Qingfeng Longying Xianfei Jue

Chapter 236 The Warm Lights of Bygone Days: A Street Corner Where We Met Again

Lin Yue stood on the bustling street, her coffee already slightly cold. Winter in this city always carried a biting chill; the Christmas decorations were still in place, yet a hint of New Year's spirit lingered. She tightened her scarf, preparing to turn and enter the bookstore next door.

"Yueyue?" A familiar yet hesitant voice came from behind. Lin Yue stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around, seeing the figure she hadn't seen for many years—Su Ran.

Su Ran wore a black overcoat, his posture still upright, but his eyes held a hint of maturity and world-weariness. He looked at Lin Yue, a flicker of surprise and complex emotions crossing his eyes.

"It really is you." Su Ran stepped forward, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Long time no see."

Lin Yue smiled and said, "Long time no see. I didn't expect to run into you here."

The two stood on the street, momentarily silent. Memories of the past flooded back like a tide—those innocent days, those budding emotions, as if they had happened just yesterday.

"Are you... doing well?" Su Ran broke the silence first.

"Yeah, it's fine. How about you?" Lin Yue replied.

“I’m doing alright.” Su Ran paused. “I’ve been working away from home for the past few years and only recently returned to this city.”

Just then, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky, landing on their shoulders. Lin Yue gently brushed the snowflakes off her shoulder, a casual gesture that stirred a ripple in Su Ran's heart.

"How about we find a place to sit down?" Su Ran suggested.

Lin Yue hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Okay."

They went into a café on the street corner, the warm atmosphere inside instantly dispelling the chill. After ordering two hot coffees, the two sat facing each other.

"What have you been doing all these years?" Lin Yue asked.

Su Ran sighed softly, "After graduation, I worked for several companies, and later started my own business, which involved quite a few ups and downs. What about you? Are you still painting?"

A glint flashed in Lin Yue's eyes. "Yes, I've been painting all along. I work at a gallery now."

"That's good. I knew you wouldn't give up on what you love." Su Ran looked at Lin Yue and said earnestly.

The two chatted about their old classmates and their campus life. The familiar people and events gradually brought them closer. Before they knew it, it was getting dark, and the café was getting more and more crowded.

"Time flies," Lin Yue said softly, glancing out the window.

"Yes, in the blink of an eye, we are no longer the same as we were back then," Su Ran said with emotion.

Lin Yue smiled. "However, some things seem to have remained unchanged."

Su Ran looked at Lin Yue, a thought flashing through his mind. He was about to say something when Lin Yue's phone suddenly rang. Lin Yue glanced at the phone screen, her expression changing slightly.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call." Lin Yue stood up and walked to the side to answer the phone.

Su Ran watched Lin Yue's retreating figure, a strange unease welling up inside her. A moment later, Lin Yue returned, her face filled with apology.

"Sorry, something urgent has come up at the company, I have to go now," Lin Yue said.

"It's alright, you go ahead and do your work." Su Ran stood up. "I'm really happy to have run into you today."

"Me too." Lin Yue smiled. "Let's keep in touch when we have time."

After saying that, Lin Yue turned and hurriedly left the coffee shop. Su Ran stared at her departing figure, lost in thought for a long time.

Chapter Two: The Box of Memories

As Lin Yue walked out of the coffee shop, she was still thinking about her encounter with Su Ran. Those memories that she had buried for so long suddenly came flooding back like a burst dam.

She remembered how Su Ran would always quietly help her pack her art supplies in high school, and how he would give her encouraging looks when she was frustrated because she couldn't draw well; she remembered how they would stroll together on the tree-lined paths of the campus in college, sharing their dreams and secrets; and she remembered how, after graduation, due to various misunderstandings and the helplessness of reality, they gradually drifted apart and eventually lost contact.

Lin Yue hailed a taxi and sat in the back seat, gazing at the flashing neon lights outside the window, her heart filled with mixed emotions. After returning home, she went straight to her studio and opened the box full of old things.

Inside the box were photos of her and Su Ran, paintbrushes Su Ran had given her, and letters filled with her innermost thoughts. Lin Yue picked up a photo; the two in the picture were smiling brightly, their eyes brimming with anticipation for the future.

"How did we end up like this?" Lin Yue murmured softly.

Just then, her phone received a text message from Su Ran: "I had a great time chatting with you today. I look forward to seeing you again." Lin Yue stared at the message, her finger hovering over the screen for a long time, unsure how to reply.

Meanwhile, after returning home, Su Ran was also lost in memories. He recalled the hardships of his early days of starting his business, and how Lin Yue's smile was always the warmest comfort in his heart during those lonely and helpless days.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity given to us by fate," Su Ran thought to himself, deciding not to miss it again.

Over the next few days, Su Ran frequently contacted Lin Yue, inviting her to dinner and movies. Lin Yue was initially hesitant, but under Su Ran's insistence, she agreed.

On a weekend afternoon, the two went to the city park. The trees in the park had lost their leaves and looked somewhat desolate, but this did not affect their mood. They strolled along the lake, reminiscing about the past.

"You know what? I've never forgotten you all these years." Su Ran suddenly stopped and looked at Lin Yue.

Lin Yue was slightly taken aback. She looked up and met Su Ran's gaze. Su Ran's eyes were full of deep affection and sincerity, making her heart beat faster involuntarily.

"I..." Lin Yue was about to say something when her phone rang again. Lin Yue smiled helplessly, "What bad luck."

Su Ran smiled and said, "It's okay, you can answer it."

Lin Yue answered the phone. It was the gallery owner calling, saying that an important client wanted to see her paintings and that she should go back immediately.

"Excuse me, I have to leave again." Lin Yue hung up the phone and looked at Su Ran apologetically.

"It's okay, work is important," Su Ran said. "I'll take you home."

On the way to the gallery, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Upon arriving at the gallery, Lin Yue hurriedly got out of the car. Watching her retreating figure, Su Ran secretly resolved to restore their relationship to what it was before.

Chapter Three: The Shadow of Misunderstanding

As the days went by, Lin Yue and Su Ran's relationship gradually warmed up. They spent many wonderful times together, as if they had returned to their carefree days.

However, fate always seems to like playing tricks on people. One day, while organizing the works in the gallery, Lin Yue accidentally discovered a painting whose style was extremely similar to one she had previously given to Su Ran.

A sense of unease welled up in Lin Yue's heart. She took the painting to the gallery owner and inquired about its provenance. The owner told her that the painting had been consigned by a client, and he didn't know the specifics.

Lin Yue was filled with doubts, and she decided to ask Su Ran for clarification. That evening, she arranged to meet Su Ran at a restaurant.

When Su Ran arrived at the restaurant, she saw Lin Yue's serious expression and couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

"What's wrong, Yueyue?" Su Ran asked.

Lin Yue didn't say anything. She took the painting out of her bag and placed it in front of Su Ran.

"Do you recognize this painting?" Lin Yue asked.

Su Ran glanced at the painting, her expression changing slightly. "This...this is the painting you gave me before."

"How did it end up in the gallery?" Lin Yue's voice trembled slightly. "Did you sell it?"

Su Ran quickly explained, "Yueyue, let me explain, it's not what you think. The company was having cash flow problems a while ago, and I really had no other choice..."

"How could you do this?" Lin Yue interrupted Su Ran. "That painting means a lot to me. How could you sell it for money?"

"Yueyue, I know I was wrong. I was really desperate at the time," Su Ran said with a guilty look. "When I have money, I will definitely redeem it."

Lin Yue looked at Su Ran, her eyes filled with disappointment, "Some things, once lost, can never be regained."

After saying that, Lin Yue got up and left the restaurant. Su Ran wanted to chase after her, but was stopped by the waiter to pay the bill. By the time he finished paying and chased after her, Lin Yue had already disappeared into the night.

Back home, Lin Yue locked herself in her studio, staring at the empty easel, her heart filled with bitterness. She felt that her relationship with Su Ran, like that sold painting, could never go back to what it was before.

Meanwhile, Su Ran was also consumed by deep self-blame. He knew his actions had hurt Lin Yue, and he tried everything to make amends, but he could never get a response from her.

A few days later, Su Ran received a text message from Lin Yue: "Let's go back to our own lives and not contact each other anymore." Su Ran looked at the message, his hand falling limply to his side. He knew that this time he had truly lost Lin Yue.

Chapter Four: A Turning Point in the New Year

Days passed, and the atmosphere of the New Year grew stronger. Lin Yue buried herself in her work, trying to forget the pain in her heart by keeping busy.

To celebrate the New Year, the gallery held a large-scale art exhibition. As a contracted artist with the gallery, Lin Yue naturally had to give it her all. She created art in her studio every day, almost forgetting the passage of time.

The day before the exhibition, Lin Yue was making final adjustments to her work. Just then, the gallery owner walked in.

"Lin Yue, I have some good news to tell you," the boss said with a smile.

"What good news?" Lin Yue looked up and asked, looking exhausted.

“There is a mysterious buyer who is willing to pay a high price to buy all the works in your exhibition,” the shop owner said.

Lin Yue's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Who is it?"

The boss shook his head. "The other party requested confidentiality, but he said that as long as you are willing to create for him in the future, he will always support you."

Lin Yue was filled with doubt, but also felt a sense of relief. With this money, she could pursue some of her dreams, such as studying abroad.

The art exhibition opened as scheduled the next day. Many people came, and everyone praised Lin Yue's works. Lin Yue bustled among the crowd, but felt a little lonely.

Suddenly, Lin Yue spotted a familiar figure—Su Ran. Su Ran, dressed in a well-tailored suit, was standing quietly in front of a painting, admiring it. Lin Yue's heart tightened; she instinctively wanted to look away.

However, Su Ran still spotted her. He walked towards Lin Yue with a smile on his face.

"Yueyue, your paintings are still so beautiful," Su Ran said.

Lin Yue forced a smile. "Thank you."

After a moment of silence, Su Ran said, "I know you're still angry with me, but I still want to tell you that I've never forgotten our feelings."

Lin Yue looked at Su Ran, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Just as she was about to say something, the gallery owner walked over.

"Lin Yue, that mysterious buyer has arrived. He wants to see you," the boss said.

Lin Yue nodded and followed the boss to the VIP room. During this battle of power, she felt her body growing weaker and weaker, but she never gave up. Finally, through her relentless efforts, the gem's brilliance gradually gained the upper hand, and the black light was slowly swallowed up. With a loud bang, the contract was successfully broken, and a beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire manor. When she pushed open the door, she froze. Sitting on the sofa was Su Ran.

"It's you?" Lin Yue said in surprise.

Su Ran stood up and walked to Lin Yue. "Yueyue, I'm sorry. I was wrong before. I know that painting is very important to you, so I tried my best to redeem it and even bought all the works in your exhibition. I just wanted to prove that my feelings for you have never changed."

As she spoke, Su Ran took out the painting that had been sold before from behind her back and handed it to Lin Yue.

Lin Yue took the painting, and looking at the familiar scene in it, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Yueyue, please give me a chance, okay?" Su Ran looked at Lin Yue, her eyes full of expectation.

Lin Yue looked up and met Su Ran's sincere gaze, her defenses finally crumbling completely. She nodded, "Okay."

Su Ran hugged Lin Yue tightly, as if embracing the whole world. Her illustrations, imbued with a unique charm by this wondrous experience, received widespread attention and praise. On the day she left Misty Manor, Lin Yue looked back at this place that had once filled her with both fear and hope, her heart overflowing with emotion. She knew this experience would forever be etched in her heart, becoming one of the most precious treasures of her life. At that moment, the New Year's bells rang outside the window, and colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, adding a dazzling touch to this beautiful evening.

In the new year, Lin Yue and Su Ran finally let go of past misunderstandings and hurts and got back together. They know that the road ahead is long, but as long as they love each other and support one another, they will surely overcome all difficulties and usher in their own happiness.