Chapter 109 – A Visit

In the early days of winter, the rustling of leaves against each other under a pale, desolate sky heralded the overture of the cold season. Had it not been for the ground strewn with yellow, withered leaves.

Yan Lu’s bangs fell across her forehead, covering her somewhat dry face entirely. Outside the window at five o’clock, time lost its meaning. She lifted the quilt, swung her feet off the bed, and stood up. For many days now, even without the clamour of an alarm or the urge of daylight, she could wake within a minute’s margin of error.

She drew open the curtains, gazing at the rows of street lamps below, standing resolute amidst the fog. On either side, the parked vehicles formed neat lines, as if preparing for a grand feast.

Closing the window, she dressed herself in the clothes piled on the stool, one piece at a time. She opened the door and saw Lu Xugao alone downstairs, sorting goods in the warehouse. He was hidden among the hulking, shadowy masses, as if countless black holes had converged, their gravitational pull tugging at his frail frame.

A sorrowful emotion spread through the warehouse.

They had indeed rushed their plans for life, so much so that once raised, they could not be set down again. If abandoned, it would only lead them into a deeper valley than before.

They could no longer afford to gamble.

The road ahead was shrouded, every step fraught with danger, every step forcing them forward, unable to turn back.

Lu Xugao had risen two hours earlier to handle the backlog of items. He was once a man who cherished sleep—unless he slept ten hours, the day would be spent in lethargy. Now, his rest had been halved. Even those with formidable adaptability could not, in such a short time, bear such an upheaval.

Yet, he managed it.

In truth, no one in this world can force you to do the smallest thing. Likewise, nothing can halt your stride if you choose to charge forward.

Yan Lu bit her lip, moistening it with her tongue.

"Why are you up already?" Lu Xugao, hearing the echo of footsteps on the steel stairs, set down his parcel and turned to her. "Didn’t I tell you yesterday to sleep in a little today?"

"I’m used to rising early," Yan Lu replied, tidying the cluttered items on the table. "If you ask me to go back and sleep now, I really couldn’t."

Mist clouded Lu Xugao’s eyes, a fine dew gathering on his lashes. Would these droplets ever merge into a river, flowing across their hearts?

If one speaks of rivers, within the human body there are always crisscrossing channels. Their speed and sluggishness dictate our joy and sorrow, our life and death.

"Go have breakfast in the cafeteria first," he said, checking the time as he walked toward her. "It’s about to open—go early, it’ll be less crowded."

"Mm..." Yan Lu blinked. "What would you like? I’ll bring something back for us."

"Anything is fine." He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, stark against his dark skin. "I’m not picky—whatever you buy is good."

Yan Lu raised her brows, her eyes smiling, but said nothing. She picked up her phone from the table, opened the warehouse’s back door, and headed for the cafeteria.

If anything would do, then she need not rack her brains over his preferences. She could simply choose according to her own.

Time passes like a song—or perhaps like a shuttle weaving through fabric. In just over half a year, two distant, unfamiliar hearts seemed drawn together, like magnets with opposing poles.

At the window, Yan Lu bought some rice porridge, buns, and fried dough for breakfast.

White steam surged through the cafeteria, swirling like a river in the dim, empty dining area.

"Lu, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you," Lu Xugao said after biting into a meat bun and setting it down, his brow furrowing.

"What is it? You look so serious." Yan Lu, noticing the change in his expression, felt her heart tighten with cold. "Don’t scare me! Don’t tell me you’ve found someone new?"

"Where is your mind going?" He was annoyed and amused, but his smile froze at his lips, unable to break through.

"What’s the matter, then?" She watched his face darken, as if the world was collapsing. Before long, his sternness gave way to hesitation.

Lu Xugao took a deep breath, steeling himself.

The nail of his left thumb reddened the back of his right hand. His lower lip bore two symmetrical marks from his upper teeth. His legs trembled uncontrollably.

"Yesterday..." He lowered his eyes, daring only to glance at her from beneath his lids. "Yesterday, I went to see your mother."

Yan Lu did not speak, but her incredulous expression betrayed her.

Seeing her willingness to listen, Lu Xugao cast caution aside. Ever since he resolved to be with her, he had intended to keep no secrets or lies. Those were lethal poisons, cutting to the bone.

He stared at the table’s surface, its mottled lines reminiscent of his tangled feelings.

There is a difference between bearing a story and telling one.

Yesterday, after delivering goods to the southern part of Cloud City, Lu Xugao made a detour to Blue Sea City Residential Complex.

He should have visited in person long ago. After all, she was her mother.

Some matters, though difficult to face, must be revealed in the sunlight, exposing the truest side. Better to take initiative than be forced.

Lu Xugao knew that Yan Lu cared deeply about her mother’s opinions and feelings. When one’s closest kin become the closest adversary, who could bear such a tragedy? To love is to fulfill, not to sacrifice.

Every visit here was made with trepidation.

Outside the complex, Lu Xugao bought a case of rice wine and a case of milk from the supermarket. Carrying them through the gates, he felt something was missing. This time, it was a formal visit; the two gifts in his hands seemed too meager. In these times, the saying "the gift may be small but the sentiment is great" no longer held sway—or perhaps it was merely an excuse for the poor to comfort themselves.

He hefted the heavy boxes and returned to the pharmacy outside the complex, buying two boxes of beauty products. Yan Lu had mentioned that her mother was a modern woman who cared greatly for her appearance.

Yan’s mother indeed did not look fifty-three—perhaps forty-five at most. Lu Xugao stood at the door, hesitating for a long time, his hand hovering, unable to knock.

Of course, an older woman would not be flattered by compliments shaving a few years off her age.

Sometimes, things unfold contrary to one’s wishes.

Yan’s mother was far from welcoming to this uninvited guest.

She was in the cramped kitchen, preparing lunch. The sharp knocks forced her to put down her work and turn off the gas. The boiling fish soup settled back to calm. Only the rice cooker continued to release its mischievous steam.

"What are you doing here?" Yan’s mother glared, ready to shut the door.

"Auntie, please hear me out." Lu Xugao blocked the door with his foot, preventing her from closing it.

"I don’t even know you—what is there to say?" She kicked his foot aside. "If you don’t let go, I’ll call for help."

"I want to marry Lu!" In his urgency, he blurted out his purpose. "You are her mother, after all. I feel I must seek your opinion."

"Seek my opinion?" Yan’s mother repeated, seemingly unconsciously. "Then I don’t agree!" But her refusal was futile. They had already reached this point—how could she separate them now? Was her persistence right, or was her obsession wrong? "Come in," she said, her expression cold and frosty.

Lu Xugao pushed the door wider and entered Yan Lu’s home with reverence. This was his first true invitation inside.

"Sit," Yan’s mother said, lifting her chin.

Lu Xugao placed the gift bags beside the sofa, his eyes darting furtively around the room, as if stealing glances.

Yan’s mother brought a cup of hot water from the kitchen, setting it on the coffee table instead of handing it to him. "Speak," she said, her gaze devoid of vitality, her eyes lacking spirit. "Didn’t you prepare a bellyful of words for me?"

Lu Xugao pressed his lips together, the carefully rehearsed words fleeing in nervous confusion, leaving him no time to search for them amidst the chaos.