The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

157.

"Medals" has been recorded, and all thirteen songs in the album have been recorded.

The two looked at the time given by Sister Li; there were still half a month left.

Du Zihua hugged Li Zichun tightly and said, "You're not going to just leave after recording, are you?"

Li Zichun laughed and said, "Where can I go?"

Du Zihua lightly bit his neck: "You've already entered my heart."

Li Zichun gasped, then smiled and frowned slightly as she looked at him: "When did you become so mushy?"

Du Zihua hugged him with a grin and said, "I started paying attention to you when you sang 'I.' I am who I am, a firework of a different color. At that moment, I felt like I was blossoming, realizing that there were people in the world who understood me. It was also at that moment that I decided to return to China to develop my career after finishing my studies. I decided then and there that I must get to know this person. After returning to China, I worked hard to shine, hoping that you would see me. Later, when I learned that you were participating in the competition, I volunteered and fought my way to you."

Li Zichun was also a little surprised to hear this, and said with a smile, "So it turns out that getting close to me was premeditated."

Du Zihua didn't deny it, and hugged him tightly, saying, "Yes, but Zhao Qianfan was with you back then, so I couldn't talk to you properly."

Li Zichun scoffed and said, "If he's not here, what are you planning to do?"

Du Zihua rubbed his neck with his nose and said with a smile, "What else can I do? That's all. What can I do without your permission? Of course, I'll just slowly protect you until you see me."

Li Zichun gently stroked his hair. It felt so good to have someone clearly like him, but unfortunately, she couldn't reciprocate since she only had a year and a half to stay.

Li Zichun simply patted his head affectionately and said, "Since there's still more than half a month left, why don't we go out for a walk and have some fun?"

Du Zihua rubbed against him like a puppy, saying, "Okay, I'll go anywhere as long as I'm by your side."

Li Zichun gently flicked his forehead and said, "Slippery."

The two took out a map of the Great Zhou Kingdom and laid it flat on the ground. Li Zichun smiled and said, "Shall we do it, or shall we?"

Du Zihua said with a smile, "One for each person?"

Li Zichun smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Li Zichun tossed the dice lightly, and it landed in the Northwest. Du Zihua followed his hand and threw it, and it rolled forward a few times after landing before finally landing on the Southeast coast.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Well, since it's decided, let's go to each position for a week."

Du Zihua nodded and said, "Okay, I'll book the tickets now, and we'll leave tomorrow."

Li Zichun smiled and nodded, then let him do as he pleased. For people like them, while they might not be at the level of the super-rich, they could easily achieve a comfortable level of leisurely travel as long as they had the time.

After a night of rummaging through drawers and cabinets, the two of them and their cat appeared in the desert of Northwest China the following evening, carrying their bags.

Li Zichun and Du Zihua sat on their camels, feeling the endless yellow sand before them. The insignificance of life seemed incredibly fragile amidst the sand dunes and the grains of sand whistling past. Qi Tong stood on a sand dune, squinting, feeling drowsy from the sun, and couldn't help but yawn.

The two rolled and frolicked in the desert, running barefoot through the warm yet chilly sand, experiencing the ruggedness and grandeur of life in the wilderness, and the final destination of life.

Li Zichun held a handful of sand in his hand, as if grasping a handful of ever-flowing, falling stars, the ceaseless decay and death of life. He simply tossed it up, letting it scatter in the wind, all his worries drifting in the air with the dust, gradually settling down, his eyes gleaming, until only unwavering resolve remained.

Seeing his deep sadness, Du Zihua hugged him from behind, gently nuzzling him like a puppy, and finally made him laugh with "woof, woof".

Li Zichun reached out and flicked his nose, then pinched it: "You look presentable, don't you?"

Seeing him smile made Du Zihua happy too, and she gave him a kiss. This was a moment that belonged only to the two of them, a moment that would make them feel incredibly happy even when they looked back on it later.

Led by the tour guide, the two crossed the desert, boarded a train, and headed further west.

The northern frontier is not just endless yellow sand; it also boasts birdsong and fragrant flowers. The Great Zhou Kingdom has done an excellent job in environmental management and soil and water conservation. After passing through the dust-proof green belt, a vibrant scene unfolds. The steel forest-like city showcases the crystallization of modernization; this is the Jiangnan region north of the Great Wall.

The two ate and drank their way through the unfamiliar surroundings. Occasionally, a few young people recognized Du Zihua, and he happily signed autographs and took photos with them. Then, looking at Li Zichun beside him, he asked, "Is this your secret girlfriend?"

Du Zihua laughed smugly, while Li Zichun grunted twice and said in a rough voice, "I'm a man."

Upon hearing this, the passerby gave an awkward smile. His expression, which had initially seemed to indicate he had stumbled upon some juicy gossip, froze, and he slunk away.

Li Zichun scratched his head in annoyance: "Should I get a short haircut?"

Du Zihua said with a smile, "As long as you're happy, I like you no matter what."

Li Zichun rolled her eyes, but still didn't cut her long hair.

Unbeknownst to them, the photos of these passersby taken together on social media had caused a huge uproar online within just a few hours, even causing related searches to freeze.

Everyone is speculating about the identity of the long-haired beauty next to Du Zihua.

Many sharp-eyed netizens hesitated for a moment, but still recognized Li Zichun at a glance. This man who once dominated the music scene is back.

When Du Zihua saw Sister Li's caller ID, he answered the call reluctantly.

"Weren't you recording an album at home? Why did you go out?"

"Do you know that this has been all over the internet right now?"

"Come back soon if there's nothing else."

......

Sister Li rambled on and on, and Li Zichun, seeing his embarrassed look, took the phone from his hand and said with a smile, "Sister Li, it's like this, the album has been recorded, and we're out scouting locations to shoot the music video."

We apologize for the public outcry this time; we didn't inform you beforehand. You could have just issued a simple statement about the collaboration with the Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust, and we wouldn't have let things escalate too much.

We'll head back as soon as we're done filming here, and I promise you a surprise.

Sister Li nodded in agreement. As long as it wasn't a scandal, it was fine. She casually reminded everyone to "be careful and protect your little face from the wind" before hanging up the phone.

Seeing Du Zihua's unhappy expression, Li Zichun reached out and tugged at his cheek, saying with a smile, "What's wrong? Why do you look so unhappy? Are you afraid I'll take a bad picture of you?"

Du Zihua grumbled in dissatisfaction, "What was supposed to be a nice trip has now turned into work."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Isn't it enough that I'm with you? Just record a quick video, consider it a promotional video."

Du Zihua pouted, still unhappy, and said, "Won't your hand get tired holding up that small video camera all the time?"

Li Zichun leaned on his forehead and smiled, saying, "It will definitely be a little tiring, but it's a different story if you're a handsome guy."

Du Zihua chuckled: "So, would I be considered handsome?"

Li Zichun flicked his head: "It's barely passable."

The two walked and took photos until they arrived at Crescent Moon Village, an oasis town in the desert. The entire town was built around the lake, with buildings arranged in a charming, staggered pattern. Their hotel was located at the highest point in the town, offering a panoramic view from one end of the village to the other.

Li Zichun watched this amazing sight with great interest and sighed deeply. The Crescent Lake on his previous life's Blue Star was tiny, less than a tenth of this place, and despite the huge amount of money invested in its protection each year, it was still showing signs of disappearing—quite frustrating. This place was different. A separate working area had been established, with a full set of existing laws and regulations in place. Residents and tourists alike had to abide by the rules, or face severe fines.

The village is not very large, but apart from the need for a school bus to take students to school, it can be described as a complete ecological community.

Li Zichun strolled through the urban desert oasis, experiencing a strange sense of unreality. Long, long ago, it was simply a place where people sought seclusion; as more people came, it gradually evolved into the unique Baijia Village. You can see the different aesthetic tastes and lifestyles of people from various regions, like a secluded pastoral paradise.

Every household here grows flowers and plants on their balconies, creating endless greenery even in the dead of winter.

The two sat by the lake, with Qi Tong lying at their feet, basking in the sun. Du Zihua rubbed Li Zichun's cold hands and said with a smile, "Are you warmer now?"

Li Zichun nodded, his smile shining brightly in the cold sunlight, as if his whole being was radiating light.

Du Zihua couldn't resist wanting to kiss him, but Li Zichun reached out and pressed his lips against his: "Tone it down, don't act like a little beast in heat and do whatever you want in broad daylight."

Du Zihua pouted, realizing her mistake, and shook his hand, saying, "Just for a little while, okay?"

Li Zichun flicked his nose and said, "Stop fooling around, be good, or I won't play with you anymore."

Du Zihua hurriedly apologized: "No, I was wrong, I was wrong in every way, I'll listen to you."

Li Zichun shook his head, smiled and said seriously, "You don't need to listen to me, just listen to your own heart."

As Li Zichun spoke, she placed his hand on his heart and said with a smile, "Want to hear a story? My story."

Du Zihua rarely saw him so serious, so she nodded obediently and listened to him speak.

Li Zichun's voice was soft and gentle, like drifting willow catkins, as she slowly recounted her experiences along the way. From her soul's journey to this world, to her path so far: signing with a company, holding a new song concert, being blacklisted, starting her own company, being betrayed, how she fought back step by step, her relationship being exposed, and how she got to where she is now, finally getting to know herself.

Li Zichun spoke slowly, mostly in short sentences, but Du Zihua listened with bated breath.

Li Zichun looked at his somewhat dazed face and didn't urge him, but just waited quietly for him to finish digesting the information.

From the very beginning of his time travel, Du Zihua felt that he was just telling a story. But as he listened, he felt more and more uneasy, as if it were all true. It was about how he used the relationships of the people around him to go from an unknown, impoverished music student to the famous "Moon Emperor".

Li Zichun makes no secret of his affection for him and his vested interests. From the beginning, he was associated with Seventh Uncle, Zhao Qianfan, Li Ke, and others, and now he is associated with him because he wants to use the Du family's connections to release an international album.

Du Zihua's expression shifted from relaxed, confused, and flustered to calm and composed, his eyes darting around. Finally, he swallowed hard, sighed, and said, "So, you had this all planned out when you initially agreed to help me produce the album?"

Li Zichun nodded without speaking, his gaze fixed on the shimmering lake surface.

Du Zihua continued, "Was our relationship also a scheme of yours from the very beginning?"

Li Zichun smiled and nodded, not denying it: "Yes, not exactly, but I didn't expect you to be so proactive and to have liked me from the very beginning. That surprised me a bit."

Du Zihua was somewhat agitated. He took a deep breath and sighed, "Why not just keep lying? You only have a year and a half left anyway. Why not lie to me until the very end?"

Li Zichun chuckled and said, "Yes, why? Probably because I'm afraid you'll really fall for me, and I'm also afraid I'll really fall for you."

Du Zihua was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "So, you like me?"

Li Zichun nodded, then shook her head and said, "I don't know, maybe it's liking. Sometimes I calculate all my feelings and I can't even tell myself clearly anymore. It was like that with Zhao Qianfan, but I don't want to be like that with you anymore."

Du Zihua hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, though the winter sun shone warmly, the breeze felt like a cold knife cutting into people's hearts.

Li Zichun let out a long sigh, said nothing, and just sat quietly beside him. Qitong sensed his emotions, jumped onto his lap, and leaned against him quietly.

The two of them sat there like statues, gazing at the calm lake in a daze.

After an unknown amount of time, Du Zihua, not wanting to remain in this awkward silence any longer, lowered his head, reached out and patted Qi Tong's head, and said in a humble yet uncertain tone, "So, will I be the last one before you leave?"

Li Zichun didn't speak, and didn't know how to answer. Even he himself couldn't give a final answer. He just smiled, raised his head, turned around and looked at him, saying, "How do you want me to answer? The answer is in your hands."

Before he could finish his sentence, Du Zihua hugged him tightly and said softly, "I hope I can be the last one before you leave. If only I could have met you sooner."

Li Zichun smiled and was about to extend her hand in return when a sound suddenly came from behind them. Zhao Qianfan, wearing a trench coat, stood on higher ground and said loudly, "What if I don't mind being used by you? Isn't it normal to be needed by someone you like?"

Li Zichun swallowed hard, unsure how much he had heard from beginning to end.

Seven of Bamboo, with a half-smile, tilted its head back and let out a "meow," breaking the sudden silence. Oh dear, a human battleground between new love and old flame.