The Bird and the Fish

[Blunt, reckless troublemaker x awkward introvert]

Mutual healing / lighthearted, pure sweetness / single couple, one-on-one / extremely sweet, extremely sweet, extremely sweet

An Si met Li Yuan when she was seventeen.

At an outdoor ski resort, in the freezing cold, a girl lay unconscious, her lips pale. If he left, she would have no chance of survival. The boy's gaze was resolute as he carried her through the vast, snow-covered wilderness. Like a lone, tireless ant, his shadow stretched long across the snow, his stubborn spirit unyielding.

*

They met again six years later. Someone knocked her down, and her silver walking stick fell to the side. He didn't even help her up, and his gaze was now that of a stranger.

The medication had changed her appearance completely, but her clear, bright eyes remained, possessing an indescribable beauty.

*

At their first proper meeting, he was all casual and carefree. His T-shirt collar hung open, and a glimpse of his collarbone flashed into view now and then as he moved.

Seeing a similar silver walking stick, Li Yuan thought An Si was the girl who had deliberately flirted with him at the swimming pool that morning.

"Teacher An?" Li Yuan rested his hands on his knees and leaned forward. The smile disappeared from his face, and he looked at An Si with a cold, icy gaze.

"It's just the two of us now. Why are you still pretending?"

*

Later, a gang of thugs cornered An Si on the street.

The man's usual laid-back, unserious expression was gone. His dark eyes were filled with a vicious fury.

"Get up and fight!" Li Yuan was like a little beast provoked into a rage.

An Si panicked. She used all her strength to grab Li Yuan's arm and pull him back. She pulled so hard that his wrist turned red from her grip.

Li Yuan turned around and steadied An Si by her unsteady shoulders. Looking into her tear-filled eyes, he said softly, "Don't cry. I won't fight anymore."

"I'll do whatever you say. Just don't cry."

*

Later still, Li Yuan came to ask for her hand in marriage. His intense, almost predatory presence seemed ready to tear her apart. His hoarse, dry voice brushed against her ear, as though all his strength had left him.

The proud lion lowered his head and buried it in the crook of her neck, his eyes bloodshot.

"Sisi, be with me."

The woman's voice was calm and still gentle, yet each word cut into Li Yuan's heart like a blade.

"Li Yuan, let's end this here."

His love was too passionate. She couldn't bear the intensity of it.

Birds and fish were destined to part.

*

Later, when she opened her eyes, sunlight had already filled most of the bedroom. Li Yuan casually pulled off his pajamas, revealing his taut, muscular build, and An Si's little face turned red again. As they drove down the road, Li Yuan yawned repeatedly. An Si tentatively asked, "Did you sleep badly last night?"

Li Yuan gave her a half-smile. "What do you think?"

I'll level the abyss

And stand beside you in the sun

I'll shamelessly pursue you

Hoping you like me too

Birds and fish, faithful until death!

Though worlds apart, love can still tear the divide to pieces

Theme: Even when you are trapped in a valley, never give up hope. The light is just ahead.