Li Yixun and Chen Nian seemed to have no strong attachment to family reunions, nor did they agree with the idea that “married couples must stay at the husband’s family home” for the Lunar New Year. Following the tradition of the previous two years, the couple would each return to their own families on New Year’s Eve, and then arrange time to visit their closest relatives together.
This year, due to previous events, Li Yixun didn’t want to go home for the New Year, so he decided to go on vacation alone during the Spring Festival, of course, informing everyone beforehand.
Yuan Yi, upon hearing Li Yixun’s idea, also said she wanted to join in the fun. After all, a working person’s annual vacation time is limited, and spending the long Spring Festival holiday visiting relatives is a real waste.
When Li Yixun mentioned this to Chen Nian, Chen Nian was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, building Lego. He had recently bought a “Van Gogh Starry Night” set and would play with it whenever he had a spare moment.
Chen Nian hadn’t expected that Li Yixun, who had been angry for over a week, would finally reach out to him,m only to find out she was going on vacation alone. “Why? Just because you threw a tantrum at home that day?”
“I’ll handle my family matters. I’m just letting you know; I’ve booked my plane tickets.” Li Yixun wasn’t willing to delve into her emotional state. “Let’s go visit your mother sometime. I’ll visit her after the New Year.”
“If you don’t want her to find out we had a fight.”
Chen Nian chuckled. “No need. My mom recently went to the US to visit old friends. I’ll just call her and tell her. You can call her to wish her a Happy New Year. We’ll talk about the rest when you get back.”
“Besides, it was only one of you who was angry. If you’re not angry anymore, we can go on vacation together. I’m free recently.”
“No need. Yuan Yi and I have already made plans. We’ll just wait for her to go back to work for two more days.” Li Yixun decisively refused. One reason she was going on vacation was that she didn’t want to face Chen Nian at home and wanted a change of scenery.
“Where are you going?”
“To Japan for a trip.”
“Japan?” Li Yixun didn’t miss the fleeting look of surprise on Chen Nian’s face. “I remember you went there before… but it’s a developed country, so don’t worry too much about your safety.”
Both of them paused upon hearing this, simultaneously recalling the robbery they’d experienced while traveling in Brazil before their wedding. Chen Nian had only gone to a nearby shop to buy something, and when she returned, she found Li Yixun clutching a scraped elbow, all his belongings gone, his face upturned in anger and grievance.
“Don’t worry about your belongings; your safety is always the most important thing.” Chen Nian’s anxious warning from that year overlapped with Chen Nian’s current admonition. Li Yixun nodded dazedly, suddenly feeling a little disoriented.
Three days later, Li Yixun and Yuan Yi were strolling through the streets of Osaka.
Li Yixun, wearing a thick duffle coat, munched on a hot takoyaki and mumbled to Yuan Yi, “Do you know why I told you we were coming to Japan, and specifically to Osaka first?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You were listening to ‘Black Black Heart 2.0’ on repeat on the plane… and I told you the other day I replayed ‘Deep Temptation.’ If you can’t guess this, you’re letting our cousin Bian down!”
Yuan Yi and Li Yixun exchanged a smile. Bad endings are always the most profound. Years ago, they were both obsessed with the Orange Light game “Deep Temptation,” captivated by the forbidden, unrequited love between Prosecutor Bian and Chi Lin.
Yuan Yi had only recently reviewed the material, yet she could still clearly recall the game character’s classic line: “I also remember that it was raining in Osaka that day, and you were sheltering under the eaves of a convenience store, holding two bento boxes. I lit a cigarette, only to realize that my favorite lighter, along with my most despicable heart, was with you.”
“It’s a pity I don’t smokee I really wanted to light a cigarette for my cousin Bian on the streets of Osaka to fit the occasion.” Li Yixun couldn’t help but laugh, then inappropriately thought of the man at home, exhaling smoke with a unique kind of sexiness.
Even though she was in a foreign land, she couldn’t help but think of him. Li Yixun tried to hold back but couldn’t suppress the urge to confide, “Yiyi…sometimes I just feel like life is so meaningless. It seems respectable on the surface, but only I know how miserable it is inside.”
“As I told you before, Chen Nian, if you ask him eight hundred times if he loves me, he won’t answer eight hundred times.”
“Maybe people are always greedy. Before, I thought being with the person I love was enough, but now I always feel it’s not enough. I want him to say he loves me, I want him to be with…” I told him all about his family life, hoping he would trust me as much as I trust him…”
“I know no life is perfect. Not having to suffer material hardship is already much better than most people. When we got married, I thought I could live like this forever, maybe ten or eight years, if not a lifetime? But after only two years, I feel my love is almost gone. I toss and turn, wondering if I’d be happier if I divorced.”
Yuan Yi placed her hand on Li Yixun’s face, letting her soft cheek rub against her palm. “Xunxun…” At each stage of our lives, we want different things. Like before, although I really liked Meng Yuran, I strongly resisted marriage, seeing it as a shackle, a burden. But now, I feel that if the institution of marriage can’t be changed, I’m still willing to willingly wear that shackle for this person, because I believe the happiness within that shackle will far outweigh the pain.”
“Love needs reciprocation to last. One-sided giving will always lead to exhaustion, so no matter what, I support your decision.”
“I’ll think about it carefully. Thank you, Yiyi.”
Yuan Yi’s amber eyes darted around, and she suggested, “Let’s go to the convenience store, buy a pack of cigarettes, and find a trash can. Who says you can’t light a cigarette if you don’t smoke?”
“Okay.”
That day, Li Yixun posted a very unconventional, age-inappropriate photo on his WeChat Moments. It was a casual yet cleverly composed picture: two hands awkwardly holding a lit cigarette against a backdrop of a busy, sunny Osaka street. The dark green of his nail polish contrasted sharply with the white cigarette, sparks flickering.
She didn’t add any caption, nor did she need anyone to understand her meaning. She simply wanted to commemorate this moment in Osaka on a whim, or perhaps in a conversation about feelings.
Li Yixun and Yuan Yi visited several famous tourist attractions in Japan: Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Tokyo Disneyland, praying at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, skiing in Sapporo… The joy of traveling with like-minded friends is indescribable.
On New Year’s Eve, Li Yixun and Yuan Yi randomly found a café in Tokyo, and each hid in a different corner to make video calls to their families.
Tokyo time is one hour ahead of China time; it was already past 5 PM there, but only a little past 4 PM in China.
On New Year’s Eve, the Chen family would give their nanny the day off, so the family would cook the New Year’s Eve dinner themselves. Chen Nian held up his phone near the dining table, and Li Yixun could vaguely see busy figures in the kitchen. “Happy New Year, Chen Nian.”
“Happy New Year, where are you?” Chen Nian, unlike his usual dark attire, was wearing a festive red sweatshirt today, looking cheerful and energetic.
“Tokyo, planning to go to Senso-ji Temple to pray for good fortune tomorrow.”
“Then get a few more amulets as souvenirs for everyone.”
“Okay.”
Chen Nian’s face moved closer. Even at this unflattering angle, his good looks weren’t diminished; in fact, his thick, fluttering eyelashes were clearly visible. “Did you call your parents?”
“No, I texted them before I left the country. I don’t know if they’re angry about what happened that day, or if they’re angry that I didn’t come home for the New Year, because they didn’t reply to my messages.”
“I transferred some money to each of them today. They received it quickly. Then my mom told me to be careful while I’m away.”
Perhaps distance makes the heart grow fonder; Li Yixun was finally willing to talk to Chen Nian properly.
Chen Nian couldn’t help but laugh, her gentle smile infectious even through the screen. “You have no sense of direction, so besides being careful, you also need to avoid getting lost.”
“It’s okay, I’m willing. If I get lost, I’ll have company.”
“Okay, let me know in advance if you’re coming back, and I’ll pick you up from the airport.”
“I haven’t decided on my return trip yet. Anyway, the Spring Festival holiday is long, I’ll stay a few more days.”
Chen Nian walked towards the kitchen, holding her phone. After a brief shake, the screen showed Qi Hui and Chen Nian’s uncle and aunt chatting and laughing while cooking. Li Yixun had never seen this shrewd and assertive mother-in-law cook before, and at first glance, seeing her in an apron at home was quite novel.
“Mom, Uncle, Aunt, Li Yixun called back, saying she wanted to say hello.” Chen Nian called out to the three of them, holding up the phone.
The busy family turned around and saw the familiar face on the phone screen.
“Mom, Uncle, Aunt, Happy New Year!” Li Yixun said obediently.
“Happy New Year, Xunxun! Did you have fun in Japan?” Her enthusiastic uncle greeted her first.
“Yes, it was fun! If there’s anything you’d like to bring back, just send me a message, and I’ll get it for you.” Although she knew the Chen family had no shortage of purchasing agents, she still wanted to maintain a semblance of politeness while traveling.
“Okay, your aunt and I will check what we need and send you a WeChat message if we find anything! Make sure you eat well while you’re away for the New Year, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.”
“I’ve prepared your red envelope for Niannian. Remember to ask him for it when you get back; don’t let that kid keep it all to himself.”
“Okay, I’ll definitely visit you with Chen Nian when we get back. Wishing you good health in advance!”
The camera pans to reveal Qi Hui’s face, which bears a striking resemblance to Chen Nian’s.
“Xunxun, Happy New Year. Be careful while you’re out and about.” Qi Hui had never looked down on Li Yixun, but in front of Chen Nian, she tried her best to restrain herself and appear approachable. She didn’t want any distance to grow between her and her son.
“Okay, Mom, Happy New Year!”
“Tell Niannian you’re coming back beforehand, and he can pick you up. Then come home for dinner. Mom will have Aunt Wang cook your favorite dishes.”
“Okay, thank you, Mom. I’ve been away for a while, and I’m really craving Aunt Wang’s cooking.”
Li Yixun felt her acting was inferior to Qi Hui’s. Her face was almost frozen from smiling, while Qi Hui maintained her gentle, nonchalant demeanor.
“Then I won’t disturb your cooking. Have a nice dinner, everyone. Bye-bye!”
“Bye-bye!”
Chen Nian turned the camera back to himself, gently waving goodbye to Li Yixun, his eyes full of subtle smiles. He mouthed to her, “Come back soon.”
Li Yixun resisted the urge to look any longer and ended the call, leaving everything silent.
The Spring Festival holiday was drawing to a close, and Li Yixun’s last leg of her trip was skiing in Sapporo. Having been born and raised in the South, she always marveled at the wonders of nature whenever she saw snow. She and Yuan Yi excitedly took many beautiful photos in the snow, filling up more than half of their camera’s memory.
The two of them spent a long time editing and retouching their photos, finally posting their satisfactory snow-themed selfies on their WeChat Moments.
It seemed quite a few people were using their phones during the holiday; the number of likes and comments rose rapidly shortly after the photos were posted. Li Yixun was busy checking other photos on her camera and didn’t have time to reply to the comments on her Moments.
Suddenly, a private message from Xue Qingkai popped up on her phone screen.
This friend of Chen Nian, whom she hadn’t contacted in ages, had sent her several messages this time.
“You’re in Japan?”
“No wonder Chen Nian, I asked him to go drinking, and he said he had business in Japan.”
“So he went to see his wife.”
Li Yixun was a little puzzled. She hadn’t received any message from Chen Nian saying he was coming to see her, nor had she seen him in person, so she quickly replied, “Oh? When did you ask him to go drinking?”
“On the third day of the Lunar New Year. When I called him, he was at the airport preparing to board a plane. We only exchanged a few words before he hung up.”
But the calendar clearly showed that today was already the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. Even if Chen Nian took a connecting flight, it would only be a little over twenty hours. Li Yixun was certain that Chen Nian wasn’t coming to see her; he was probably in Japan for business or something else. But why couldn’t he even say hello after arriving in Japan?
Chen Nian was troubled by these speculations, and finally, she called him.
Chen Nian quickly hung up and replied with a message, “It’s not convenient to answer the phone. What’s wrong? Is there some emergency in Japan?”
“I’ll be back in a couple of days. Have you started work yet? Do you want me to pick you up at the airport?”
“Sorry, I have some work abroad and can’t pick you up. Send me your flight number, and I’ll have my driver pick you up.”
Li Yixun instinctively felt something was off. Chen Nian was in Japan, yet he was deliberately concealing the fact that he was there.
She quickly searched for Assistant Lin’s WeChat account and opened his Moments, only to find that he had posted a complaint about being stuck in traffic on the highway during the Spring Festival travel rush, with the location pinned to Changhai City.
Assistant Lin had been Chen Nian’s work assistant for many years, handling almost every detail of his work. It was impossible for Chen Nian to be working abroad alone while his assistant was still on vacation.
Chen Nian was lying; he wasn’t in Japan for work. Realizing this possibility, Li Yixun felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.