Steady, sharp-witted musician x gloomy, scheming genius actor
What should be the first thing you see after you die?
It certainly shouldn't be the pretty face of your nemesis.
In 2024, Jiang Xuan Chu won the highest award of his acting career. That same summer solstice, the cat he'd had for seven years passed away at the age of fourteen, peacefully reaching the end of its life.
His last unfinished business was finally settled. That night, he drove alone to the seaside, built a fire, and burned the things Ming Yan had left behind, one by one.
Photographs, pages of manuscript in her handwriting, their tangled strands of hair, and a letter... one he would never get the chance to send.
When he was done, he opened a cake box in front of the ashes.
The sea wind was fierce. It took several tries before the candle finally stayed alight.
He raised a hand to shield its faint glow and whispered, "Ming Yan, I lost the bet. I can't last long without you. The days are too long. Will you come back and see me, just once? Even in a dream would be enough."
"If you don't come back soon, I'll come find you."
The seventh year after Ming Yan's death.
-
In 2017, Ming Yan didn't attend Jiang Xuan Chu's funeral or give any interviews to the media.
On the surface, they'd long been at each other's throats. In truth, she'd felt a little hatred and a little love for Jiang Xuan Chu.
She'd once hoped that someday, when she'd finally let go, she could tell someone about it, whoever that might be.
But when she actually heard the news, none of it mattered anymore.
Ming Yan stopped writing stories. Perhaps putting an end to sorrow was easier than remembering it and creating more of it.
She joined a maritime search-and-rescue team and saved many people over the next seven years. She received commendations a few times, heard bits and pieces of other people's stories, and became part of their lives for a while.
In the summer of 2024, the rainy season arrived too early. She used every ounce of strength she had to save someone, only to be swallowed by the sea herself.
Just like him all those years ago.
When she regained consciousness, Ming Yan was surprised to find that she wasn't dead.
She looked up and saw the pretty face of her nemesis.
He looked more mature than he had seven years ago. His usual nonchalant expression had given way to sorrow and silence.
His first words were, "Did the summoning really work?"
His second were, "...Or have I finally gone mad?"
*
A widower romance with a bittersweet tone. The story focuses more on their reunion.
The setting is entirely fictional and follows its own rules.
Both virgins, one-on-one, happy ending.
Theme: Finding the one timeline in which they can love each other.
