn't wait three weeks. He had to hurry over to see her, and teach her a proper lesson while he was at it.

For Luan Nian, the nights were hard to bear, but the days were slightly better.

Busy during the daytime, he wouldn't let his thoughts wander.

Attending the Marketing Department's weekly meeting, seeing Lumi made him think of Shang Zhitao, who hung out with her every day.

After Will arrived, the atmosphere in the Marketing Department changed drastically. In the past, although the whole department did work, it looked like a retirement department, with employees idling around every day. After Will arrived, they all seemed to have undergone military training, their sitting and standing postures undergoing changes—except for Lumi.

Luan Nian felt Lumi would just be like this for the rest of her life: a second-generation demolition heiress with no worries about food or clothing, researching every day how to make herself happy.

During the meeting, Will was exceptionally strict with Lumi, even giving her a scolding. As for Lumi, she simply gave a chuckle and let it pass just like that.

Luan Nian still remembered when Shang Zhitao encountered a shady real estate agent, how Lumi and her gangster-like boyfriend were ready to smash the guy's shop with wooden bats. Now that Will was criticizing her, she actually wasn't angry?

Lumi was naturally not angry—this was the man she spent every day thinking about sleeping with, after all. A scolding was just a scolding; it wouldn't make her lose an ounce of flesh.

She looked at Luan Nian, then looked at Song Ying sitting beside him learning the ropes, feeling something was off. She sent a message to Shang Zhitao: "Let me tell you, why is Yilia acting like a stubborn donkey's tail? Wherever the stubborn donkey goes, she goes—she's just short of following the stubborn donkey to take a leak."

Shang Zhitao replied with a string of ellipses and asked her: "Did Lumi sleep with Will today?"

"No? Then shouldn't you try harder?"