For the next few days, Ji Linlin stayed home to care for her mother and didn’t go out.
She wondered if the gods had heard the prayer she’d made a few days earlier, when she went to set river lanterns afloat.
Her mother’s condition gradually improved.
Only then did Ji Linlin make up her mind to study in Italy.
A week before enrollment,
her mother, Wani, her father, Ji Gaohai, and Ji Shutang accompanied her to the airport.
“Linlin, Europe is nothing like Bangkok. The climate, the environment, the culture, and even the food are all completely different.”
“When you get there, make sure you take good care of yourself.”
Wani held her daughter’s hand, tears glimmering in her eyes.
But she knew that studying at the Rome Academy of Fine Arts had always been her daughter’s dream.
Though she couldn’t bear to see her go, she gave her every bit of support she could.
Ji Linlin’s nose stung, too. “Mm. I know, Mother.”
Ji Shutang gave her a gentle smile. “If you need anything, you can call me anytime.”
Ji Linlin nodded to him. “I know, Little Uncle.”
Ji Gaohai checked his watch, stepped forward, and handed his daughter her suitcase.
“It’s about time. Go on in.”
“Okay.”
Ji Linlin took the suitcase and looked at the three of them, forcing back her reluctance to leave.
“Dad, Mother, Little Uncle, I’m going now.”
The three of them nodded to her.
Ji Linlin turned and strode into the terminal.
After walking about ten yards, she couldn’t help looking back.
The three of them were still standing there, gazing at her.
They waved, bidding her farewell.
At the sight, the tears she’d been holding back finally spilled over.
…
Three months later.
Florence, Italy.
Dusk at Piazzale Michelangelo was like an oil painting gradually filling with color.
The setting sun’s afterglow fell across the David statue in the center of the square, bathing even the cold bronze in a mysterious golden glow.
On the blue-stone steps, tourists raised their cameras, leisurely capturing the world-famous sunset.
The autumn wind rustled, dragging fallen leaves along the pavement on either side of the street with a soft, whispering scrape.
Golden light filtered through the trees, dappling Ji Linlin’s slender back.
Wearing a white dress, she watched the swaying fragments of shadow on the ground and suddenly stopped.
She looked up at the David statue beneath the setting sun and at the crowds of tourists.
Drawn by its fame, visitors had come to the city to explore and admire its breathtaking sunset.
They embraced and kissed beneath the sinking sun, while the coos of pigeons echoed above the square.
Florence at sunset was breathtakingly beautiful.
“Linlin, let’s go take pictures over there.”
Wutai pointed toward the David statue not far away and spoke to Ji Linlin excitedly.
“Okay.”
Ji Linlin headed toward the statue.
Wutai was Ji Linlin’s classmate, a handsome, sunny Thai boy.
The first time he saw Linlin at the opening ceremony, he fell for her before he could help himself.
Later, he worked up the courage to confess his feelings to Ji Linlin.
As for Ji Linlin, perhaps she was drawn to his sunny good looks.
Or perhaps it was because, like her, Wutai was an Asian studying abroad here, and his presence felt familiar and comforting.
Whatever the reason, after Wutai pursued her persistently, Ji Linlin finally accepted his confession.
That weekend, Wutai and Ji Linlin had traveled from Rome to Florence, specifically to witness its world-famous sunset.
Holding up his camera, Wutai stood across from her and beckoned.
“Linlin, a little to the left.”
Ji Linlin shifted left as Wutai had asked.
“How about here?”
Wutai smiled and made an OK sign.
“Perfect.”
…
Not far away stood a towering basilica.
The famous Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.
It stood at Florence’s highest point, offering a panoramic view of the entire city.
After finishing the business at hand, Huo Jiulin strode out of the basilica.
He was on the phone as he walked.
“Qiaoke, arrange a plane. I’m going to Bangkok.”
Qiaoke asked from the other end, “When?”
“Tonight,” Huo Jiulin replied curtly.
As he spoke, he lifted his eyes.
His peripheral vision swept across Piazzale Michelangelo.
Beneath the David statue—
It seemed he’d spotted something interesting.
The handsome corners of the man’s mouth lifted slightly.
Holding his phone, he said in an unhurried tone, “Never mind.”
Then he hung up.
*
After Ji Linlin and Wutai had walked around the square, night had quietly fallen.
They strolled side by side along the streets under the darkening sky.
Wutai clenched his palm. The hand was restless, repeatedly wanting to reach for Ji Linlin’s.
“Linlin, I…”
Ji Linlin turned to look at him. “What is it?”
Wutai scratched his head, then finally gave up and said, “N-nothing. I was just wondering if you’re hungry, and what you’d like to eat.”
He still didn’t dare take Ji Linlin’s hand.
“I am a little hungry. Hmm… What should we eat?”
Ji Linlin lowered her head and thought for a moment, then slowly looked up.
But the instant she raised her eyes, she saw a tall figure in the distance.
The first thing that caught her attention was a pair of cold, merciless, tea-brown eyes.
The man stood there, silently watching her.
His tea-brown eyes seemed to smolder with fire. They were unfocused, yet somehow seemed capable of piercing straight through her heart.
Just like that night.
The moment Ji Linlin recognized him, her heart seized up. She immediately turned her back to him.
What was he doing here?!
So her earlier worry had been right—he really was Italian.
But she had never imagined she would run into him in Florence.
The world was so big. How could it suddenly feel so small?
Wutai looked at her in confusion. “Linlin, what’s wrong?”
Swallowing, Ji Linlin said, “Wutai, let’s get out of here first.”
Wutai lowered his phone. Seeing how pale Ji Linlin had become, he grew concerned. “Are you feeling sick?”
Ji Linlin didn’t answer. She only quickened her pace, almost breaking into a run.
Wutai hurried after her.
As she ran, Ji Linlin kept looking back.
The man wasn’t following them.
The light had been dim, but Ji Linlin was absolutely certain she hadn’t been mistaken.
Once you’d seen that face, you could never forget it.
She and Wutai hurried to the station and bought tickets for the next train back to Rome.
In the waiting room,
Wutai put his backpack on a seat. After glancing around, he handed Ji Linlin his camera.
“Linlin, could you hold this for me? I’ll go get you something to eat.”
Ji Linlin took the camera, but kept her eyes fixed on the entrance to the platforms.
Only after confirming that the man hadn’t followed them did she finally let out a breath.
“Okay.”
Once they left here and got to Rome, she should be safe, right?
She tried to reassure herself.
After buying some food at the station convenience store, Wutai hurried back.
But when he returned to their seats, he found—
Ji Linlin was gone.
Only his backpack sat alone on the seat.
“Linlin.”
He scanned the waiting room, but couldn’t see Linlin anywhere.
He quickly took out his phone and called Linlin, but the call was rejected the moment it connected.
He tried again, but no matter how many times he called, the recorded message was always the same:
“Sorry, the subscriber you have dialed has switched off their phone. Please try again later.”