TRMLCM Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Leaving

Chapter 92: Leaving

Dappled sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting clusters of pure white beams. With a gust of wind, the light and shadows on the ground swayed gracefully, transforming into a rolling, surging ocean.

The smell of gunpowder lingered in the air after the firecrackers had been lit, a little unpleasant. Shen Chang’an sat under a tree, head tilted back, mind blank, gazing at the clear blue sky, stroking the cat in his arms absently with his slender, pale fingers.

“What are you thinking about?”

A magnetic voice startled him back to reality, even the ears of the two cats in his arms perked up slightly.

Cheng Yi moved a stool, sat down next to him with a flourish, glanced at the sky with his chin raised, then turned his head to look at the person beside him. Gazing at that delicate face, his eyes momentarily widened, and he was slightly dazed.

Shen Chang’an shook his head lightly and said with a smile, “I don’t even know what I’m thinking about. It’s like I’m thinking about everything, or maybe I’m just spacing out.”

That smile carried a hint of helplessness, and his clear eyes dimmed slightly, as if they were dusty jewels, the cold, dazzling light vanishing silently.

Shen Chang’an inadvertently raised his eyes to look at the dark green leaves overhead. The sun after the rain was very warm, making him feel cozy, his body relaxed, and it seemed like the weariness of his soul also escaped. He felt a little sleepy.

After dealing with his grandmother’s funeral, this place where he had grown up since childhood and always felt so warm suddenly lost its luster, its enchanting halo inexplicably disappeared, and the air seemed to hide sharp ice knives. With every breath, his chest was cut so painfully that it was unbearable.

Shen Chang’an felt like he had become a ship lost at sea without an anchor. The waves surged layer upon layer, and he wandered aimlessly with the tides, not knowing where to go.

His days were simple. Even if he didn’t work, the balance in his bank card was enough to support him comfortably, without him needing to make much of an effort.

With no ties, all alone, life seemed to lose its meaning.

No, perhaps it still had meaning.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and Cheng Yi’s voice was hoarse, “Then don’t think about anything, just come with me.”

His heart felt like it was being squeezed hard, with a faint ache, but Cheng Yi’s eyes were calm, and his handsome face was very indifferent, like he was making a casual joke.

Shen Chang’an turned to look at him, stunned, his eyes frozen.

After a long silence, his long, thick eyelashes trembled for a moment, he blinked, his cheeks flushed, and he suddenly smiled brightly.

“Ha, I… I just got a little sentimental.”

He reached out and wiped his eyes, taking away a trace of moisture.

“Actually, it’s nothing. You don’t need to worry about me. I have you, I have Berber, and I have a group of lovely fans… I’ve thought it all out. I’ll go back to City C in a couple of days, and it’s time to go back to work after taking such a long vacation.”

He paused, and then said, “I won’t stay here anymore.”

This small courtyard held too many memories for him, and it was inevitable that he would be touched by the scenery here.

Today was already January 20th, and there were only eight days left until the Lunar New Year. And Cheng Yi had to return to City S, he had been staying these past few days because he was worried about him.

…He wanted Cheng Yi to feel at ease.

Shen Chang’an suddenly felt relieved, took a light breath, and his eyes brightened. He stood up with a smile on his face, his gaze lowered, gentle and firm.

“Let’s pack up our things and go.”

The sunlight was warm and silent. Cheng Yi slowly got up, his dark eyes quietly gazing at the bright smile on his face, and he only felt… that his expression was like saying ‘I do.’

…

‘Just come with me.’

‘Let’s go.’

It was like a date to rush towards spring.

And he would not break his promise.

“…Okay.”

…

There was no need to discuss anything further, they would leave as soon as they said so.

Perhaps thinking that they could return to this brick and cement house in the future, the appliances at home were carefully stored away. They only brought a simple bag, which contained Berber’s small toys and the cat food it hadn’t finished eating.

After locking the door, Shen Chang’an didn’t look back, only pausing slightly when he was almost at the edge of the courtyard.

He tugged at their clasped hands, eyebrows raised slightly, and pointed to the eucalyptus tree, his clear voice lifting with a hint of pleasure.

“Look, its age is about the same as the sum of our two ages. It was planted by my grandfather for my mom. It’s never been cut down. Over the years, it’s grown so big that one person can’t even hug it.”

The tree grew in the corner, quiet and ordinary, and even the wind rarely touched it. It just happened that this tree was very similar to the tree that Chang’an often posted about before. Cheng Yi might have been surprised for a moment when he first saw it, but he didn’t pay much attention to it. He didn’t know that it came from here.

“What kind of tree is this?” Cheng Yi asked.

“Eucalyptus.”

“Huh?”

Seeing the momentary confusion in his eyes, Shen Chang’an’s eyebrows curved into a smile, cunningly laughing, “It’s the ‘An’ in my name, eucalyptus.”

“Chang’an, Changan.” (Chang Yan，Chang’an)

Cheng Yi rolled these four words over his tongue, his voice gentle and magnetic, but he managed to read a lingering, affectionate taste into them, like the soft whispers of lovers.

The puzzle was too obvious, it was easy to guess.

Shen Chang’an reached out and rubbed his hot earlobes, and quietly fanned his fingertips, trying to physically cool down quickly, but when he looked at Cheng Yi again, his eyes were wet, and his gaze was bright.

Cheng Yi glanced at the tree, turned his head to look at Shen Chang’an, and his light eyes softened. He hooked his lips, his knuckles moved, and he tightened his grip on Shen Chang’an’s hand, “An’an, we should go.”

Shen Chang’an said woodenly, “…Okay.”

Today was also another day to be captivated by beauty~

The little cat followed them with elegant steps, its pure white fur fluffy in the warm sun, its shadow losing its edges and becoming chubby. The two shadows walking side by side were tightly connected, and the thick down jackets made their shadows also become chubby.

The wind blew gently, and the leaves rustled, like a farewell.

…

By the time they reached the city, it was gradually getting dark.

Following the navigation, Cheng Yi steadily parked the car in a parking space in the residential area.

The streetlights beside the green belt were clear and bright. Shen Chang’an, holding the dozing Berber, walked ahead to lead the way. Cheng Yi carried the bag, exuding maturity and steadiness. The two casually chatted as they took the elevator to Shen Chang’an’s apartment.

The door slowly opened, and the house, which had been unoccupied for a long time, had a stuffy, unventilated smell. A thin layer of dust covered the floor, and was blown up by the sudden gust of wind from the doorway, making it a little choking.

Shen Chang’an frowned slightly. He reached out and grabbed Cheng Yi, who was about to walk inside, “Let’s stay out tonight.”

Regret flashed in Shen Chang’an’s lowered eyes. Cheng Yi was a neat freak, he should have thought of this earlier.

“It’s okay, it’s still early, let’s clean up slowly.”

Cheng Yi looked around the room and waved his hand, refuting the suggestion.

He had a bit of a neat freak tendency, just a little bit, it wasn’t important.

“What’s the layout of this house?”

“Three bedrooms and one living room.”

Seeing that he himself didn’t want to, Shen Chang’an naturally had no problem. He casually closed the door, and seeing that Cheng Yi seemed interested in the house, he took him on a tour first.

“Two bedrooms, and one is the room I usually livestream in.”

He pushed open the door of the room closest to the living room, and casually turned on the light. Cheng Yi stood beside him, taking in the entire layout of the room.

There were very few things in the room: a desk, a chair, a computer, a microphone, lighting, a few cardboard boxes, and a guitar in the corner.

Cheng Yi gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar background wall on the computer screen, recalling those days when they had never met, recalling the livestreams he watched punctually every night, recalling the phone calls after each livestream, and his heart suddenly felt a little lost.

The scene that he had seen countless times was now so clearly and naturally imprinted in his eyes, the image elongated, becoming complete, no longer cut off by the short frame of the phone.

There were only a few short steps.

…

It was right in front of him, within his reach.

He was right in front of him, within his reach.

…

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