Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

A hotel lobby in S city.

A tour guide announced, “We'll meet here at eight tomorrow morning. After breakfast, we will depart to Lijiang Island and stay the night there. Remember to bring all your belongings with you.”

After that, Mu Tongrui took a stroll in the area for some food before she returned to the hotel.

She checked her phone to find neither a text nor a phone call from Fu Lingye.

Mu Tongrui collapsed on a bed then opened WeChat. She searched Fu Lingye's name but she failed to find his profile.

That prompted her to sit up straight and focus on every way to search for it.

Unfortunately, after several trials, Fu Lingye's profile still didn't pop up.

I got testy after a few drinks... I didn't block him, did I?

Mu Tongrui sat in stillness, trying to recall that part of the night. Moments later, she finally did.

Mu Tongrui and Ye Guo had dared each other to block their crushes' contacts. The alcohol took control of her and...

Mu Tongrui buried her face under her blanket. Right now, she just wanted to hide and melt away.

Then, she remembered “breaking up” with Fu Lingye one-sidedly. So what am I doing, expecting him to reach out?

Mu Tongrui turned on the television to shut down her uncontrollable inner thoughts. She flipped through the channels and stopped at a show which had a four-year-old performing. That child, who was almost Sweetheart's age, reminded Mu Tongrui of Sweetheart and further messed with her head. Mu Tongrui ended up switching the TV off.

After Sweetheart’s call last time, Mu Tongrui tried calling back, but they were never connected. She speculated that Sweetheart’s phone must have been taken away. In the process of organizing her thoughts, Mu Tongrui eventually passed out on her bed.

The next morning, Mu Tongrui met up with the tour guide after breakfast. They left at eight o'clock sharp for the island.

Lijiang Island was a popular tourist attraction in S city. It was known as the Little Maldives and was the perfect spot for many honeymooners. It explained all the newlyweds in the group. Mu Tongrui was glad that she wouldn't be following their agenda after reaching the island, or it'd be too much to bear for a lovesick woman like her.

Tongrui boarded a ferry with her tour group and found herself

turned and flashed a bright smile, “This seat is not taken,

“No.” Mu Tongrui answered.

we in the same tour group? It's good to find

paused. They made an isolated

alone, but I only signed up for

hearing that, “What a coincidence, me too! Would you like to be my travel partner

but she didn't

“I'm Qiu Zekai.”

to meet you.

They shook hands.

the island. Mu Tongrui looked out the window to appreciate the glistening seawater and a trail of waves

Qiu Zekai was a decent photographer and offered to take photos. Mu Tongrui was so impressed by the photos that she posted

who took those pictures?

replied with an eye-roll emoji and typed:

Fu Lingye rushed to S city, Mu Tongrui was

“Boss, I tracked Ms. Mu's phone, and

Lingye immediately took a cab

later. Huge black clouds hovered on the horizon as

Fu Lingye narrowed his

Zekai went to a random restaurant after a day packed

was served, a television on the wall

saw a sudden storm which caused a few boats to sink. We are currently still unsure about the

of nowhere! The weather was fine

It was hard

are often unpredictable on the sea. Luckily, we got here early. I think we should stay two more days just to be

after Qiu Zekai finished,