The Changing Phases - Chapter 30 - Thinking of You, Can't Sleep

Liu Yuxin brought Zhao Junyang to her room. She smiled and said, “Look, this is my room. It’s pretty clean, right? Wenhui has been helping us clean these days.”

“Wenhui really is quite the clean freak.”

Zhao Junyang noticed the calligraphy on the wall. Although it was just two characters, the strokes were powerful and impressive. He couldn’t help but say, “Wow, your calligraphy is so good! Have you been practicing for a long time?”

Liu Yuxin proudly replied, “Of course! My dad has always encouraged me to practice calligraphy. It’s one of my special skills.”

“Could you write something for me?”

“Sure! Jin loves collecting my calligraphy works when she’s free. If I ever become famous, she’ll make a fortune.”

Liu Yuxin took out her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Once everything was ready, she made a few bold strokes, and an exquisite poem appeared on the paper: Zhao the Orphan, Feather Fan and Silk Robe, Amidst Laughter, Willow Fluff Drifted, Setting Sail.

Zhao Junyang couldn’t help but smile. At first glance, these scattered lines didn’t seem particularly significant, but their names were cleverly embedded within. Liu Yuxin wasn’t just randomly writing; she had put a lot of thought into it.

Liu Yuxin stared at her calligraphy, chuckling foolishly. “I actually have some talent. I’ve watched those period dramas where the male protagonists earn a living through calligraphy and painting when they have no other livelihood. Do you think if I traveled back in time, I could also live off my calligraphy and paintings?”

Zhao Junyang burst into laughter. “Of course! But if we really could travel back in time, I suggest we take some modern equipment with us, like phones or something. That way, we could make more money.”

Liu Yuxin’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, why didn’t I think of that? I could bring some glow sticks to light up evening parties and call them ‘Everlasting Lamps,’ haha!”

Zhao Junyang carefully stored away the calligraphy she had just written. Smiling, he said, “That’s a brilliant idea. Glow sticks are easy to carry and could bring in substantial profits.”

Liu Yuxin grabbed Zhao Junyang’s hand and swayed it back and forth. “Then you’ll go with me. Once we make enough money, we can travel back here.”

Zhao Junyang nodded, “Yes, we must collect cash.”

Liu Yuxin chuckled and blinked her eyes. “I want to hear a song. You don’t mind, do you?” Without waiting for Zhao Junyang to respond, she played Faye Wong’s song [Red Beans]” Faye Wong’s voice seemed to come from an ancient, ethereal realm, tinged with a gentle sorrow and an obscure aesthetic beauty: “Sometimes, sometimes, I believe everything has an end. Meetings and partings come at times, nothing can last forever, but sometimes I choose to hold on. Even after witnessing all the scenery, maybe you will accompany me through the tranquil flow of time…”

Zhao Junyang smiled quietly. This was Liu Yuxin’s way of expressing love. She wasn’t used to being direct, and this was her most transparent confession.

Liu Yuxin sneaked a glance at Zhao Junyang and asked, “I want to keep listening to the same song. You don’t mind, do you?”

Zhao Junyang laughed out loud, “Of course I don’t mind. If you like the song that much, it can keep you excited.”

Liu Yuxin gave a light laugh and picked up a notebook from the table, gently tapping Zhao Junyang’s head with it. Zhao Junyang seized the opportunity to grab Liu Yuxin’s wrist, pulling her into his embrace, his head resting on her neck. “Liu Yuxin, right now I don’t really want you to go for training.”

“Why? I’m doing just fine, aren’t I?”

Zhao Junyang tightened his hold on Liu Yuxin. “A month isn’t a long time, and frequent business trips are really tiring.” Yes, he had been troubled by this for a long time. He wanted Liu Yuxin to grow swiftly, but he was also a bit hesitant.

Liu Yuxin felt a surge of sadness. She understood what Zhao Junyang meant and softly said, “Life is inherently tough, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Zhao Junyang hugged her even tighter. This was what he loved about her, but it also made him feel more protective of her.

Suddenly, Liu Yuxin seemed to remember something. She abruptly stood up, leaving Zhao Junyang’s warm embrace, making it feel empty in an instant. She put on an imposing face and grabbed Zhao Junyang by the neck. “Tell me honestly, what did you do with Xia Wanlu today?”

Zhao Junyang gave an awkward smile. “Zheng Xu was showering her with attention the whole time, she didn’t have a moment to look at me.”

Liu Yuxin, still with her stern face, asked, “Do you have any single female classmates?”

Zhao Junyang nodded, “Actually, I do.”

Liu Yuxin immediately followed up, “Are they good-looking?”

Zhao Junyang chuckled, “They’re alright, but a bit out of date.”

Liu Yuxin burst into laughter, her mood noticeably lifted. Zhao Junyang stood up, insisting on holding Liu Yuxin. She blushed like a shy girl next door, feeling his gentle scent of fresh grass and the affectionate gaze of his twinkling eyes upon her.

Zhao Junyang’s hand slipped through Liu Yuxin’s black hair, gently cradling the back of her head, while his other hand rested on her waist, holding her as if she were his treasure. His sensual, thin lips softly touched hers, with a hint of mint fragrance and a tender feel, making the happiness in Liu Yuxin’s heart swell. His tongue created an electrifying sensation, stimulating every cell in her body, causing her to tremble under the spell of their lingering kiss.

Liu Yuxin no longer had any doubts. Amidst the city’s glittering lights, the bustling traffic, and the flowing crowds, having someone who persistently cares for and loves her felt incredibly blissful.

Liu Yuxin had stopped avoiding her feelings. If Zhao Junyang could be honest with Xia Wanlu, it meant that Liu Yuxin held a significant place in his heart. Without him, she would feel lost and empty.

And so, the passionate embrace and the intoxicating kiss created the most romantic memory of the night.

Zhao Junyang finally let her go. Liu Yuxin gasped for breath, her face flushed red. She hurriedly brushed off his hand and said, “Did you drink? You definitely drank! I’ll go wash some fruit.” She quickly fled, while Zhao Junyang shook his head and sat down, secretly chuckling. Liu Yuxin really knew how to break the harmony; she was probably scared again. At this moment, Zhao Junyang must seem like a tiger ready to pounce to her.

“Junyang…” Liu Yuxin brought the washed fruit into the room and saw that he was already lying on the bed, resting. Yes, he had been so exhausted these days, going to bed so late every night. Liu Yuxin sat by the bed, gazing at his handsome eyebrows, his straight nose, and his sensual thin lips. Unconsciously, she slowly reached out, touching his short hair gently, silly thoughts running wild in her mind.

Liu Yuxin slowly stopped her actions, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, and quietly opened the drawer to take out a rubber band. She carefully tied Zhao Junyang’s hair into a small, messy ponytail and then found a piece of paper, writing a few words on it before carefully attaching it to the rubber band. She tried hard not to laugh, trembling with suppressed giggles as she lay on the edge of the bed.

Zhao Junyang’s eyes slowly opened. He had woken up when Liu Yuxin started tying his hair but had pretended to sleep to indulge her. Liu Yuxin raised her head, trying to hold back her laughter. “You’re awake?”

Zhao Junyang smiled and pretended not to know what Liu Yuxin had done to him. He said, “I just wanted to lie on Liu Yuxin’s pillow.” As he said this, the note was still attached to his head.

Liu Yuxin immediately reached out to him, “Then you need to pay the usage fee for my pillow.”

Zhao Junyang chuckled, “Alright, but you must grant me permanent usage rights for this pillow.”

Liu Yuxin’s face turned red instantly. Zhao Junyang, still laughing, got up and placed his arm around Liu Yuxin’s shoulder. The distance between their heads grew smaller, and just then, the phone rang, breaking the moment.

“Liu Yuxin, I’m almost home. Have you been thinking about me all alone at home?” Jin spoke with food in her mouth.

“Of course, I’ve been thinking about you so much that I even dreamed about you.”

Jin laughed loudly and then started coughing. Liu Yuxin could still hear Wenhui’s voice in the background, patting Jin on the back-how considerate.

After hanging up, Liu Yuxin whispered to Zhao Junyang, “Zhao Junyang, another pretty girl from the dormitory is coming back.”

“Perfect, I’d like to meet your friends too.”

Liu Yuxin patted his firm arm. “Let’s not be too conspicuous. If Wenhui finds out, everyone will know by tomorrow.”

Zhao Junyang stood up and gently tousled her hair. “Alright, we won’t be too conspicuous.”

It wasn’t long after Liu Yuxin saw Zhao Junyang off that Wenhui escorted Jin back. The two of them were so affectionate, it was almost clingy.

Liu Yuxin told them she was going to her room to sleep and then lay on her bed, unable to fall asleep. The pillow still carried Zhao Junyang’s distinct scent. He said he wanted permanent usage rights to this pillow.

Liu Yuxin stared at the ceiling, recalling the moments she shared with Zhao Junyang. Eight words echoed in her mind: “Mutual support and companionship, never parting.”

Liu Yuxin remembered the little ponytail on Zhao Junyang’s head and turned over, giggling again. Just then, a text message came through: “I came home wearing the note that says, ‘I belong to Liu Yuxin.’ I’m planning to wear it to work tomorrow.”

Liu Yuxin buried herself under the covers, laughing, and then replied: “You’re sharp.”

Liu Yuxin closed her eyes, smiling as she recalled the times they shared. Like when she was held hostage by a thief, at her most frightened, he appeared. When her PPT malfunctioned and she was in despair, he appeared again. When she was being bratty and ignoring everyone, he still escorted her. And when she avoided him, he waited without complaint. He was so witty and smart. Every day spent with him was wonderful.

Liu Yuxin believed that no matter where she went, as long as he wasn’t within her sight, she would miss him. Even if they just saw each other, even if they were on the phone, the moment he wasn’t there, she would miss him.

In the face of love, no one is special. When your heart moves, you start to miss, and longing is painful for unrequited love, but sweet, hopeful, and intoxicating for mutual affection.

If the mildest form of suffering is boredom, then perhaps longing is a mix of boredom, pain, and sweetness.