Chapter 59: No Regrets, No Remorse

At 4:14, Lin Shenlu stood at the doorway, waiting for An Muxi.

The sky had not yet brightened.

Thoughtful as ever, Lin Shenlu brought an extra coat to drape over An Muxi’s shoulders.

The morning air by Erhai Lake was truly biting.

Carrying An Muxi’s luggage, the two descended the steps beneath the shroud of night.

Lin Shenlu drove, taking An Muxi toward the airport.

“Starting next month, I’ll have to subscribe to Lonely Planet magazine. Does that mean I’ll see my photo in it?” An Muxi asked Lin Shenlu in the car.

Lin Shenlu nodded with a smile, “That shouldn’t be a problem. The journey in Dali has come to an end, and I aim to publish one issue a month. It could be in any of the next ten issues. The next destination isn’t decided yet, but the story of Dali is nearly finished.”

“Lu—let me ask you, if my photo is in this issue about Dali, will I see someone else’s photo in the following ones?” An Muxi turned to him.

“Uh…”

“That’s a good question…”

“The stories in a travel magazine always need models. If you don’t want to see others’ photos, then come along yourself—be my eternal heroine!” Lin Shenlu laughed.

…

After parking, Lin Shenlu carried the luggage and escorted An Muxi to the security checkpoint.

“I thought you’d secretly buy a ticket to accompany me back… Seems the romance portrayed on television won’t be played out here,” An Muxi said, sighing a little.

“Hey, you’re picking on me!” Lin Shenlu tapped her forehead.

“Promise me, take good care of yourself. Next time we meet, I want to see you happy.”

“Promise me, always reply to my messages. I don’t want our relationship to become like so many others… where the conversation just fizzles out…”

…

Lin Shenlu stood alone at Gate Five, smoking.

Many relationships end not with a fight, but when there’s nothing left to say.

One day, you don’t reply, and I don’t ask.

Blocking and deleting are childish games.

True adults—say nothing, and simply stop reaching out.

…

Driving back, Lin Shenlu received a message from An Muxi.

It was a photo.

An Muxi sat in the first-class lounge, eating her special breakfast, snapping a selfie.

“Girl-snatcher: Don’t forget to keep your phone in your pocket!”

…

An Muxi didn’t reply.

Lin Shenlu didn’t ask again.

…

On the road.

The sunrise over Erhai must be near.

Watching a racing sunrise is its own kind of pleasure.

Just then!

Lin Shenlu’s phone rang.

It was Ye Yaochen.

At this hour?

Lin Shenlu glanced at his watch.

It was six in the morning… Normally, Ye Yaochen would never be up this early. Why was he calling?

“Hello, it’s me,” Lin Shenlu answered.

“Bro, something’s happened,” Ye Yaochen’s voice was low and serious.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Shenlu’s heart tightened. What could have happened? The wishing pool collapsed? Water overflowed? Santorini got flooded? Someone fell in and drowned?

“Hailanjing has a high fever… 38 degrees… she’s delirious. We’re all here, and she’s rambling nonsense,” Ye Yaochen said gravely.

“Wait—she needs emergency care at the hospital! Why call me? I can’t heal her from afar!” Lin Shenlu shouted.

“We’re still figuring it out… In this pandemic, what if she gets quarantined? It’s probably after-effects from drinking… And she keeps calling your name in her haze… and mumbling about snow and such…” Ye Yaochen explained.

“Today’s her birthday,” he added before hanging up.

Lin Shenlu sighed.

What a mess.

How was he supposed to fix this? He couldn’t cure illness, or summon snow…

Lin Shenlu wanted to avoid this.

But Hailanjing’s fever—he did carry some responsibility.

The only thing he could do now was to wait until she recovered, then leave with peace of mind.

Since the wishing pool’s construction, the time pool, and the chance pool were all completed.

His work here was done.

The journey in Dali was over, it was time to leave.

Now… go back, finish the manuscript, and wait for her to get well.

…

When he returned to the inn, everyone was in Hailanjing’s room.

A towel soaked in cold water lay across her forehead.

“The fever’s come down, the alcohol’s mostly evaporated. Just drink more water, she’ll be fine,” said Old Qin, a guest.

“Brother Qin, you know all this?”

“Middle-aged men’s health habits—you young ones don’t get it. It’s self-discipline. I drink often, it’s a minor issue. Don’t worry, she’ll wake up soon…” Old Qin said with a cheerful smile.

Lin Shenlu stood in the doorway smoking, nodding to Old Qin.

He handed him a cigarette, and Old Qin gently patted his shoulder.

“Listen, brother—don’t let your younger self regret. Regret doesn’t only come with age. Three years from now, five years from now, you’ll know what regret is,” Old Qin said, taking a puff.

“Thank you, brother.”

“When I was your age, I met many women—those who liked me, my money, my personality, and even my skills… None of them are by my side now. In a blink, I’m nearing forty, with two kids… Looking back at my twenties—it was wonderful… So, don’t let yourself regret, don’t leave regrets behind. A man… must not fail those who love him.”

…

Old Qin stubbed out his cigarette and left.

Lin Shenlu pondered.

Old Qin was right. Hailanjing did wake up.

Her fever subsided, and she regained clarity.

Everyone glanced at Lin Shenlu in the doorway before leaving.

Now, only Hailanjing lay weakly on the bed, and Lin Shenlu stood at the door.

Ye Yaochen was the last to leave.

He gently patted Lin Shenlu’s shoulder, then walked away.

Lin Shenlu sighed, approaching to sit beside Hailanjing.

She turned her head away.

She didn’t want to see him.

“Feeling better?” Lin Shenlu spoke first.

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Don’t be like this…”

“Get out…”

“I know you’ve waited here for three years, but some things can’t be forced… Don’t you agree?” Lin Shenlu felt the need to untangle this knot.

“Just go, don’t say all that. I don’t need your rescue. You’re not a saint, and you can’t save me…”

Lin Shenlu sighed.

“You don’t live for others. You should live for yourself.”

Hailanjing turned, eyes brimming with tears, staring at Lin Shenlu. “Today’s my birthday. I don’t want to see you, is that too much?”

Lin Shenlu stood up. “Fine, you won’t see me today, but I won’t let myself regret it. I’ve said all I needed to say.”

“Lin Shenlu, you owe me. You’ll never repay it in this lifetime,” Hailanjing said with all her strength.

“No, I can,” Lin Shenlu smiled, turned, and left.