(1)

I never used to believe in love at first sight.

I know I’m good-looking. I’ve had quite a few confessions from childhood till now. Beautiful boys and girls alike have come and gone.

Sorry, that probably sounded a bit arrogant.

But it’s true.

Even the most beautiful faces get dull after you’ve seen enough of them.

(2)

I take back everything I said just now.

I fell in love at first sight.

Turns out people aren’t born beautiful, it’s that I like him that made him beautiful.

You know.

I really mean that.

Because I met someone like that.

His name is Li Qingze. On his small face were a pair of big, round eyes.

When he’s startled, his eyes go even wider. When he hears a joke, he squints them and laughs.

His eyes curve like crescents, and his thin eyebrows arch the same way.

He speaks in a soft tone.

I was really impressed.

I think this might be love at first sight.

(3)

He’s so cute.

Why does he blush when he talks? Why does he puff out his cheeks when he’s mad, like a little squirrel?

I really like him.

(creepy obsessed smile.jpg)

(4)

He’s such a hardworking person.

Every time we hang out with friends, he always helps the host clean up afterwards, and he even takes the trash out with him.

Looking at him, I originally thought he’d be the delicate type.

Turns out he wasn’t.

He was thoughtful, kind, and considerate.

Every good quality you can think of seems to exist in him.

I really like him.

(5)

In twenty years, this is the first time I’ve truly liked someone, and I was determined to take the initiative.

Added him on WeChat, walked him home, asked him to study together. He never said no.

I think he might like me too.

But I’m not sure.

After all, gays are minority.

I’m scared that if I say something, we won’t even be able to stay friends.

(6)

He frowned when he saw me smoking.

Okay, I’ll quit.

He likes the food I cook.

That’s easy, I’ll cook like crazy.

(smug.jpg)

(7)

He came to Z City to find me!!!

God.

This is in the bag!

(8)

We kissed.

(9)

I’m from Yumi province.

I know we don’t have the best reputation. Let’s just say it’s outrageous.

I was born there, went to school there, and didn’t leave home until college.

So all the harsh words, I’d only seen them online.

Besides, my family struck it rich early.

I never really suffered because of it.

Who would’ve thought that once I went abroad, I’d get hit with regional slander all the time?

Being in a foreign country means guarding not just against discrimination from your own people, but also racism from the locals.

Damn. I’m tired.

Life is a struggle.

But fortunately, I have my salvation.

There’s someone who looks at me with those big eyes, full of concern, and tells me not to be upset.

(10)

Compared to the time we spent apart, the days we saw each other every day weren’t that many.

Maybe that’s why the happy days always felt short.

I remember the road from the apartment to the university.

It ran alongside a river. On sunny days, the water sparkled; on rainy days, there was almost always a rainbow.

We’d pass by a small sculpture, and a little blue house that later appeared in a Jay Chou lyrics

And in the passenger seat, there was Li Qingze.

Always smiling.

(11)

That was when I was twenty.

(12)

Then came two years of long-distance.

Every time he took a red-eye flight, my heart ached for him.

I always wanted him to come the next day, or wait until I handed in my assignment so I could go to him instead.

But he was stubborn.

When he said he was coming, he meant it.

Sometimes those budget flights didn’t even include luggage allowance and he’d come out of the airport with just a big backpack, worn and travel-weary.

All I could do, was wrap him in a tight hug the moment I saw him.

(13)

We returned to China, and broke up.

I don’t want to think about it.

It hurt too much.

I thought he’d gotten together with someone else.

It hurt so much, I wished someone would just put me out of my misery.

(14)

I couldn’t let go just like that, so I started laying the groundwork for a new store in H City.

I was going to find him.

The project was almost ready to launch.

I heard his voice on the phone.

He was crying so hard, heartbroken, and kept repeating:

I don’t want a long-distance relationship.

I don’t want to break up.

I don’t want to break up either.

(15)

When we turned thirty, we returned to where the story began.

Ma Jiaming and his wife were playing frisbee nearby, running around like they were teasing a dog.

Li Qingze and I sat on the beach.

He pushed his sunglasses up onto his head, side profile radiant and clear.

When he turned to look at me, his eyes were soft.

In the distance, the sky was glowing crimson, the sea shimmering.

I will love this person forever.

Author’s Note:

This story is complete.

Thank you for reading!