Chapter 94: Zheng Mo

Chapter 94: Zheng Mo

Before Yun He left the city he had grown up in with Gu Jiabei, the two of them visited Lin Yong's music restaurant.

In a private room.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, why don't you just hang on Gu Shuai's arm? This is a restaurant, not a gay bar. Tone it down, Brother Yun!" Lin Yong rolled his eyes at Yun He, who was practically glued to Gu Jiabei.

"What's your problem? They were apart for over a decade and have finally reunited. What's wrong with showing a little affection here?" Wang Xiaomi said with hearts in her eyes as she watched Gu Jiabei and Yun He. "Keep going, ignore him. I still need to finish shipping my OTP from back then, hahahaha..."

"Speaking of which, Xiaomi had better taste than Yongzi back then," Yun He said with a smile.

"I still do," Wang Xiaomi replied.

"Yes, yes, you both have good taste. Good enough to show off your love in front of me. So bloody considerate," Lin Yong said, helplessly taking a sip of beer.

Yun He sat up straighter, his expression more serious. "Actually, I'm just happy that I can openly acknowledge my partner in front of friends and family."

"Don't worry, desk mate. I'll mock Lin Yong before I mock you," Wang Xiaomi pledged, thumping her chest.

"You truly are the perfect wife I meticulously chose," Lin Yong rolled his eyes dramatically.

Wang Xiaomi ignored him and raised her glass, "Here's to Yun He and Gu Shuai's love! Cheers!"

Lin Yong followed suit, "Indeed, it hasn't been easy for you two. It may have taken some time, but at least your love has blossomed into fruition."

Yun He smiled as he lifted his glass, "Thank you for your well-wishes, friend."

"To my boyfriend," Gu Jiabei proposed the toast, gazing fondly at Yun He with a bright smile.

"Oh my god, it's so sweet! My heart can't take it," Lin Yong rubbed his goosebumps in discomfort.

"Hahahahaha... It's too sweet, keep dishing out the sugar like this! Daily doses of sweetness, hahahahaha..." Wang Xiaomi beamed with an aunt-like smile.

The four of them enjoyed a long feast and conversation before finally parting ways. By then, Lin Yong was quite drunk and had to be helped into the car by Wang Xiaomi and a waiter.

"Fantastic! Yun He, my Yun He has finally found his match, that's great!" Slurring his words, Lin Yong alternated between laughter and tears, "But now you'll follow your man wherever he goes, just like the saying goes. When will we brothers meet again, Yun He, my dear Yun He..."

"Alright, stop talking already. Be careful, Gu Shuai might throw you out of the car later," Wang Xiaomi said exasperatedly. She waved at Gu Jiabei and Yun He outside the car, "He's really drunk. I'll take him home right away. You two, be safe on your way back."

"Alright, let's head back," Yun He smiled, waving at Wang Xiaomi.

The driver drove Wang Xiaomi and Lin Yong away.

"We can walk back together. Let's take a stroll," Yun He suggested.

"Sure," Gu Jiabei extended his hand, and Yun He, with a smile, placed his hand in Gu Jiabei's, interlocking their fingers as they walked down the street.

It being evening, the sidewalk was not well lit, so they didn't make any effort to hide their affection.

They found themselves at their old school, though it had since been relocated, leaving no trace of its former self.

"The school is gone, moved away," Yun He paused where the entrance used to be, looking at Gu Jiabei with a tinge of sadness.

"Would you like to take a photo here for old times' sake?" Gu Jiabei asked.

"Hmm..." Yun He looked around and pointed at a nearby tree. "This tree is still here. Let's take the photo under it."

"Alright." The two of them approached the tree, and Gu Jiabei opened his phone to snap a selfie.

Yun He glanced around and said, "Oh no, we can't capture this tree ourselves. Let's ask someone for help."

"Sure," Gu Jiabei agreed.

Yun He spotted a tall man approaching them and approached the stranger. "Excuse me, handsome, would you mind taking a photo for us?"

The passerby had been walking with his head down but lifted it to meet Yun He's gaze after being stopped.

"Yun He?..."

Inside a café on the sidewalk, Yun He and Gu Jiabei sat across from Zheng Mo.

"I never expected to run into you here," Yun He said, looking at Zheng Mo with surprise.

In truth, Yun He and Zheng Mo hadn't met often, and so many years had passed. If Zheng Mo hadn't initiated the recognition, Yun He might not have recognized him. "It's amazing that you still remember me."

Zheng Mo chuckled. "Not really. You caused quite a stir online recently."

Hearing this, Yun He shrugged helplessly. "Online harassment... It's just frustrating."

Zheng Mo nods, his expression a touch melancholic. "I understand. Gossip is always something beyond one's control, no matter the time."

For a moment, the three fell into a silence, all of them thinking, almost in unison, of another victim from twelve years ago — Zheng Han.

"Well, you..." Yun He hesitated, searching for the right words to express himself.

"I've been working overseas and haven't returned since," Zheng Mo chimed in. "I didn't expect such significant changes here."

"Yes, the school has been relocated," Yun He said.

"I've noticed." Zheng Mo sipped the coffee in front of him.

Another bout of silence ensued, as if there was an unspoken topic hanging between them, but neither dared to address it openly.

After a while, Zheng Mo's phone rang. He answered it and held it to his left ear. "Doctor Tang, it's me."

"Yes, I've been feeling somewhat emotionally unstable lately. I wanted to talk to you about it."

"Alright, but I've just run into an old friend. I'll call you back when I get home."

Zheng Mo hung up after a few words and apologetically said to Yun He, "Sorry about that."

Yun He shook his head and replied, "It's alright, really. Was... were you feeling unwell just now?..."

This question was somewhat intrusive, as their relationship with Zheng Mo hadn't progressed to the point of prying into each other's private affairs. However, Yun He couldn't help but worry after overhearing Zheng Mo's conversation.

Zheng Mo fell silent for a few seconds before he chuckled and said, "It was my psychiatrist. I thought I was already fine, but ever since I returned to the country recently, I've been thinking about the past... My emotions have been fluctuating a bit... I plan on talking to the doctor about it... It's nothing serious."

Yun He nodded, while Gu Jiabei remained silent throughout.

Zheng Mo rose to his feet. "It's getting late, so I'll be taking my leave. I'm genuinely glad to have run into you both again."

"Zheng Mo," Yun He called out to Zheng Mo, speaking slowly, "Zheng Han once wrote me a letter, which I've kept. I think perhaps it should be shown to you... I'm not sure if it might be of any help to you."

For the first time, a hint of emotion flickered across Zheng Mo's usually tranquil countenance.

"The letter is at my residence, not too far from here. Would you like to accompany me to retrieve it?" Yun He inquired.

Zheng Mo stood silently for a few seconds before softly responding, "Okay..."

Yun He unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and welcomed Zheng Mo inside.

Gu Jiabei headed to the kitchen to boil water and prepare tea for Zheng Mo. Meanwhile, Yun He went to the small study, retrieving an old cardboard box covered in dust. From within, he extracted a letter that had been long buried at the bottom, its envelope yellowed and worn with time.

Yun He passed the letter to Zheng Mo.

Zheng Mo accepted it silently, his hands trembling slightly as he carefully opened the envelope.

The house was filled with only the creaking of the wall clock ticking away.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Zheng Mo finally finished reading and carefully put away the envelope.

Yun He noticed the rim of his eyes turning red.

"Zheng Han, I have never blamed you," Yun He said.

Zheng Mo fell silent.

"He has always had great faith in you and is very optimistic about your future together," Yun He said.

Zheng Mo suppressed a deep breath. "I should have taken him with me back then. That's the one thing I regret the most in my life. I shouldn't have left him behind. If I had taken him away, he wouldn't have had to face those things on his own... I shouldn't have overthought it. As long as he was by my side, that was all that mattered."

Whether you take him with you or not, it doesn't affect his trust in you. His final choice was not caused by you. I just want to tell you that he has never blamed or complained about you even a bit. So, if you are still blaming yourself, I think it's time to stop." Yun He said, "It's all in the past. Zheng Han has started a new life in another world. He surely wishes for your happiness more than anyone else. Don't make him sad again."

Zheng Mo cried silently, his head bowed low, shoulders slumped under the weight of his sorrow.

"Thank you," Zheng Mo choked out.

"I won't give you this letter, after all, it was written to me by Zheng Han," Yun He said.

"Very well." Zheng Mo stood up, carefully refolding the letter before handing it back to Yun He. Gazing at Gu Jiabei and Yun He, he sincerely expressed, "I genuinely hope that you two will remain blissfully happy together forever."

"It will happen," Gu Jiabei assured.

Zheng Mo left, and Yun He was uncertain whether he would fully recover in the future. Nonetheless, he wished that Zheng Mo would no longer require the services of a psychiatrist.

Wrapping his arms around Gu Jiabei's waist, Yun He nestled his face against his shoulder and whispered, "Tell me, why do so many people perceive first love as childish and futile, while my experience feels so profound and unforgettable?"

Gu Jiabei embraced Yun He, planting a gentle kiss by his ear.

"Perhaps it's because your first love happened to be someone who left an indelible mark on your heart from the very beginning."