Time strides forward, and we run to catch up with each other's steps. From the naivety of those days to the maturity of today, from the past's unrestrained laughter and scolding to now simply nodding and softly saying "long time no see." When the sunlight falls, it seems like a gentle touch on your soft fingertips, transforming into a speck of dust under the golden sun in the blink of an eye. Lowering my arms feels like losing many stories and promises from those years. I thought I was strong, but unexpectedly tears overflowed without warning, submerging all memories.
Shi Zi got married. Before that, she mixed up her wedding date.
She is always such a mess.
Yesterday, when there weren't many people around, I asked the groom, Shi Zi's Ba Ge Ge: Shouldn't Shi Zi be less forgetful than before?
Ba Ge Ge sighed: Still the same! The worst part is being late, regardless of how important the occasion is, she is always late.
I chuckled silently, remembering back then, Shi Zi would always forget one or two things every time we went to the bathhouse. I had to ask her every time, "Did you bring the comb?" "What about the towel, slippers, shampoo?" She would forget tickets for water, meal cards for eating, even keys when at the dormitory door. I once joked with her that in the future, her baby must have a sensor, so if lost, pressing a remote control would make it beep twice, then follow the sound to find it. She tilted her head and asked, what if the remote control is also lost?
At that time, I was always worried, how could such a messy girl find someone?
The magic of love is that if you're a scatterbrained person, you will surely find someone who unconditionally cares for you. Of course, it's also possible for two scatterbrains to be together and enjoy it.
Me, Shi Zi, Xiao Zhu, and You Zi spent four years of our undergraduate life together. Back then, we were all girls no one pursued.
Back then, Shi Zi was an academic girl, focusing solely on studying, occasionally flirting with a boy. Zhu watched anime all day, later becoming a hardcore fujoshi. As for me and You Zi, rumors said we were lesbians.
When Shi Zi entered university, she had no knowledge of sex, thinking that as long as a man and woman held hands and kissed, they could have a baby. Her family education was strict; her mother repeatedly warned her not to date during university. Moreover, dating should last at least eight years before marriage. My opinion on this was: Eight years? Even the Japanese invaders were driven away by then, let alone men! Later, around her third year, after returning from vacation, Shi Zi said her mother's stance changed, saying if there's a suitable person, dating can start. By graduation in her fourth year, her mother was already anxious. Many Chinese parents are like this, aren't they?
Shi Zi and Ba Ge Ge started their relationship in the first year of graduate school. For more details, please visit http://www.bdxuan.com/files/article/html/7/7046/2275054.html
Initially, their relationship faced opposition from Shi Zi's parents. The reason was strange - because the guy wasn't tall enough. I always thought, that Li Tianliang kid, this reason is the most ridiculous. You can require a house, a car, or even a prestigious university degree, none of which are excessive, as these can be achieved through effort. But to demand a certain height, what can people do? It's clearly just creating trouble. Fortunately, Shi Zi insisted that compared to looking harmonious in height, soul compatibility was more important. That year, while chatting idly by West Lake, she told me: I don't feel that never wearing high heels for him is a sacrifice.
Shi Zi and her Ba Ge Ge got their marriage certificate in 2009, then followed him to the U.S.
I know this move meant growing up for Shi Zi. Previously, most of her affairs were decided by her mother, but in the most important event of her life, she made her own decision.
Before, I've met many people telling me they liked someone, but their families opposed it. I think the main reason is that parents always treat their children as kids, wanting to make all decisions for them. They haven't understood the key question: "Whose life is it? Who gets the final say?" Of course, responsibility lies on both sides. So when complaining about parental authoritarianism, one should also think about whether they've ever made any major decisions for themselves.
For example, my ex and I broke up because his mother opposed it. That year he was 27, needing his mother to tell him every morning what clothes to wear and how much. After graduating, he returned to his hometown, starting work arranged by his parents, and later took the civil service exam following his parents' wishes. In other words, he had never made any decisions for himself. Therefore, in his mother's eyes, he was still a child, and choosing a wife was something she should decide.
(This is off-topic)
Now, Shi Zi has returned to China to host her wedding banquet. And Fujoshi Zhu has already married, her daughter was born in June 2011. I also have someone who loves me and is willing to spend the rest of his life with me.
Only You Zi's phone remains unreachable, and I don't know her current situation. The latest memory I have is her telling me in Suzhou Grand Park: "Neither of us can find a partner, why don't you come with me? You clean the house, cook, read books, write novels at home, and I'll earn money to pay off the mortgage."
This reunion makes me very excited. I previously called Zhu to guide her on how to buy tickets. This was her first time taking a passenger bus.
I told Shi Zi: Don't worry, I'll safely bring Zhu to your place.
Shi Zi asked: Who is Zhu An Ran?
The day before departure, Zhu called, saying her child had a high fever and was hospitalized, so she couldn't make it.
Ah, as a mother, one always loses some freedom.
I ultimately failed to bring Zhu An Ran to Shi Zi's place. This is a regret.
Shi Zi lives in Nanjing. I took a 2-hour long-distance bus from Yixing to Nanjing, then took route Yuliu Line, taking 1 hour 20 minutes.
Seeing Ba Ge Ge, I said "Long admiration," and he replied "Mutual admiration."
Only we knew these words were not mere formalities, as we'd heard plenty about each other from Shi Zi.
The wedding was traditionally held, lasting three days. The main activity was eating. The first day was at her maiden home, the second at her in-laws, and the third back at her maiden home.
The second day was the main event, where I was responsible for taking photos. After finishing, I sat next to a female classmate who openly had a crush on Ba Ge Ge, preventing her from ruining the ceremony.
The wedding was touching, Ba Ge Ge's father cried continuously, only managing to say "Everyone eat well and drink well" during his speech. Shi Zi's father forgot more than half of his well-rehearsed speech.
After lunch on the third day, I hurriedly returned to Yixing to attend the annual meeting of my previous company at 9 p.m.
Such a brief meeting, such a hasty farewell.
We've been apart for four years. We were together for four years. It's like a big tree reflected in water. One side is reality, the other side is memories that can no longer embrace.
In the past, we laughed, we quarreled, but most importantly, we accompanied each other for four years. During the college years without boys pursuing us, such friendship was especially precious.
In matters of the heart, we were all late realizers, experiencing long searches and waits, eventually finding the missing piece of our souls.
Just like what I used to console another single girl: I believe, ultimately, we will all have rosy lives.
Indeed, it is so. For me. For all of you.