Crossing the Clouds and Sky to Fall in Love with You - Chapter 54

She told me everything Zhu Haiping had said to her afterward—I finally understood why she said Zhu Haiping had come to say goodbye. Having finally overcome her illness, and accepting her husband’s and family’s suggestion, she decided to temporarily reside abroad. It was for a change of scenery, as well as for recuperation.

Upon learning that the book signing event would be held, Zhu Haiping decided to come and meet Siqi; for her, it was probably the last opportunity. Her goal was to untie any possible knots still existing in Siqi’s heart. Although I didn’t quite forgive her actions back then, perhaps she also had pressures I wasn’t aware of, so I didn’t say much more.

At least, she had the presence of mind to come and explain everything to her old flame. She also admitted that she still held a place for Siqi in her heart, but she had fallen more deeply in love with her husband, who had pursued her tirelessly and accompanied her through that difficult period. Therefore, from the very beginning, she wasn’t here to win back her ex-girlfriend.

As for me, I was glad I had successfully passed this test.

I have to admit, if I had encountered this at the start of my third year of college, I would definitely have had a huge fight with Siqi, or simply retreated into my shell in self-pity, instead of bravely searching for the true answer.

The book fair concluded, and having wrapped up one task, she quickly went to Hualien, as she had said, to explore the “beautiful mountains and waters” she envisioned. After the whirlwind of the book signing, her fan page’s popularity exploded again, and now that it was renamed “Little Birdy” (Xiao Qiu), fans finally stopped asking why the book title and the fan page didn’t match.

When she posted photos taken in Hualien, unlike before, they started to have a bit more “human touch.” This was a huge change from her previous work, which was almost never focused on people, prompting many fan speculations. I was the only one who knew the real reason.

Looking at the Indigenous girl in traditional costume in the photo, I couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Saying goodbye to February, the weather gradually warmed up. Besides the rising temperature, the relationship between Tao Yi’an and his senior, Saya, was also becoming clearer. After the band “Man Mian Yu ” (Human-Faced Fish) moved to a new pub to perform, their popularity quickly soared, and the venue’s business also picked up.

However, when they asked me when I would join them again as a temporary band member, I unapologetically crossed my arms across my chest and said, “No, thanks! I’m not really that fond of performing in front of a crowd… Besides, I don’t need to use that trick to ‘smack anyone’s face’ anymore, do I?”

Saya chuckled, “Could it be that you’re waiting for the next ‘victim’ to appear before you’ll consider performing on stage again?”

“Oh, come on! That’s not what I meant at all…”

Despite what I said, I was indeed becoming more proficient at playing the ukulele and had learned some new songs! But currently, only my precious girlfriend gets to hear them.

She occasionally took short trips, and through her introduction, I got to know a few other female backpackers. I was very happy to meet her friends, feeling like our relationship had advanced another level.

I truly hoped we could continue living happily like this, together with her.

But such days were bound to be interrupted eventually.

Just before I was about to prepare for my midterms, she made her decision—the date for her departure to Nepal and Bhutan was set. She also began actively engaging in fitness exercises, likely in preparation for climbing mountains or long-distance trekking.

We had an unspoken agreement not to discuss her upcoming journey at all, as if by doing so… by doing so, I could pretend that date didn’t exist, pretend she would always stay by my side, and we could happily live together without a care.

She prepared a large backpack, saying that suitcases couldn’t be used there. When she packed everything she needed for the trip into the pack and placed it in front of the bookshelf, it served as a stark reminder that I could no longer ignore.

The day before her departure, I skipped the entire day of classes. We went out to eat, and she drove me around for a drive. That day was very happy, very, very happy.

It wasn’t until we stepped back into the house and saw that backpack sitting there that the emotions I had been forcefully holding back finally broke, and I burst into tears.

I hugged her tightly, burying my face in her embrace, sobbing and pleading for her “not to go”!

Looking back on myself like that… I honestly felt so ashamed; I had promised not to be a burden who hindered her, yet I couldn’t control the loneliness and wished she would stay for me.

She didn’t say anything. We kissed passionately, exchanging fervent breaths. Soon, we shed each other’s clothes and indulged in intimate passion in our little love nest.

“Do you know how much I hate to leave you?” she whispered, kissing my temple, her voice suppressed. “Xiaoning, if you truly want me to stay, I will.”

“Why did you have to say that at this moment… to break my heart?” I trembled from her kisses. “I’m conflicted, Siqi… I know I’ll eventually let you go on your trip, but whenever I think about not seeing you for several months, I can’t help but feel sad and lost.”

“I know, I know…” she panted slightly. I was uncharacteristically dominant, pushing her down and freely allowing her bloom to open under my fingertips and tongue. She gasped repeatedly from my teasing, her fair skin flushed with pink.

I wanted to tease her like this, nonstop, nonstop…

“But I told you, I want you to live freely, to do what you love most.”

I lay on her chest, lost in her kisses and caresses.

“I’m doing what I love most right now with the person I love most.”

“You… that’s not it!” Even though I knew she was joking, still… Ugh! “I’m really going to get mad!”

“I know what you mean, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” She embraced me, smiling, my back pressed against her softness. She kissed my back, her fingers tracing me, lingering provocatively near my private spot.

She was like an aphrodisiac; whether she indulged my abandon or insisted I savor the joy of intimacy, it was wonderfully irresistible.

“I will keep in constant contact with you, whether through private messages or using other means… In short, you won’t lose track of me,” she finally guaranteed in my ear.

“Mhm… I believe you.”

The next day, I personally saw her off at the airport; the driver was still Brother Lin.

As she was about to board, I looked at her, unable to even manage a perfunctory smile. She smiled, deliberately holding my hand, “Xiaoning, look at me.”

“I don’t want to! If I look, I’ll cry…”

“Then cry. I want to remember your gaze, and I want you to remember mine.”

I met her gentle, beautiful eyes, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. She continued to smile, patiently wiping away my tears, again and again. “Wait for me to come back.”

“Mhm.”

“You must live strongly, live well. I’ll have Yi’an keep an eye on you. If you have any difficulties, you can tell him, or tell Zhifang, just don’t bottle it up.” I forgot to mention, she and Saya are now super close—one is bold and the other is chic, making them seem like a good match—perhaps because she also knew that by winning over her brother’s girlfriend, she wouldn’t have to worry about reconciling with Tao Yi’an.

“Mhm, I know…” I took a deep breath, still unable to suppress my emotions, and hugged her tightly. “Please come back safely! You absolutely must!”

“I will.” She lowered her head, and regardless of who might be watching, she gently pressed a kiss on my lips. “I’m leaving.”

“Mhm, safe travels.”

She held my hand, then released one finger, then two, until the touch of our fingertips finally vanished. She bit her lip, turned around with determination, and I wanted to shout her name, but my throat was too dry to make a sound.

I watched helplessly as the wind that had lingered by my side drifted away.

It was a pain no less intense than the one I felt during my initial breakup. And the terrible part was, this time there was no other “Tao Siqi” to comfort me.

But, I was no longer the fragile and easily hurt Yu Xiaoning from before.

Brother Lin saw our emotional farewell but gently said nothing. He gave me his business card, clearly telling me that I could contact him anytime if I ran into any trouble.

“Siqi… I’ve watched that kid grow up since she was young; she’s never hated to leave someone this much, so… of course I have to keep an eye on her girlfriend.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Brother Lin… I’ll take good care of myself!”

I kept my word.

The best proof is that not only did I score beautifully in every course this semester, but I also passed each one with a high grade!

Haha! Impressive, right? Especially that photography course; the final assignment required us to submit our three most satisfying photos. Before she left, she gave me the D90, saying it was my camera now. To get a high score using her first camera is a way of living up to her expectations, right?

I was very satisfied with this photography course, but conversely, Yiting, who had originally dragged Tao Yi’an and me into taking the course, was a bit down. The reason, of course, had nothing to do with her grade.

“Oh… You two, you both have someone by your side this semester, and I’m still all alone.” Needless to say, Yiting’s “Hunting the Senior” operation ended in failure. Tao Yi’an and I exchanged a look, knowing he was currently in the throes of new love with Saya and were not in a position to offer comfort.

Especially since I later vaguely felt that Yiting had been particularly close to him for a period, but as he became increasingly attracted to Saya, and the two successfully started dating, the small flame in Yiting’s heart was also extinguished.

“Don’t be sad. There are plenty of fish in the sea, at worst…” I glanced at Tao Yi’an, leaned closer to her and said, “At worst, we can ask Tao Yi’an if any of his guy friends are worth trusting, and ask him to play matchmaker?”

“Are you still counting on him? He and Saya are practically blinding people now, aren’t they?” Uh! That’s true… Not only does Saya often come to sit in on his lectures, but after class, he specifically goes to the pub to listen to her sing. They are practically inseparable, only just short of moving in together.

“Then, then… we can still go out and relax during the summer vacation!” Anyway, the person next to me is currently on a trip, and I have plenty of time to spend with my girlfriend.

“No, thanks… I’ve decided! I’m going to get a job! I’m going to dress myself up nicely and rebuild my confidence as a woman!” Having determination is good… but I remember someone wanted me to join her at an all-you-can-eat restaurant last night to soothe her broken heart. Will this really build confidence?

“Anyway, see you after summer vacation! I will definitely let you see a brand new Ke Yiting!”

“Mhm… mhm!” I’m looking forward to it…