[When the stars fall, I'll secretly think of you one more time.]
Qiao You first met Liang Shi in London in 2006, on a rainy spring day.
The man was tall for an Asian, standing straight beside a mailbox in a camel-colored trench coat. His profile was sharply defined, but his skin was a sickly pale.
Perhaps Qiao You had been staring too boldly. The man lifted his eyes from beneath the edge of his black umbrella and looked at her. His gaze was cool, his eyes desolate, like still water without a ripple.
The store manager told her the man's name was Liang Shi. He had come to London two months ago and lived on the top floor of the apartment building on the corner. He was handsome, but unfortunately not in good health.
Qiao You was surprised and curious, but she never saw the man again.
Later, on a stormy day filled with thunder and lightning, Qiao You was on shift, nodding off, when the bell above the convenience store door rang.
The man was dripping wet. With a cigarette between his long, finely boned fingers, he said, "The check, please."
His British accent was impeccable, his voice low and resonant, his tone languid.
Qiao You looked up and asked in Chinese with a half-smile, "Can I get your contact information?"
The man's deep eyes narrowed slightly. "No."
The storm beat wildly against the glass doors. A white dove flew back in a sorry state. The world was dim, and day and night turned upside down.
At the time, Liang Shi had no idea that one day he would fall hopelessly in love with the woman before him. Even if he had to kneel before Buddha and bow until his forehead split, he would still dare to beg for a lifetime entangled with her.
Short story | Bad ending
Blurb written on April 29, 2022
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Theme: Be brave
