I came to your city and walked the same path you took.
Just like dreams that cannot be grasped, many beautiful things are fleeting.
Days at school always pass by quickly, busy and unaware. I can't believe that just yesterday I was at your school, strolling with you by the shores of Lake Qin. It feels like a dream, I can't believe I actually went to your place. Let's call it a dream for now, because it truly feels like a beautiful dream, filled with wonder and beauty.
Since returning from Hefei, I have been repeatedly thinking about our meeting. Although we should have known each other for a long time, yesterday was the first time we met. It's quite interesting, haha. Who could have imagined that two strangers, by chance, would gradually get to know each other. I never thought that there would be a lively and interesting girl who would break the monotony of my life.
I can still remember the morning we first met. It was a relatively warm winter morning, and my mom and I were waiting for a car to go to town. During the New Year holidays, there were very few cars available for hire, so we waited for a long time, feeling frustrated and restless. Finally, a tricycle truck arrived after a long wait. The car was crowded with people. After finally finding a place to sit, my rarely used QQ messenger received a message from a stranger. Seeing that we were both believers, we exchanged a few simple greetings. Since then, we would chat occasionally. My first impression was that you were a diligent and studious girl. I could tell that you had planned your winter vacation very well, with morning readings, exercise, and preparation for the English exams.
I am a relatively insecure person, and I feel that compared to others, my vacation was too lazy. I had no plans, just watching TV and playing games every day. This has been my vacation routine for over twenty years, and I never thought about doing anything serious. So, I felt a bit embarrassed to approach you.
Actually, I had already silently planned to visit you. I initially planned to go to your place on May 13th. However, the day before yesterday, you mentioned that you were homesick and wanted to go home on Friday, the 12th. Since I had no classes on the 9th, I thought it was better to seize the opportunity and bought a ticket to your place that night. In the morning, I remembered that Haoge was also going to Hefei, so I encouraged him to come with me. I quickly packed my things without asking Haoge which part of Hefei he was going to. I thought we would probably separate once we arrived in Hefei.
In the evening, I made an excuse to go to bed early. I felt a bit excited lying in bed and couldn't fall asleep for a while. I thought I should let you know, so I secretly sent you a message. I didn't dare to look at the reply, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness, and eventually fell asleep.
The alarm clock rang at 5:30 in the morning, and after getting ready, I went out. The sky was just starting to brighten, and it was still cold in the early morning.
Haoge and I rode shared bicycles and set off. We originally planned to ride halfway and then take a taxi, but Haoge insisted on riding the whole way. I didn't trust the navigation on my phone and was afraid of missing the train. Luckily, we arrived at 7 o'clock. We reached Hefei Station at 9 o'clock.
It was crowded all the way, but we finally arrived at the school. It was so crowded, and I saw three elderly men with white hair squeezed near the door, standing with us.
Being close to the school made me hesitate to ask for directions. I wanted to find the famous Xiaowanda by myself, but I relied on a friend to show me the way.
So, my high school classmate took me to get familiar with the route to Xiaowanda, and after a brief chat, it was already time for class to end.
I arrived at your school and felt that there were quite a lot of trees. Despite the hot weather, it was still cool under the shade of the trees. To be honest, the scenery was quite beautiful, especially being next to Shushan Mountain.
Thinking that I would soon see Rachel, I felt a bit excited. I had already imagined various scenarios in my mind, haha. At that moment, every girl passing by seemed like it could be you.
Next to Lake Qin, there was an animation college. I originally planned to wait until after class, but it turned out that I didn't wait long enough. It was quite anxious.
It turned out you were still drawing.
I was told you were on the third floor, so I quickly walked up to the third floor. However, the classroom design was problematic, with no windows, and I couldn't find which classroom you were in. I had no choice but to send you a message saying that I had arrived.
I waited for a few minutes with my phone, and then a classroom door opened. A beautiful and cute girl smiled at me, and I felt so excited. I finally saw you in person! Suddenly, I felt a bit timid, but I followed you into the classroom. There were three roommates and a teacher in the classroom, and I had seen one of the roommates in a short video chat.
They were still drawing, either oil paintings or watercolors, and I didn't really understand. As I looked at each piece, well, yours was the ugliest (I hope you won't be mad at me). It's understandable, after all, you're not a professional.
The teacher left after a while, and a few others were making final adjustments. To be honest, I am a relatively introverted person, especially in situations where there are only girls. I feel awkward and don't know what to say. Luckily, I had you to chat with.
The others left early to have lunch, but you had to clean the palette and gather all the painting tools, which easily stained your clothes.
I also took a paint box, and it was quite heavy. I thought it was quite difficult for a delicate girl like you to carry these heavy things from the dorm to the classroom. Painting is indeed hard work, which is why it takes you so long to eat after class.
I didn't have classes in the afternoon, and I felt bad for taking away your rest time.
I really wanted to see where you practiced playing the piano because that's where you spent a lot of time and effort. I also wanted to see what you looked like when you played the piano.
So, I persuaded you to go to the piano room. I was really bored, and I thought you might not be willing. Later, I found out that students were not allowed to use the piano room during the day. I was really asking too much.
Interestingly, someone actually came to check while we were practicing the piano, but luckily they took a look and left. We were both stunned.
You thought for a moment and seemed to understand something. You deliberately dragged out your words and said, "Oh~~~ I see. They must have thought we were teaching, that I was the teacher and you were the student."
You said it with a sense of pride.
To be honest, playing the piano is not easy. After learning for a while, I managed to play "Farewell" and "Happy Birthday" with some difficulty. Of course, all credit goes to your careful guidance, Rachel. You demonstrated each finger movement one by one. It was already noon, and it was scorching hot outside, and the piano room was on the fourth floor with small windows, making it stuffy. I felt annoyed and restless, and it was hard to imagine practicing the piano for three or four hours in such conditions.
Music sounds lively and free, but practicing it can be quite boring. At first, I sang "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" in my mouth, but after singing for about ten minutes, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I relied on muscle memory to play.
However, as I watched you, Rachel, playing and singing the sheet music, fully immersed in it, I realized how difficult it was. Your little hands danced and leaped on the piano keys, showing great agility. I couldn't imagine how you practiced with those short hands. One hand could barely reach seven keys, yet you could play such complex pieces.
It was clear that practicing the piano during lunchtime was not very efficient. In the afternoon, we finally arrived at the much-anticipated Lake Qin. I often saw Lake Qin in your social media posts, and it looked beautiful to me.
The lake was inside the school, with willow trees swaying on one side and teaching buildings built along the water. Fish frolicked in the lake, and a black swan leisurely searched for food. You told me that it was a swan raised by your school, named "Zhou Black Swan" because of its glossy black feathers. Zhou Black Swan had the demeanor of a master of the lake, while we ordinary and lowly beings could only offer food respectfully. However, I was a bit disappointed because Zhou Black Swan didn't show the expected respect to me and another couple. Zhou Black Swan raised its head and chest, swimming towards us, thinking that we had come to offer it food, but it was disappointed and swam away in front of us.
There was supposed to be a pair of black swans, but maybe I was unlucky that day and didn't get to see this lovely couple.
You were the one doing most of the talking along the way, and I'm not very talented in conversation, so I just listened obediently. As someone who is awkward in social situations, I sometimes feel afraid to talk to people. I think I actually like talking, but I'm just afraid to open up. It's not that I want to keep everything to myself, but for a long time, no one has ever paid attention to my voice.
(I feel a bit embarrassed about eating and drinking at your school. Actually, before coming, I tried my best not to disturb you, but I still caused a lot of trouble. Maybe you had other plans, and you had your lunch break and the English exam. You also spent so much money, and I feel really guilty about it.)
When I arrived at the train station, the moon was high in the sky, and I began my journey back. I took a photo and sent it to you, only to find out that it was the 14th day of the lunar month, no wonder the moon was so full. But unfortunately, as the saying goes, the moon is full but the heart is empty. I don't know when we will meet again.
May we be together forever, even if we are thousands of miles apart.
Before parting, I wanted to take a photo together as a memento, but you didn't agree. It left a small regret. But it seems to prove the dream-like nature of this experience, leaving no trace. Perhaps this was just a dream for me, who can say it wasn't a dream.