Early the next morning, we headed to the foot of the snow mountain and took the cable car up.
As the cable car slowly ascended, the scenery outside gradually came into view: the magnificent snow-capped peaks, the dense forests, and the azure sky. Everything was so intoxicating.
Mimi quietly gazed into the distance, as if deep in thought. Suddenly, she turned her head, a determined light sparkling in her eyes.
“Sister, you know what? I’ve always believed that as long as you hold onto your dreams, you can definitely make them happen,” she said softly.
I smiled and nodded. “Mm, I believe in you too, Mimi. Your hard work and talent will surely make more people know and love Hanfu.”
“Moreover, I hope to use Hanfu to let more people understand and pass down traditional Chinese culture,” Mimi’s voice was filled with passion.
From designing her first piece of Hanfu to becoming a brand spokesperson, and from facing her family’s initial objections to winning enthusiastic support from her uncle and aunt, the journey she traveled must have been exceptionally difficult.
Thinking of this, looking at the person beside me, my heart was filled with admiration. I took her hand and said, “Mimi, you’re truly amazing. I believe you can definitely do it.”
Mimi nodded and nestled into my arms.
The cable car reached the summit, and we stepped out of the station, taking in the crisp air and the chilly wind. The top of the snow mountain was pure white, with sunlight casting a dazzling radiance across the snow.
We strolled along the wooden plank road, taking in the snowy scenery. From time to time, Mimi would stop to observe the plants along the path, lost in thought.
Suddenly, as if she had discovered something, she walked straight up to a pine tree. She carefully observed the pine needles, then pulled out a notebook and pen from her bag to jot something down.
“I’ve got it!” Mimi said excitedly. “We can use a snow pine pattern for the Hanfu embroidery it’s both unique and aesthetic.”
Seeing her happy expression, I couldn’t help smiling. I picked up my phone and snapped a picture of her standing earnestly in front of the snow pine.
Just then, snowflakes began to flutter down from the sky, scattering all around.
Mimi reached out her hands to catch a few snowflakes, feeling their icy chill. She closed her eyes and quietly listened to the sound of falling snow.
“Sister, did you know? Every snowflake has its own unique shape, just like how each of us has our own unique life,” Mimi’s eyes gleamed with brilliance.
I nodded slightly. “Yeah, whether before losing my memory or after, I am still my own unique self.”
“Mm, even if Sister forgot the past, you’re just as charming as before.” Mimi put her notebook back into her bag and ran over to me.
By this time, the snow was falling more heavily, swirling across the sky like goose feathers. A piercingly cold gust of wind blew past, causing me to cough twice.
Mimi took off her cape, looked at me with concern, and hurriedly asked, “Sister, are you okay?” As she spoke, she tried to drape the cape over my shoulders.
I waved my hand, shook my head, and smiled. “I’m fine, I just choked on the cold wind. You wear it.” I took the cape and draped it back over Mimi.
Mimi wrapped the cape tightly around herself and took my hand. “Let’s go, there’s a pavilion up ahead, let’s go shelter from the wind.”
We arrived inside the pavilion, and Mimi looked at me worriedly. “Sister, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, let’s head back early.”
“Okay,” I smiled, looking at her flushed cheeks, and reached out to warm them up for her.
Back at the hotel, Mimi immediately threw herself into drafting the design sketches, while I sat quietly by her side to keep her company.
The sky outside the window was gradually swallowed by the encroaching night, growing darker and darker. I checked my watch it was already dinnertime.
Seeing Mimi so engrossed, I gently stood up, walked over to the phone, and called the front desk to order dinner.
Soon after, a staff member delivered the dinner to our room. I arranged the food, walked over to Mimi, and gently tapped her shoulder. “Let’s eat first, or you’ll starve.”
Mimi looked up and flashed a sweet smile. “Okay, thank you, Sister.”
Sitting across from each other, we enjoyed the delicious food and shared our thoughts.
After dinner, Mimi went back to drawing, while I stood on the balcony, gazing out at the snow mountain at night. Under the moonlight, the mountain appeared even more mysterious and solemn.
As the night grew deeper, Mimi finished the preliminary draft of her design. I walked into the room and smiled at the sight of her happy expression.
“Sister, what do you think?” Mimi blinked her large eyes, looking at me with eager anticipation, her gaze shining with an intertwining mix of excitement and nervousness.
I leaned forward slightly, casting my gaze upon the design sketch spread across the table, and studied it carefully.
It was a snow-pine-themed Hanfu design draft. The overall color palette was light, elegant, and fresh, instantly evoking the tranquil and mysterious vibe of winter. Every pattern and texture was embellished just right, overflowing with seasonal charm and poetry.
Looking at the exquisite design before me, I couldn’t help breaking into a satisfied smile and nodding gently. “It’s wonderful, Mimi. This Hanfu is truly special.”
With my validation, Mimi was as happy as a child.
Just then, Mimi couldn’t help letting out a huge yawn, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she checked the time on her phone screen it was already 2:00 AM!
“Oh no, Sister, it’s so late! I can’t believe I made you stay up and keep me company for so long.” Mimi frowned with worry, her large eyes filled with heartache and self-reproach.
“It’s fine, I love keeping Mimi company. When Mimi draws her designs, she looks like she’s glowing all over,” I looked into her eyes and praised her sincerely.
“Then Sister has to sleep in my room tonight, okay?” Overjoyed by my compliment, Mimi lunged forward to hug me tightly, pleading coquettishly.
That soft, sweet tone of voice made it impossible to say no.
“Alright,” I agreed softly.
Sleepiness soon overtook us, and after a quick wash-up, we went to bed.
Lying in bed, Mimi curled up beside me like a little cat, and I could feel her breathing gradually steadying.
Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, I gently stroked her hair, pulled her into my arms, and felt a warm current surge through my heart.
Gazing at her and recalling everything that had happened recently, I couldn’t help smiling, then pulled the person in my arms even closer.
In my slumber, I faintly heard Mimi’s murmurs. She talked in her sleep, her tone tinged with a trace of anxiety.
“Sister… don’t leave me…”
I held Mimi tighter and responded softly, “I won’t. Sister will always stay with you.”
Holding her, I lay awake for a long time. Listening to her gentle breathing, my heart was filled with emotion. I wanted so badly to recover my lost memories quickly.
Lying in bed, remembering the few fragments I recalled back at Mimi’s house, tears welled up in my eyes.
Were those wonderful times all real?
What about those heartbreaking, weeping scenes? Were those real too?
I vowed silently in my heart that I must recover my lost memories. Whether those memories were sweet or painful, they were a part of my life.
In the darkness, I seemed to see a beam of light the light of hope. I would definitely be able to find that unique self again.
Gradually, accompanied by Mimi’s gentle breathing, I drifted off to sleep.
In my dream, Mimi and I wore the snow-pine Hanfu she designed and climbed to the summit of the snow mountain.
We looked down at the magnificent scenery below, feeling the charm of nature. Surrounded by swirling clouds and mists, a breeze blew by, causing our skirts to flutter in the wind…
Easter Egg
(Graduation Trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 2013)
That year, Xi Yumi had just turned seventeen. Having just graduated from high school, she came to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for the very first time, filled with curiosity and awe at everything around her. As the cable car slowly ascended, she eagerly grabbed Yan Moyi by her side, pointing out the window toward the vast, pristine white world, and shouted excitedly, “Sister, look! It’s so beautiful!”
Yan Moyi followed her finger, a flash of pleasant surprise crossing her eyes. She smiled, turned her head to look at the joyful Xi Yumi, and felt her heart swell with warmth.
At that moment, Xi Yumi suddenly called out, “Sister, look at the camera!” and quickly raised her phone, eager to capture the wonderful moment.
Yan Moyi cooperated by turning her head, blooming with a radiant smile for the lens.