In the days following their return from Binnan to Binbei, Mu Zi had been suppressing his primal urges due to being preoccupied with numerous matters. But now, those urges were fully unleashed. Ouyang Liuse initially struggled but soon started to respond fervently. Their passionate and frenzied love-making erupted in the quiet of the night, intertwining and intensifying, with the iron bed creaking under their weight as if applauding their love.
Drenched in sweat, they clung to each other until they had no energy left, then finally stopped, panting heavily.
Ouyang Liuse quietly gazed at Mu Zi, who was close to her, and gently touched his lips with her nose. Her eyes were filled with tender affection, glowing enchantingly in the dim light.
"Mu Zi, someone has been sending you emails these past few days. Do you have a new task?" she asked softly, picking up Mu Zi's phone from the bedside table.
"Yes," Mu Zi replied, tracing his finger along her smooth back. "Since you helped me post that advertisement online, someone actually contacted me. And this client seems quite anxious. My first job seems about to come through." Though he spoke calmly, his tone couldn't hide his excitement and pride. "Baby, you're amazing," he whispered into Ouyang Liuse's ear.
Ouyang Liuse didn't turn around, her voice devoid of excitement. She asked quietly, "Where is it?"
"Zhonghai City, just north of Binbei. It fits perfectly with my next travel plan," Mu Zi said, proudly.
Ouyang Liuse shuddered, then slowly turned to face Mu Zi, asking him word by word, "So, you're leaving soon?"
Mu Zi paused, then said, "I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. Why? Didn't you say you'd come with me?"
Ouyang Liuse was silent for a long time under his gaze before shaking her head slowly.
Mu Zi's gaze turned from tender to puzzled, his expression growing serious.
"Mu Zi, I said I would follow you wherever you go. I'm committed to you for life," Ouyang Liuse whispered.
Mu Zi remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"In fact, before coming back here and seeing my aunt and uncle, I was determined to do so. Even now, my heart hasn't changed. I still want to follow you to the ends of the earth!" She paused, and tears welled up in her eyes, glistening in the dim light. "But I can't bear to leave my aunt and uncle. In fact, I've come to see them as my own parents. They've never had their own children, and now... Mu Zi, I'm very sorry. I want to roam with you, but I absolutely can't bear to leave the two behind... I'm so sorry." By the end, her voice was shaking with sobs.
Mu Zi was stunned. He gently patted her trembling shoulders, struggling to find comforting words. He had always been somewhat emotionally reserved due to a lack of familial affection in his childhood. Even though he now had Ouyang Liuse and true love, comforting his beloved in such delicate matters was still unfamiliar to him, almost completely beyond his grasp.
After a while, Ouyang Liuse quietly got out of bed, put on her nightgown, and stood up.
"Why are you leaving?" Mu Zi asked, confused.
"I don't want my aunt and uncle to find out. It wouldn't be good," she replied, her voice shy in the dim light.
Mu Zi opened his mouth but found he had nothing to say.
Ouyang Liuse walked to the door and held the doorknob. Suddenly, she turned back and quickly returned to the bed, leaning down to look at Mu Zi. "Could you stop and find a job in Binbei? Live a simple life? For me?" she asked rapidly.
Mu Zi was silent for a long time before shaking his head firmly.
Ouyang Liuse immediately turned and left the room, closing the door behind her...
The next day, when Ouyang Liuse's aunt and uncle learned that Mu Zi was leaving the following day, they were surprised but didn't insist on keeping him after hearing about his busy work schedule. Ouyang Liuse, unusually calm, neither tried to persuade him to stay nor showed any reluctance, maintaining her cheerful demeanor.
Knowing he would leave Binbei the next day, Mu Zi decided to enjoy his last day there. After breakfast, he took Ouyang Liuse and her relatives in the new electric car, visiting all the famous sights in Binbei. They first stopped by the hospital to thank the doctor who had treated Ouyang Liuse's aunt, bringing gifts. Coincidentally, they ran into Fu Yang, who was reading under the shade of trees in a wheelchair, with two hired nurses standing behind him. His friendly and warm greeting to them was a far cry from his previous arrogance, indicating the car accident had changed him...
They had a great time together, and it was probably the first time Ouyang Liuse's aunt and uncle had ever had the chance to thoroughly enjoy all the sights.
That evening, the four sat around the dinner table chatting late into the night. To see Mu Zi off, Ouyang Liuse's uncle even shared a few drinks with him. Mu Zi didn't sleep well that night, lying awake, staring at the dark ceiling, feeling a pang of reluctance in his heart. But just when he felt sad, Beethoven's Symphony once again rang out...
Early the next morning, while it was still dim, Mu Zi quietly packed his bags, dressed, and sneaked out of the bedroom. He glanced at Ouyang Liuse's room and her aunt and uncle's room, then quietly placed a bundle of neatly arranged money on the living room coffee table. Resolutely, he opened the door and stepped out.
The early morning breeze was cool. Mu Zi wrapped his shirt tightly around him, put on his helmet, mounted his motorcycle, and started it. The new bike hummed softly as he drove towards the community gate.
As the motorcycle sped along, he felt her arms tightly around his waist, her face pressed against his back, her long black hair fluttering in the wind...
He had always thought this scene would continue...
Mu Zi felt the emptiness behind him and realized something in his heart had been taken away...
Goodbye, Binbei! Goodbye, Liuse...
As he slowed down approaching the community gate, he suddenly heard a familiar, urgent call from behind.
"Mu Zi!"
Mu Zi's body jolted, braking sharply. He turned around and saw a figure in a white dress running towards him.
The girl ran fast, her white dress fluttering in the wind like a dancing butterfly...