Su Jiamu looked at Lin Jie with surprise, a trace of joy appearing on her delicate face. "When do you plan to go? Oh, right, after you get your driver's license, we can travel together. You could join me in Sanya, and we'll watch the ocean together."
Tempted?
Lin Jie asked himself, was he tempted by Su Jiamu's words?
To watch the sea with her, to witness the sunrise and sunset by the shore… was he swayed?
Of course he was. In that fleeting moment, his heart wavered.
A voice within told him that nothing was insurmountable. The issues between them were minor, and if they were resolved, wouldn't they return to how they once were?
Nothing truly significant… they just needed better communication.
"When you have your license, we can rent a car in Hainan and drive around the island… What do you think?" Su Jiamu's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at Lin Jie.
His mind was a jumble. He muttered a few vague responses, listening as Su Jiamu excitedly laid out plans for their future travels, yet somehow, he couldn't feel the joy he should have.
"What do you think?"
After talking for so long, Su Jiamu suddenly realized she hadn't heard Lin Jie's opinion—none of it could proceed without his agreement, after all.
Looking at him, she felt an unfamiliar sensation rise within—a rare and urgent desire to travel with someone.
Solo trips were lonely… especially for someone like Su Jiamu, who thrived in lively company.
She had seen countless groups of friends and couples traveling together; even waiting for hours in line at Disneyland was bearable when you had someone to chat with and take photos. In short, Su Jiamu desperately wanted someone to travel with her.
She wanted that person to be Lin Jie.
"It sounds great," Lin Jie said.
His tone was off, and Su Jiamu leaned forward slightly, concern flickering in her eyes as she studied his face.
There was no warmth in his expression… Su Jiamu had gradually grown accustomed to the absence of gentleness in Lin Jie's gaze, but what unsettled her more was the deep darkness that seemed to constantly cloud his eyes.
In other words, the light had left Lin Jie's eyes.
He used to cherish a phrase: "Keep a fire in your heart, and light in your eyes."
But who had extinguished that fire? And who had stolen that light?
Su Jiamu didn't dare dwell on the question… faced with it, she did what she always did.
She chose to ignore it, to run away.
She believed that time could erase everything, but she forgot—some things can't be worn away by time.
Especially not for someone like Lin Jie, who always took things to heart.
"So, will you go or not?" Su Jiamu pressed, her gaze locked on him.
After a brief silence, Lin Jie's eyes stayed fixed on the scenery outside the window. "Maybe when I have time."
Disappointment washed over Su Jiamu, her face dimming as she stared at him, on the verge of confronting him, of having an honest conversation. But she couldn't push past her own barriers.
"Lin Jie."
"Hmm?"
"You're quite the picture of desolation these days."
"Maybe."
That was Lin Jie's answer.
There were still many beautiful things in life worth looking forward to, but right now, Lin Jie was simply sad.
Unbearably sad.
He stole a glance at Su Jiamu beside him. She was still the same Su Jiamu—her hair in a lovely braid, her skin fair, a natural beauty even without makeup.
But Lin Jie couldn't muster any joy.
Just as it had been with Ye Mo.
Ye Mo was wonderful. The present Su Jiamu was wonderful… but Lin Jie no longer felt the same.
He missed the Su Jiamu of the past… the one with the radiant smile, the vibrant Mu Mu.
But sadly, Mu Mu… died in the past.
He would never see her again.
…
"I was going to treat you to dinner tonight, but I'm too tired. How about tomorrow?" Su Jiamu asked as Lin Jie helped carry her luggage to her door.
Lin Jie shook his head. "No need. It's nothing worth a treat."
"Then why not come over to my place for dinner?" she suggested.
Again, Lin Jie shook his head. "I'll manage on my own."
Su Jiamu seemed to let out a soft "tsk," squinting slightly at him, her red lips parting as if to speak. But in the end, she said nothing, retreating into her apartment and closing the door.
Lin Jie lingered in the hallway for a moment, then turned and headed home.
Once inside, he drew the curtains tight, turned on the air conditioner, and collapsed onto the sofa. As the cool air gradually filled the room, only then did he feel his whole body begin to relax.
With a touch of self-mockery, Lin Jie thought how much he resembled the brooding, melancholy protagonists of some anime.
Zhao Yan and Mo Jiale were out every day, constantly inviting him to join them, but Lin Jie declined, always using the same excuse—he was busy with driving lessons.
Not only did he turn down their invitations, but also those from a few girls who had started showing interest.
Before meeting Su Jiamu, Lin Jie never understood those kinds of stories… he thought that as long as a girl was pretty, it didn't matter who you were with.
He didn't understand why protagonists in love stories were always so melodramatic, why love had to be so all-consuming, why the path to romance was always so fraught.
Now, Lin Jie understood… he could see the emotional turbulence of those protagonists, the epic nature of their love, but all he could feel was his own foolishness and helplessness.
As Lin Jie was lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang. Someone was calling him.
He assumed it was Zhao Yan or Mo Jiale, but when he checked, he saw it was Ye Mo.
Surprised, he hesitated before answering.
"Hello, sis?" Lin Jie asked cautiously.
After all, when someone could spend hundreds of thousands in one night, it wasn't wise to speak carelessly.
"Hey, have you lost your mind, little brother?" Ye Mo's voice came through, stifling a laugh. "When are you going to take me out for dinner? You said you were busy with driving lessons?"
Lin Jie froze, quickly checking their chat history… sure enough!
Ye Mo had asked when he would treat her to dinner, and Lin Jie had replied that he was busy with lessons.
"Oh? So, I'm joining you for driving practice, then?" Ye Mo teased.
Lin Jie chuckled awkwardly. "Habitual response, sorry about that."
Sensing something deeper in his tone, Ye Mo probed further. "Oh? A lot of people asking you out for meals lately?"
Lin Jie answered honestly. "More or less, a few people have invited me."
"Oh? Girls?"
"Yeah."
"Stay home and behave! I'm coming to get you. Tonight, you're treating me to dinner!" Ye Mo declared with authority.