Waterbound Love - Chapter 59

With New Year approaching fast, Du Bai hadn’t planned on going home. After all, she decided to leave; seeing more would only add to the attachment and sadness, wouldn’t it? She called her brother, and even his nagging sounded pleasant at that moment, so much so that she overlooked his hesitant words. She told him she was going to Japan and wouldn’t be returning to the ancestral home for the gathering this year. Without waiting for him to object, she hung up the phone. Let her be willful this once, for the last time.

“Hey, Chu Qian, take me with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Hearing the silence on the other end of the line, Du Bai knew Chu Qian would be back soon. He had the ability to make her disappear without a trace.

After the incident from a few days ago, she should know she’s back now. She’s scared, afraid of not knowing how to face her if she comes over; more afraid of her not coming, not knowing how to comfort herself from the pain.

Having lost the ability to love for so long, once she learned, she pursued it fiercely like a wolf. She couldn’t quit it.

Chu Qian arranged a place for Du Bai to stay and, as per her request, did not disturb her, with someone regularly delivering supplies.

Having bought a lot of painting materials, Du Bai knew that although Grandpa never mentioned it, the gleam of laughter in his eyes whenever he saw her paintings was unmistakable. In those moments, it felt as though the most beautiful flowers on her paintings were truly blooming, not just superfluous but a genuine form of art, an art that brought comfort to her beloved family. Let her use her remaining time to blossom once more, to exchange for the smile in Grandpa’s eyes.

Working intermittently, Du Bai painted slowly and meticulously. She always controlled the duration at her limit; this behavior had accustomed her to the impending dizziness of darkness. Perhaps she had really come to terms with the reality. This day came so naturally, yet separation was not far off.

The crackling sound became the main theme of the night sky, ushering in the New Year. Du Bai walked to the window and watched the fireworks light up the night sky. Grandpa should be very happy. She hoped not to affect his mood.

Isn’t this an unusual feeling? Missing the closest ones from the nearest place? It’s a form of cowardice perhaps, afraid to betray the hard-earned courage, unable to casually make the decision to leave.

Watching the fireworks in the night sky, a faint smile appeared on Shen Yan’s pale face, evoking a deep sense of empathy. She gently closed her eyes and made a wish.

In a different place, Du Bai closed her eyes slightly, leaning against the balcony.

They both recalled their childhood, when Du Ruo held the hand of the silent Shen Ai beneath a sky filled with brilliant fireworks, softly saying that fireworks were another kind of shooting star, capable of taking away one’s prayers and exchanging them for hope.

She made a wish, a wish for her.

She had no wishes; there were too many, indescribable. Too heavy for any number of shooting stars to carry.

After the New Year, Valentine’s Day followed closely. Du Bai, having finished a painting, intended to go out for some air. Seeing couples on the streets holding roses and wearing happy expressions, she suddenly remembered that she had given many people gerberas and cornflowers but never roses.

It seemed quite ironic-giving out so much happiness, yet letting love wither in her hands.

She stepped into a flower shop, selected 11 light yellow cornflowers, and picked one budding yellow rose. Carefully wrapping them with her own hands, she buried the yellow rose deep among them, filling the gaps with baby’s breath. She picked up a card and wrote:

“Full of longing and a lifetime of happiness for you, burying my fading love.”

Holding the flowers, she sealed them for delivery, skillfully writing down the address of that familiar person.

Meanwhile, Shen Yan leaned quietly against her headboard, gazing at the eustoma in the crystal vase she had arranged that morning-a symbol of eternal yet hopeless love. It seemed just like her, about to wither.

The same baby’s breath swayed back and forth, as if connecting the two people in the air, whispering their longing.

The longing wandered along with the blooming flowers, spreading.

Yet, no one could tell if it would bear abundant fruit.