The Early Spring

In thаt sрring оf Арril, thе nоrthwest alsо wеlсоmеd its own spring.

Sun Yuanzhu hаd сomplеted his assignmеnt in thе nоrthwеst аnd wаs about tо return to Beijing first. Befоrе leаving, he саmе tо seе Shаng Zhi Тао. Thаt day, a fеw mоuntain flоwers bloomеd by the rоadside, аnd hе рiсkеd а brаnch to givе tо her, tеlling hеr tо plаcе it in а vase.

Shаng Zhi Тaо looked аt the lush branch аnd suddеnlу remеmbered the mуstеriоus flowеrs shе hаd rесеived mаnу yеars аgo. She sаid to Sun Yuаnzhu, "Еvеn aftеr аll thеsе years, it still fеels strange. Just now, seеing the flower уou piсked, it suddеnlу oсcurred to me that those flowers might have been from you."

Sun Yuanzhu sat beside her. Before them stretched a mountain ridge in full bloom. He had brought a simple folding stool and a tea table, and the two of them sat amidst the mountains. "Back then, I felt you really wanted to receive flowers, but pre-arranged flowers lacked surprise. So, as a prank, I sent you some for a few days. I hope you liked them at the time."

Shang Zhi Tao finally smiled. After all these years, she finally had an answer.

How much had she liked them? Back then, she had been so upset because Luan Nian had given Zang Yao a bouquet of flowers. Thinking about it now, it all seemed so laughable. When people are young, they always compare themselves to others—even if it’s just a bouquet of flowers, they have to compete thoroughly. In the end, they realize that such vanity is merely the unwillingness of youth.

"Thank you, Sun Yuanzhu," she said, looking at him. Though he had grown so thin he was almost unrecognizable, in Shang Zhi Tao’s eyes, he was still the youthful man who had walked out with her in the morning, bright and gentle.

"Don’t be so formal with me. It’s rare for the northwest spring to be so windless. Let’s enjoy the mountain scenery properly." He pushed the tea toward Shang Zhi Tao and took a sip from his own cup. The tea had no flavor, the flowers had no color, and the world dimmed in his eyes.

Shang Zhi Tao felt inexplicably sad again and said to him, "Sun Yuanzhu, my project should finish ahead of schedule. I’ll probably be back around August. When I return, I’ll accompany you..." She wanted to say, "When I return, I’ll accompany you to see a doctor, okay?" But remembering Sun Yuanzhu’s refusal to show vulnerability to others and his proud, solitary self-respect, she stopped and changed direction. "I’ll accompany you to the midnight show, okay? Sun Yu, the three of us, every weekend, we’ll watch all the old movies."

"Then I must treat you."

"Let Sun Yu treat us! She’s so rich now, leading a team of hundreds, with daily business turnover exceeding two million. Let’s make her treat us—not just the movies, but also meals," Shang Zhi Tao joked.

Sun Yuanzhu smiled faintly and, after a long pause, said, "It hasn’t been easy for her. Every penny she earns comes from hard work."

"You care about her, don’t you? If she knew, she’d be overjoyed. I’ll tell her right now that Sun Yuanzhu cares about her!"

Sun Yuanzhu pressed down on Shang Zhi Tao’s hand as she reached for her phone. "Don’t," he said, placing her phone on the folding table. "Don’t disturb her."

About those unspeakable, inconvenient matters between them, he asked Shang Zhi Tao to remain silent. She nodded. "Alright, I won’t tell her. Then, can we still go eat at that noodle place today?"

"Yes."

"Can you manage a small bowl yourself?"

"I’ll try."Once again, the two of them sat in that humble ramen shop. Sun Yuanzhu took just two small bites before setting down his chopsticks. Shang Zhi Tao’s eyes immediately reddened as she looked at the bowl of noodles in front of him. “People can’t survive on dew alone,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. The chili oil caught in her throat, and she coughed a few times, tears welling up in her eyes. Sun Yuanzhu comforted her, “I just ate a lot before heading out this morning.”

You’re lying, Shang Zhi Tao thought to herself, but she didn’t say it out loud. After finishing their ramen, she bid him farewell. He stood there in the spring breeze of the northwest for a moment before walking back to her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “You and Sun Yu, don’t worry. When I get back, I’ll see a doctor seriously and follow the treatment properly. I’ll be fine. By the time you finish your project and return to Beijing, I’ll probably have gained some weight back.”

Shang Zhi Tao thought, this was Sun Yuanzhu—he knew everything but never spoke of it. She nodded. “I know. It must be really hard for you. If you’re willing, you can call me anytime. You know, I really, really, really enjoy talking with you. Every time we chat, I feel happy.”

“Mm, okay,” Sun Yuanzhu said, patting her head—a rare gesture from him. “I’ll remember.”

Shang Zhi Tao watched Sun Yuanzhu leave. The breeze rustled his pant legs, the fabric clinging to his thin, frail legs. She thought, next time I see you, please be a little heavier! Please eat at least four or five bites of noodles!

She called Sun Yu, who was nursing a hangover. The day before had been their company’s anniversary celebration, and she had been overwhelmed by her subordinates’ toasts. She complained to Shang Zhi Tao, “Luan Nian is such a jerk. We’re technically your client, but because he introduced the investors, he was invited to sit at the main table. This guy insisted on dragging me into drinking, saying if I didn’t drink, he wouldn’t either. After I downed half a pound of liquor, he asked me, ‘Aren’t you going to drink?’ Isn’t that just messed up?”

Shang Zhi Tao listened to her vent about Luan Nian for a while and finally managed to interject when Sun Yu paused to drink some water. “Sun Yuanzhu is flying back today. We just said goodbye.”

“He didn’t tell me.”

“So just wait for him at home. He also said he’ll see a doctor properly.”

Shang Zhi Tao heard Sun Yu fall silent on the other end of the line. After a moment, Sun Yu sniffled and asked, “Did he really say that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m relieved.”

Sun Yu hung up the phone and, despite her headache, went to tidy up the living room. Sun Yuanzhu liked things clean, and she wanted him to step into a spotless home. She cleaned every corner, watching the dust particles floating in the spring sunlight, feeling as though time had slowed to a standstill. Once the house was tidy, she freshened up, applied a face mask, washed her face, and tried to hide the exhaustion from her hangover. Finally, the door creaked open, and the door in Sun Yu’s heart seemed to creak open as well.

Sun Yuanzhu stood at the doorway, the sunlight casting a thin, delicate glow around him. Seeing Sun Yu standing in the living room, he smiled. “Why aren’t you at work?”

“I drank too much last night,” Sun Yu said, rushing over to him. No matter how old she was, in front of the person she loved, she always felt eighteen or twenty again. No matter how much wealth she possessed or how large a company she managed, in front of him, she remained as sincere as she had been from the very beginning.

“Do you want some spicy sour noodles I made?” Sun Yu asked him.

“Sure. I can help.”

“Let’s go.”The two shared a strange kind of tacit understanding, not speaking a word in the kitchen, yet whenever Sun Yu reached out, Sun Yuanzhu knew exactly what she needed, handing things to her one by one. Once the noodles were ready, Sun Yuanzhu took a couple of bites and tried to force himself to take a third, but Sun Yu pressed down on his hand, took the chopsticks, and finished the remaining noodles herself.

"I'm hungry. I'll eat it all. If you want more, I'll make another bowl," Sun Yu said, then nudged Sun Yuanzhu back to his room. "Go get some rest."

"Alright."

Early the next morning, Sun Yuanzhu really did go to see a doctor again. Sun Yu secretly followed him, watching as he entered the hospital. She sent a message to Shang Zhi Tao: "This time, he should get better."

"I'm sure he will. Should we tell his family?"

"No."

Sun Yuanzhu would break down—he didn’t want his family to know about his struggles. There was a taut string in his heart, as if the slightest touch would snap it. Sun Yu wouldn’t allow him to break.

She sat in the car, waiting for Sun Yuanzhu to come out. How agonizing this time was, Sun Yu knew. Her phone kept ringing, all work calls. From a down-and-out unemployed salesperson to the head of a Series B investment firm, it had taken her six years. All the hardships and grievances she’d endured over those six years, she had swallowed quietly, never uttering a word.

She only cried in front of Sun Yuanzhu.

On that day of torrential rain, he had carried her home after she injured her foot, and from that day on, he had taken root in her heart. When her company faced technical challenges, he found people to help solve them; when she couldn’t figure out business logic, he helped her think it through. Though his only wish was to be a scientist who contributed to humanity, he had helped Sun Yu solve countless money-making problems time and again.

When she was sad, he was there; when she was happy, he was there too.

Sun Yu had grown into such an independent woman, yet she would always rely on Sun Yuanzhu. It didn’t matter if they weren’t in a relationship—just having him there was enough.

Sun Yu waited until the afternoon before she saw Sun Yuanzhu walk out of the hospital, carrying a white bag filled to the brim with medicine. She watched him walk away, then waited another hour in the car before finally starting the engine and heading home. Sun Yuanzhu was already back, taking his medication.

Pretending to know nothing, Sun Yu asked him, "Are you taking medicine?"

"I went to the hospital today. The doctor ran a lot of assessments and prescribed a lot of medication. I might need other treatments too."

"What kind of treatments?" Sun Yu asked.

Instead of answering, Sun Yuanzhu talked about the appointment: "The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with me. There are many intervention methods this time, and as long as I cooperate actively, I’ll recover sooner or later. Don’t worry."

"Good," Sun Yu said, placing her bag on the sofa. "So, how about we make something to eat now?"

"Spicy sour noodles again."

Sun Yu went to the kitchen, her mood exceptionally bright, like the sudden clearing of the sky after months of rain. She thought, indeed, health is the most important thing. As long as you’re healthy, everything is still possible.

She sent a message to Shang Zhi Tao: "He went to the doctor and will continue treatment. I’m in such a good mood."

"Me too."

In a lifetime, how many people come and go? But there are always a few—only a few—who are worth giving your heart to, and whom you firmly believe will never hurt you, no matter what. Shang Zhi Tao thought, how fortunate I am to have friends like this.

It was rare. Sun Yuanzhu took the initiative to speak in the group chat. He asked Zhang Lei, "Last time you mentioned a promotion—did it work out?"Zhang Lei sent a business card with a note: "From now on, please call me the Deputy General Manager of Commercialized Products."

"What about the General Manager?" Sun Yu asked him.

"Currently vacant." Zhang Lei replied with a string of "hahaha," then said: "Brothers and sisters, I think I deserve a big treat."

"How big?" Shang Zhi Tao asked.

"The first restaurant on the review site, sorted by price in descending order."

Sun Yu sent a screenshot: "This one? Only the expensive, not the right one?"

"I think it works." Zhang Lei replied: "For you all, it's worth it. We'll wait until Shang Zhi Tao returns."

"Sure."

Zhang Lei messaged Shang Zhi Tao privately: "I actually wanted to tell you—I used to have feelings for you."

"?"

"Now, I'm going to be a diamond bachelor." Zhang Lei sent a laughing emoji. He had always been this kind of person, quite amusing. He didn’t even need Shang Zhi Tao to respond; he performed an entire unrequited love story by himself.

"Congratulations, Diamond Zhang." Shang Zhi Tao replied. She was grateful that Zhang Lei had never shown any signs of his feelings. He had moved out but maintained long-term contact with them, caring for and helping them, never showing any special attention to Shang Zhi Tao.

Shang Zhi Tao was far away in the northwest, away from the storm, meticulously polishing a project. At first, she just wanted to create a super project to help herself become an expert. Gradually, she discovered the true significance of the project: it could genuinely help improve the living conditions of the local people, provide many job opportunities, and help more people learn about the region. She had never felt such a sense of accomplishment before.

The company temporarily called her back to attend a departmental meeting, saying the new department head had arrived.

She hadn’t seen Luan Nian for over three months. That day, everyone was seated in the conference room, with the new head of the planning department, Josh, sitting beside Luan Nian. After entering, Shang Zhi Tao still took an inconspicuous seat. However, everyone’s attitude toward her had changed significantly. Grace called out to her: "Flora, sit here."

"I’m fine here." She was used to keeping a low profile.

Grace insisted: "Come on."

Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, she walked toward Grace under everyone’s gaze and sat down beside her. When she looked up, she met Luan Nian’s gaze—long and lingering.

"Long time no see." Luan Nian messaged her.

"Long time no see." Shang Zhi Tao replied.

Shang Zhi Tao put away her phone and noticed Yilia looking at her too, so she smiled at her.

"Thank you all for returning from various cities to attend this meeting. Today’s meeting is primarily an introduction to our new department head, Josh." Luan Nian said: "Josh is a truly top-tier creative expert we’ve been searching for and trying to recruit for a long time. Moving forward, Josh will oversee the daily management of the planning department."

Everyone applauded symbolically. Josh wore glasses and looked more like a scientist than someone in the creative field. Yet his gaze was sharp, evoking a hint of intimidation.

"Thank you, everyone. Luke is too kind. Let’s work together in the future. I’d like to get to know my colleagues. I’ve already met some, but there are a few stationed elsewhere I haven’t met yet. Who is Flora?"

"Hello, Josh. I’m Flora."

"Hello." Josh glanced at Shang Zhi Tao before moving on to read other names.No one had expected that the person Luan Nian had poached would turn out like this. The meeting was unusually quiet, and after it ended, Shang Zhi Tao returned to her desk, where she ran into Lumi, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. Lumi raised an eyebrow at her. "Hello, Flora."

Then she glanced at Shang Zhi Tao’s suitcase. "Came straight from the airport?"

"Yep." Shang Zhi Tao set down her bag and sat at her desk to reply to emails. Lumi said to her, "Tonight, Luke is hosting a celebration party for your department. Shh, I booked the venue."

"What celebration party?"

"Yilia—her dad gave Lingmei 80% of this year’s advertising budget."

"How much?" Shang Zhi Tao asked.

"250 million, all platforms."

"Wow. That’s definitely worth celebrating! I’ve seen Luke leading everyone in pitching projects in the group chat lately, but he never mentioned the success."

"The results came out this morning. Then Will asked me to arrange the celebration, but he said to keep it confidential."

"You didn’t keep it secret either!" Shang Zhi Tao teased her.

"With you? I have no secrets." Lumi raised an eyebrow at her. "Coffee?" Clearly, she had some gossip to share.

"Do you know why Lingmei got the 250 million?"

"Why?"

"Because of Luke."

"I don’t believe it." Shang Zhi Tao told her, "He’s not that kind of person. If he were, why hasn’t Jiang Lan gotten what she wanted all these years?"

"Do you know she hasn’t gotten what she wanted?"

"I don’t know."

Lumi burst out laughing. "Just kidding! Whether that stubborn mule sleeps with others is none of my business. What I wanted to tell you is…" Lumi pulled Shang Zhi Tao to the corner of the smoking area behind the building, tugged down her collar, and revealed a prominent hickey on her collarbone, which looked quite intense. Shang Zhi Tao widened her eyes, staring at Lumi.

Lumi whistled. "Come on, you haven’t asked me yet today!"

"Did Lumi sleep with Will today?"

"Slept with him, last night. Don’t let his refined appearance fool you—he’s actually a beast!"

"Alright, I get it. Ms. Lu is very happy."

At the celebration dinner that night, everyone drank heavily. Shang Zhi Tao didn’t touch a drop, sitting quietly and watching everyone toast each other. Luan Nian seemed to be in a good mood. Yilia, the hero who secured the 250 million deal, sat beside him, raised her glass, and said to Luan Nian, "Thank you for your guidance and help, Luke." Luan Nian clinked glasses with her. "You’ve worked hard."

The atmosphere at the table was varied, and Shang Zhi Tao quietly listened to her colleagues chatting. Everyone knew she didn’t drink, so they didn’t blame her. But since they hadn’t seen her in a while, they missed her. Grace mentioned that Shang Zhi Tao was eligible to apply for the expert title this year, and everyone chimed in, "Flora, there are three reviewers at this table—you should at least drink three glasses."

Grace quickly came to her rescue. "I don’t need one. Flora has helped me a lot, so let’s not stand on ceremony. But you should still toast Josh and Luke. Especially Josh—you should introduce yourself properly."

Shang Zhi Tao was put on the spot. Everyone was watching her, and refusing to drink would spoil the mood. Just as she reached for the wine, she heard Josh ask, "So how many expert spots does the company have each year?"

"One," Grace replied. "Then there are two contenders at this table," Josh said. "Good luck to both of you."Shang Zhi Tao's hand paused while pouring the wine, and she looked up at Josh.