Shine on Me

"Zhuang!"

The call from behind interrupted the strange atmosphere between us.

A young man ran up to Zhuang Xu, panting. "Why didn't you wait for me? Let Zoey do the rushing—she's always the most impatient. Oh my god, we're going camping. Can you stop wearing just black, white, and gray? I can lend you something if you need."

Zhuang Xu's gaze lingered on me for a few more seconds before he decisively turned away. "Let's go."

Only then did the young man notice me, giving me several curious looks. "What's going on? Do you know this beautiful girl?"

Zhuang Xu ignored him and walked straight ahead.

I needed to hail a taxi at the neighborhood entrance, so I inevitably followed them, though I kept a distance of about ten meters.

Outside the neighborhood, three off-road vehicles were parked at the entrance, with a group of stylishly dressed young men and women standing outside, clearly waiting for someone. One of the women spotted Zhuang Xu and called out, "Zhuang, Alex, you could be any slower."

The young man beside Zhuang Xu shouted back, "Don't blame me! Zhuang was chatting up a pretty neighbor in the complex."

I had already moved to the other side of the road to flag down a taxi. I didn’t expect to become part of their conversation and glanced over in confusion, meeting a sea of curious eyes.

...What reaction was I supposed to have?

I could only nod politely.

Zhuang Xu offered an explanation: "She was my college classmate."

Then, very naturally, he said to me, "Goodbye."

I... nodded again.

Zhuang Xu didn’t say anything more to me. He walked to one of the cars, opened the driver's door, and said to the person inside, "I'll drive."

His friend jumped out with a grin. "Of course you're driving. Did you really expect me to drive that far?"

They soon drove off. I was lucky and managed to hail a taxi shortly after.

The taxi glided smoothly along the road to D University.

I leaned against the window, watching the cityscape flash by, my thoughts drifting.

When I first fell for Zhuang Xu, I had fantasized countless times about how things might end between us. Most of those fantasies were happy, of course, but in moments of disappointment, I’d also imagined scenarios where I took a desperate gamble, bid him a cool farewell, and we became strangers forever.

Back then, those imagined scenarios felt thrillingly decisive in the moment, but bittersweet in hindsight.

Now that this day had truly arrived, I did feel a twinge of melancholy—but more than anything, it was... relief.

Time would eventually separate those who could no longer walk the same path. I would have new friends and a new life, and so would he.

We would gradually know nothing of each other’s lives. From now on, every day would bring countless events that had nothing to do with the other, completely overwriting everything that came before.

I felt that Zhuang Xu’s "goodbye" just now was truly a farewell.

And it seemed that I, too, had truly said goodbye.

The old me would never have imagined that one day, I’d need to walk right up to Zhuang Xu to notice his presence. Back then, no matter where we were, the moment he appeared, no matter how far away, I’d spot him in the crowd instantly—as if he glowed.

Now, that glow seemed to have faded. I knew he was still as strikingly handsome as ever, but he also seemed no different from any random person on the street.I thought I should mention this to Lin Yusen when I got to Chengdu. But there was no need for any further action—otherwise, it might seem like I was making too big a deal out of myself.

By the time the taxi arrived at D University, I had already made up my mind. When I got out, Xiao Dai and the others were already waiting. I checked the time—luckily, I wasn’t actually late.

The morning session continued the discussions from yesterday’s symposium, but this time, the other party had sent higher-ranking representatives, and the talks were more detailed. The collaboration on technical and personnel fronts went smoothly, with both sides hitting it off immediately.

During a short break, Manager Dai found a moment to whisper to me, “Xiao Nie, you seem unusually excited today.”

Huh? I was a little worked up about sneaking off to Chengdu in the afternoon, but was it that obvious? I hadn’t said a word—how could he tell?

“It’s almost the holiday,” I brushed him off.

“Doesn’t seem like it,” he mused, stroking his chin as he studied me.

Fortunately, another colleague came over just then, diverting his attention before he could press further.

After the meeting, Xiao Dai and the others prepared to return to Suzhou for the holiday. I waved them off at the institute’s entrance.

Xiao Dai looked puzzled. “Aren’t you coming back to Suzhou with us?”

“No, there’s no airport in Suzhou.” I was flying to Chengdu!

I hadn’t expected my careless phrasing to offend one of our Suzhou-native colleagues, who immediately looked wounded and indignant. “There will be one soon. With Suzhou’s development speed, we’ll definitely have an airport within five years.”

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I also believe Suzhou will have an airport within five years.” I clasped my hands apologetically toward the ruffled colleague, then added encouragingly, “Let’s all work hard to boost Suzhou’s revenue, okay?”

Once I’d soothed the offended colleague, I shouldered my bag alone and headed for Hongqiao Airport.

Strangely enough, I’d completely forgotten about my fear of flying until I got to the airport. It wasn’t until I passed through security that I realized—this was probably the first time in my life I’d ever flown alone.

My nerves kicked in all at once. People who aren’t afraid of flying probably can’t understand what it feels like—forcing yourself to stay calm every minute on the plane, your heart skipping a beat with every little bump. Sleep is impossible; you can only distract yourself by keeping busy.

I looked at my ticket to Chengdu. It wasn’t too late to turn and run, but my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying me forward step by step. Strangely, the excitement in my heart still outweighed the fear.

It’s just three and a half hours—round it down to three. Endure it, and then I’ll get to surprise Lin Yusen.

With this mix of excitement and anxiety, I boarded the plane. Before the flight attendant asked us to turn off our phones, I sent Lin Yusen a text: “Taking off now! Landing at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport in three and a half hours! See you soon!”

I powered off immediately after sending it, giving him no chance to call and stop me.

Three and a half hours later, as soon as I stepped into the arrivals hall, I saw Lin Yusen.

Chengdu was a few degrees hotter than Jiangsu. He stood out effortlessly in the crowd, wearing nothing but a simple white long-sleeved T-shirt. Even in the most ordinary attire, he radiated such striking elegance and charm that he was impossible to miss.Amid the excitement of a safe landing, I waved vigorously at him and dashed over. I had planned to tell him the moment I saw him, "I think I've accomplished something big."

But instead, I rushed into his arms and said with a hint of grievance, "So much has happened these past two days, and I really wanted to see you. The plane was so shaky on the way here."

I landed securely in his broad, firm embrace, locked tightly within his arms through the thin fabric of his clothes. His chest was warm, our breaths mingled, but the person holding me remained silent for a long while, making me a little uncertain.

I had come on impulse—would he scold me for it?

I wriggled slightly free and, quick as lightning, covered his mouth before he could speak. "Listen to me first. I know you could have come back to Shanghai, but I wanted to come find you. I think showing up suddenly in front of you makes me happier than waiting for you to return to Shanghai."

After rattling off my speech, I blinked at him and asked, "Do you understand?"

Lin Yusen gave a slight nod, his eyes flickering toward my hand.

"Then you can't scold me."

Once I received his confirmation again, I beamed and let go, tugging his hand to pull him along. "Quick, take me to eat hot pot. Chengdu's food is so famous—I’ve decided I’m going to eat five meals a day."

But he didn’t budge.

I turned back to find Lin Yusen still standing there. Amid the bustling crowd, his gaze rested on me, gentle and bright, as if searching for something.

Puzzled, I met his eyes. After a long pause, I discreetly touched my face.

Was there something on it?

But he suddenly broke into a smile, tightened his grip on my hand, and stepped closer. In a low voice, he said, "You came for me. How could I ever scold you?"

I was momentarily stunned, staring up at him before it finally clicked—ah, so this was what "coming for you" meant.

Yes, this was it.

Wanting to see him, unable to wait even a second, even overcoming my fear of flying. Wanting to appear before him suddenly, to witness that fleeting moment of surprise and joy. Thinking of countless things to do together, looking forward to checking them off one by one.

In that moment, it dawned on me deep in my heart. All the urgency, the fervent longing along the way—it already had a name.

It was called—coming for you.