[A lonely country boy + a gentle, short-lived boy + albinism + a mutual obsession that leaves no closure + dreams of the dead + parted forever + sinking into a dream + lovers dying together in the deep sea + youthful regrets + taking one’s own life + a frail, unforgettable love + an illusory reunion + a youthful secret crush + separation by death]
Yun Shu is just like his name: an oversight. His parents never intended to have him, but his grandmother forced them to give birth to him. They abandoned him in the countryside when he was little, showing him no care or concern. Born with albinism, he was treated like a monster, until he met Shen Jing. Though Shen Jing was sickly, he was lively and full of energy, as if there were nothing wrong with him, bringing light to everyone around him. Yun Shu secretly fell in love with him. After their exams, the two took a graduation photo together. But once it was taken, Yun Shu saw the people and scenery around them begin to vanish, including Shen Jing. In a panic, he was at a loss. Shen Jing then urged him to destroy the dream machine. Yun Shu couldn’t understand, until Shen Jing explained. Only then did Yun Shu learn that this was all a dream. Shen Jing had died on the day of the exam, and Yun Shu couldn’t accept reality. He became a renowned scientist and invented a dream machine. Anyone who lay inside could weave a beautiful dream and see the person they longed to see. But the invention led many people to refuse to face reality and choose instead to sink into their dreams, throwing the world into chaos. As Shen Jing was about to vanish completely, he waved to Yun Shu and shouted with a smile, “I linger in dreams, by your side through every dawn and dusk. In the end, our reunion was only an illusion. Morning has come. Please wake up slowly, let go of this false dream, and carry on with your life!” After waking, Yun Shu destroyed every dream machine and halted production. He burned the blueprints, too. At last, he went to the seaside and chose to journey to the bottom of the sea, to find his whale.
