[Backup Astronaut * Traditional Textile Artisan]
1.
Cui Xicheng had been a golden child since birth, with everything going his way. When the military flight academy began recruiting at age seventeen, he sailed through every stage and was accepted into the A92 Military Flight Academy.
At his graduation banquet, a friend brought several cases of soda. Thinking it might be something special, he picked up a bottle, popped the cap with his teeth, and took a swig.
The sour taste made Cui Xicheng look down at the glass soda bottle in his hand. He asked in surprise, "Did you bring this drink?"
His friend shook his head. "Not me. Lin Zhixing did."
"She couldn't make it today, so she said she'd take care of the drinks here."
Cui Xicheng's smile faded. He picked up the bottles one by one, looking them over, until he finally noticed that one bottle in the pile had a piece of paper stuck to it.
On it were a few crooked little words:
"Cui Xicheng, may your future be bright, your ups and downs be peaceful, and your graduation joyful."
2.
In her senior year, Lin Zhixing traveled to a remote region to study under a master and teach. It was a long journey over mountains and across seas.
She managed to keep going on sheer willpower, throwing up the whole way. At last, she reached her destination and saw the person there to meet her, beneath a shady tree.
He wore green camouflage military fatigues, his build tall and straight, his back ramrod straight.
After more than three years, the boy from her memories appeared before her again. Cui Xicheng leaned against the tree with his arms crossed, his bright, striking smile just like that of the boy who had once stood in the breeze on the sports field. "Long time no see, old classmate."
One of them had known all along that she was coming.
The other had no idea he was waiting for her.
Lin Zhixing's heart trembled fiercely: I crossed mountains and seas to get here, never imagining you would be at the end of them.
·
Later, she finally got to lean against her beloved's shoulder. It was graduation season again, and Cui Xicheng asked with a smile, "Old classmate, another year has passed. What are you wishing me this time?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Lin Zhixing spoke softly but with utter sincerity into his ear: "This time, I wish that one day you will soar into space and fulfill the dream of our country."
3.
Years later, the Shenzhou C launched successfully. At the end of an interview, a reporter asked Cui Xicheng, one of the backup astronauts, "There's a question on behalf of your fans. I've heard that you love studying galaxies. Is there a constellation you like best?"
His answer was simple: "I like all the constellations, but there's only one star I love most."
After finishing work in the early hours, he picked up his phone and immediately messaged his wife: "Did you watch the livestream? My favorite star is Vega."
Lin Zhixing.
One day, I will soar into space, for my country and for you.
Later, I traveled across the entire galaxy and still found no star brighter than you.
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[Reunion After Years Apart | Unrequited Love Comes True | Mutual Devotion | Both Leads Are Each Other's First Love]
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"I traveled across the entire galaxy and still found no star brighter than you" originated online.
The title, "Why the Stars Gather Around the Moon," is inspired by the song "Starry Sea."
Theme: A tribute to aerospace workers
