Chapter 27 Fortunate to Be Loved, Fearless of Mountains and Seas

After Lin Shenlu handed over his ID card, he quietly watched Hailan Jing. The girl was equally quiet, her eyes fixed on the name printed on the card. Her expression gave nothing away—was it surprise or delight? All that could be seen was that her beautiful eyes never strayed from the name.

“I really never expected... I actually waited for you here in Dali...” After a long while, Hailan Jing returned the ID card to Lin Shenlu.

“Uh... Actually, I’ve heard about this from them, too. Fortune-telling is something you can believe or dismiss, and even if you believe it, you can’t take it too seriously... After all, I can’t be the only Lin Shenlu in the whole country... When I was little, the fortune-teller always said I was destined for a great tribulation. I always thought it meant a Porsche, but when I graduated and started working, I realized... it was actually cleaning!” Lin Shenlu sighed as he spoke.

His words made Hailan Jing burst out laughing.

“Don’t laugh! I really did work as a cleaner. During my internship, that’s exactly what I did...” Lin Shenlu said seriously.

Hailan Jing nodded, her look saying, Go on, I believe you.

“So, the things that are said to be destined are rarely so magical. It’s just that there’s too much anticipation attached to them.” Lin Shenlu lit a cigarette gently.

Sitting there, he missed An Muxi a little. Today was the first day they’d been apart. Where was she? Was she all right?

...

“All right, I never said I had to follow the fortune-teller’s words exactly. It’s just that, back then, the fortune-teller said my true soulmate would have that name, so I kept waiting. I just wanted to see what the first Lin Shenlu I met would be like, why it took so long—curiosity, as you said. Now my heart is calm. After waiting so many years and meeting so many who claimed to be Lin Shenlu, I still remember how thrilled I was the first time, three years ago. Later, I found out he was a fake, just a pen name...”

She paused, then continued, “It’s the same today. I have no intention of forcing any outcome between us. It’s just fate—I waited for three years in Dali and finally met you. Let’s be friends.” Hailan Jing extended her hand again.

This time, there was no mistake.

The two of them shook hands.

Hailan Jing’s hand was smooth. Lin Shenlu had often come across the phrase, “soft as if boneless.” Now he understood it. Her hand really did feel like a fish in water—smooth and delicate, almost boneless.

A brief clasp, then they let go.

“Enjoy your time in Dali. I’ll head back now. If you need anything, just let me know!” Hailan Jing stood up and smiled.

Lin Shenlu nodded. It was obvious that she was in a very good mood.

Her white dress fluttered as she walked slowly away across the pale floor.

Lin Shenlu gently stubbed out his cigarette.

What a dreamlike day.

He twirled his phone in his hand. Inside, the newly added WeChat contact for Hailan Jing.

But he really wanted to send a message to An Muxi.

Just to say, I miss you.

Sudden separation truly is the hardest to bear.

But now, An Muxi had vanished like a stone thrown into the sea—impossible to find again.

Lin Shenlu couldn’t help but regret, or perhaps blame himself, for not leaving his contact information when he’d found An Muxi’s phone back then. Even just WeChat, QQ, or a phone number—anything would have done.

Maybe then, this overwhelming sense of longing wouldn’t be so intense.

Dali was so vast. Erhai Lake, too. To run into someone again was nearly impossible.

He gently closed his laptop, letting the clouds drift slowly by overhead.

The wind stirred the petals, setting them drifting.

Lin Shenlu took a deep breath and whispered softly to himself...

“Mountains and rivers stretch far and wide, the world filled with human warmth—none of it is you, and yet all of it is you.”

How would he spend tonight?

...

It was late.

With nothing to do, Lin Shenlu closed his door.

The Jinglu Hotel was bustling, everyone having a great time.

Especially Hailan Jing, the innkeeper by day, who was now live-streaming in the lobby. No wonder she was a top influencer with millions of fans. Earlier, while bored in his room, Lin Shenlu had opened Douyin for a bit—she’d made tens of thousands in tips in just half an hour.

Skit videos, ad sponsorships, live gifts... Hailan Jing was probably already wealthy at her young age.

No wonder she could run such a grand hotel alone in this Santorini-like paradise.

With his car keys in his pocket, Lin Shenlu walked out the front door.

Touching the antlers at the entrance, he couldn’t help but smile.

If he hadn’t met An Muxi, perhaps this would have been his greatest stroke of luck this trip.

Fate is always so wonderfully inexplicable.

He drove off...

Strolling through Dali Old Town.

He’d find a quiet bar, have a drink or two, and hope that after getting a little drunk, the worries would fade.

Last time, he’d gone for a drink in the afternoon.

Tonight, he’d sample Dali’s nightlife.

Luckily, Santorini wasn’t far from the old town.

Once again, Lin Shenlu parked and entered the old city.

This couldn’t exactly be called revisiting old haunts, could it?

It had only been two days, but his mindset had changed immensely.

As he walked along, taking in the sights, he once again passed by the clay figurine shop.

Last time he’d left the bar, he’d bought a clay doll that looked just like An Muxi. The colorful figurine had been beautiful.

When he returned, he’d given it to her.

He wondered now if she still carried it with her...

With a slow, meandering pace, Lin Shenlu found himself once more at Pirate’s Song Bar on Yeyu Road.

That little bar...

Through the window, neon lights flickered inside.

From where Lin Shenlu stood, he could clearly see Yanxun Luyu playing the guitar and singing.

That same familiar, hoarse voice.

That same distinctive little bar.

He decided to go in.

When Lin Shenlu entered, the place was already quite crowded.

He ordered a dozen beers and found a quiet corner.

From the moment he walked in, the short-haired Luyu on stage had noticed him.

The surprise in Luyu’s eyes was evident.

But the seasoned singer carried on as if nothing had changed, not even a quiver in his song.

Even when Lin Shenlu sat in the dim corner, Luyu’s gaze lingered on him.

Lin Shenlu lifted his glass and gave a small wave in greeting.

Luyu smiled.

He had come after all.

“My father has grown as old as an old newspaper...”

“All the stories on it are his whole life...”

“All right, this prose poem for my father is dedicated to all of you here tonight.”

“And just now, I saw an old friend in the crowd. This next song is for him!”

Luyu’s raspy voice carried over as he looked in Lin Shenlu’s direction.

Lin Shenlu was taken aback.

Luyu really hadn’t forgotten him.

He wondered what song would be dedicated to him tonight.

Lonely as he was, Lin Shenlu felt his interest piqued.