On the third day after returning to Qianlin, Yu quit.
Surrounded by empty bottles and cigarette butts, the alcohol and nicotine could not numb Yu's nerves, and his numb body couldn't stop to recall all moments between Nuo. He was sitting on the floor, every corner of the space held memories of their past peaceful years, and Yu could almost smell the lingering scent in the air.
Five days after resigning, Yu registered an ID "Miss Nobelium" on the 'I AM' forum, wanting to write about the years he spent with Nuo as a tribute and an outlet for his emotions. Apart from work, he felt he would go crazy if he didn't do something.
His post quickly gained popularity on the forum.
Yu spent his days in front of the computer, reflecting on his time with Nuo. Each keystroke carried bittersweet memories. Sometimes, feeling overwhelmed, he would have a few shots of vodka and smoke a few cigarettes. Each smoke reminded him of Nuo's comments about the smell of it. Then, he extinguished the cigarette once more.
Such a cycle continued day and night.
Yu often wondered how Nuo was doing and if he would see the post.
Ten days after posting, there was still no word from Wang Nuo.
— After glancing at the calendar, it has been two weeks since I parted ways with Nobelium. During this time, there has been no word from him, almost as if he has vanished from my life. However, I hold onto the belief that regardless of his final decision, he will provide me with an answer. I brought this upon myself by allowing him to choose, and now I must endure the consequences, enduring it all. With another two weeks remaining, halfway through our story has been told, conveniently leading up to the day he mentioned.
On the 11th day of posting, Yu left the message above on the post.
Time passes both swiftly and slowly.
Yu's post gained popularity in the forum, attracting lots of users who eagerly awaited updates and the ending between him and Nuo.
Lin'er created a Best Wish Post for Yu and Nobelium using her private ID, which sparked a flurry of comments from other users.
By the 18th day of Yu's updates, the wishes had received over ten thousand comments, and Yu's original post had reached a million views.
On the 23rd day of the post update.
—- I am calm, yet it feels like madness.
This city continues to revolve as usual, only my heart is empty.
At this point, the story between him and Nuo came to a pause, Yu said on the post
— Just one more week until the deadline I agreed upon with Nobelium. Up to this moment, I still haven't received any message from him. I never expected this post to become so popular. Now, I'm typing with a cigarette in my mouth, wondering if Nobelium will see this post? How shall I pass the time for one more week? Perhaps I should write about the daily life of me and Nobelium. I wonder if you all would like to read."
The replies below this post were quite uniform: Miss Nobelium.
Hoping Nobelium sees this post, wants to see Yu's daily life with Nobelium, and is eager for Nobelium to come to you.
The story storm spread to Sino Weibo, the most popular social media in the Chinese mainland, where users created a topic: #FindingNobelium#
The next day, it was barely light outside.
The room was illuminated only by the computer screen and the continuous sound of keys being pressed.
Yu was reminiscing about the trivialities in his daily life with Nuo.
Petty and ordinary things, cannot be happier anymore.
His phone rang while getting ready to update.
A message came through on WeChat.
His hands on the keyboard paused for a few seconds.
Five minutes later, Yu came out of the bathroom, grabbed his phone, and rushed outside.
Five minutes ago, the post was updated with just one sentence.
— On the 24th day of separation, he sent me a WeChat message.
Yu sped to the high-speed rail station at 120 miles per hour.
At the exit, he saw Nuo whom he hadn't seen in over twenty days.
From a few steps away, Nuo looked at him, his smile as charming as the wind.
"Fuyu," Nuo called his name.
"I've figured out."
Yu stood still in place, afraid to move.
"I will never meet another you again."
I was straight, now I'm gay. I have no regrets as I know quite clearly I will never meet another Fuyu again.
Trembling, upon hearing these words, Yu couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably. Taking a step forward, under the clear sky, he solemnly kissed Nuo.
"Nobelium, a radioactive metallic element," Nuo breathed slightly, "The Chinese term is Nuo(锘)."
Wang Nuo's Nuo.
I am the radiation emitted by an unstable atomic nucleus, and meeting you has stopped the endless penetration.
That night, the post was updated once again. Thousands of users and readers waited in front of their screens for the final resolution between them.
— On the 24th day of parting with 'Miss Nobelium'. I came back home, to our home. I have thought it through, and it's very clear to me 'WHO I AM'. Loyalty and filial piety cannot coexisted since ancient times. I only live once, and I want to live it for myself. I am certain that if anything unexpected happens in life, I hope he can openly sign the family section of the surgical consent form, with the signature: my beloved. — From Yu's Nobelium
Yu's Nobelium.
I am his beloved, named Wang Nuo.
I have returned, back by his side.