Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Story

spring.Alessia walked forward with unsteady steps, and Luca had a dirty beard.Daniela, who was already plump in the upper body, felt even fatter.On the last day of the consecutive Easter holidays, we had a picnic on the shores of Lake Iseo. Next to the walking path along the lake is a spacious lawn, and the tall and large street trees with luxuriant branches and leaves form a comfortable shade.Sunny Monday. March is the season of celebrations.Starting from the carnival where children dressed up and strolled through the square, Women's Day also received Ma Wu's mimosa this year and the Easter three-day holiday with national flags flying all over the streets.When I was living with Ma Wu, there was nothing but Women's Day, but this year with Daniela, we had a happy and lively life.Before we took Alessia to the carnival, Daniela and I walked in dresses.I also vividly remember one year when Daniela wore a jeweled tiara on her head and went to church to pick up an olive branch last week.Ate celebratory bread in the shape of a dove.A nostalgic holiday event.I think of my mother, who wasn't used to Milan until the end, and is still somewhat happy this season (there is a bouquet of mimosas that Dad gave her in the porch).I have been familiar with life in this city since I was a child.

It's a bit windy!Luca said. Daniela Seriously, help Alessia wrap her fleece cape.Soft pink fleece cape.I watched the three of them, their parents and children, drinking the black tea in the pot.Sweet black tea made by Daniela. Aoi's birthday is coming up.Daniela said. Birthday.In May, I will be thirty years old. Do you have any reservations?She added without hesitation: He Ma Wu. And Ma Wu?I frowned, no, it's impossible! It's been eight months since we broke up.Daniela shrugged. Are you in touch?Luca chimed in.It's your birthday, he won't leave you alone. He said so.Daniela echoed.

For my birthday, Ma Wu makes reservations at fine dining restaurants every year.Prepare gifts.Wake up in the morning and immediately give a celebratory kiss to my eyelids and top of my head. However, Daniela said, if you don't have a reservation, come to our house.Never be alone on your birthday. The wind blowing across the lake brings the quiet smell of water. It's time to go back!While the traffic is not crowded now.I said, stood up and patted the bottom of the jeans. From April to April, the season seems to be retrograde cold, with continuous rainy days.Regression is a word that always feels right to me.I thought so with self-deprecation.

On rainy days, there is a reassuring smell of nostalgia in the store.Warm air from a small electric heater.Wet streets and bus stops seen through the glass. This morning, as usual, I was rubbing the box of antique jewelry, and suddenly thought of how to cultivate the eye for jewelry appraisal?For example, if the ruby ​​in front of you is small but exquisite and lovely, the dim platinum ring with a sense of history, and the ring set with another smaller diamond, if it is buried in a low-quality ruby, it can’t even be called On ruby-colored stones, or among the heaps of artful counterfeits, shall I find this beautiful treasure?

After Paula said she was closing the antique business, I had a strange regret.It would be great if I could spend a little time learning some identification skills when I went shopping with her. Every piece of antique jewelry has its story.I'm obsessed with them, and I admit that Albert's creations feel and feel good, but there's no story to them, so they're just mere commodities in my eyes.The story of jewelry.Of a woman who is loved and of a woman who is not. The doorbell rang, and he pressed the remote lock at hand.Outside the glass door, the burly Ma Wu was closing his umbrella sideways.

Buon giomo. Even the ordinary pleasantries sounded particularly nostalgic with a deep voice. Buon giomo. I try to put on a cheerful voice and smile.It's really going to rain! real!Ma Wu's English is as reassuring as his mother's language. What do you want today?A gift for a client?Or a gift for someone? No. Ma Wu said, standing opposite and looking at me.Ma Wu, who drives everywhere, wears a shirt that doesn't care about the low temperature.A starched navy blue shirt. I decided to go back to China next month. unexpected words. return home?I asked back. Ma Wu shrugged and said: It is the company's decision.

Didn't you start the company?Ma Wu smiled wryly, and then said like a naughty child: It's not mine alone. When is next month? Mid-day!See how you prepare. I can't find anything to say. Will you come back? Who knows. I feel that Ma Wu's burly body has gone away.Although it is still here, it seems that it is not there. Well, take a breath Ma Wu, I hope you will go back with me. His uniquely composed demeanor and clear tone of voice.But I still clearly know that there is a huge tension and anxiety hidden behind it. Well, I also took a breath, but Ma Wu blocked my next words.

I hope you don't answer yet, he added Please, I mean it.I need you in my life.Regardless of the past.I won't pursue it any further. If you don't want to mention it, you can leave it alone.I just want you to go with me. As soon as Ma Wu finished speaking, he felt the smell of rain getting stronger.Cold April rain.Also, the soap-like Mawu smell. Decide to give me a call later.We make an appointment for dinner, and the answer doesn't matter.Ma Wu continued with a smile: Celebrate my return to China and your birthday, okay? certainly!What else can I say besides this answer? Are you busy packing?I asked.

Ma Wu replied: Nothing. I think this is very similar to Ma Wu. Good! We smiled, and Ma Wu walked out of the shop.in the rain.A little America in the streets of Milan.somewhere in his life. After get off work, it was almost nine o'clock when I got home.I'm used to climbing the stairs, unlocking the door, and facing the poster.Kitchenette in small apartment. After dinner of soup and bread, put water in the bathtub and let it soak slowly.Stretch out in the tub with the windows ajar, smelling the night rain. I hope you go with me. Ma Wu looked straight into my eyes and said.Carefree and honest.

U.S. It's very clear.Ma Wu has a place where Ma Wu should be, and a story worth living. I hope to have you in my life. I know it's the last time.It was the last time Ma Wu talked to me like this.Ma Wu who has been by my side for many years. When I came back to myself, I frowned and stared at the bathroom wall.Empty white cool bathroom. Photos of Izis, thick white towels, bathroom without Ma Wu to massage my neck. I closed my eyes and sighed lightly. Celebrate homecoming and birthdays. Ma Wu said so.My birthday. OK!May of 2000?It's the twenty-first century. Shunzheng smiled innocently and said, on my thirtieth birthday, the two of us went to climb the Florence Cathedral together, never would have imagined that a person like myself is still an awkward bookworm soaking in the bathtub.

Shunzheng made an incredulous expression. I thought I would always be with Soon Jung.Although our life begins in different places, it must end in the same place. I thought I finally found it!In a small university on the outskirts, the incredible city of Tokyo. I thought I would always be with Shunjung.never separate. sunflower! Shunzheng called me softly, and just doing that filled me with happiness. love you!Love to heartache! Young and serious eyes, Shunzheng who speaks quietly. I know it's in the past.That promise is just a memory of our happy times. Arousing the sound of splashing water, I came out of the bathtub.Every time I use cheap pink, I wonder why I chose this color. The bath towel wraps my dripping body.He went into the kitchen naked, drank some water, and poured Amaret into a small cup. The rain still continued. Going to the market? Paula was a little surprised.It's two o'clock in the afternoon, during the lunch break in the store.We're in the back office, drinking after-dinner coffee and eating cookies. Um!Can you take me with you? There are several markets for antique jewelry, and because no special qualifications are required to buy jewelry, it is a world that tests vision and experience. no problem.Today Paula is wearing a canary yellow blouse and a beautifully cut gray skirt.However, how do you want to go shopping? I smiled ambiguously, just wanting to have a look. No problem at all!Paula put a small pecan biscuit into her mouth and said yes easily. Called Ma Wu last night.Want to say that I will not go with him.I thought to myself, the answer is to give him the sooner the better.It's only been a week since he mentioned it to me. How are the things? (How are the things going?) I asked, and Ma Wu replied heartily: Things are ok. (Everything goes well.) My silence was due to a sudden impatience with the question-and-answer itself. Are you okay? I didn't answer, just said: I will go to your place to talk now. Now? Ma Wu seemed surprised. Well, now. After I finished speaking, Ma Wu said after a brief silence: No! A low and lonely voice that is clearly different from a few seconds ago: You will bring me an answer I don't expect, will you? If I could say: No, that would be great! I know I will regret it! Instead I say this: I know, I will regret it.If you don't know it yourself, let me tell you, Ma Wu, you are so perfect! I could feel the wry smile on the other end of the phone. Are you comforting me? Although half of them are absolutely NO, half of them are indeed YES.Ma Wu is perfect.That is an honest personality that comes from the bottom of my heart.However, I don't regret it.Regret has been consumed by me.It was used up several years ago. how come? I told the last lie.There was another short silence. Have you decided on a return date? ah!Slightly delayed than scheduled, May 31st. May 31st.There is one more month.In another month, Ma Wu will leave Milan.Leaving Milan also leaves my life. I know it makes you sad to end the antique jewelry business. Paula's voice brought me back to reality.In the shop on a Wednesday afternoon. However, this is also good.Time passed.Even if we don't do it, it will have no effect on antique jewelry.right? I nodded and answered Si. May. The sun briefly greeted the city, and the impatient people had already put on sun glasses and T-shirts.The green of the Frog Courtyard is clear and eye-catching, and the vine trees in the courtyard of Federica's apartment house are hung with brocade purple flower houses. Really like this? Daniela scolded me every time we met. Just let Ma Wu go, right? Make an appointment with Ma Wu to meet next week.Moreover, on my birthday on the 25th, four people, Ma Wu, me, Daniela and Luca, went to Novice's restaurant for dinner.Saying goodbye to Ma Wu and celebrating my birthday.just like before. May. It's the month that adds color to everything and refreshes people with the scent of approaching summer. Sunday, May 14th.Ma Wu and I met in a coffee shop.A nostalgic American brunch restaurant. Open store atmosphere, refreshing store people.I arrived first, but didn't read the book.I want to see Ma Wu when he walks into the restaurant.The taste of coffee, burgers, French toast, and English heard everywhere. Ma Wu was wearing jeans.Dark brown hair, bright smile. morning. It's almost noon, and Ma Wu still said so. morning.I also answer. Ma Wu knows that I like to sleep late during holidays, and I also know that Ma Wu, who gets up early, must have gone to the gym this morning. There are two more weeks. The hair on Ma Wu's right ear sitting opposite was a little messy. Yeah. Two weeks. Ma Wu replied, the first half of the sentence was an answer to me, and the second half of the sentence seemed to be talking to himself. I will be lonely from now on!I'm careful to say this without emotion. Ma Wu spread the napkin on his knees and smiled like a handkerchief in his hand, without saying anything. We ate our brunch and drank coffee at the store. In Japan, I say: Spring is the season of departure, the season of reunion, parting, and departure. I'd add that it's like our September! Ma Wu understood this meaning.Is it spring?Interesting. In Italy and the United States, freshman admissions and new semesters are in September.Everyone started their new lives in the cool air after a long vacation. That's very oriental!Ma Wu has a deep expression, which is the same as the growth cycle of plants. Yes, it's very interesting! When I come to this store, many acquaintances always greet Ma Wu.This always makes me wonder where are so many Americans usually hiding? What's up next?Ma Wu asked. I said nothing, and walked out of the store together. Such warm weather! Ma Wu squinted his eyes in the sunlight.It's been a long time since I walked side by side with Ma Wu. Ma Wu said nothing about my refusal. FD!I said. Ma Wu responded immediately and said: Sure! They both knew that it was the only thing the other could say. Well, see you on the 25th! After finishing speaking, the two bid farewell, beside the Fiat I parked on the side of the road. In the evening, reading a book in the bathtub, I suddenly thought that I was alone.A self-inflicted loneliness.Losing Ma Wu is like losing Shunzheng once.Although both of them were once in front of my eyes. It's been like this ever since.I can't reach out.Even if someone reaches out to me, I can't grab that hand. I am still the child in the distant past who vomited and turned away from his mother who did not want to know Milan.Nothing touches me.Even with Daniela's graciousness and Albert's camaraderie. I want to see Shunzheng. Excited to cry.I want to talk to Shunzheng.Shunzheng understood that this is how I survived.Even if it goes without saying.Simply.I have that certainty.I'm not what I used to be. He closed the book and sighed.The evening air flows in through the window. Bookworm! Shunzheng said that with a smile, right? Gina has a cold.Because of my age, everyone was very worried, but the fever soon subsided, and I recovered well.I visited her once and gave her flowers once.Careful not to let the flowers deepen the stillness of the room, I chose yellow ones.I bought it from my favorite florist near the Frog Garden. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. This morning, Gina called. It's completely healed, and everyone is too fussed. She said that with a sigh, much like Gina's complaining tone. great! I breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely with a smile. When I was in the shower, I didn't have that thought.Also thinking about seeing Gina next week.Nor did I think about it while drinking coffee and getting dressed.Came outside the sunny house, got on the dark green car Fiat, and drove to the store as usual. morning! Albert has gone to work.White walls, large workbenches, songs on the radio. what am i doing here I think so.Today, this is not where I should be.Everything around me tells me so.Large open windows overlooking the streets of Milan, pieces of tools scattered across the countertops, small red shards.Today, May 25, 2000, this is not where I should be. We have a date! It was I who said this. Climb Florence's Duomo with you. Let's go together.At that time, no matter where we lived, we had to be together, starting from the bottom of the church together.Like a picnic. Florence Cathedral?Isn't it from Milan? Shunzheng asked curiously, and I puffed up my chest and answered: For Florence Cathedral is the cathedral of lovers. Shunzheng will not remember such a distant agreement. Albert! Even so, I still remember.Always. I said to Albert who turned his head back after answering softly: I want to ask for leave this afternoon. It's not a negotiation or a request, it's just a way of speaking that simply tells the truth. After I contact Paula, if no one can be found, the store will not open in the afternoon. Albert looked surprised.Including when I was doing part time before, I never asked for leave.When someone else is sick and asks for leave, there are many cases where I will take over the shift even if I am on leave. It doesn't matter. Thanks.I went downstairs and made three calls at once: Paula, the girl I used to work with now only on Wednesdays when I was off, and Daniela. Florence?Daniela's frantic voice: Today?Now? I don't understand!Daniela said, but I didn't explain. I made an appointment before, I completely forgot.Apologize to Luca for me, and I'll contact you when I get back. I just said that and hung up the phone. Who would you be rude to?Is it wrong?I don't even think about it.I don't care anymore.Propelled by some kind of blind impulse in my heart, I tidied up my work neatly.Step by step towards Shunzheng neatly. I wrote to Ma Wu.It is a letter, but it is very cold, like a note.very happy.Wish you good luck.kiss you.sunflower.No other words were written.I pocketed my notes and waited until I walked out of the store during my lunch break.In the noisy, dusty and sunny streets of Milan. I ignored the heavy eaves of Grand Central Station, the curved ceilings that covered the platforms. I just wanted to put the letter in the letter box of the Mawu apartment where I used to live, and then get on the train to Rome. Buy a ticket, confirm the platform on the bulletin board, and buy a bottle of mineral water.The flustered crowd and the stuffy car broadcasts feel far away. Sitting by the window of the four-seater box, looking at the passengers coming and going outside the window.A man with a suitcase, a man with a child, a businessman, two Indian women wrapped in sari.Twelve fifty-two.There are still eight minutes before the car drives. I am surprised that I still have such will. Without hesitation.It was decided then.In Albert's workshop, in the morning sun, if only I would admit it.Things to do in Florence.To climb the cathedral thing.He Shunzheng, who can't forget for a moment, agreed. The car bell rings and the doors close.I was very excited and very calm at the same time.I understand what I'm doing.Clearer than ever.I know feelings have been released. Three hours later, the train arrived in Florence.Therefore, the weak sunlight adds a dash of dazzling early summer, wrapping around softly. When you come to the square in front of the station, you can take a breath of the air of the city that you never visited after visiting with your parents when you were young.Florence.The small and beautiful city itself can be called a museum, but because of this, it has to bear the fate of a city that depends on tourism. The atmosphere is completely different, it doesn't feel like a city just three hours away from Milan. I am coming! I said to Shunzheng in my heart.Not Shunzheng, a college student I once loved, but staying in Tokyo at this moment, probably in Meiqiu.It's late at night in Tokyo.Is Shunzheng asleep?Shunzheng. I am coming! Add a word of surprise, right?I smiled wryly to myself.The mood is fresh and happy to the point of feeling amazing. One day I will wake up.I think so.If you ask me when I decided to come here today, there is no answer other than ten years ago. The cathedral is in the city center. Compared with the narrowness of the street, the overly large and absolute texture, the colorful marble wall that faithfully depicts the flow of time.Deep, muted shades of pink and turquoise feel taciturn and masculine.Tall and quiet. Florence Cathedral is the cathedral of those who love each other. Was love such a tall, quiet, unwavering thing to Friedrichka who said it? Looking up, the dome cannot be seen.The entire square is under the shade of the sun, and the pigeons look down on the tourists who are licking ice cream and strolling, flapping their wings across the evening sky. Through the reception on the left side of the gate, there is a steep staircase with dim lighting.The air was damp.Why do old places always have this nostalgic smell?Although for me, it's not a place of nostalgia.The stairs are close to the left and right walls, giving them a sense of occlusion, so the light and air from the windows that are cut everywhere seem to penetrate into the eyes and lungs. I concentrated on climbing the spiral ladder, almost out of breath, my legs were heavy.From time to time, people who pass by each other smile or shrug. May of 2000?It's the twenty-first century! I still remember Shunzheng's wild smile when he said that. On the way, there are several flat places.Passed by a middle-aged man and woman who looked like Americans. I'm already sweating, feeling like I've traveled through time on the stone pathway that can only go straight forward. A curved straight staircase appeared in front of my eyes.Knowing the moment of reaching the roof, I flinched a little. I'm really here! A small patch of blue sky can be seen at the top of the stairs. I want to be a painter who only paints the sky. Shunzheng said it before.Romantics.Concentrate on sketching.serious person. The closer you get to the roof, the more you can smell the fresh air outside.I approached the sky step by step.The sky, and the past.As for the future, it can only be found in front of this past. Panting slightly, I came to the roof.in the light.The evening in Florence, peaceful and quiet, lay before my eyes.The endless red brick roofs.Densely with almost no gaps. What a comfortable wind! I stick my face into the wind and savor it.The wind that blows over the top of Florence Cathedral. All eyes are on the city.Sit with your legs straight.Lean against the pillar.Or lie down with a book on your pillow. Lots of graffiti on the marble columns.Dates, own names, and names of loved ones.I found myself looking at these smiling.lover. I walk slowly along the wall.Overlooking the gently rolling hills beyond the red brick roof. The steeple of the church, the window where clothes are drying. Walking to the point directly behind the stairs I came up overlooking the other side of the city, my eyes were drawn to a sight. The man sat with one knee upright. He's at an angle, almost straight behind, but I know it's straight.I was startled, how could it be possible?But then I was convinced.That's Shun Zheng's back.Impossible to get it wrong.It is Shun Zheng's back. I froze. stood staring at him for a while.Thin and straight, he seemed to have remained unchanged for ten years.I miss Shunzheng. What I am confused is not whether I should call him, but whether I should believe him. Should I believe that the Shunzheng in front of me is the Shunzheng who came here on my birthday as promised. Before making up my mind whether to believe it or not, I walked over. Shunzheng! Call out his name with a painful voice that seems to be telling you that you can't help but miss you so much. Looking back, Shun Zheng had thinner cheeks than he remembered.Feel like breathing is about to stop.On top of the Duomo overlooking the streets of Florence.In the soft sunset.