Apricots Hang Beneath the Leaves

When They Were Young

Ten-year-old Tang Mu didn't want Jian Xing, who was two years older and staying at his house, to go home, so he hid in her suitcase. When they dragged him out, everyone burst out laughing. Only Tang Mu earnestly begged his big sister to take him with her.

Jian Xing looked at the boy who took Cardcaptor Sakura completely seriously and silently shook her head, thinking of every possible way to make him stay behind. But when she saw his eyes turn a little red, she changed her words and gently reminded him that her home was in the neighboring residential complex.

At school, Jian Xing, who had studied tai chi for four years, used a grappling move to stop a slap aimed at Tang Mu. Though she was a new student, she feared no one and stood protectively in front of him. Afterward, Jian Xing, who disliked drawing attention to herself, regretted it terribly. But when she saw Tang Mu's smile spread across his adorable baby face, she decided that she might as well count it as doing the right thing.

She insisted otherwise.

When They Grew Up

Jian Xing studied the person standing before her, unable to believe that she had run into Tang Mu, who had grown into an adult.

They hadn't seen each other in a long time.

What she didn't know was that Tang Mu had deliberately found the right moment to ask his grandmother about her. He'd learned in advance that she was coming back, and had made this reunion possible.

What she didn't know was that for years, he'd followed in her footsteps, trying to make his way toward a better future and reach for his own star, only to be knocked down by reality time and again.

What she didn't know was that after she fell ill, Tang Mu was the one who always stood by her and accepted her without reservation. Whenever she went to the consultation room, she'd look back nervously, and Tang Mu's hug would be waiting right behind her, just as promised.

When Jian Xing finally learned all this, she knew she would love Tang Mu more than forever.

The Ordinary Perspective

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Jian Xing returned to her rural hometown to recuperate. There, she reunited with Tang Mu, her childhood friend, who had been hoping for a long time to see her again. He was still in school and had to return the very next day, but thankfully they resumed keeping in touch before he left.

At school, Tang Mu heard his grandmother mention in passing that Jian Xing was being forced to go on a blind date. He swallowed his pride and begged his grandmother to put his name down too, but heard nothing back.

Then, two days later, he received an invitation from his big sister to go on a May Day trip. He carefully typed every word of the itinerary, determined to make sure it conveyed all his heartfelt affection and love.

The day before seeing her again, Tang Mu was still excitedly counting down and getting everything ready for their outing. He never expected to find Jian Xing, disheveled after an episode, in a corner that evening.

He didn't ask anything, and Jian Xing didn't explain.

They made no other plans for the holiday, spending their time together at home. He gave Jian Xing all the patience and love she could ask for.

He took her hand, hoping to confess his feelings, but unexpectedly ran into her