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.

with her tour group and found herself a seat. Not long after, a man sat down next to her. In a plain white t-shirt,

turned and flashed a bright smile, “This seat is

“No.” Mu Tongrui answered.

we in the same tour group? It's good to find another single person. I feel

They made an isolated

alone, but I only signed up for the good deals. I'm

man got excited hearing that, “What a coincidence, me too! Would you like to be my

moment, but she didn't mind

“I'm Qiu Zekai.”

you. I'm Mu

They shook hands.

the window to appreciate the glistening seawater and a trail of waves created by the

got to the island, Mu Tongrui and Qiu Zekai enjoyed some fun water sports together. Qiu Zekai was a decent photographer

who took those pictures? Tell me, did you meet a lover boy

Tongrui replied with an eye-roll emoji and typed:

rushed to S city, Mu Tongrui was

I tracked Ms. Mu's phone, and

a cab and

on the horizon as gushes of wind grew stronger. A storm was

ferry, Fu Lingye narrowed his eyes upon

Zekai went to a random restaurant after

dish was served, a television on the wall presented a piece of breaking

Lijiang Island saw a sudden storm which caused a few boats to sink. We are currently still

weather was fine when we surfed.

hard to imagine a violent thunderstorm

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

after Qiu Zekai finished, Mu Tongrui's phone