Just at this moment, a voice that seemed to come from the depths of the soul, accompanied by intermittent lyrics and melody about the yellow rose, crossed through the empty time chain and entered my ears. I was so delighted as if I had discovered a new continent. When I found the source of the sound, I abandoned my usual reserve and walked to the side of a strange man who was playing the yellow rose on his mobile phone, looking at him with a pleading gaze. Perhaps startled by my abruptness, he hesitated for a moment before sending this song to my mobile phone, and I nodded in gratitude.
Back at my seat, I plugged in the earphones, adjusted the repeat play button on my mobile phone, and deeply indulged in the melody of the yellow rose.
The unfamiliar journey passed quietly. When I came back to my senses, I was already standing on an unfamiliar soil.
The heavy night sky dotted with stars brought an unprecedented sense of joy. The streets lit up with dazzling lights were extraordinarily lively. Wandering on the narrow and unfamiliar streets, moving forward among the crowded pedestrians, I didn't know what kind of destination lay ahead. As the lights grew brighter, the scene in front of me suddenly became familiar. I searched every corner of my memory, but it seemed I had never been to such a place. Just when the spark in my eyes was about to fade, a large signpost appeared before me, capable of guiding strangers. I took out my mobile phone, typed a row of seemingly casual yet expectant words, and quickly pressed the send button.
About ten minutes later, the recipient of the message appeared before my eyes.
"Are you here alone?"
"Hmm."
"I can only offer you plain noodles."
"Let's go!"
Chewing on the Longxu noodles in my mouth, looking at the clear soup in the bowl, my heart rippled with warm smiles.
In the dim night, with a cool breeze blowing, standing by the "legendary" Qingyi Bridge, facing the "legendary" scene, I smiled smugly again.
"Miss, is it really that funny? I didn't expect someone who claims to be directionally challenged to become so smart."
Hearing this, I protested indignantly: "Don't pretend to understand! You don't even know what I'm thinking about, and you're still rambling here."
This time it was his turn to laugh. "Then, Miss, please enlighten me, what has made you so happy that you can't stop laughing?"
"If you're humble, I'll tell you." After saying that, I couldn't help adding, "I didn't expect someone who often claims their writing is laughable to depict a scene so vividly. Even though I was truly there, I didn't know what was happening."
"For all the praise from everyone else, your subtle compliment means the most to me. Thank you."
"Hey, Liu Qiyang, are you being praised? Don't be so presumptuous." I hastily retorted sarcastically.
Under the serene moonlight, like a shy girl hiding behind trees, patches of mottled light fell onto the water. Standing at the bridgehead, the intoxicating cool wind blew in my face, mischievously lifting my hair and skirt. Though the wind wasn't strong, it drowned out all the conversation between Liu Qiyang and me, leaving silence between us.
To break the silence, I used my usual trick to tease Liu Qiyang: "Liu Qiyang, look, what's that?" Saying this, I pointed over.
After staring for a long time, Liu Qiyang finally came to his senses: "You've been teasing me since we were kids. After so many years apart, you resort to your old tricks upon meeting again. Aren't you tired of it? Look, there's a little fish over there."
"Only fools would believe you. If it weren't for your cooperation, how could I have enjoyed myself more and more? My morale has been entirely boosted thanks to you."
"I'm too lazy to argue with you. A good man doesn't fight with women."
"You... giving up because you can't argue? How unreasonable." In anger, my teeth clicked together.
At this moment, a soft voice said, "Qiyang, it's so late, why haven't you gone home? What are you doing here?"
Following the voice, a well-dressed woman with bright makeup appeared.
"This is my childhood friend..."
Interrupting Qiyang, the woman said, "Oh, you must be Jin Qing. Qiyang often mentions you. Why didn't you give a heads-up before coming? Nice to meet you."
"Who are you?"
In my confusion, she introduced herself, "My name is Mei Zi. We met when Liu Qiyang first arrived in Z city."
Upon hearing Mei Zi's words, I felt at a loss.
Seeing this, Liu Qiyang came to my side and draped his coat around me. "It's windy on the bridge, let's go back." I followed woodenly as Liu Qiyang pulled me off the bridge. Although the night was thick, I still noticed Mei Zi's faint unease.
Instead, there was endless silence...
The white cotton bedsheet, quilt cover, and pillowcase, along with my favorite "ET" doll (which I usually call "Shenzhou VII"), created a warm atmosphere. Compared to the hustle and bustle outside, the midnight room was quieter. Lying in bed, I turned and looked out the window, where the thin moonlight filtered in, making the room even quieter.
Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, I paced back and forth in the room to ease my restlessness.
The knock came just in time. Opening the door, it was Mei Zi, as expected. Giving her a slight smile, I was surprised by her fierce glare, which left me stunned.
"Weren't you supposed to disappear? Why do you suddenly reappear? Is it your habit to snatch what others have and be the third party?"
Mei Zi's words pierced my heart like a sharp blade. I clutched the Shenzhou VII in my arms tighter.
"Why don't you say anything? Are you feeling guilty? Liu Qiyang is mine. He no longer loves you, can't you see that?" She snatched the Shenzhou VII from my hands angrily, saying, "This was given to me by Qiyang. Who allowed you to hold it?"
Her words left me with a mix of emotions. It turns out, promises are like butterflies dancing gracefully; they can only be admired from afar and not scrutinized closely, disappearing in a flash.
Early morning, at dawn, I quietly closed the door and went to the long-distance bus station.
As the bus left the station, tears streamed down my face. I told myself, everything in the past was just a nightmare of my own wishful thinking.
The trees along the road remained sturdy, standing tall on the mountain ridges like steadfast warriors, resilient and upright.
The bus carried me through the mist, winding past perilous mountains, driving along the long and winding road marked on the map I held in my hand.
The sun drove away the mist, smiling brightly as it appeared on the horizon. The fog in my heart grew thicker, gradually spreading, darkening the skies. Accompanied by the deep and distant singing of Huang Can, tears kept streaming down my cheeks. At this moment, my eyes were like a spring, constantly gushing with tears.
Striving to put aside all thoughts, I picked up the book in my hands and read it with full concentration.
"Last year at this gate, peach blossoms reflected red against human faces. Now, where has the person gone? Peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze." Repeatedly reading Cui Hu's poem "Inscription at the Southern Gate of the Capital," I seemed to see vast fields of seductive peach blossoms blooming vividly in the unseen shadows.
After nearly two months of wandering, I returned to my long-absent humble abode.
Opening the mailbox in front of the door, I found a uniquely packaged square object inside. Eagerly tearing open the milky white wrapping paper, the first thing that caught my eye was the word "Yellow Rose" after special treatment. Opening another layer, different shades of yellow roses still... until the twelfth layer, the yellow album appeared.
Turning on the computer, opening Baidu browser, typing "Yellow Rose" and pressing the enter key, a long list of references related to the Yellow Rose appeared before me.
Repeatedly tracing the origins of the Yellow Rose, I couldn't help but dial the number I had dialed hundreds of times in my heart.
Mei Zi's voice came through the receiver: "Hello," pausing as if in contemplation, Mei Zi exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Jin Qing," as if afraid others wouldn't hear. I quickly hung up and pressed the power-off button tightly.
Two years later.
In the bustling street market, a familiar voice called out, "Jin Qing." Turning around, Mei Zi and Liu Qiyang appeared hand in hand. Jin Qing naturally broke into a radiant smile.
Once again, at night, Jin Qing dreaded these devilish nights. Every night of severe insomnia, a quiet, melancholic tune flowed like water through Jin Qing's room.
"Why did you leave without a word? Do you think the outcome of our parting was too cruel for you? Then why did you mercilessly leave me? Why did you make me accept Mei Zi while endlessly missing you? Am I destined to spend my life pining for your illusory figure?"
Now, Mei Zi has taken your place in my life.
Your way of loving always defies explanation. Undoubtedly, there is no need to ask, right?
Is your heart frozen? Have you really severed all feelings, becoming as calm as still water?
"You shouldn't have loved me, and I have never loved you." Sending such a short message, Jin Qing stood in the sunlight, covering her face and crying loudly. Huang Can raised his voice, passionately singing the Yellow Rose. The melody of the entire song lingered in Jin Qing's heart for a long time.