Old lovers3

5

Li Jianxin realized that this time, Zhou Lisha was determined to make a clean break with her past—not just from the man, but from the six painful years she could hardly bear to look back on.

She had been lost, searching for a way out in anguish. She had once loved that Professor Jiang as if he were her compass, but over the years, as she carved her own path, she realized there had never been any true direction—just a wrong turn from the very beginning.

Zhou Lisha smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Li Jianxin. *"Don’t you think it’s fate? Just when I’m ready to leave behind a miserable chapter, I run into you—the guy who never takes the normal road!"*

They shared a quiet laugh.

Li Jianxin, too, felt it was destiny. Why else would he suddenly scroll past her post at that exact moment?

*"So, where are you headed now?"* he asked after hearing her brief explanation.

Where, indeed? Zhou Lisha had no real destination in mind. Her heart was barren, her vision clouded. Yet Li Jianxin’s unexpected appearance felt like salvation. She knew he had liked her back then—enough to nearly land himself in jail for her sake, enough to throw away his diploma.

If fate had brought them together again, maybe they could start anew?

Across the small table, their eyes met. Soft music played in the background, a sentimental melody swelling at just the right moment. Zhou Lisha reached out and took his hand.

Time had passed, but some feelings remained unshaken. They had never been lovers. They had missed their chance years ago. Yet here they were, brought together once more.

Later, hand in hand, they left the restaurant and found a tiny bar tucked deep in an alley.

The place was empty except for the two of them. Clinking glasses, they toasted—*"Happy birthday to me," "Happy birthday to you"*—laughing like fools.

Zhou Lisha drank until her cheeks flushed, collapsing against Li Jianxin with a tipsy grin. *"Remember that hotpot place near campus? That night in the alley?"*

The memory of ten years ago came alive between them. One kiss might have changed everything. They had both thought that moment was lost forever. Now, buried regrets had fermented, growing into something towering.

They drank until closing time, dredging up old stories and new confessions, safe in each other’s company.

By the time they stumbled out, it was past midnight. Half-supporting each other, they wandered until they found a hotel with vacancies.

The lobby was decked in Valentine’s Day decorations. Only then did they realize what day it was.

The front desk clerk gave them a knowing look as she checked them in.

*"Only one room left,"* she said.

They staggered upstairs, laughing as they fumbled with the key. Once inside, Li Jianxin slung an arm around Zhou Lisha’s shoulders, grinning.

She pinched his side. *"What’s so funny?"*

*"That clerk thought we were a couple. Did you see her face when I asked if there were other rooms?"*

Zhou Lisha rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile.

Li Jianxin wandered around the room, peeking into the bathroom. *"I reek of alcohol. Gonna shower. Wanna join?"* he teased.

Zhou Lisha’s face burned, but she shot back, *"Sure. Let’s go."*

Suddenly flustered, Li Jianxin quickly shut the bathroom door behind him.

Later, clean and sobered slightly, they lay side by side on the bed, neither speaking for a long moment.

The room was chilly. Li Jianxin pulled the blanket over them, sliding an arm beneath her neck to cradle her shoulders.

Zhou Lisha stiffened at first, then relaxed into his warmth. She turned, pressing her face against his chest.

They stayed like that, silent, comfortable—like longtime lovers, yet without expectation.

From somewhere outside, a song drifted in:

*"Quiet night, loneliness settles on my heart / Does the lonely moonlight still remember the past? / Love drifts with the wind, buried by time / In the bustling crowd, I refuse to look back / But I can’t find where you’ve gone..."*

Zhou Lisha closed her eyes. *Forget what should be forgotten. Keep what shouldn’t be.* She had learned to let go.

Part of her had expected something to happen that night. But as the alcohol pulled her under, she surrendered to sleep, still waiting.

6

When Zhou Lisha woke, sunlight streamed through the window. She reached out—the other side of the bed was empty.

*"You’re up?"*

The voice came from the balcony. She turned to see Li Jianxin leaning against the railing, cigarette in hand, that familiar roguish smile on his face.

Her cheeks warmed. Then she glanced down—her clothes were still on. Had nothing really happened?

She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

Li Jianxin stubbed out his cigarette and walked over, sitting beside her. His eyes held the same admiration and care she remembered. *"Don’t call him when you go back, okay? No more contact."*

She smiled. *"I won’t."*

He scratched his head, suddenly awkward. *"I’ve got to go… Hope you get the fresh start you deserve."*

Her smile froze. She wanted to ask why he was leaving so abruptly, but the words stuck in her throat.

She just watched him, silent.

Leaning down, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead. *"You never asked what I’ve been doing all these years—if I’m married, if I’m happy. But it doesn’t matter. I came. I loved. That’s enough, isn’t it?"*

The kiss was fleeting. He straightened, adjusting his jacket, his expression tender but resolved. *"I’m going."*

The light in her eyes dimmed. Once again, this was how they said goodbye.

She watched him walk out, knowing something was different this time. Their reunion had only been for this—a proper farewell.

Sunlight spilled across her face. *Wherever he goes now, this same sun will touch him too.*

The thought brought a quiet ache, for him and for herself. But she understood—this was time’s final gift to them.