The next morning was bright and sunny, leaving all the bad moods in the depths of night.

After Zhou Hui finished his morning run, he packed breakfast and went home. During these days of living with Ji Tong, he had abandoned his formerly healthy and strict dietary habits, becoming addicted to street-side fried dough sticks, pan-fried dumplings and other greasy foods, even treating pickled cucumbers and radish as delicacies.

Ji Tong was brushing her teeth when she heard the door open and poked her head out to look at him.

Zhou Hui’s clothes were soaked with sweat. Seeing her expression, he couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s wrong?”

Ji Tong pulled her head back and quickly finished up before coming out. Zhou Hui had already arranged the tableware and food. He went to the balcony to grab his shorts and headed to the bathroom, but was blocked by Ji Tong. She jumped up and kissed his lips.

Zhou Hui held her and nuzzled for a while. “I’ll go shower. You eat first.”

“Mm.”

Ji Tong ate slowly. Zhou Hui quickly finished showering and came out, rubbing his hair and hanging up the towel. He smiled at Ji Tong. “You’re going to be late.”

“Maybe I won’t go. It’s the last day anyway—I’ll stay home and keep you company.”

“It’s the last day—work properly.” Zhou Hui sat across from her and peeled an egg. “Aren’t you also treating your colleagues to dinner tonight?”

“You should come too.”

“I won’t go. You have a good farewell with them. We can invite them when we get married.”

“What will you do today?”

“I’ll go out for a while, buy some daily necessities, then stay home reading and wait for you.” He finished the egg in two bites. “Are you worried about me?”

Ji Tong didn’t deny it.

Zhou Hui reached out and pinched her cheek. “Don’t worry needlessly. I’m fine.”

Ji Tong caught his hand. “Starting tomorrow I’ll keep you good company.”

“Eat quickly.”

Ji Tong glanced at the time, gulped down two mouthfuls of soy milk, grabbed her bag, and ran to the door. “I’m leaving.”

“Your phone.”

She ran back to get her phone and kissed him in passing. “Let’s have lunch together.”

“Mm.”

…

That evening, Ji Tong didn’t return until after nine. She ran into the house but didn’t expect Zhou Hui to not be home. She called Zhou Hui but he didn’t answer. Just as she was letting her imagination run wild, Zhou Hui called her back.

She quickly answered. “Where are you?”

“You’re back? Come to the underground garage. I’m waiting for you at the elevator entrance.”

Ji Tong didn’t ask why. She just wanted to see him immediately. Hanging up the phone, she hurried into the elevator.

As soon as the door opened, Zhou Hui was standing outside waiting for her. Ji Tong walked out and grabbed his sleeve. “What are you doing here?”

Zhou Hui didn’t answer, taking her hand and leading her through various turns to a black small commercial vehicle. Ji Tong was slightly stunned. “You bought a car?”

Zhou Hui opened the door. “Yes.”

Ji Tong looked inside and it was actually an RV. Seeing her in a daze, Zhou Hui gave her bottom a light pat. “Get in and look.”

Ji Tong stepped into the vehicle and looked around. It had everything—dining table, kitchen, bathroom. At the very back was a wide bed covered with soft coffee-colored blankets, and the windows had double-layered cream-white curtains, all in colors she liked.

Zhou Hui opened drawers and cabinets one by one to show her. “Here are daily necessities, here are protective gear, here are medications, here are snacks and drinks you like. Tableware is here, plus cookware and seasonings. I prepared a tent and two sleeping bags so we can camp on mountains. For your sanitary products, I prepared several packs referencing the brands and types you keep at home. Here I put some backup chocolate, candy, biscuits, canned goods, and energy drinks—these can only be used in special circumstances. There are also some miscellaneous outdoor supplies and tools I’ll slowly show you where they are later.” He had Ji Tong squat down with him. “And here, I’ve stuffed two folding bicycles so we can go cycling.”

“You prepared so thoroughly.” Ji Tong pulled out a hiking pole. “It feels so professional.”

Zhou Hui shielded the top of her head with his palm and helped her up. “I promised we’d travel together. Did you think I was just talking?”

“So you’ve been preparing all this recently?”

“Mm.”

Ji Tong put it down, went inside, and lay on the big bed. “So comfortable.”

“The model is a bit small, but it’s enough for the two of us. I don’t really like big vehicles, and if it’s too tall and big, it’s not very convenient for certain places.” Zhou Hui lay down beside her. “Do you like it?”

Ji Tong wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love it so much.”

“I chose this interior layout mainly because of the big bed.” Zhou Hui leaned over her, his hands becoming improper. Ji Tong rolled away. “The door isn’t closed.”

Zhou Hui laughed, pillowing his head on his hands and lying face up. “Let me think what else I haven’t prepared.”

Ji Tong moved back to his side. “Have you traveled in an RV before? Wait, do you have a driver’s license?”

“You can get one at sixteen in Canada. I got mine last year.”

Ji Tong sighed with relief. “That’s good. I haven’t driven in years. But in places with few people, I can take turns driving with you.”

“No need. I’ll do it—you just rest.”

“Do you like driving?”

Zhou Hui thought for a moment. “I like driving tanks.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Hui smiled lazily. “Just kidding. I’ve never driven one. I don’t have feelings for cars—I prefer things with life. Like animals, nature.”

“When do we set off?”

“Now if you want.”

Ji Tong laughed quietly.

“What are you laughing at?”

“I want to leave with you immediately.”

“Let’s go up and pack clothes.”

Ji Tong kissed him with a smack. “I’ll call my mom.”

…

Zhou Xin came over as soon as she received the call, happily helping Ji Tong pack her luggage.

Before leaving, she mysteriously called Zhou Hui aside and secretly slipped him two talismans. “I mentioned this to you the other day—Tong Tong easily attracted unclean things when she was little. Although she’s fine now, we still need to be on guard. This is a protection charm, this is an exorcism charm. She refuses to carry them and always secretly burns them, so you keep them and don’t let her see.”

Zhou Hui naturally knew they weren’t needed—the “unclean things” she spoke of… he had once been one of them. But he didn’t want to disappoint Zhou Xin’s good intentions, so he agreed properly. “I’ll hide them well. She definitely won’t find them. Don’t worry.”

Zhou Xin smiled and patted his shoulder with a wink, expressing satisfaction.

Before driving off, Ji Tong felt somewhat reluctant—after all, they’d be leaving for several months—but Zhou Xin was quite decisive in parting, beaming as she saw them off.

“Have a good time and take lots of photos.”

“Pay attention to sun protection.”

“Don’t bully little Zhou—be diligent—”

“You’re not young anymore! Learn to take care of people!”

“Drive slowly, safety first.”

“Goodbye, little Zhou—”

Ji Tong looked at her happy mother in the rearview mirror. “How come you seem more like his son, so afraid he’ll be wronged. You two even share the same surname.” She looked at Zhou Hui, her smile gradually fading. This scene made memories flash through her mind of when He Feng drove her into the Huangpu River in Shanghai. She turned her face away, somewhat saddened.

Zhou Hui seemed to sense something and held her hand. “Let me take you to see my old home first.”

“Okay.”

The old home he mentioned was in Shandong.

The He family’s Yun Village.

Just as Ji Tong had said, after so many years, the changes were too great.

Even Zhou Hui wandered around for a long time. Fortunately, he still found that mountain and the secret path up it. The difference was that the waterfall was gone.

Setting foot on this mountain path again, Ji Tong couldn’t describe her current feelings. It was as if time had reversed a hundred years, back to when she came looking for him desperately. But what greeted her was a field of bones.

She took a light breath, feeling extremely stifled inside.

The mountain was covered with green grass like a secluded paradise untouched by visitors.

Although it had never been developed, the formerly dilapidated buildings had vanished, leaving only a few short, broken stone posts.

Ji Tong suddenly saw a large camphor tree and tugged hard at Zhou Hui’s sleeve. “Look!”

Zhou Hui saw it too and walked over with Ji Tong.

“I remember this tree. Do you remember?”

“I remember. I even climbed it.” Zhou Hui grasped a branch, wanting to pick a leaf to keep, but just as he pinched the stem he let go, unable to bring himself to take it. He caressed the trunk and said softly to it, “I didn’t expect you to still be here.”

Ji Tong looked at it with emotion. “I remember many trees by the village were burned to death. It actually survived.”

Zhou Hui curved his lips. “Nature and life are both great.” After speaking, he took Ji Tong’s hand and went west, measuring with his fingers for a long time before suddenly finding a branch to break and digging a hole in the ground.

“What did you bury?”

“You’ll know in a moment.”

Ji Tong also found a branch to help him dig. Soon they hit something hard. Zhou Hui brushed away the dirt and took out a small jar from inside.

“Wine?”

“Mm.”

“Wine that’s over a hundred years old!”

Zhou Hui wiped the jar clean and smiled. “Come taste it.”

Ji Tong pressed down his hand and took the wine jar. “You’re underage—no drinking. It’s mine.”

“You’re calling me underage again.”

“Underage.”

Zhou Hui grabbed her hand and pulled her over, pressing her down beneath him.

“What are you doing!”

“Doing you.”

“Bandit.”

“Right.”

Ji Tong didn’t struggle and didn’t reject this feeling. It reminded her of their first time—the same scene, though the sky was much bluer then. Just as she was starting to feel something, Zhou Hui got up and left. “The ancestral graves are here. We’ll continue after going down the mountain.”

“…”

Zhou Hui carried the wine jar and led Ji Tong in another direction. Walking along, he suddenly stopped. Ji Tong bumped into his arm and was about to ask what was wrong when she saw him bend down and part the tall grass on both sides, revealing a tombstone.

Ji Tong’s heart immediately began beating wildly beyond control.

This stone was actually still here…

Zhou Hui squatted down and took out a piece of paper to wipe it, revealing the characters on it.

Ji Tong stood awkwardly behind him, looking at the crooked characters carved with a knife.

[Tomb of He Feng]

In the lower left were smaller characters:

[Erected by wife Wanzhi]

Zhou Hui pulled her down to squat. “Wife Wanzhi.” He smiled at her. “Wife.”

Ji Tong turned her face away. Zhou Hui turned her back around. “Wife, Wanzhi.”

Ji Tong covered his mouth. “That’s in the past.”

Zhou Hui pulled down her hand. “What’s buried in here?”

“It’s empty. Nothing at all.”

“Really?”

“If you don’t believe me, dig it up and see.”

“I believe you.”

“Should we take it with us? As a… memento.”

Zhou Hui pulled her up to stand. “Let it stay here to guard the souls behind it.”

“Back then I dragged all the bones to sheltered places—at least they have a resting place.”

“I know. Later I came back and buried them one by one.” Zhou Hui looked into the distance. “Now they’re all sleeping here.”

Ji Tong followed his gaze and saw ahead a patch of flourishing grassland with scattered white flowers blooming here and there.

“I don’t know who is who. The grave mounds are all gone too. Father and big brother are probably here as well.” Zhou Hui sighed deeply, recalling the fragmentary seventeen-year memories of this place, one familiar yet strange friend and relative after another.

What separated them was not just one lifetime.

Zhou Hui suddenly knelt down.

Ji Tong wasn’t overly surprised and knelt down with him, kowtowing together.

After a long while,

Zhou Hui helped her up. “Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Hui remained silent throughout their descent.

Halfway down the mountain, Ji Tong hugged his arm and shook it. Zhou Hui looked over, and Ji Tong smiled at him. Zhou Hui smiled back and put his arm around her shoulder. “Where do you want to go next?”

“Go horseback riding? The grasslands?”

“Let’s go.”

…

They traveled with stops and starts. On the way to the grasslands, they passed many beautiful places, like a sea of flowers.

Ji Tong fell in love with photography, but her height couldn’t capture the magnificence of the flower sea, so Zhou Hui realized he should buy a drone. But with nowhere to buy one temporarily, he simply let Ji Tong ride on his shoulders.

Ji Tong held her phone and sat steadily. She didn’t take photos but opened video recording, pointing it at Zhou Hui’s head the whole time.

The boy below was completely unaware. “Does it look good?”

“It looks great.”

“Let me see.”

“I’m not done filming yet.” Ji Tong slowly lowered her hand, pointing the phone directly at his face.

Zhou Hui looked at himself on the screen and grinned foolishly. “You’re secretly filming me.” He held Ji Tong’s legs tighter. “Stop filming and hold on tight—I’m going to fly with you.”

Ji Tong wrapped one arm around his neck and just secured her grip when Zhou Hui started running quickly.

Ji Tong was so scared she put down her phone and wrapped both arms tightly around him. “Slower!”

“I’m going to fall! Slower!”

…

Inner Mongolia’s temperature was relatively low. Even the grassland at noon wasn’t very hot, and the weather was unpredictable—sometimes stormy clouds gathered and it would rain, sometimes it was clear for thousands of miles.

Zhou Hui and Ji Tong rented a yurt and stayed on the grassland for a week. Every day they rode horses, shot arrows, ate and drank. Ji Tong didn’t follow Zhou Xin’s advice to pay attention to sun protection—her exposed wrists were already two shades different from her body’s skin tone.

In the evening, Ji Tong half-lay on the front of the car, sometimes watching the cattle and sheep returning home in the distance, sometimes watching the ever-changing sky.

Zhou Hui finished packing their luggage and put it in the car. Early tomorrow morning they would leave here for the next place.

He was tying a bundle of rope when he came to Ji Tong’s side. “What are you thinking about?”

Ji Tong sighed. “I really want to live here forever.”

“Then we’ll settle here in the future.”

“But I want to go to so many places.”

“Then we’ll live in each place for a while.”

Ji Tong looked at him and smiled. “It’s so nice having a rich boyfriend. I’m going to hold tight to your thigh and never let go.”

“Hold onto thighs,” Zhou Hui freed one hand to rub her head, “isn’t that what you’re best at?”

Ji Tong knew what he was referring to. Remembering how she almost got caught by Song Jiao at the mountain village, she was really lucky to have had his thigh to hold onto. She joked, “Will there come a day when you get tired of me and go find young, pretty little sisters?”

“What do you think?”

“No.”

“Don’t ask such boring questions in the future.” Zhou Hui tugged at her face. “The wind’s getting cool—come inside.”

“Okay.” Ji Tong jumped down from the car and took his arm. “What should we eat tonight?”

“What do you want to eat?”

“Watermelon.”

“This time I can’t help you—we’d have to go to the city.”

“Lychees?”

“Dream on.”

“I really want to eat them.”

“What else do you want to eat?”

“So many things…”

“…”

…

Along their journey they met many interesting friends—poor college students backpacking, lost elderly couples, a little brother whose luggage was stolen, backpackers crossing thousands of mountains and rivers…

They also gave rides to several people, chatting about hometowns, sharing interesting stories, talking about ideals, discussing the future…

No one thought Zhou Hui was only seventeen, and no one thought Ji Tong was already thirty-four. They seemed like a married couple in their twenties, perfectly matched from appearance to soul.

Zhou Hui’s travel experience was very rich—like a living map. Many directions Ji Tong couldn’t distinguish, he would immediately point out like a compass.

Ji Tong didn’t need to worry about anything. He was meticulous, efficient, and gave her a great sense of security. He was the gentle, romantic Zhou Hui, but also the decisive and swift He Feng. And all Ji Tong had to do was follow him peacefully.

One morning, they passed through a county in Yinchuan City.

Zhou Hui suddenly stopped the car and got out. Ji Tong wrapped a shawl around herself and followed, seeing Zhou Hui holding up his phone taking pictures.

It was just an ordinary cluster of high-rises. Ji Tong was somewhat puzzled. “Why photograph buildings? There’s nothing special about them.”

“I came here fifty-six years ago—it was all wasteland then.” Zhou Hui admired the standing high-rises with satisfaction and said with emotion, “Our motherland has grown strong.” He was silent for a while, then added, “No one dares to bully us anymore.”

Ji Tong looked at him with deep feeling. “Have you remembered everything?”

Zhou Hui didn’t answer anything, just smiled slightly, and Ji Tong already understood.

He held Ji Tong and suddenly kissed her lips, correspondingly pressing the shutter with his finger to capture a photo of their kiss.

Ji Tong watched him post the photo on social media with accompanying text:

[Our 108th year.]

She hugged Zhou Hui’s arm and leaned against his broad shoulder. “Your friends and family must think your brain is broken.”

“Then let them think that. As long as you know I’m not broken.” Zhou Hui wrapped both arms around her, his lips falling on her forehead, then moving down, lightly tracing over her nose bridge and tip, landing on her cool lips.

Passersby inevitably cast glances with various meanings.

Ji Tong didn’t like being intimate in public, but Zhou Hui was always independent and decisive about this matter, kissing her conspicuously regardless of the setting.

For this, he had a moving explanation that you couldn’t refuse:

“In the past we always had to hide, unable to wait for sunrise and moonset, much less walk together openly.

From now on, I want to embrace and kiss you on every crowded street.

I want the whole world to see how I love you.”

…