“Zhuang!” The call from behind interrupted our strange atmosphere.

A young man ran up to Zhuang Xu, panting, “Why didn’t you wait for me to come down together? Zoey was rushing us, she’s always the most impatient. Oh god, we’re going camping, can you stop wearing just black, white, and gray? I can lend you something if you don’t have anything else.”

Zhuang Xu’s gaze lingered on me for a few final seconds before he decisively turned away. “Let’s go.”

Only then did the young man notice me, looking at me curiously several times. “What’s going on? Do you know this beautiful lady?”

Zhuang Xu ignored him and walked straight ahead.

I needed to go to the community entrance to catch a taxi, so I inevitably had to follow behind them, though maintaining a distance of about ten meters.

Outside the community, I saw three SUVs parked at the entrance, with several fashionably dressed young men and women standing outside, obviously waiting for someone. One of the women saw Zhuang Xu and his friend and called out: “Zhuang, Alex, you guys could be even slower!”

The young man beside Zhuang Xu shouted back: “This isn’t my fault! Zhuang was chatting up a pretty neighbor girl in the community.”

I was already standing on the other side of the road hailing a taxi. Unexpectedly finding myself part of their conversation, I felt somewhat dazed as I looked over at them, meeting a collection of curious eyes.

…How should I react?

I could only politely nod slightly.

Zhuang Xu explained briefly: “She’s my college classmate.”

Then he naturally said to me: “Goodbye.”

I… nodded again.

Zhuang Xu didn’t say anything more to me. He walked toward one of the cars, opened the driver’s door, and said to the person sitting inside: “I’ll drive.”

His friend jumped out with a grin: “Of course you’re driving, did you expect me to drive that far?”

They quickly drove away. My luck was good, and I managed to flag down a taxi shortly after.

The taxi drove smoothly along the road to D University.

I leaned against the window, watching the cityscape flash by, my thoughts wandering.

When I first fell for Zhuang Xu, I had imagined our ending countless times. Most were happy ones, of course, but during moments of dejection, I had also imagined myself taking a final desperate chance and then bidding him a cool farewell, becoming strangers thereafter.

Back then, those imagined feelings were a mix of decisive boldness and lingering melancholy.

Now that this day had arrived, I felt a trace of that melancholy in my heart, but more than that, I felt… released.

Time eventually separates those who cannot walk the same path. I would have new friends and a new life, and so would he.

We would gradually become ignorant of each other’s lives. Every day from now on, countless things would happen to each of us that would have nothing to do with the other, completely covering everything that came before.

I felt that Zhuang Xu’s goodbye just now was a real goodbye.

And I, it seemed, had truly said goodbye as well.

I had never imagined before that one day, I would need to walk right up to Zhuang Xu to notice his presence. Back then, no matter where we were, as soon as he appeared, no matter how far away, I would spot him instantly in the crowd as if he were glowing.

Now that glow seemed to have disappeared. I knew he was still as handsome and refined as ever, but somehow he seemed no different from any random person on the street.

I thought that when I got to Chengdu, I should tell Lin Yusen about this. But there was no need for any other action – that would be taking myself too seriously.

By the time the taxi arrived at D University, I had made up my mind. When I got out of the car, Xiao Dai and the others were already waiting. I checked the time – fortunately, I wasn’t late.

The morning continued yesterday’s symposium content, except higher-level people came to talk from their side, and the content was more detailed. The cooperation in various technical and personnel aspects could be described as hitting it off perfectly.

During a few minutes break, Director Dai found time to tell me: “Xiao Nie, I notice you seem very excited today.”

Ah? True, I was excited about secretly going to Chengdu in the afternoon. But was it that obvious? Could he tell even though I hadn’t said a word?

“Well, the holiday is coming up,” I answered casually.

“I don’t think that’s it.” Director Dai studied me while stroking his chin.

Fortunately, other colleagues came looking for him then, distracting his attention, so he didn’t continue questioning me.

After the meeting, Xiao Dai and other colleagues were preparing to return to Suzhou for the holiday. I waved goodbye to them at the research institute’s entrance.

Xiao Dai asked curiously: “You’re not coming back to Suzhou with us?”

“No, Suzhou doesn’t have an airport.” I’m flying to Chengdu!

Unexpectedly, my careless choice of words immediately upset a colleague from Suzhou, who said indignantly: “We’ll have one soon! At Suzhou’s development speed, we’ll have an airport within five years.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. I also believe Suzhou will have an airport within five years,” I apologized to my bristling colleague with clasped hands, and added some encouragement: “Let’s all work hard together to contribute to Suzhou’s revenue!”

After calming down the upset colleague, I headed alone to Hongqiao Airport with my backpack.

It’s a bit incredible, but until I reached the airport, I had completely forgotten about my fear of flying. It wasn’t until I passed through security that I realized this would be the first time in my life to take a plane alone.

I suddenly became nervous. People who aren’t afraid of flying probably can’t understand what aerophobia feels like – it’s having to force yourself to stay calm every minute on the plane, your heart trembling with each shake of the aircraft, completely unable to sleep, only able to constantly find things to do to distract yourself.

I looked at the ticket to Chengdu in my hand. There might still be time to flee, but my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, continuing forward, and my excitement somehow still outweighed my fear.

It’s just over three hours, round down to three hours, just endure it and we’ll be there, and then I can surprise Lin Yusen.

Carrying this mix of excitement and nervousness, I boarded the plane. Before the flight attendants required phones to be turned off, I sent a message to Lin Yusen: “I’m about to take off! Landing at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport in three and a half hours! See you soon!”

I quickly turned off my phone right after sending it, giving him no chance to call and stop me.

So three and a half hours later, as soon as I entered the arrival hall, I saw Lin Yusen.

Chengdu was a few degrees warmer than Jiangsu. He wore just a white long-sleeved T-shirt, standing distinctly among the coming and going crowd. Though it was the most ordinary outfit, on him it appeared elegant and dazzling, making him easily noticeable at first glance.

Mixed with the excitement of landing safely, I waved energetically at him and ran over. I had originally planned to tell him, “I think I just accomplished something big.”

Instead, I ran over and threw myself at him, saying a bit pitifully: “So many things happened these past two days, I wanted to see you, and the plane was so shaky on the way here.”

I landed steadily in his broad, firm embrace, separated by just a thin layer of fabric, firmly locked within his arms. His chest was warm, our breaths mingling, but the person holding me didn’t say anything for a while, making me a bit uncertain.

I had indeed come somewhat impulsively – he wouldn’t scold me, would he?

I wiggled free slightly and quickly covered his mouth with my hand before he could speak. “Let me explain first. I know you could have come back to Shanghai, but I just wanted to come find you. I feel that running over to find you now, suddenly appearing in front of you, makes me happier than if you had come to Shanghai to find me.”

After rushing through all that, I blinked and asked him: “Do you understand?”

Lin Yusen nodded slightly, his eyes gesturing toward my hand.

“Promise you won’t scold me?”

After getting another affirmative response, I smiled brightly and lowered my hand, pulling him toward the exit. “Quick, take me to eat hot pot! Chengdu’s food is so famous, I’ve decided I want to eat five meals a day.”

But I couldn’t pull him along.

I looked back. Lin Yusen stood still. In the noisy crowd, his gaze rested on me, gentle and bright, as if searching for something.

I looked back at him puzzled, and after a while, secretly touched my face.

Was there something on my face?

He suddenly broke into a smile, gripped my hand, and stepped in front of me, saying softly: “You came for me. How could I scold you?”

I was a bit dazed, looking up at him, and it took a while to realize – ah, so this is what “coming for you” means.

Yes, this is exactly it.

Wanting to see him so much I couldn’t wait a second longer, even overcoming my fear of flying. Wanting to suddenly appear before him, to see that moment of surprise and joy on his face. Thinking of countless things to do together after meeting, looking forward to completing them one by one.

At this moment, I suddenly understood in my heart. All the urgency and longing, the passionate anticipation that had brought me here – they already had a name.

They were called – coming for you.