Living With a Temperamental Adonis: 99 Proclamations of Love

It was a classic that had been covered by many famous artists, ’Love Rumored to Have Come Back.’

”I heard from my friend that the love stricken you came back;

”I want her to help me greet you, because I’m afraid I will never get it out;

”How much do you feel about the past, you, who let my heart break;

”I still deeply love…”

Song Qingchun trailed behind Su Zhinian until she could barely hear the music anymore, and it was then that the man suddenly stopped. Song Qingchun realized they were standing in front of yet another alleyway.

Song Qingchun looked around with confusion and was about to ask Su Zhinian why he stopped when he told her in a plain voice, as if sensing the question on her mind, ”We’re here.”

Song Qingchun glanced at the various billboards advertising the items inside the shops and blinked with confusion.

We’re here? Su Zhinian wanted me to follow him here?

Song Qingchun couldn’t help but ask, ”The place that you wish to come is here?”

”Yes,” Su Zhinian confirmed as his gaze eventually landed on the left wall of the alleyway. His gaze slowly softened as if he was looking at something close and dear to him.

Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian’s handsome profile and asked, ”Where is this place?”

Perhaps she had imagined it, but she swore she saw Su Zhinian’s eyes, which were looking at the wall, shine with pain when she asked that.

”I heard from my friend that you, who understood me so well, came back;

”I want her to help me keep it a secret, because I’m afraid I will be more heartbroken if we met;

”I’m still having feelings for our past, and you, who once gave me happiness;

”I still deeply love…”

The lyrics of the song drifted from the barbeque stall.

Song Qingchun listened to it for a while before asking, ”Is this place somewhere incredibly important to you? Why aren’t you talking?”

No matter the question, Su Zhinian remained silent. He was deeply lost in thought as if he was reminiscing about something from his part.

Song Qingchun realized her questions weren’t getting through to the man, so she stopped asking. She stood to the side quietly, waiting for him silently.

”There’s the hurt of wanting to meet you, but also fear of meeting you, there’s the love still hidden in my heart;

”I can only put you in my heart.”

The song continued to play, and it was jumping between loud and soft depending on the direction of the cold wind.

Song Qingchun didn’t know how long they stood there in each other’s company. He was still the same way when her two legs had almost frozen solid. It was as if he had morphed into a statue, standing in his original posture, staring down the alleyway.

Song Qingchun stomped her feet about, trying to get the blood flowing in her legs. Sensing her discomfort, the man turned around to stare at her. After a while, he removed the coat he was wearing and handed it to her.

Song Qingchun glanced at the thin shirt he was wearing and immediately shook her hands to say, ”It’s okay…”

He didn’t wait for her to finish before placing his coat on her. Then he turned back around to stare down the alleyway.

Time trickled by, and they remained in that position until the hawker stall eventually closed. It was then that Su Zhinian finally turned his eyes back from the alleyway to look at Song Qingchun. He said lightly, ”Let’s go.”