Stars Fall Into The Sea, Love Never Fades Chapter 18

Chapter 19: Reconstruction after the Haze and the Echo of Love

In the month after Qi’s soul completely dissipated, A Zhi seemed to have lost his soul.

He locked himself in the villa, refusing to see anyone, refuse to work, and refuse to eat.There is no longer the familiar smell of cedar in the living room, and the space within three meters becomes empty and cold, as if a piece of it has been dug away.He often sat on the sofa, staring into the void, stroking the relics left by Qi over and over again, listening to the voice in the recorder over and over again, and tears fell silently.

Qi’s mother visited him several times, each time bringing home-cooked meals and earnestly persuading him: “Azhi, you can’t go on like this. Xiao Qi is gone, but he hopes you live a good life. If you ruin yourself like this, Xiao Qi will be sad in heaven.”

Ah Zhi was just silent, his eyes empty, as if he didn’t hear her words.

Until one day, when he was sorting out Qi’s draft book, he found a note tucked into the last page.The handwriting on the note was somewhat scrawled. It was written by Qi a few days before his death: “Azhi, if I leave, you must live well. Don’t be sad for me, don’t give up your life for me. Remember to eat on time, sleep on time, and don’t work too hard. Take my love, see the world, and complete our unfinished dreams. I love you, forever.”

Looking at the familiar handwriting, Ah Zhi’s tears welled up again, but they were no longer cries of despair, but tears of regret and realization.He remembered what Qi said before leaving, remembered Qi’s wish, and remembered his promise to Qi.

Yes, he can’t go on like this.Qi loved him with his life, and he couldn’t let Qi’s love go to waste.He wants to live well, with Qi’s love, to complete their unfinished dreams.

From that day on, Ah Zhi gradually came out of the haze.

He started eating on time, going to bed on time, and got back to work.He is more serious and focused than before, but he is no longer as desperate as before.He learned to take time out to rest in his busy life and to relax himself when he was stressed.

He still visits Qi’s mother every week, chats with her and helps her with housework.The relationship between the two is getting closer and closer, like a real mother and son.Qi’s mother would often say to him: “Azhi, look, today’s sunset is as beautiful as the one in Xiao Qi’s paintings.” Azhi would smile and nod, feeling a warm feeling of longing in his heart.

He still insists on volunteering at the Depression Relief Foundation, but no longer with heavy regret like before, but with gentle hope.He will tell the patients his and Qi’s story, Qi’s kindness and talent, his own experience of coming out of the haze, and encourage them to live well.

“I once thought that after losing him, my life would be filled with only darkness.” Azhi sat in the activity room and whispered to the patients, “But then I discovered that his love was always there. His love turned into sunshine, into the sea breeze, into every bit of life, and has always been with me and guided me.”

A boy who had lost hope in life raised his head and asked softly: “Is it really… going to get better?”

Azhi nodded with firm eyes: “Yes. As long as you don’t give up on yourself, as long as you are willing to believe in love, you will definitely get better.”

The boy’s eyes flashed with light and he nodded slightly.

Ah Zhi looked at him, feeling warm in his heart.He knew that this was what Qi wanted to see – to illuminate those in darkness with love and hope.

And life seems to be responding to his persistence in a gentle way.

He achieved great success in his work, the company grew in size and he became a well-known entrepreneur in the industry.But he no longer regards work as the whole life as before, but has learned to balance work and life.

On weekends, he would drive to the beach, sit on the beach, and watch the waves lapping at the coast, as if listening to the murmur of Qi.He would bring the mango pancake and place it in the open space next to him, as if he was sharing it with Qi.

Once, he encountered a sudden rainstorm at the beach. Just as he was trying to take shelter from the rain, he found a white umbrella beside him. It was Qi’s favorite style, with tiny star patterns printed on the umbrella.He didn’t know who put this umbrella here, but subconsciously felt that it was Qi who was silently guarding him.

Another time, he encountered a difficult case at the foundation. A patient with severe depression refused to communicate with others and refused treatment.Azhi tried many methods, but to no avail.Just when he was about to give up, he saw a picture album of Qi lying on the patient’s bedside, and the album happened to open to the page of “Stars Falling on the Horizon”.

As if something suddenly occurred to him, he sat beside the patient’s bed and softly told the story of him and Qi at the seaside, and Qi’s love for the starry sky.Unexpectedly, the patient slowly raised his head, with a glimmer of light in his eyes.

Since then, the patient has become willing to communicate with others and receive treatment.On the day he was discharged from the hospital, he went to find Ah Zhi and said softly: “Thank you. Thank you too, Mr. Qi. His paintings are beautiful and his stories are heartwarming.”

Ah Zhi’s eyes were slightly red, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.He knew that this was the echo of Qi’s love and the continuation of Qi’s kindness.

Life is gradually getting back on track, and a smile gradually appears on A Zhi’s face.He is no longer burdened by regret and pain like before, but has learned to coexist with longing.He knew that although Qi was gone, Qi’s love was always by his side, accompanying him and protecting him forever.