At the doorstep, the landlord explained some details, then as he pushed open the wooden door, a gentle breeze welcomed them. The wind was cool, and a pink cherry blossom petal gracefully landed in Lin Mengmeng’s palm. She slowly looked up towards the source of the wind, seeing in the corner of the yard a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. “So beautiful…” Lin Mengmeng sighed sincerely and couldn’t help but walk under the tree. Soon, the person standing under the tree was covered with pink petals. Shao Tingyu’s gaze was deep as he turned to the innkeeper and said, “Boss, we’ll stay here. Thank you for the trouble.” After receiving the key, only the two of them were left in the B&B. Shao Tingyu arranged their luggage and then walked out of the courtyard, only to find Lin Mengmeng still standing under the tree, barely having moved. Worried that her ALS might flare up, he approached her, “There will be plenty of time to look later, let’s rest first.” Lin Mengmeng withdrew her gaze, turned to look at Shao Tingyu, and pulled him to stand under the tree, “Then, stay with me for a little while longer.” Although worried, Shao Tingyu still wanted to comply with Lin Mengmeng’s wishes and did not refuse. Lin Mengmeng caught a falling cherry blossom petal with her hand and spoke to herself, “I heard that cherry blossoms bloom so beautifully because there are people’s bones nourishing the trees below.” Shao Tingyu was taken aback by her words. Then he saw her smile gently, “Shao Tingyu, when I die, would you bury me under a cherry tree? I want to give you the most beautiful cherry blossom tree.” Shao Tingyu’s heart ached sharply, and his grip on Lin Mengmeng’s hand tightened, “What nonsense are you talking about?” Lin Mengmeng lowered her eyes slightly and smiled calmly, “Nothing, just saying.” Shao Tingyu’s expression soured, “Don’t make such jokes with me this time.” After speaking, he let go of Lin Mengmeng’s hand and walked back into the room. Lin Mengmeng’s figure trembled slightly, her gaze following Shao Tingyu’s retreating back until it disappeared, her eyes dimming. The cherry blossoms in her hair and the pink petals on the ground could not dispel the bitterness left by the departing figure. During their stay at the B&B, Shao Tingyu and Lin Mengmeng slowly adapted to each other.
Chapter 23: The Mysterious Call
Later, they heard that Ueno Park was holding a spring festival. Lin Mengmeng made preparations early. On the festival day, she dragged Shao Tingyu out early. In early March, the cherry blossoms in the park were already in full bloom, showering down pink petals like a rain. To keep pace with Lin Mengmeng, Shao Tingyu deliberately walked slower. The endless stream of people passed by, merging into a sea of humanity, making it impossible to see the end. Lin Mengmeng glanced sideways at Shao Tingyu beside her, suddenly gathering the courage to link arms with him. Shao Tingyu paused slightly but did not pull away. They strolled through the crowd, with cherry blossoms landing on their shoulders. Lin Mengmeng leaned slightly against Shao Tingyu’s arm and softly asked, “Mr. Shao, do you feel a bit uncomfortable with me being so close?” Shao Tingyu’s throat moved slightly, “No.” “I don’t know why, but since I got sick, I’ve become more and more childish, just wanting to cling to you.” And fearing that in the end, there might not be a chance to cling to you. Lin Mengmeng swallowed her last sentence silently, her gaze drifting to the couples around, their faces full of joyful smiles, hugging and holding hands so naturally. But for her and Shao Tingyu, after five years of marriage, even holding hands felt like the first time, awkward. Lin Mengmeng looked down at her hand holding Shao Tingyu’s, dazed for a moment, about to withdraw it when the large hand she was holding suddenly gripped hers tightly. “There are too many people here; I’m afraid you might get lost,” came Shao Tingyu’s calm voice from above. At that moment, Lin Mengmeng’s heart suddenly felt very bitter. Suppressing her emotions, she asked, “Mr. Shao, haven’t you ever thought about how to hold your girlfriend’s hand after falling in love?” “What?” Shao Tingyu looked down at her, stopping abruptly. Lin Mengmeng suddenly interlocked her fingers with his and laughed, “Interlock fingers, then I won’t get lost.” Shao Tingyu paused, his expression softening, looking at her with tenderness and affection in her eyes, a strange feeling welling up inside him. He couldn’t quite name this emotion, but it was overwhelming, flowing endlessly.
At night, the park became even livelier, with vendors setting up shop. Lin Mengmeng, hand in hand with Shao Tingyu, stopped at each vendor to look, not necessarily to buy, but to enjoy the hustle and bustle. Their hands remained interlocked until Lin Mengmeng’s phone rang with a strange number. Before leaving the country, she had told her friends not to disturb her with trivial matters, and now she couldn’t think of who might be calling. The noise around them broke her thoughts. She led Shao Tingyu to a quiet wooden bench to sit down and then let go of his hand. “Tingyu, I’m a bit hungry and tired.” Shao Tingyu’s eyes darkened slightly, “Can’t you walk anymore?” Lin Mengmeng nodded, “I don’t speak Japanese, could you go buy some food for me? I’ll wait here for you, I promise not to wander off.” Shao Tingyu hesitated. Then she said, “Tingyu, I’m not a child, you don’t have to worry so much.” Helpless, Shao Tingyu instructed, “Alright, I’ll be right back.” With that, he quickly left. After watching his figure disappear, Lin Mengmeng returned the call. “Hello,” she had barely spoken when a very familiar voice came through, “Lin Mengmeng, don’t you think what you’re doing is too selfish?”
Chapter 24: The More You Love, The More You Fear
