I came to your city and walked the path you took
Just like dreams that can't be grasped, many beautiful things are also fleeting.
Days at school always pass by quickly, busy and unaware. I can't even believe that I was at your school yesterday, strolling with you by the Qinhulake. It feels like a dream, I can't believe I really went there. Let's call it a dream for now, because it's truly like a beautiful dream, full of wonder and beauty.
After returning from Hefei, I kept thinking about the experiences we had. Although we should have known each other for a long time, yesterday was the first time we met. It's quite interesting, haha. Who would have thought that two strangers, by chance, would gradually get to know each other. I never expected that there would be a lively and interesting girl who would break the monotony of my life.
I can still remember the morning we first met. It was a relatively warm winter morning, and my mom and I were waiting for the bus to town. During the New Year holidays, there were very few taxis, so we waited for a long time. Finally, after a while, a three-wheeled truck arrived. There were few seats available. After a lot of effort, we found a place to sit. My rarely used QQ suddenly received a message from a stranger. Seeing that we were both believers, we exchanged a few simple greetings. Since then, we chatted occasionally. My first impression was that you were a diligent and studious girl. I could tell that you had planned your winter vacation very well, with morning reading, exercise, and preparation for the English exams.
I am a relatively insecure person. Compared to others, I felt that my vacation was too lazy. I didn't have any plans, just watching TV and playing games every day. This has been my vacation routine for over twenty years, and I never thought about doing anything serious. So, I didn't feel comfortable approaching you.
But deep down, I had already silently planned to visit you. I originally planned to go to your place on May 13th. However, the day before yesterday, you said you missed home and wanted to go back on Friday, which was the 12th. Since I had no classes on the 9th, I thought it was better to go on that day. In the evening, I thought about asking Haoge to go to Hefei as well, so I encouraged him to come with me. I quickly packed my things and didn't even ask Haoge where he was going in Hefei. I thought we would probably part ways once we arrived in Hefei.
In the evening, I made an excuse to go to bed early. I was a bit excited lying in bed and couldn't fall asleep for a while. I thought I should let you know, so I secretly sent you a message. I didn't dare to look at the reply, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness, and eventually fell asleep.
The alarm clock rang at 5:30 in the morning, and after getting ready, I went out. It was still dark, and the morning was chilly.
Haoge and I rode shared bicycles and set off. We originally planned to ride halfway and then take a taxi, but Haoge insisted on riding the whole way. I didn't trust the navigation on my phone and was afraid of missing the train. Luckily, we arrived at 7 o'clock. We reached Hefei at 9 o'clock.
It was crowded all the way, but we finally arrived at the school. It was so crowded, and I didn't dare to ask anyone for directions. I planned to find my way to the famous Xiaowanda by myself, but I relied on a friend to show me the way.
So, my high school classmate took me to get familiar with the route to Xiaowanda, and after a brief chat, it was already time for class to end.
I arrived at your school and felt that there were quite a lot of trees. Even though it was hot, it was still cool under the shade of the trees. To be honest, the scenery was quite beautiful, especially since it was next to Shushan Mountain.
Thinking that I would soon see Rachel, I felt a little excited. In my mind, I had already imagined various scenarios, haha. At that time, it felt like every girl passing by could be you.
Next to the Qinhulake, there was an animation college. I planned to wait until after class, but it turned out that I didn't wait long enough. You were still drawing.
I was told that you were on the third floor, so I quickly walked up to the third floor. However, the classroom design was problematic, with no windows, and I couldn't find which classroom you were in. I had no choice but to send you a message saying that I had arrived.
I waited for a few minutes with my phone, and then a classroom door opened. A beautiful and cute girl smiled at me, and I felt so excited. I finally saw you in person! Suddenly, I felt a bit nervous, but I followed you into the classroom. There were three roommates and a teacher in the classroom, and I had seen one of the roommates in a short video chat.
They were still drawing, either oil paintings or watercolors, and I didn't really understand. I looked at each piece, well, yours was the ugliest (I hope you won't be mad at me). It's understandable, after all, you're not a professional.
The teacher left after a while, and a few others were making final adjustments. To be honest, I am a relatively introverted person, especially in situations where there are only girls. I felt awkward and didn't know what to say, but luckily you were there to chat with me.
The others left early to have lunch, but you had to clean your palette and gather all your painting tools, which easily stained your clothes.
I also took a look at the paint box, it was really heavy. I thought about how difficult it must be for a delicate girl like you to carry these heavy things from the dormitory to the classroom. Painting is indeed hard work, no wonder it takes you so long to eat after class.
I didn't have classes in the afternoon, and I felt bad for taking away your lunch break. I really wanted to see where you practiced the piano because that's where you spent a lot of time and effort. I also wanted to see what you looked like when you played the piano.
So, I persuaded you to go to the piano room. I was really bored, and I thought you might not be willing. Later, I found out that students were not allowed to use the piano room during the day. I was really asking for too much.
Interestingly, someone actually came to check while we were practicing the piano, but luckily they just took a look and left. We were both stunned.
You thought for a moment, as if you had figured something out, and deliberately dragged out your words, saying, "Oh~~~ I see. They must think we're teaching, they probably think I'm the teacher and you're the student."
You said it with a sense of pride.
To be honest, playing the piano is not easy. After practicing for a while, I barely managed to play "Farewell" and "Happy Birthday" with some difficulty. Of course, all credit goes to your careful guidance, Rachel. You demonstrated each finger movement one by one. It was already noon, and it was scorching hot outside, and the piano room was on the fourth floor with small windows, making it stuffy. I felt frustrated and couldn't imagine practicing the piano for three or four hours in such conditions.
Music sounds lively and free, but practicing it can be boring. At first, I sang "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" in my mouth, but after singing for about ten minutes, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I relied on muscle memory to play.
However, as I watched you, my teacher Rachel, playing and singing the sheet music, completely immersed in it, I was amazed. Your small hands danced and jumped on the piano keys, showing great agility. I couldn't imagine how you practiced with those short hands. One hand could barely reach seven keys, yet you could play such complex pieces.
It was clear that practicing the piano during lunchtime was not very efficient. In the afternoon, we finally arrived at the much-anticipated Ruhu Lake. I often saw pictures of Ruhu Lake in your social media posts, and I thought it looked beautiful.
The lake was inside the school, with willow trees on one side and teaching buildings on the other, built along the water. Fish in the lake were joyfully swimming, and a black swan was leisurely searching for food. You told me that it was a swan raised by your school, named "Zhou Black Swan" because of its black and shiny feathers. Zhou Black Swan had the demeanor of a master of the lake, while we ordinary and lowly beings could only offer food in reverence. However, I was a bit disappointed because Zhou Black Swan didn't show the expected respect to me and another couple. Zhou Black Swan swam towards us with its head held high, thinking that we had come to offer it food, but it was greatly disappointed and swam away in front of us.
There was supposed to be a pair of black swans, but maybe I was unlucky that day and didn't get to see this lovely couple.
You were the one doing most of the talking along the way, and I'm not very talented in conversation, so I just listened obediently. As someone who is not good at breaking the ice, I sometimes feel afraid to talk to people. I think I actually like to talk, but I'm just afraid to open up. It's not that I want to keep everything to myself, but for a long time, no one has ever paid attention to my voice.
(I feel a bit embarrassed about eating and drinking at your school. Actually, before coming, I tried not to disturb you, but I still caused a lot of trouble. Maybe you had other plans, and you had your lunch break and your English exam. You also spent so much money, and I really feel guilty about it.)
When I arrived at the train station, the moon was high in the sky, and I began my journey back. I took a photo and sent it to you, only to find out that it was the 14th day of the lunar month, no wonder the moon was so full. But alas, as the saying goes, the moon is full but the heart is empty. I don't know when we will meet again.
May we be together forever, even if we are thousands of miles apart.
Before parting, I wanted to take a photo together as a memento, but you didn't agree. It left a small regret. But it seems to prove the dream-like nature of this encounter, leaving no trace. Perhaps this was just a dream of mine, who can say it wasn't a dream?