CH 8

Chapter 8: One Hundred Years of Solitude

The final day’s itinerary was to visit the Pudacuo National Park in Shangri-La and then hurry directly to Diqing Shangri-La Airport in the afternoon to return to City A. At this point, the five-day and four-night trip was coming to an end.

As before, the alarm clock sounded for Ruan Zhizhi to get up first thing in the morning. When she washed up in the bathroom, she found that her complexion was unexpectedly good today. Perhaps it was due to last night’s relatively high quality of sleep. She hadn’t had a single dream and didn’t wake up in the middle of the night at all. 

Was it because of Shi Yan?

Ruan Zhizhi put on some makeup and looked at her already-packed luggage for a while. Finally, she took out a large pink down jacket from the bottom of her suitcase and put it on. This was something Gu Nian had bought with her before. She’d said that wearing bright clothes would also improve her mood. If only it were so.

The large bus travelled all the way to the direction of Shangri-La. Ruan Zhizhi sat by the window and squinted her eyes as she surveyed the scenery outside. It seemed that today’s weather was sunny and cloudless, although still bone-chillingly cold.

Her gaze unintentionally swept over Shi Yan, who was sitting diagonally ahead of her. He was wearing a yellow windbreaker, his back straight and head lowered as he casually folded a paper napkin into a frog.

He seemed to really like paper folding.

The bus jolted the entire way. Two hours later, they reached Pudacuo National Park. The park had lakes and wetlands, forests and meadows, rare plants and animals, and more. The original ecosystem was well-preserved and was one of the primary attractions for tourists in Shangri-La.

Following the tour group, they purchased their tickets and went in. As before, the tour guide walked in front with a portable loudspeaker to explain, while the middle-aged and elderly professors in the group followed closely behind with enthusiasm. Finally, there was Ruan Zhizhi and the other young people forming companionships and chatting.

“Zhizhi, you must have had a nice rest last night, I can see your complexion looks good,” Chen Jiayan greeted her while grinning. En…he was always the most enthusiastic one amongst the crowd.

Ruan Zhizhi also smiled politely in return: “Yes, last night I slept very well.” Saying so, she glanced covertly at Shi Yan. The other party was already surrounded by several girls led by Yan Rui. She didn’t know what they were in the middle of talking about. Although there was nothing peculiar about his expression, Ruan Zhizhi just felt that he seemed a little impatient.

It was absurd, why did she secretly speculate about other people’s moods without rhyme or reason?

Shaking her head, Ruan Zhizhi tried her best to refocus her attention. She continued to chat with Chen Jiayan, speaking one minute and being quiet the next.

It had to be said: The scenery was exceptionally beautiful in Pudacuo National Park. After entering the Bita Sea, a vast stretch of lush red rhododendrons could be seen growing everywhere, folding over layer upon layer. Nothing more beautiful could be imagined.

Chen Jiayan took a deep breath and exclaimed in adoration: “Sure enough, the air on the plateau is fresher and cleaner than in the city.”

When they arrived at Shudu Lake, the tour guide waved his hand, permitting everyone to have free time. Ruan Zhizhi made a random excuse to leave Chen Jiayan’s side. Alone, she walked to the lakeside, lost in thought.

Bita Lake and Shudu Lake, the two beautiful freshwater lakes, were known as the jewels of the plateau. The blue water of the lakes was so clear that one could see the bottom—like a tremendous mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds within it. It really was a natural instance of water and sky merging into one colour.

“Looking at the scenery?”

Suddenly a voice fell into her ears. Obviously it was a bit abrupt, but it didn’t make people feel offended at all.

Ruan Zhizhi smiled and turned around: “Yes, the scenery here is quite beautiful.”

Shi Yan walked over unhurriedly. The distance between the two was continuously cut down with his footsteps, until he was standing less than a centimetre behind her. Shi Yan slowly lowered his head, his lips approaching her ears. His voice was very low, and it seemed to carry a trace of intimacy: “Miss Ruan Zhizhi, can you do me a favour?”

Ruan Zhizhi froze in place, not understanding what he meant at all. Her body’s instinct made her want to escape this man’s area of control at once, but she rationally thought about all of the care he had shown her these days. Still trying to suppress the urge, she replied softly, “What favour?”

“Stand here quietly, don’t move, don’t avoid me.”

“…It seems to be very simple.”

“Yes, it’s really that simple. I hope you don’t refuse.”

“It’s just a slight effort, nothing more.”

Although she said it indifferently, in fact, Ruan Zhizhi’s heart had been surging like a gathering storm already. In her memory, apart from Li Sichen, she had never been so close to other men like this. Of course, the few times she’d had close contact with Li Sichen were merely to help him tie a tie, or when the two of them were discussing something with their heads close. It was only to this extent, nothing more.

However…the feeling that Shi Yan gave her was the complete opposite of Li Sichen. He was more mysterious than Li Sichen, more dangerous than Li Sichen, and of course, more fascinating than Li Sichen.

Taking a deep breath, Ruan Zhizhi tried her best to ignore the warmth coming from the man’s chest. At this time, Shi Yan suddenly extended his hand, casually helping her tuck her long hair that had been tousled by the wind behind her ear.

His fingertips were slightly cold. When they grazed her earlobe, for a split second it was like an electric shock. She couldn’t help trembling.

In this moment of electric flint sparks, Ruan Zhizhi suddenly realized the meaning behind Shi Yan’s incomprehensible actions. Her eyes just so happened to inadvertently glance at Yan Rui, who was standing far behind them. The other party regarded their intimate actions and now appeared to be very furious. She gestured animatedly while saying something to Chen Jiayan and the other girls.

Ruan Zhizhi was helpless: “It seems that you are using me as a shield.”

Shi Yan let out a low laugh, and the sound of his laughter did not match him: It turned out to be melodious and clear. He reached out and stroked her hair quite naturally: “Shh, you know and I know.”

Ruan Zhizhi’s face flushed red in the wake of his actions. This man was too dangerous…she had to evacuate as quickly as possible. Thinking like this, she tried her best to quietly withdraw from the outline of the man’s body which seemed to be embracing her. A harmless smile rose on her face: “Yan Rui and the others have already left, the task is completed, goodbye.”

There were no great waves in his expression. Shi Yan lowered his head slightly, looking down at her from higher ground. His eyes remained unwavering. “Goodbye.”

The visit to Pudacuo National Park ended at around two o’clock in the afternoon. Due to the need to rush to the airport, Ruan Zhizhi and the others in the tour group settled their last meal on the bus. One lunch per person, three dishes and one soup, with meat and vegetables. The outer appearance was not bad. Unfortunately, Ruan Zhizhi had always had a bad appetite. After taking a few bites, she closed the lunch box. 

After arriving at Diqing Shangri-La Airport at last, the tour guide was still responsible and considerate. He helped them exchange their boarding passes and check in their baggage, and even gave an official, enthusiastic farewell speech to conclude their journey before sending them through the security checkpoint.

Once she passed the security check, Ruan Zhizhi wanted to roam around and purchase something to eat. Unfortunately, the screen at the departure gate indicated that they would have to register in fifteen minutes. Ruan Zhizhi patted her stomach and had no choice but to sigh helplessly.

Speaking of which, she was also considered to be extremely picky about food. She liked to eat snacks, but wasn’t fond of eating full meals. Consequently, she was 165cm tall but only weighed approximately 90 catties. Gu Nian always ridiculed her, saying that the wind would blow her away. 

As she let her thoughts stray, there was already a long queue of people in front of the departure gate preparing to board the plane. Ruan Zhizhi was still sitting in her seat. It wasn’t until most of the line went through the gate one after another that she stood up unhurriedly.

By the time she entered the cabin, almost everyone had already found their proper seats.

“22C…” Ruan Zhizhi looked at the seat information on her boarding pass, walked inside for a while, and saw the vacant seat under the 22C designation at a glance. 

She walked over. She had just sat down and hadn’t even fastened her seatbelt when she was surprised to discover that the person sitting beside her at the window was actually Shi Yan.

In the end, was it a predestined relationship between the two of them, or an ill-fated relationship?

“Hi, what a good coincidence.” Ruan Zhizhi turned to look at him. The smile on her face was slightly stiff.

It wasn’t good at all…sitting together with him for two and a half hours would certainly be awkward and boring to death.

Shi Yan turned a blind eye to the words she didn’t mean. He raised his eyebrows and politely responded, “What a good coincidence.”

The aircraft took off smoothly. Since the flight time was only two and a half hours, there was no in-flight meal prepared on the plane. A bag of milk biscuits was distributed instead.

Ruan Zhizhi sat in her seat and watched videos on her cell phone. She quickly finished the bag of biscuits in her hand. She wished for more as she licked the biscuit crumbs covering her fingers, sighing somewhat regretfully. 

At this time, a hand aptly appeared in front of her eyes, holding an unopened bag of milk biscuits. Ruan Zhizhi swallowed and reached out to take it subconsciously. She opened the packet and took out a biscuit, placing it in her mouth. Then she glanced at Shi Yan furtively. With a bit of embarrassment, she asked, “Shi Yan, you’re not eating?”

The other party’s head was lowered as he concentrated on his book, not minding her: “I don’t like eating biscuits.”

Ruan Zhizhi followed his line of sight all the way down and found that the book in his hands was the masterpiece of author Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude.

She chewed the biscuits in her mouth with a “kengchi kengchi” while her brain had no control as she began to speak: “I also like this book very much.”

…Was she striking up a conversation with Shi Yan? How frightful.

After hearing her words, Shi Yan turned his head and narrowed his eyes as if interested: “Which character do you like the most?”

Ruan Zhizhi swallowed the last biscuit, thought about it earnestly, then replied: “I like the love story of Renata Remedios from the fifth generation the most.”

Shi Yan nodded, not at all surprised. His voice was low and a little hoarse, but still as pleasant as always: “Joining a convent to live as a widow for her deceased love and not saying a word for the rest of her life. It is indeed worthy of respect.”

Nodding in approval, Ruan Zhizhi originally wanted to ask who his favourite character was too, but after thinking about it, she was somewhat hesitant. This…would it seem as if the two of them were a little bit too familiar?

In the end, she didn’t ask. Instead, she took a moist towelette and wiped her fingers clean. Then she unlocked her phone and proceeded to quietly watch videos.

When the plane was still half an hour away from landing, Ruan Zhizhi finished watching a video and lifted her sore neck to loosen it for a while.

At her side, Shi Yan bowed his head and took a sip of coffee. The outline of his side profile was refined, like a valuable treasure in a display window that had yet to be sold, quiet and graceful.

Ruan Zhizhi looked at him like this and all of a sudden felt that maybe this man’s mind was not as deep as she had imagined. Perhaps he was just like her, just an ordinary person trapped by love in a boundless sea of people.

“Shi Yan, do you have someone you like too?” She turned her head and watched him begin to speak softly. For the first time, she was trying to initiate a friendship with the person beside her.

Shi Yan closed the thick book in his hand, looking down at the somewhat worn cover. “Of course.”

As expected.

“Then, does the girl you like…know?”

Shi Yan tilted his head and gazed at her. His eyes reflected the lights on the plane, illuminating and extinguishing over and over again: “She doesn’t know.” He paused, then added with a composed expression, “But inevitably there will be a day that she knows, and inevitably there will be a day that she marries me.”

Ruan Zhizhi made a “囧” face. Just as she was about to ask him how he was so confident, her line of sight shifted to his face that could even incite a god’s wrath. In the end, she tactfully closed her mouth.

In this world, there was probably no woman who could resist his charm.

She originally thought that she’d made peace with herself these past three years. She didn’t expect that after barely five days, this man could make her heart uneasy.

But it didn’t matter. Ruan Zhizhi couldn’t be more clear about it in her heart. This kind of special feeling she had towards him was only a temporary impulse, just like a girl seeing exquisite crystal shoes in a display window. The same heart-stirring feeling would rise in an instant, but it was only fleeting. After all, everyone liked beautiful things, but not everyone liked them from beginning to end. 

When the airplane descended rapidly, she saw the man at her side open his mouth quietly, as if saying something. It was a pity that her eardrums were in pain from the tremendous noise of the plane taxiing on the airstrip. Ruan Zhizhi covered her ears and couldn’t hear anything.

When lining up to get off the aircraft, Ruan Zhizhi thought about it and ultimately turned around to bid a sincere farewell to Shi Yan: “Shi Yan, thank you very much for taking care of me these days. If there is a chance to see each other again, I will certainly invite you to a meal.”

When Shi Yan heard her words, he just smiled faintly. A misty fog seemed to seep out of his heavy eyes, obviously loneliness, and yet there was always a trace of light rising from the depths.

He replied: “There will be such a day.”

And that day would come soon.