The Early Spring - Chapter 128
Chapter 128 - Enthusiasm
The first time Shang Zhitao had ever seen Luan Nian’s circle of friends was in Zang Yao’s travelogue. Song Qiuhan and Chen Kuannian hadn't been in those photos back then, and looking back now, a whole decade had already passed since that moment.
In her youth, Shang Zhitao had watched them soak in hot springs and drink alcohol in the ice-cold, snow-covered world of Hokkaido; she had seen Luan Nian laughing as he tossed Zang Yao into the snow drifts. Back then, she had experienced a internal explosion, a complete breakdown.
In those days, knowing how deeply Luan Nian treasured his freedom and feeling insecure about her own undefined status, she would deliberately, yet seamlessly, avoid taking his calls and refrain from asking about his whereabouts. Even after they eventually entered a relationship, she had never once asked to meet his friends or family.
Back then, she had been as cool and detached as a complete outsider.
She had imagined gatherings like tonight’s in the past. Only now, sitting right in the middle of it, did she realize just how wonderful this feeling truly was. It wasn’t merely because they were Luan Nian’s friends, but because every single one of them was an extraordinarily lovely person. Shang Zhitao used to think that if someone as picky and sharp-tongued as Luan Nian made friends, those friends would undoubtedly be incredibly tolerant of him.
She sat there upright, listening to them chat about everything under the sun—a rich and varied array of topics.
Growing bored of sitting around, Lin Chuner and Xiaomei asked Shang Zhitao together, "Do you want to get some milk tea?"
"Yes."
"No."
Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian spoke at the exact same time. She turned to face him: "Why no?"
Luan Nian didn't want her to leave; he hadn't fully soaked in the deep satisfaction of having his girlfriend sitting right beside him yet. But Shang Zhitao paid him no mind. Raising an eyebrow at him just like he always did, she headed off with the girls to buy milk tea.
The moment they stepped out of the restaurant, Lin Chuner immediately began impersonating Luan Nian, putting on a deadpan face:
"Tan Mian picked a terrible restaurant today."
"Just eat your food and keep quiet."
"Lin Chuner, Song Qiuhan, you two sit further away."
"Xiaomei, how on earth do you put up with Chen Kuannian?"
Her impression was spot on, making Shang Zhitao laugh until her sides hurt. Xiaomei even added from the side:
"It's not that I don't have a girlfriend, it's just that my girlfriend happens to be very busy today."
The group burst into loud laughter. Shang Zhitao nodded repeatedly: "Uncanny! Absolutely spot on! That's precisely his insufferable self."
"I honestly thought a guy like him wouldn't have any friends," Shang Zhitao said.
"And I thought he’d never find a girlfriend for the rest of his life!" Lin Chuner chimed in, before asking her, "How’s your business going?"
"It just got off the ground, so it's doing alright. There's a lot I don't know yet, but I'm taking things slow and learning."
"Luan Nian said your learning ability is top-tier. When does that man ever compliment anyone? So I reckon you won't have any problem at all," said Xiaomei, who was a master student herself.
"He praised me?"
"Yep, behind your back where you couldn't see."
The three women were each attractive in their own distinct way, turning heads just standing together inside the milk tea shop. Ordering a cup of hot milk tea each, they strolled around the restaurant area, chatting as they drank.
From antique restoration to charitable initiatives and digital marketing, they talked about whatever popped into their heads, sharing an endless stream of conversation. Gradually, a sweet sense of regret took hold—a feeling that they had met all too late.
It was utterly invigorating.
Even after returning to Luan Nian's house and walking the dog with him, Shang Zhitao couldn't stop chattering away: "Why is Lin Chuner so adorable? She and Song Qiuhan are such a perfect match."
"Xiaomei is so knowledgeable! I'd watched her talk about cultural relics before, but meeting her in person, she's even more well-read."
"To think Song Qiuhan and Chen Kuannian were actually high school classmates—they couldn't be more different from each other."
Luan Nian walked the dog while listening to her chatter, occasionally stealing a glance at her. Seeing how genuinely happy she was, he asked, "Did you enjoy yourself?"
"I loved it!"
"Even if you loved it, I'm not bringing you next time," Luan Nian said, never missing a chance for petty revenge, giving her a insincere smirk. "Go shopping instead."
"Stingy ghost," Shang Zhitao muttered, before turning to Luke: "Your dad is a stingy ghost."
Luke let out a bark: "Woof! My dad is not!" staunchly defending his owner's honor.
"Shang Zhitao."
"Hmm?"
"I'll bring you along next time."
"Sounds good."
Shang Zhitao paused to think: "Then next time you come to Harbin, how about I take you to join one of our local drinking sessions? It might just be a bunch of us sitting around drinking happily, and the conversation might not be particularly profound."
"Will He Yun be there?" Luan Nian recalled the name He Yun; she had called Shang Zhitao back when they were together.
"Yes, he will."
"Alright then."
Everything between them appeared wonderful. They opened up their respective social circles and invited each other in. Luan Nian traveled to Harbin every single weekend to see her. Whenever they met, they would make love passionately, then fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
They looked like any ordinary, sweet young couple.
Yet Luan Nian constantly felt that the fire inside Shang Zhitao's heart hadn't truly been reignited. Just as Shang Zhitao felt herself, the taut string stretched between them was still there—it had simply grown more elastic, less prone to snapping than before.
On the last weekend before the Lunar New Year, Shang Zhitao had an urgent matter to attend to at her company. Luan Nian sat alone in her living room, staring at the massive wall of books. He knew that the distance between them had never truly vanished; it hadn't disappeared just because they had made a fresh start.
He sat in her living room until dusk, when a sudden wave of intolerance for this sense of distance overwhelmed him. He got up and headed straight for the airport. Upon arriving, he sent Shang Zhitao a message: "Something came up, heading back to Beijing."
"Okay."
Shang Zhitao replied without asking what had happened or when he would return.
She worked overtime at the company, working alongside her staff to land a major account. By the time she stepped out of the conference room, she realized it was already midnight. She sent Luan Nian a message: "Have you arrived?"
"Arrived."
"Does this mean I won't see you until after the New Year?"
"Mm."
"Sleep early. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Returning home, Shang Zhitao spotted a pot of stewed lamb spine Luan Nian had prepared on the stove. He had mentioned that since the weather was cold, they should eat something piping hot at night. She turned on the burner to reheat it, ladled out a piece to gnaw on, and couldn't help texting Luan Nian: "The lamb spine is delicious."
"Thought you went to sleep?"
"I just got home and felt a bit hungry." She sent him a selfie of herself wearing black-rimmed glasses.
"Really ugly."
"Hehe."
After eating the lamb, Shang Zhitao took a shower. Coming out, she felt that such good lamb spine really deserved to be paired with a hot pot setup. Keeping that in mind, when she woke up the next afternoon, she called her father, Old Shang, to inform him that she wouldn't be coming home just yet. Then, she set up an electric hot pot by herself. The fridge was stocked with everything—the vegetables Luan Nian had washed and prepared for yesterday's hot pot were neatly arranged inside: winter melon, white radish, celtuce, fresh bean curd sheets, and napa cabbage, all her personal favorites.
Eating by herself, a sudden wave of boredom washed over her. She texted Luan Nian: "You prepared so much food, I can't finish it alone."
"Take your time."
"I kind of crave the fish from that fish restaurant now. Is it still open?"
"It's open."
"Then next time I go to Beijing, will you take me there?"
"Sure."
Luan Nian's replies were brief. Although he had never been one for fluff, his message replies had generally been warmer since their reunion.
In truth, Luan Nian had no actual business back in Beijing. That day, he drove up to the bar on the mountain. The car he favored had been left for Shang Zhitao to drive after he escorted her and Luke back to Harbin. She had sold her own car, and with her frequent work engagements and daily errands, not having a vehicle was simply inconvenient. Shang Zhitao had been reluctant to keep it, but he had simply dropped off the keys and walked away.
Luan Nian couldn't quite articulate what was wrong with him; he was simply in a foul mood. A woman holding a camera was taking photos of the massive picture hanging on the bar's left wall. Seeing Luan Nian walk in, she lowered her camera and offered him a smile.
It was Zang Yao, whom he hadn't seen in years.
Her hair was cut short now, looking sharp and capable, though a slight wrinkle had formed at the corner of her eyes. Setting down the camera, she held out her arms toward Luan Nian: "Not going to give your old friend a hug?"
Luan Nian stepped forward to shake her hand politely. Meeting an old friend brought a slight swell of emotion to his heart: "When did you get back to China?"
Just as Zang Yao opened her mouth to reply, a child's voice called out "Mom," followed by a little boy running over. The child was mixed-race, featuring a pair of striking blue eyes.
"Say hello to your uncle, Wheat."
"Hello, Uncle."
Zang Yao squatted down to kiss Wheat before standing back up: "I returned in October. I quarantined in Guangzhou first, and after reaching Beijing, I stayed home for half a month. Met a few friends, and then before I knew it, the year was ending."
"How did you find this place?"
"Tan Mian told me."
"What can I get you to drink?"
"Warm water. I've quit drinking."
Luan Nian glanced at Wheat, his expression softening: "What about Wheat?"
"Yogurt."
Zang Yao took a seat at the bar while the bartender took Wheat off to play. Zang Yao stole several glances at Luan Nian before finally asking with a laugh: "You're unhappy?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Very."
Luan Nian raised an eyebrow, sliding the glass of warm water toward her: "Tell me about your past few years."
"Me..." Zang Yao paused to think: "Got married, had a kid, got divorced, got remarried. That's about it."
"A busy few years. You brought the child back alone?"
"Yep, planning to stay and travel until October next year before heading back. Wheat keeps asking me what China is like. I told him it's beautiful, but he didn't believe me, so I found a way to come back."
"Don't find it too much of a hassle?"
"I love a good bustle anyway, not to mention there are so many friends back home—and my ex-boyfriends." Zang Yao chuckled: "How about you? It's rare to see you putting yourself out there like this. That photo hanging there is certainly eye-catching."
"It's pretty good," Luan Nian replied.
Both fell silent. Zang Yao turned her head to gaze at the photo once more, then looked back at Luan Nian. She had once wondered: What would Luan Nian look like when he truly fell in love with someone? Would he be passionate? Cautious? Would it smooth away his sharp edges?
He still seemed calm, direct, and sharp, yet something subtle had definitely changed. It turned out Luan Nian was capable of changing after all.
When Shang Zhitao's call came through, the weak winter sunset had already flooded the bar. Zang Yao was outside taking photos nearby with Wheat, while Luan Nian sat by the window flipping through a book.
"What are you up to?" Shang Zhitao asked him.
"Chatting with a friend."
If it were a friend Shang Zhitao knew, Luan Nian would have stated the name directly, but he didn't.
"Which friend? Have I met them?" Shang Zhitao wasn't trying to check up on him; she simply wanted to know more about his life.
"You haven't met her. Zang Yao."
To Luan Nian, Zang Yao was a close, old friend; to Shang Zhitao, Zang Yao was someone who held a special place in Luan Nian's heart.
Noticing Shang Zhitao's sudden silence, Luan Nian asked, "What's wrong?"
"I know about Zang Yao. She rented an apartment near Houhai, which belongs to Lumi. Lumi saw you delivering flowers to Zang Yao before."
"And then?" Luan Nian asked her: "What are you trying to say?"
Luan Nian wanted to hear Shang Zhitao say something passionate—just like back then, declaring her love for him over the phone with reckless courage, bringing hot steamed buns to his door simply because he liked them, or leaving late at night only to turn back. If, at this moment, Shang Zhitao were to demand why he had sent flowers to another woman back then, he would be ecstatic. He would tell her: "She just called and asked me to bring a bouquet, that's all."
If you like flowers, I will give you a whole garden.
I'm not lying—I rented a small plot of land up on the mountain, planning to grow flowers for you.
That was probably the most romantic gesture Luan Nian had ever made.
It was really that simple.
People could be explosive, angry, and completely unreserved, because only intense love could breed such intense emotions.
"Nothing at all. Enjoy your chat, call me when you get home." Shang Zhitao hung up the phone.
Luan Nian felt a wave of disappointment.
He didn't call Shang Zhitao upon getting home. After taking a shower, he leaned against the headboard to read. Not a single word on the page registered in his mind. His throat felt a bit scratchy; the mountain wind had been strong, and he had uncharacteristically caught a cold.
Dr. Liang called to ask about his plans for the Lunar New Year: "Do you want to spend the New Year in Harbin? If you do, go ahead. Your father and I will just invite a few good friends to spend it together. Besides, if you're going to Harbin, you'd better set off the day after tomorrow. You'll need time to prepare some gifts—you can't show up empty-handed."
"I'm not going."
"? Didn't you want to go a few days ago?"
"I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I won't go."
"Oh. Then let's seriously discuss how we're spending the New Year. Are you coming over here, or should we come to your place?" Dr. Liang asked.
"Either way is fine."
"What's gotten into you! You're still so young, how can everything just be 'either way'!" Dr. Liang teased him: "Pick right now."
"I'll go to your place."
"Alright. Then come over the day after tomorrow and we'll stock up on some food together."
"Okay."
Hanging up the phone, Luan Nian realized he had running a fever. Checking his temperature, sure enough, he was. He dragged himself up to go to the hospital clinic for a nucleic acid test, then returned home, took some fever reducers and anti-inflammatory medication, and went to bed.
Having not received a message from him, Shang Zhitao texted late into the night: "Haven't you reached home yet?" She quickly recalled the message, fearing it sounded like she was checking up on him, which wasn't her intention.
"I'm home. Just got back from getting a nucleic acid test."
"Why?"
"Got a fever."
"Oh. Did you take any medicine?"
"I did."
Setting her phone down, Shang Zhitao was suddenly hit by an intense, overwhelming wave of longing for Luan Nian. It felt like a long time since she had experienced such passionate emotion—an urgent desire to see him, to simply be near him.
She looked at Luke lying beside her and asked, "How about I take you to Beijing for the New Year?"
Luke froze for a second before leaping up: "Woof! Great! Let's leave right now!"
"Alright. Then we'll set off first thing tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Woof! Great!"
Early the next morning, Shang Zhitao made a trip back to her parents' house first. Growing up, she had spent every single Lunar New Year with Old Shang and Big Zhai. This was the very first time she had decided to travel thousands of miles just to see someone.
"He's sick, so I want to go check on him."
"Then go!" Big Zhai was in the middle of kneading dough: "Drive safely. Your dad and I are going back to your grandmother's place for the New Year anyway, so don't worry about us being lonely. He's traveled all this way to see you time and time again—it wouldn't be right if you didn't return the gesture at least once."
They were sensible parents through and through. They had seen Luan Nian traveling back and forth every week with their own eyes. Seeing him more often, they had come to view him as a genuinely good man.
"Then I'm heading off?"
"Off you go."
Driving Luan Nian's car with Luke in tow, Shang Zhitao set off toward Beijing.
She didn't tell Luan Nian that she was on her way. It was just a woman and her dog on the open road, journeying toward the person who held her heart.
Shang Zhitao recalled her twenty-something self, who used to throw caution to the wind for love. She had assumed that present-day self could never be like that again, yet in that moment of loneliness last night, she had suddenly been reignited with fiery enthusiasm.
She drove non-stop from eight in the morning until midnight—sixteen whole hours. Resting for fifteen minutes every hour and a half, she kept driving all the way. After six in the evening, her lower back began to ache, but that didn't matter—she simply shortened her driving stints and extended her breaks.
Luke was remarkably well-behaved, sitting obediently in the passenger seat the entire time, gazing at the scenery outside and letting out an occasional bark to keep Shang Zhitao from growing drowsy.
Along this journey—from the snowy landscapes beyond the pass to the windy plains inside it, from nameless small towns all the way to the grand metropolis of Beijing—she truly experienced for the very first time just how exhausting it was to travel to see someone. Doing it once was already no easy feat, let alone traveling constantly through day and night year-round. Yet Luan Nian had never mentioned it. He had never once complained, and though he still mocked and criticized her as always, he had never said: "Shang Zhitao, I've spared no effort just to see you."
The car stereo was playing Missing You Across the Stars and Moon and This Is the Most Courageous Moment of My Life. The moment she heard the line, "You, who were once at the edge of the world, are now standing right before me," tears suddenly poured down her face like a torrent.
Shang Zhitao felt happy—so incredibly, immensely happy.
She felt as though she had returned to twenty-two.
Returned to that age where she would throw everything away for the person she loved; returned to that age where she still believed in love.
As she entered Beijing, she dialed Luan Nian's phone. She said, "I've come to see you."
All alone, 1,400 kilometers, from Harbin to Beijing.
To come see you.