Today is the 15th of the first month, Yuanxiao Festival. Tomorrow morning, I have to return to school and start classes again, and it will be several months before I can see Liu Cen again. As soon as I finished dinner (local custom, usually only two meals are eaten during holidays, before 10 am and before 4 pm), Zeng Ziying hurriedly arrived at the agreed-upon small riverbank. For some reason, this winter break back home, I always felt that Liu Cen seemed a bit off, her eyes drifting away unknowingly, with an inexplicable and ambiguous feeling, making Zeng Ziying feel a little panicked, not knowing what Liu Cen was thinking about. This time, Zeng Ziying had made up his mind, today he must let him speak out his concerns, cannot part ways for several months with suspicions.

  Liu Cen arrived earlier than her, sitting on the riverbank, staring at the opposite bank motionless, with a large cardboard box beside him. The remaining sunlight of the sunset gently sprinkled on him, such a gentle scene yet revealed a sense of desolation, and his eyes followed with a sourness. After a moment of silence, she quietly walked to his back and wrapped her arms around him.

  "Qing Qing, youre here. Is it cold?"

  "Its not cold, I thought Brother Cen was going to turn into a stone man! If Brother Cen turns into a stone man, it wont be a husband-watching rock, but a wife-watching rock!" Zi Qing said before realizing her words were problematic and her face suddenly turned red. Fortunately, Liu Cen didnt seem to notice anything.

  Ziying saw this and stretched out her own cool hand to put it on Liu Cens neck.

  "Youre being naughty again, your butt is itchy, huh?"

  When they were young, Ziying and Liu Cen lived next door to each other, and the two families had a very good relationship. Liu Cen was four years older than Ziying, and Ziying always followed behind him calling "Gege, Gege". This habit has been hard to change over the years. Later, Liu Cens family moved away from their original home, first to the county town, and Ziyings family followed a few years later. This long-distance relationship began after Ziying graduated from high school, and the two could only be together during holidays. Now, Liu Cen has already graduated from university and is working alone in Shanghai, while Ziying is still studying in the provincial capital not far from his hometown, with half a year left before graduation.

  "Come, Qingqing, look what brother Cen brought for you today?"

  "Wow, fireworks, such big fireworks, just for me? Isnt that too extravagant?" Although she was very happy in her heart, Zi Qing knew that a box of fireworks this size would cost at least 700 or 800 yuan, enough to cover her living expenses for a month. No choice, ordinary people have no alternative."

  "It doesnt matter, I want you to have an unforgettable Lantern Festival. Later, later..."

  "What happened next?"

  "Its nothing, wait until sunset is gone and the moon comes up, Brother Cen will show you the most beautiful fireworks."

  "Brother Cen, are you hiding something from me? Have you encountered some difficulties?"

  Liu Cen stood up and pulled Zi Qings hand, "Lets take a walk by the river, Ive been sitting for half a day."

  "Good."

  In the south in early spring, there is still a lot of greenery on the ground. The air has a warm and moist atmosphere, carrying the fresh scent of wild grass, which smells very comfortable.

  "Qingqing, theres still half a year before graduation, right? Have you thought about what youll do after graduating?"

  "Ive thought about it, after graduation Ill go to Shanghai to find you, find a job, and then we can work hard together to earn money, save money, buy a house, and live a happy life from then on."

  "Silly girl, didnt you dislike big cities?"

  "I dont like it, but you do."

  "That cant be because I like it and you compromise yourself. Think carefully, what do you most want to do?"

  "What I want to do most? I told you not to laugh at me."

  "Alright, no joking."

  "I want to build a big house similar to Beijings Siheyuan in a scenic mountainous area, with an orchard and a vegetable garden. When Im inspired, Ill write; when not, Ill plant vegetables. Living a simple and happy life as a rice worm."

  "Hey, your ideals seem simple, but theyre not easy to achieve. People are always busy with life and lose themselves in the process, often without even knowing what they really want."

  "I know, I dont want much. I was originally a simple person anyway."

  "Good weather,"

  "Huh?"

  "Qingqing, youre a good girl, listen to Brother Cens words, and youll definitely live the life you want."

  "But thats not what you wanted, is it?"

  "Qing Qing, I have something to tell you."

  "I know, Ill go with you to Shanghai, Im not afraid of hardship, well work hard together, and things will get better slowly, youll always be by my side, right?" Zi Qing said hastily.

  "Qing, how can I bear to? These few years in Shanghai have been really tough for me, especially the first two years. I kept switching jobs and moving houses non-stop. There were several times when I almost gave up, but I didnt want to. Every time I was about to collapse, I thought about all my hard work going down the drain and how my family back home is still watching over me. So I gritted my teeth and persevered again. It wasnt until these past two years that my job finally stabilized. Never mind, lets not talk about this anymore. My point is, its better for you to stay in your hometown. At least there, you have your parents and family. I dont want you to struggle so hard outside."

  "But youre not here."

  "Ive already found someone suitable for me, Qingqing, sorry."

  "You mean Im not suitable for you. Why are you telling me this now? Weve been together for so many years, we grew up together since childhood, all these years, dont you know what kind of person I am? Youre only saying Im not suitable for you now?" Zi Qing shouted at Liu Cen.

  "Qing, you clearly know I didnt mean it that way. What I meant is that Ive found someone more suitable for me now. In the future, youll also meet someone whos a better match for you, so you wont have to suffer with me, and I wouldnt want you to suffer either."

  "Its indeed a mans logic, no longer loving me and just saying I dont want to let you suffer to get rid of me. What about her? Are you willing to let her suffer? I guess she wont make you suffer, will she?" Zi Qings words were somewhat biting, usually she wouldnt speak like this, in Liu Cens heart, she had always been obedient and understanding.

  Damn it, why do I have to be so rational, why do I have to be so sensitive and speak out the truth, why do I have to cruelly expose the ugliness of human nature, why cant I just deceive myself? In Ziyings heart, Liu Cen has always been gentle and elegant, with a strong bookish flavor, when did he become unfamiliar to himself?

  The moon didnt know when it quietly climbed up, carrying a layer of faint yellow halo, adding a warmth, but this warmth couldnt reach into Zi Qings heart. Many years later, Zi Qing still remembered the moon on that night, warm yet icy cool.

  Zeng Ziqing has never been a person who drags things out, having seen too many separations and reunions. He knows that whether its a man or a woman, love is just love, without any reason. Only when the love is gone will people find all sorts of excuses, but none of these excuses can bring back the sweetness of the past.

  "Come on, Xun Gege, didnt you say you bought fireworks to set off?"

  "Qingqing, Im sorry. Alright, lets set off fireworks."

  The beautiful fireworks, dazzling and fleeting, reminded someone that beautiful things are always short-lived, such as youth, love, and life. So, one must learn to cherish them. Under the brilliant fireworks, there were tear-stained faces with smiles. Liu Cens heartstrings were plucked, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

  "Goodbye, Brother Cen." Zi Qing said softly.

  "Goodbye, Qingqing. Im sorry, really sorry. I know this phrase is too light to make up for the harm Ive caused you, but at this moment, I really cant find a more suitable way to express my apology. Nor do I dare ask for your forgiveness or not."

  "I know, Brother Cen, I dont blame you. I know youre not feeling good about this either, and youve probably been thinking about how to bring it up during this holiday. Actually, there have been many times when I noticed your mind was elsewhere, and I thought it was because of work. But, I didnt expect it to be this... sorry for putting you in a difficult position, its my fault for not being good enough, so I couldnt stand by your side. It wont happen again, goodbye Brother Cen." Zi Qing said.

  "Nonsense, Zi Qing. I wont let you talk about yourself like that when you know the truth isnt so. Its my fault for not being good enough to give you the wealthy and leisurely life I wanted to provide for you."

  "Brother Cen, dont be like this either. Love is love, and not loving is not loving. No matter how many excuses there are, theyre just excuses. I want to go home."

  "Alright, lets go, Ill see you home." Liu Cen habitually reached out to pull Zi Qings hand.

  "Never mind, Ill go back myself, just like that." Zi Qing put her hands into the pockets of her own clothes.

  Liu Cen suddenly reacted, sighed in his heart and said: "Qingqing, dont be like this, okay? Even if nothing else, I am your brother Cen. Let me send you home. Its too late, the road is not safe. What if something happens to you? How can I rest assured? Listen, come back with me."

  Ziying thought for a moment and indeed it was so, she no longer insisted on being stubborn, followed Liu Cens back, stopped at a place fifty meters away from her home, at this time, someones family was setting off fireworks, the whole sky was full of them, Ziying raised her head to look again at the dazzling fireworks in the air, it was truly beautiful and fleeting.

  Ziying stretched out her right hand, and the two waved goodbye. Ziying watched Liu Cens back get farther and farther away, more and more blurry. In her heart, she silently recited: "Farewell, my youth, my love. Farewell, Brother Cen. Whether you remember or forget, its best if we dont meet again in this life. Who said that people in love cant be together? Is it better to choose to forget each other in the mortal world? I believe that ahead of me, there will be someone waiting for me, not seeking wealth and glory, but only knowing me, understanding me, loving me, and tolerating me."