The Summer We First Met

[A free-spirited young writer and a home-loving Chinese teacher find meaning in life because they meet each other.]

“Shen Ye, do you love me?”

“I do.”

“How much?”

“Enough to want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Shen Ye returned to his empty home alone. Waiting for him was still only the light he had switched on before leaving.

He lay on the bed, worn out, and gradually drifted off to sleep.

That night, he had a dream.

He dreamed he was back at the entrance to the vocational school from years ago, waiting for her to come out.

“What I mean is, you can move into my neighborhood and live with me.” That was how Shen Ye had confessed his feelings to Zhang Yao back then.

“I could move in, but I have one condition.” She smiled at him.

“What condition?”

“You can’t fight me for the bathroom at home anymore.”

Shen Ye smiled and nodded, opening his arms to welcome her.

In the dream, the moment Zhang Yao threw herself into his arms was the most beautiful sight in the world to him.