Editor: Zoey0001

When he awoke the subsequent morning, Ning You was at a loss for some time. 

The acquainted ceiling, the unfamiliar bedding and scent. The reminiscences step by step returned, and some key phrases flashed by way of his thoughts.

——I need to peek at you whereas having a shower.

——Do you need to sleep with me?

The shameful reminiscence turned clearer and clearer, Ning You was so embarrassed that his toes tightened, and he lined his head with a quilt like an ostrich. 

“Rise up as quickly as you get up.”

Li Mu’s voice sounded within the kitchen, breaking Ning You’s ostrich disguise. He comforted himself realizing he was leaving right here at the moment, and there could be no second individual on this planet besides Li Mu who knew of his gaffes.

However on the considered leaving, Ning You felt pissed off once more. Disgrace and embarrassment now not appeared so necessary.

There’s a WeChat message from Li Zhao on his cell phone, asking Ning You to achieve an open area close to the landslide web site earlier than ten o’clock. After the fog dissipates, he’ll take a helicopter into the scenic space to choose up Ning You as quickly as doable.

After replying with a ”good”, Ning You got here to the eating room to take a seat down, and mentioned to Li Mu in a foul temper: “My good friend will decide me up at ten o’clock.”

Though Ning You had confessed earlier than that the good friend he was speaking about was his fiance, he nonetheless didn’t fairly like utilizing this unfamiliar phrase.

Li Mu didn’t react a lot and requested, “The place do you want me to take you?”

Taking a look at Li Mu’s detached look, Ning You couldn’t assist however surprise if there was one thing fallacious together with his reminiscence. Clearly, Li Mu took the initiative to carry him final night time for heat, however this morning he was alienated as if the 2 of them have been strangers. 

However then once more, they have been initially strangers.

If it weren’t for getting misplaced accidentally, Ning You’ll by no means have been capable of dwell on this distant forest cabin for the remainder of his life. It’s not possible for him to take a shower within the countryside, not to mention remedy hygiene issues so indecently.

Conversely, it’s additionally mentioned to be true.

If he hadn’t unintentionally picked up Ning You, Li Mu’s life wouldn’t have made any waves, he wouldn’t have wanted to prepare dinner for another individual, and he wouldn’t have wanted to drive somebody to the toilet on the foot of the mountain in the course of the night time. 

They’re simply strangers, and like most strangers who meet by likelihood, they’ll most likely by no means see one another once more for the remainder of their life after they seperate.

That’s high quality. Let’s depart it at that.

Ning You pressured himself to lock the ideas he shouldn’t have, as a result of he didn’t belong right here.

Right now, they nonetheless drove to the foot of the mountain. 

The 2 first went to the elementary faculty in Tuva Village. When Li Mu went to the cafeteria to ship milk, Ning You took out a polaroid from his backpack and took an image of the empty street.

He instantly regretted slightly that he ought to have photographed the cabin on the mountain.

After taking two extra footage of the surroundings, a baby’s voice rang out behind Ning You: “What is that this?”

Turning round, two college students who arrived early stood behind him. Ning You regarded on the polaroid in his hand and mentioned, “This? That is known as a Polaroid.” 

“Can it print pictures?” Two college students gathered round curiously.

“Tbe mjc’a qglca batfg qtbabr. Tbe ajxf qtbabr bc atf rqba jcv ufa atf qtbabr gluta jkjs.”

Obbxlcu ja atf mtlivgfc’r meglber ibbxr, Rlcu Tbe jrxfv jujlc, “Gb sbe kjca wf ab ajxf j qlmaegf bo sbe?”

“Tfr!” 

Ktf akb mtlivgfc rabbv ys atf rmtbbi ujaf, gjlrfv atflg mtfrar, jcv ibbxfv ja Rlcu Tbe rafgcis.

Ning You by no means earlier than thought of taking footage as a severe matter, however these youngsters within the border mountains, they clearly cherished this chance to take footage, as if they’ll by no means have an opportunity once more if this was missed.

“Don’t be nervous, smile.”

Ning You instructed the 2 youngsters to pose and took a number of pictures of them. The 2 youngsters checked out themselves within the picture and joked with one another that they didn’t take a great image of themselves. 

“Brother, can I take an image with you?” One of many youngsters checked out Ning You and requested.

“Okay.”

Ning You gave the polaroid to a different youngster and taught him learn how to use it. After the little photographer was in place, the kid beside him enthusiastically hugged Ning You’s waist, identical to when Ning You noticed them hugging Li Mu.

That’s nice, Ning You thought to himself. 

Easy happiness, easy feelings.

Each youngsters took footage with Ning You, when Li Mu returned from the canteen.

One of many youngsters waved his hand in direction of Li Mu and shouted, “Brother Li Mu, let me take your image!”

Li Mu walked as much as Ning You, regarded on the issues within the fingers of the little youngsters, and requested, “Why are you taking part in with polaroids?” 

The 2 youngsters ran a number of meters away with polaroids and mentioned to Li Mu and Ning You, “We’ll take footage for you!”

Ning You consciously leaned over to Li Mu’s aspect, and Li Mu checked out him and instantly put his hand on his shoulder, as if the 2 have been good buddies.

The picture paper was pushed out of the polaroid with a ”Zi” sound. Li Mu took a step ahead and needed to see the picture outcome, however Ning You grabbed his arm and mentioned to the 2 youngsters: “Let’s take one other one.”

Polaroid can solely freeze a sure second, Ning You needed to take this second away, but in addition needed to go away this second to Li Mu. 

Li Mu glanced at Ning You, as soon as once more put his arm round his shoulders and mentioned to the kids, “Take one other image.”

However this time the little photographer on the other aspect did not press the shutter button for a very long time, and checked out Ning You helplessly, “Brother, I can’t take a photograph anymore.”

Ning You walked over and regarded on the polaroid, there was no extra picture paper.

“You retain it.” Li Mu mentioned and walked in direction of the pickup, “I don’t want it.” 

Neither of the 2 folks within the picture smiled, however their faces have been solemnly pressed collectively, as if silently protesting the passage of time.

Tuva Elementary College is a number of kilometers away from the place of the landslide. It’s only half previous 9 now, so there isn’t any want for the 2 of them to hurry there.

A pickup truck was driving on an unmanned street. Clearly, the identify of the automobile was raptor, but it surely drove slower than a snail.

Ning You regarded on the treasured pictures in his hand with out saying a phrase. After an extended whereas, he put the pictures in his backpack and fiddled round for some time. Then he took out his handkerchief from the backpack and handed it to Li Mu saying, “That is for you.” 

Li Mu drove the automobile, glanced at Ning You’s outstretched hand distractedly, and requested, “Why?”

“I don’t have anything I can provide you.” Ning You mentioned, “This shall be thought of a return reward to thanks.”

Li Mu didn’t take it, and Ning You didn’t withdraw his hand.

The 2 remained silent for some time. Lastly Li Mu compromised and took the handkerchief from Ning You, however as quickly as he touched the handkerchief, he realized one thing was wrapped inside it——the picture from simply now. 

——Ning You desires to maintain his picture by Li Mu’s aspect.

After a pause, Li Mu feigned ignorance and put the handkerchief into the pocket of his jacket.

A raptor drove at a velocity similar to a tractor. Ning You held his backpack, stared on the street forward intently, and requested, “Li Mu, are you prepared to go dwell within the metropolis?”

This query was requested at a loss, as a result of Ning You didn’t know what Li Mu might do within the metropolis. He even felt that Li Mu didn’t belong within the metropolis. He couldn’t think about an off-the-cuff individual like Li Mu residing a nine-to-five life within the metropolis. 

As a substitute of answering, Li Mu requested rhetorically, “Would you wish to dwell right here?”

Ning You was nearly about to say sure on impulse, however heard Li Mu proceed: “I’m not right here to journey, I’m right here to dwell. There are not any huge purchasing malls and no dry cleaners. It’s not very handy to go anyplace. It’s a must to guard towards wild animals while you exit.”

Ning You pursed his lips and swallowed the impulsive phrases again into his abdomen. He by no means thought that in his life, there could be such a fork within the street that might make him waver, however he solely hesitated for a second, after which instantly determined.

There isn’t a means he might dwell right here. 

Today are stunning, however this time period is just like an extended vacation to vary the temper. It’s not possible for folks to be on trip perpetually and can all the time return to their authentic lives.

Leaving apart his unfinished enterprise, he nonetheless has a contracted fiancé, and he can’t be this irresponsible.

Considering of this, Ning You’s cell phone instantly vibrated, which occurred to be a WeChat despatched by Li Zhao.

[Li Zhao: The fog has dissipated, but the wind is a bit strong.] 

Ning You regarded on the display in a daze for a second, he recovered from the divided feelings, and replied to an irrelevant content material.

[Ning You: I want to ask you a question.]

[Li Zhao: Please speak.]

[Ning You: What do you want our marriage to be like?] 

The rationale for asking this query, Ning You needed to determine what was in his coronary heart, and didn’t need to proceed feeling misplaced.

Normally Li Zhao replied in a short time, however this time “the opposite occasion is typing” was displayed on the prime of the display for a very long time, and only some brief phrases popped up within the dialog field.

[Li Chao: I can do it all.]

Ning You frowned inexplicably, is it okay? 

[Li Zhao: If you want me to be a considerate husband, I will put all my thoughts on you. If you want me to keep my distance, then I will give you space and won’t interfere with your private life.]

[Li Chao: In short, no matter what form it is, I can do it all.]

Ning You instantly understood what Li Zhao meant, as a result of he noticed a well-known feeling from these messages——speaking about cooperation with the second occasion.

When Ning You was within the first occasion’s place, the second occasion’s perspective was precisely the identical as Li Zhao, “It doesn’t matter what you ask, I can meet it.” 

Ning You realized belatedly that Li Zhao was serving him as the primary occasion.

Furthermore, Li Zhao could be very certified because the second occasion. He had some tentative offensive nature earlier than, however Ning You simply requested a query. From Ning You’s query, he might see Ning You’s hesitation about future life, so he firmly expressed his perspective, thereby dispelling Ning You’s doubts.

To translate Li Zhao’s phrases, they are often put extra bluntly:

If you would like this marriage to be true, it’s true; if you need this marriage to be pretend, then it’s pretend. 

That is only a full enterprise, and it may be performed with none emotions.

This was the primary time Ning You had significantly thought of this challenge, however earlier than he had a transparent concept, Li Zhao despatched one other message.

[Li Zhao: The wind is getting stronger, the guide said the flight has to be canceled today].

Ning You’s coronary heart thumped, and all of the sophisticated ideas disappeared straight away. 

[Li Zhao: But I inquired about the progress, the road will be open tomorrow afternoon at the latest].

Ning You typed rapidly on the display.

[Ning You: Thank you!]

Ning You didn’t know why he put this exclamation mark. Maybe it contained a way of reduction from the wedding contract and gratitude to God for extending his trip. 

“Li Mu.” Ning You regarded on the individual beside him, his tone was a number of levels greater, “Right now,  I can’t depart, on the newest tomorrow afternoon.”

“What?” Li Mu let go of the accelerator, and the pickup, which was already as gradual as a snail, stopped instantly.

“It’s windy at the moment, the helicopter can’t fly.” Ning You mentioned with glee, “The street received’t be open till tomorrow afternoon.”

Li Mu checked out Ning You straight, this white swan was nonetheless the identical as earlier than, with all feelings on his face. He by some means relaxed his temper and teased, “Does your fiance know that you just’re so comfortable?” 

“Uh……” Ning You rubbed the again of his neck embarrassingly, “You could not consider me after I say this however I’m truly not very acquainted with him. I’ve solely met him twice in complete.”

“Enterprise marriage?” Li Mu inquired about Ning You’s non-public affairs for the primary time.

“En.” Ning You mentioned.

Li Mu didn’t reply once more, however rapidly turned the automobile round, slammed on the accelerator, and drove as much as the mountains once more. 

“I’ll take you to the lake for a stroll.” Li Mu mentioned.

The unique gradual pickup truck gave a beastly roar, Ning You felt the acceleration coming from the seat and instantly had a obscure thought in his coronary heart and checked out Li Mu beside him and requested, “Li Mu, are you reluctant to let me go?”

Li Mu was greatly surprised for a second, and the beast wilted. He launched his foot on the accelerator, regarded straight forward and mentioned, “Nothing.”

[Editor’s note: I’m sorry guys for the late edit. I seriously undermined the power of infections. But I’m back and decided to help treat you all this week with a few extra chapters xxx]