Chapter 241: Love Letter
Lian Li had already walked far, disappearing from sight.
Jin Shi Yue’s mind was still replaying the extremely precious scene from just now.
The sunlight was bright, like a layer of golden filter. She stood in it, smiling at him, too clearly.
The mobile phone ringtone sounded.
Jin Shi Yue withdrew his thoughts, glanced at his mobile phone as he answered, opened the car door, and slowly sat into the driver’s seat.
Jin Shi Yue’s car was parked on William Street. Lian Li walked from there towards the campus. Upon reaching the main campus, she saw the chapel, Nassau Hall, and Blair Arch along the way, taking some photographs with her mobile phone camera.
The United States observes Daylight Saving Time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November each year. The time difference between Princeton and the Capital City is usually 13 hours, but it becomes 12 hours during Daylight Saving Time.
Lian Li saved the photographs first, planning to share them with Xue Shufan later.
The freshman orientation process was routine, nothing special. Thanks to Professor Lu Huier, Lian Li had previously done a one-month short-term exchange at MIT in Boston, so she had a high acceptance of foreign educational philosophies.
A few days into the semester, her biggest feeling here was the greater degree of freedom and fewer restrictions. The school emphasized students’ independent research and academic exploration rather than traditional classroom teaching.
During her free time, out of curiosity, Lian Li visited Alexander Hall and met a compatriot there.
The other person was Liang Jiacheng, from Hong Kong, a computer science student, and quite enthusiastic and cheerful.
Liang Jiacheng added her on Facebook under the pretext of inviting Lian Li to join an international student group.
“The school often has guest lectures by scholars from various places,” Liang Jiacheng said in his Hong Kong accent, inviting her, “There’s one today. If you’re interested, we can go together.”
“Sorry, I have plans with my boyfriend and don’t have extra time,” Lian Li glanced at the time and politely said, “He should be here soon. I’ll be going now, goodbye.”
Whether they were of the same or opposite gender, as long as the other person had no ill intentions, Lian Li would make friends normally, just like before.
She had no habit of being ambiguous with people, and after her feelings for Jin Shi Yue were mutual, she would certainly not give others the illusion that she was single.
Liang Jiacheng was quite disappointed about the fact that the pretty junior had a boyfriend, but he didn’t cut off contact because of it.
“What a shame, but being friends is fine too. Since you’re new here, if there’s anything you don’t understand or need help with, feel free to ask me anytime.”
“Then thank you in advance,” Lian Li smiled faintly, appearing as a well-behaved and clever good student.
Liang Jiacheng: “You’re welcome. Let’s have a party sometime.”
Lian Li left Alexander Hall and walked to the road outside, her gaze precisely landing on the all-black Porsche.
People were coming and going around, but the man in the driver’s seat completely ignored them, arrogantly driving the car up to her.
Without him needing to get out, Lian Li directly pulled open the car door and sat into the front passenger seat.
As she fastened her seatbelt, Jin Shi Yue leaned over, reached into the back seat, and handed her a bouquet of flowers held in his long fingers.
A beautiful bouquet composed of German irises, pure white snow mountain roses, and gladioli, the flowers bloomed vibrantly, emitting a faint fragrance.
Holding them in her arms, Lian Li rubbed the velvety petals with her fingertips and asked him, “Is today a special occasion?”
Jin Shi Yue started the car, tilted his head to look at her, and lazily said, “Do I need a special occasion to send flowers to my girlfriend?”
“No need,” Lian Li said with a sweet smile.
She lowered her head, burying her face lightly in the bouquet and sniffing it twice.
He was returning to the country tomorrow. Lian Li thought.
Jin Shi Yue had already been here with her for over a week. If he didn’t return to the Capital City soon, the Jin Family would probably send someone to drag him back.
No matter how reasonable she was, Lian Li’s reluctance and anxiety did not diminish one bit.
Was she worried that he would change his mind because they were in different countries?
Probably not.
Lian Li tilted her head to look at Jin Shi Yue. The knot of worry in her heart only grew, and she didn’t know what she was actually worried about.
The mobile phone screen lit up, displaying a new message.
Xue Shufan: 「Lili, have you been losing hair in the top academic institution?」
Lian Li’s eyes reflected the text, and she smiled: 「Everyone loses hair every day, and I’m no exception.」
Xue Shufan: 「You’re at the academic ceiling, don’t just focus on academics, go out and have some fun.」
Lian Li: 「Don’t worry, I’m not a bookworm. Mischievous.jpg」
Chatting back and forth with Xue Shufan, they unknowingly arrived at the manor.
The car stopped beside the crystal fountain in front of the main building of the villa.
Lian Li put away her mobile phone and looked at Jin Shi Yue, suddenly noticing he was a bit quiet today.
“What’s wrong?” Jin Shi Yue’s large hand clasped hers, and he led her into the villa.
Lian Li asked, “Why weren’t you talking to me in the car just now?”
“I was driving.”
“You can still say a word or two while driving.”
“Didn’t I say one word?” Jin Shi Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, watching her with interest.
Normally, when he was driving, if he spoke a few more words, Lian Li would put on a stern face and tell him to shut up and concentrate on driving. So, whether he spoke or not, it was wrong?
Lian Li fell silent.
She tightened her grip on his hand: “What’s for dinner?”
“Noodles,” Jin Shi Yue replied concisely.
Lian Li was a bit absent-minded and didn’t notice that his expression was different from usual.
She had arranged to video call Xue Shufan after arriving home. She entered the living room, sat on the U-shaped sofa, propped her tablet on the coffee table, and initiated the video call.
Turning her head, she didn’t see Jin Shi Yue and assumed he had gone back to the study to handle work, so she didn’t pay much attention.
The video call ended, and dinner was ready. It was all Chinese food: Truffle Baked Prawn Balls, Crispy Roast Duck with Caviar, and Braised Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
Lian Li sat down at the dining table, glanced at the beef noodles in her bowl, casually mixed them with her chopsticks, and ate at a leisurely pace.
Just took a bite.
The taste was a bit strange.
Took another bite.
The flavor of this beef noodle soup was both like authentic Taipei beef noodle soup and not, it was very peculiar.
Jin Shi Yue didn’t touch his chopsticks. He tapped the dining table twice with his index finger and asked her, “Not tasty?”
Lian Li: “It’s delicious.”
It’s just that the texture is a bit weird.
“If it’s delicious, eat more,” Jin Shi Yue hooked his lips slightly, a relaxed smile appearing in the corners of his eyes.
As they were about to part, Lian Li had a poor appetite and put down her chopsticks after eating half a bowl. She got up and went to her room to take a bath.
An hour later, she came out of the bathroom, wearing a white bathrobe, with a dry towel wrapped around her head covering her wet hair. She looked around and didn’t see Jin Shi Yue.
He was probably busy.
Lian Li sat on the soft stool in front of the dressing table. Her gaze inadvertently swept across the tabletop, and she suddenly froze.
On the dressing table, a dark blue velvet box had appeared at some point, with a light blue exquisite envelope pressed underneath.
Lian Li’s heart trembled for no reason. She picked up the envelope and examined it for a while. Only the front had the four characters ‘To Lian Li’ written on it.
The handwriting was bold and vigorous, with strong and precise strokes, each stroke a superior technique, outlining an endless, outstanding spirit, exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
— Jin Shi Yue’s handwriting.
The thought struck her, and Lian Li unconsciously slowed her breathing.
As she opened the envelope, the unease weighing on her heart rapidly expanded, and her heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
On the letter paper, there was a full page of handwritten text.
He had written her a letter.
To be precise, it was a love letter.
【Lian Li:
Normally, I know exactly what I should say, but I’ve reread this love letter countless times and still don’t know how to begin.
I don’t often think about the past, but it’s hidden deep in my memory, carrying a faint glow, and always appears frequently in my dreams.
Before we officially met for the first time, I had seen you. It was a bright sunny day, and your father took a young you to visit the Forbidden City.
Because I had an impression of you, when your father drove you during the New Year, I had the idea to tease you. At that time, I didn’t expect that one day I would be shooting myself in the foot, nor did I expect this incident to have such a big impact on you.
Our reunion was much earlier than you think.
Four years ago, Song Xiao passed away, and I was urgently transferred back to the Capital. I saw you at Wan Yi Hua Fu.
Just as people recognize the one they will love at first sight, I recognized you at first sight.
Song Xiao’s death had plunged me into extreme despair, but upon closer examination, I was already at the bottom, with nowhere further to fall. The years spent seeing you were the only reason left for me to look up.
At the end of the long days, I was by your side. You couldn’t see my scars, but my wounds healed because of you.
Later, when I left the Capital, I often suffered from insomnia. In the middle of the night, when I thought of you, a greedy factor grew wildly in my bones, hoping that this beam of light from you could always shine on me.
I longed for it so much, yet it was out of reach.
The person you dream of, you should go see them after waking up.
So, I came.
Lian Li, I came for you.
Meeting you was not a coincidence; it was intentional on my part. From the beginning, I wanted to occupy your heart, sweep away all factors that made you unhappy, ignite a fire within to warm you, and I wanted to possess you alone.
You used to ask me, why specifically you.
It’s not “why specifically you,” but “only you.” Even before the thought of falling in love with you formed in my mind, it was as if a camera had been hidden, capturing every frame of you clearly.
You don’t need to worry about repeating your father’s mistakes, nor do you need to fear that we will separate.
I love the independent and brilliant you, and I love all of you. No matter what age, no matter how many years pass, I am certain I will fall in love with you.
You are the glory I have sought my entire life. Every flutter of my heart has always been because of you.
I usually disdain making promises, believing actions are stronger than words.
But Lian Li, I give you a promise.
As long as you need me, no matter where I am, I will come for you.
From now on, you don’t need to have any more concerns. We will be together forever, and I only love you.
— Jin Shi Yue.】
