Ailment

[This story has been archived and is now free to read]

The summer after Ji Shixi finished the college entrance exams, a mother and son moved into the house across from his grandfather's. The boy was fair and clean-cut, and stood as straight as a young white poplar.

When he first met "Little Poplar," Ji Shixi narrowed his eyes with a hint of hostility. "What's your name?"

Later, the young white poplar he had met in the height of summer took root in his heart, its vines clenching around his heart every moment of every day.

When they meet again, the car window is half-lowered. Little Poplar sits inside and coolly says, "Long time no see."

He smiles and nods, but the vines growing wildly in his heart say, "I've been anything but well."

Ji Shixi, bottom x Song Qilan, top.

The story is divided between their youth and adulthood. A short story, just a few tens of thousands of words.

Theme: Don't wait until you've missed your chance to realize you were in love