Chapter 78 If You Miss Me, You Will Find Me

Tonight, Yichun was somewhat cold. The biting wind blowing against me felt like steel needles piercing my insufficiently covered flesh. The residual snow along the roadside was whipped into a frenzy by the fierce gale. I walked along the sparsely populated street with my arms wrapped around myself, glancing about from time to time, hoping to catch sight of that one figure I longed for from the depths of my heart.

The holiday was fast approaching. The shops on either side of the street had begun decorating their storefronts. Some hung colorful lanterns and banners, while others simply draped festive streamers across their doors. As I gazed at the glass windows sliding past, the turmoil in my heart gradually began to settle. Along this road leading from the Fenghua Bar to Main Street, there were far too many memories belonging to the three of us. Facing the chaotic, swirling snowflakes, I seemed to catch a glimpse of the past shared by Sister Shiyu and me. She stood right beside me, her hands tucked into her pockets, smiling as she looked into the distance, chatting with me about the small, happy, or sorrowful moments of daily life.

These passing images stirred a wave of sadness within me, akin to a colossal yet shattered scroll of painting. The figures remained, yet they were no longer by my side.

Walking along, I could not help but wonder why happiness is always so fleeting for those who live in this world, and why the past always seems more beautiful than the present. Is it because we do not know how to cherish what we have, or because human beings only learn how to drown themselves in memories?

Arriving at the famous snack street bordering Main Street, I paused to look around, but not a single storefront remained in sight. What was left were merely unplowed mounds of snow and solitary streetlamps leaning forlornly against the curb. Looking back, the barbecue restaurant that I always frequented during my student days was still open for business.

Pushing open the heavy door of the barbecue restaurant and seeing the patrons still enthusiastically grilling skewers and chatting inside, I walked toward the counter. The male waiter who often joked and chatted with me was sitting right there, seemingly enjoying a relatively quiet moment.

The moment I looked toward him, he noticed me as well. He immediately stood up, walked over with his signature smile, and greeted me warmly, "How come you came by yourself today?"

Hearing him say that, I understood that I no longer had any reason to stay. I simply returned his smile, waved apologetically, and turned to leave.

Stepping back out into the chilly, desolate street, I stood by the roadside, completely at a loss as to where I should go. Sister Shiyu was not here; what other place could possibly hold any lingering attachment for her... Or perhaps my entire premise was wrong from the start, and Luo Qing's guess was incorrect.

Enduring the biting wind, I took my freezing smartphone out of my pocket and tremblingly lit up the screen. Both a sense of calm and a wave of disappointment washed over me upon finding no missed calls or messages displayed. At that moment, how I both yearned for a call from Sister Shiyu and dreaded any news from Luo Qing. I hoped that Shiyu was safely tucked away in some warm haven living a healthy life, yet I feared that Luo Qing might actually find her traces at the hospital.

Slipping the phone back into my pocket, I walked aimlessly, continuously guessing the places Sister Shiyu might have gone. Yet my chaotic memories left me with no clear trail to follow, forcing me to wander forlornly through this snowy night all by myself.

Hiding inside a sheltered doorway, I sent Sister Shiyu a message: "Sister, where are you? I'm worried about you. I'm really, really worried about you."

After sending it, I stepped back out onto the street and resumed my destinationless wandering.

Huffing a breath of warm air into my hands, I cupped my ears, which ached as if they were being torn apart by the cold, and walked with my head down through the empty, desolate street. Yet I had not the slightest intention of giving up. No matter when, no matter where, until I received news of her, I would never quit.

Amidst the howling wind and snow, I thought I heard my phone emit a faint chime. I hurried as fast as I could to the corner of the nearest apartment building and pulled out my phone.

It was a text message, and the sender's name was none other than Shiyu, the one I had been longing for.

Hastily opening the message, I found only a single sentence: "Is it just worry?"

At that moment, I felt as though I had been injected with adrenaline, my blood surging hotly. I immediately dialed Sister Shiyu's number, only to remember that I had been deprived of the right to speak. I had no choice but to return to the messaging interface and reply: "Sister Shiyu, please come back. No matter what difficulties we face, we can confront them together. You still have me, you still have Yezi, and you have so many people who miss you."

I crouched in the corner of the wall, anxiously waiting for Sister Shiyu's reply. This time, the response came very quickly. Opening it, the message read: "And you?"

"I miss you too. I miss you more than anyone else." Ignoring all concerns about phrasing or ambiguity, I tapped out the words and sent them immediately.

"If you truly miss me, you will certainly be able to find me, right?"

"Sister, where are you right now? I'm coming right over."

Yet after this message was sent, Sister Shiyu's side fell completely silent. With trembling hands, I tucked my phone away and hurried back toward the main street, while my mind raced incessantly, trying to figure out where Sister Shiyu could possibly be at this moment. Whether it was her home, the bar, or the ice cream parlor, someone was waiting at each place, yet none of them had any news...

Right at that moment, a specific place flashed across my mind. Countless memories were stored there, and right there also lay the most precious part belonging to Sister Shiyu.

Glancing at the empty road, I sprinted frantically toward the park in the west of the city. The last time I had gone there with Sister Shiyu was several months ago, but the mere thought of this possibility made my heart race faster and my steps grow increasingly urgent.

Running and walking alternately for nearly twenty minutes, I finally arrived before the artificial lake in the west end. Without pausing to catch my breath, I immediately began searching all around for that familiar silhouette.

Walking along the surface of the artificial lake, now frozen into solid ice, I finally caught sight of a tall figure standing inside the park pavilion nearby.

Pacing forward in long strides, I beheld Sister Shiyu's beautiful visage under the pristine moonlight, and the heart that had been suspended in my chest finally landed. Bending over, I greedily gulped in the warm air in my lungs. Before I could even straighten up, Sister Shiyu had already walked up to me and extended her hand.

After catching my ragged breath, I raised my head to meet Shiyu's gaze, which was brimming with tenderness. I managed to squeeze out a forced smile, took her hand, and stood up straight.

Tall poplar trees were planted all around this park, and the inner ring was filled with various dense shrubbery. Thanks to their presence, the biting wind was blocked, and it didn't feel nearly as cold here as it had before.

"You don't even know enough to wear a hat. Or do you expect me to buy one for you?" Sister Shiyu pulled me to stand inside the pavilion as she gazed out at the tranquil park, gently taking off her own hat and placing it upon my head. I shook my head vigorously in refusal, but she smiled and said, "If you stay like this, how can I ever feel at ease?"

I wanted to speak, but no voice came out. Wearing Sister Shiyu's pure white cotton cap, I could only grip her soft little hand tightly, hoping she could feel my worry and fear, and hoping she would stay by everyone's side so that everything could return to the way it used to be.

"Little brother, what happened to your voice?" Sister Shiyu seemed to notice my abnormality, stepping a little closer as she looked at me and asked.

I pointed to my throat with fingers that were still aching from the cold, and waved my hand to signal that I could not speak. Lowering her gaze, Sister Shiyu seemed lost in thought for a moment before she finally spoke to me, "Perhaps this is all arranged by fate, and you were simply destined to be a listener today, little brother."

Not understanding what she meant, I shook my head vigorously while pulling out my phone, intending to send a message to the others who were anxiously waiting for news as well, especially Yezi.

"Chenzi..." Shiyu looked at me, smiled, and gently shook her head. Seeing that she truly did not want me to do this, I obediently put my phone away.

"It must be freezing out in this kind of weather..." Sister Shiyu gently reached out and stroked my cheek. I noticed that her own cheeks were flushed slightly red from the biting cold.

"Let's go. You must have a lot you want to say. Let's go somewhere warmer and talk." Shiyu took my hand and led me out of the park.

Gazing up at the bright moon in the sky and braving the piercing wind, I no longer felt a shred of cold or hardship walking beside Sister Shiyu. My heart was rejoicing, and my entire being was electrified by her presence. What did wind and snow matter at a time like this?

"Am I truly worth all this desperate searching from you?" Shiyu asked casually as we walked.

Releasing her hand, I squatted down by the roadside and drew a large "V" in the snow.

Watching the character I had drawn on the ground, Shiyu covered her mouth and chuckled, laughing happily, before softly whispering, "Fool."

I scratched my head and looked up at her, only to catch a solitary teardrop flashing at the corner of her eye, falling into the snow where it slowly melted before freezing over.

That single teardrop felt as though it had fallen straight into my heart, instantly stirring an overwhelming wave of emotion. I stood up, rushed forward, and pulled the fragile Shiyu into an embrace. I did not want her to leave, nor did I want her to depart in silence. No matter how great the hardship, I would do my utmost to share it for her; no matter how much pain there was, I would find every possible way to bear it in her stead... I simply did not want her to leave...

Holding her tightly for a long moment, she finally spoke with a slightly helpless tone, "Let go now. Look how old you are, still acting like a child."

Yet I shook my head, refusing to let go. Because of my own weakness, because of my fear, I refused to loosen my grip, terrified of her departure.

"Alright now, it's so cold out, people will laugh if they see us. Be a good boy..." Sister Shiyu's voice remained as gentle as ever, melting the ice and snow while soaking deep into my heart.

Shiyu led me along the roadside until we reached a sedan whose model I could not recognize. Seeing her open the door and gesture for me to enter with a polite "Please," I nodded and slid into the passenger seat, after which she seated herself beside me.

As she switched on the interior lights, soft and serene music began to play quietly inside the car. Looking out the window at the howling wind and driving snow, we felt as though we had been transported to another world—warm and peaceful.

"Don't forget to take some anti-inflammatory medicine when you get back. You can't just tough this out; if it drags on, your voice will be permanently affected." Sister Shiyu took out a towel and handed it to me. "Warm your hands first. Don't let them get frostbitten, or it will break my heart."

Leaning back against the comfortable seat, I cast a sidelong glance at her beside me. Sister Shiyu appeared as elegant, dignified, and beautiful as always, yet she now radiated a subtle aura I could not quite fathom—a natural warmth even more effortless than her gentle smile.