The Gentle Breeze Reflects in My Eyes - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Gu Yitong looked at the young girl, who was biting her lip with tear-filled eyes, and gave the hand she was holding a gentle squeeze a silent gesture of peace.

Xia Lusheng struggled, trying to shake off Gu Yitong’s hand. After a few failed attempts, she finally spoke, her voice thick with a sob: “I want to go back!”

Her tone was laced with grievance and a hint of stubbornness.

Naturally, Gu Yitong would not agree. If she let Xia Lusheng run away now, the girl would truly retreat forever into her own isolated world.

“Lusheng, just stay to keep me company, okay? Your Sister Qi even gave me a mission—to check out the local snacks at the S City night markets.”

Xia Lusheng forced back her tears and said, “Go by yourself. I’m going home.”

Looking at the stubborn girl, Gu Yitong sighed and coaxed her: “Lusheng, we already promised Teacher Zhao. Besides, Teacher Zhao said that several of your favorite cellists will be performing at the concert. Don’t you want to hear them in person?”

Xia Lusheng remained silent.

Observing her reaction, Gu Yitong continued to soothe her: “Once we get to S City, we’ll do our own thing. Aside from the concert and the competition, we won’t follow Teacher Zhao and the others for anything else, okay?”

At this, Xia Lusheng stirred, her voice hesitating: “Really?”

“Would I lie to you?” Gu Yitong countered with a question.

Finally swayed, Xia Lusheng allowed Gu Yitong to lead her back to Teacher Zhao and the rest of the group.

The airport wasn’t crowded. Teacher Zhao and the others were waiting by the check-in counter. Chen Jiale waved at them: “Sister Yitong, over here!”

As they approached, Chen Jiale enthusiastically stepped forward to take the suitcase from Gu Yitong’s hand. “Sister Yitong, let me help you put this on the conveyor belt.”

It was obvious that these kids had been lectured by Zhao Yasu; they were acting much more natural around Xia Lusheng than they had moments ago.

Gu Yitong didn’t refuse and handed the suitcase to Chen Jiale with a smile. “Thank you.”

She handed her and Xia Lusheng’s ID cards to the counter staff. A moment later, the staff returned the IDs along with their boarding passes.

The group passed through security smoothly and boarded the plane after a thirty-minute wait in the departure lounge.

Once on board, Gu Yitong realized her seat wasn’t next to Xia Lusheng’s; her seat was next to Yu Qi.

Yu Qi proactively moved to Xia Lusheng’s assigned spot and said with a grin, “Lusheng, let’s swap. You sit with Sister Yitong, and I’ll take your seat.”

Standing in the narrow aisle, Xia Lusheng gripped Gu Yitong’s hand tightly. She froze for a moment at Yu Qi’s words before realizing what was happening. Feeling awkward at the display of kindness, she muttered uncomfortably, “Thank you.”

Gu Yitong helped Xia Lusheng into the inner seat and fastened both their seatbelts. She then pulled a small box from her pocket, revealing a pair of aviation earplugs.

Gu Yitong had prepared these specifically for her. Since Xia Lusheng couldn’t see, her hearing was much more sensitive than the average person’s. Gu Yitong didn’t know if the takeoff would cause her ear pain, but it was better to be prepared.

Bringing the earplugs to Xia Lusheng’s ear, Gu Yitong said, “Hold still, let me put these in for you.”

Zhao Yasu, sitting to their left, watched Gu Yitong’s actions with surprise and a touch of emotion. Gu Yitong’s care for Xia Lusheng was truly beyond words; the term “thoughtful” hardly did it justice.

…

They arrived in S City in the evening and checked into a hotel.

The next morning, the group headed to the competition venue.

Along the way, Yu Qi and Chen Jiale were chattering incessantly, with two other classmates joining in the noise. Behind them, a thin, frail girl followed silently.

Gu Yitong subconsciously paid more attention to that girl. She had been very quiet since yesterday, standing in stark contrast to the rowdy Chen Jiale and the others.

When they arrived at the venue, the audience section wasn’t full yet. Zhao Yasu gave their seat numbers, and they found their places in order. By chance, Gu Yitong sat to the right of that quiet girl.

Gradually, the hall filled up. A host took the stage, and after a short speech, the competition began.

Gu Yitong could clearly feel the tension coming from the girl on her left. The moment the sound of a cello rang out, the girl’s body stiffened instantly.

In the dim light, Gu Yitong saw Zhao Yasu, who was on the girl’s other side, tightly gripping her hand.

Today was the first day—the preliminary rounds—so the performance levels were uneven. Xia Lusheng listened with intense focus, frowning occasionally. Gu Yitong shifted her attention back to her.

She tilted her head toward the frowning Xia Lusheng and gently squeezed her hand.

Xia Lusheng’s lips moved. Gu Yitong couldn’t hear her, so she leaned closer to listen.

“Not as good as me.”

Xia Lusheng’s tone was completely serious, which made Gu Yitong chuckle.

“Yitong! Help! Get the medicine out of Li Lei’s pocket!” Zhao Yasu’s voice was low but urgent.

Gu Yitong looked over immediately. The quiet girl’s lips had turned pale, and her whole body was shaking uncontrollably. Zhao Yasu was holding her tightly.

Gu Yitong’s expression changed instantly. Without wasting a second, she reached into the girl’s pocket.

But it was empty.

Gu Yitong said urgently, “There’s no medicine.”

Zhao Yasu’s eyes filled with panic. “How can there be no medicine?!”

As she spoke, Zhao Yasu checked the pocket on her side. “Where is it? How can the medicine be gone?!”

Li Lei began to convulse, her eyes rolling back.

Gu Yitong acted decisively. She pulled Li Lei out of her seat and hoisted her onto her back. “To the hospital!”

Unable to find the medicine, Zhao Yasu didn’t dare delay. She agreed with Gu Yitong: “She’ll be fine once we’re out of the hall! She just needs to be away from the music! Get her out first!”

People in the surrounding seats noticed the commotion, causing a minor stir. A few onlookers gasped in fear.

Yu Qi, Chen Jiale, and the others were stunned, standing frozen in place. “Te-Teacher Zhao…”

Zhao Yasu urged, “Go! Follow me!”

Xia Lusheng didn’t know what was happening. Hearing the chaotic noise around her, she balled her fists in confusion and called out Gu Yitong’s name anxiously: “Sister Yitong? Sister Yitong…”

Gu Yitong, carrying Li Lei on her back, jogged toward the exit, repeatedly saying to the crowd, “Make way, please, excuse me.”

It wasn’t until she was outside the venue that Gu Yitong remembered to call 120 (emergency services). She cursed her own stupidity—the more panicked she was, the more she fumbled. She carefully lowered Li Lei and pulled out her phone.

Before she could dial, Zhao Yasu and the others caught up. Seeing the phone in Gu Yitong’s hand, Zhao Yasu guessed her intent and quickly said, “Yitong, no need for the ambulance. Li Lei will be fine in a moment.”

Gu Yitong paused, her finger hovering over the screen.

Just then, Li Lei’s convulsions actually stopped. Her consciousness gradually returned to normal.

Zhao Yasu stepped forward to support her, her voice a mix of anger and heartache: “You silly girl! Didn’t I tell you to bring your medicine? Why didn’t you? Are you trying to scare me to death!”

Li Lei leaned weakly against Zhao Yasu, her head hanging low in silence as she took the scolding.

When Zhao Yasu finished, she whispered, “I’m sorry, Teacher Zhao.”

Seeing that Li Lei was truly alright, Gu Yitong breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as she looked at the group, a sudden realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.

“Where’s Lusheng?”

Yu Qi and the others froze. They realized that in their rush, they had forgotten to lead Lusheng out.

“Lu Lusheng…” Yu Qi pointed back toward the venue, unable to even form a full sentence.

Gu Yitong couldn’t help but mutter a low curse before turning and sprinting back into the stadium.

In that short distance, countless terrifying scenarios flashed through her mind. Lusheng was so sensitive—would she feel abandoned? If she realized everyone was gone and tried to find them on her own, what if she tripped? What if she wasn’t where they left her?

The more she thought, the more her heart burned with anxiety.

When she reached their old seats, she found Xia Lusheng sitting exactly where she had been, listening to the competition with a look of quiet concentration. Gu Yitong’s frantic heart finally steadied.

She walked up slowly and stopped in front of the girl.

Sensing someone’s presence, Xia Lusheng spoke: “Sister Yitong?”

In the next instant, her shoulders were pulled into an embrace. She was gathered tightly into the other woman’s arms.

Gu Yitong held her as if she were a precious, fragile treasure that had been lost and found.

After a moment, she couldn’t help but lean down and press a gentle kiss onto Xia Lusheng’s hair.

“I’m sorry, Lusheng.”

Xia Lusheng skillfully wrapped her arms around Gu Yitong’s waist. She tilted her small head up from Gu Yitong’s chest, her face full of pride: “Sister Yitong, I knew you wouldn’t leave me. I wasn’t scared at all. I just sat here and waited for you. I knew you’d come back for me.”

Looking at Xia Lusheng’s smile, Gu Yitong felt a pang of bittersweet emotion—a mix of ache and overwhelming warmth.

When the two of them walked out of the venue, Yu Qi, Chen Jiale, and the others approached Xia Lusheng with guilty expressions. “Sorry, Lusheng, we… we…”

Xia Lusheng was startled; she didn’t seem to understand why they were apologizing.

Zhao Yasu also walked over, looking at her apologetically. “Lusheng, I’m sorry.”

The sudden influx of apologies from her companions made Xia Lusheng visibly uncomfortable. She tightened her grip on Gu Yitong’s hand.

Gu Yitong stepped in: “Lusheng is fine. How is Li Lei? Teacher Zhao, it looks like we won’t be watching the rest of the competition today. Why don’t we head back to the hotel so Li Lei can rest?”

With subtle grace, Gu Yitong shifted the focus onto Li Lei.

Zhao Yasu had been thinking the same thing and nodded. “Alright.”

…

Back at the hotel, Gu Yitong and Xia Lusheng lay side-by-side on the bed.

“Lusheng… were you really not scared at the stadium?”

Xia Lusheng told the truth: “When I first heard you and Teacher Zhao sounding so urgent, I was a bit panicked because I didn’t know what was wrong. Later, when I realized you were all gone, I was scared for a tiny bit. But only for a tiny bit!”

She emphasized the last part strongly.

“You were in such a rush, and you and Teacher Zhao were so worried something big must have happened. I knew that once you were done and realized I wasn’t there, you would definitely come back for me! So I didn’t run around. I just waited in the same spot for you to find me.”

Xia Lusheng’s tone was one of absolute certainty.