“2018.05.01 Weather clear”
I was willing to call the day I met you—an incomparable summer.
—Excerpt from Tao Shuran’s Diary
Tao Shuran began to avoid his gaze.
Psychology said that when a person’s gaze scattered everywhere, unwilling to linger, there were only two possibilities.
One, the person in front was someone she liked.
Two, she had been found out.
Liang Yuanjing straightened up, a conclusion forming in his mind.
Seeing her eyelashes tremble with tension, he could not help but chuckle lightly twice.
“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to bear the responsibility of keeping someone else’s secret.”
While he walked toward the door, Tao Shuran lagged two steps behind. She lowered her head slightly and took a deep breath.
All that flight knowledge engraved in her memory bubbled up the instant she met him.
She had not hidden it well enough.
On the way back, a street-side shop was playing Guo Ding’s Mercury Record.
This song about secret love had become a hit in the upcoming summer.
Summer was perfect for a diary of secret crushes.
Tao Shuran hummed it softly.
While waiting at a red light, Liang Yuanjing suddenly turned back to look at her.
“What are you thinking about?”
Tao Shuran was stunned for a moment, then said, “I’m thinking about why Fu Changpei argued with his family.”
The lyrics happened to reach “How much longer until I can enter your heart?”
Tao Shuran looked at Liang Yuanjing. Actually, along the way, she had been stepping on the shadow he cast on the asphalt road, thinking—how much longer until I can enter your heart?
They arrived downstairs at Fu Changpei’s building, unsure if the argument inside had ended.
Liang Yuanjing stood under a parasol tree and messaged him, a lollipop stick in his mouth, his right cheek slightly puffed.
His blue-gray hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants made his legs look long and straight, as he stood on the steps by the flower bed.
Tao Shuran wondered puzzledly how, in less than a year, Liang Yuanjing seemed to have grown even taller.
“Go on up.”
“Old Fu argued with his family over filling out his college applications. Aunt Song wants him to take the strong foundation plan and study computer science or finance, but Fu Changpei wants to study medicine.”
Liang Yuanjing paused, lowering his voice a bit.
“You might not know this, but Fu Changpei’s dad was a doctor who died suddenly from overwork.”
Tao Shuran’s steps halted in place.
Unconcealed surprise showed on her face. She had never imagined Fu Changpei had such a tragic family background.
A boy who had lost his father must find it very painful to argue repeatedly with his mother over life’s choices.
A trace of reluctance appeared on her face.
She said firmly, “No matter what, if Fu Changpei’s dream is to study medicine, then I support him.”
Liang Yuanjing raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Because dreams are precious in themselves. It’s already impressive for someone to know what they want before making a choice.”
Tao Shuran sighed softly, thinking of how she had argued frequently with Zhao Yanyun over her own applications.
“Unlike me. I have no idea what major to pick or what job I want later. I’m just a little boat drifting with the current—wherever my mom pushes me, that’s where I go.”
“Is that so?”
The stairwell was dim, the old motion-sensor lights refusing to turn on. Liang Yuanjing stood on the landing at the corner of the stairs, casting a shadow over her.
He asked offhandedly, “Taking the Qing University exam was your mom’s idea too?”
Tao Shuran pursed her lips. “Not exactly.”
Oh, then it was probably that “crush” from Flight Class.
Liang Yuanjing felt he had pretty much nailed it. Flight Class had only a few paths: the top students went into the joint program at Qing University and Aviation University.
Aiming for Qing University was likely because of that.
Liang Yuanjing scoffed. “There you go.”
He lifted his leg and strolled upstairs leisurely, his voice lazy, even his comforting words sounding offhand.
“You have strong opinions; you’ve just not found what you want yet.”
Liang Yuanjing unlocked the door with his key. The moment it opened, he asked her casually, “Tao Shuran, this weekend, come with me somewhere.”
“Will you?”
Tao Shuran blinked.
She pinched her ear several times to confirm she was not hallucinating.
She blurted out, “Just the two of us?”
“What else?”
Under the dim light, Liang Yuanjing leaned half his body out, asking her sincerely,
“Should I bring your secret crush along to meet him?”
Labor Day holiday on May 1st.
Tao Shuran was a bit distracted from the moment she got up.
Zhao Yanyun had bought her two spring outfits and called her out to try the sizes. Tao Shuran usually did not care much about clothes, but today she obediently stood before the mirror picking them out.
She reported her itinerary to Zhao Yanyun.
“Mom, today I’m going to the museum with a friend.”
With Gaokao approaching, Zhao Yanyun was indulgent to the point of spoiling her. She just reminded her to stay safe and waved her off.
Before leaving, Zhao Yanyun stuffed a bunch of colorful brochures into her hands.
“Ranran, Mom looked these over. If we do well on the exam, we can pick the five academies and four departments. If not, we aim for slightly offbeat places—there are still good schools. Then you can go on for a master’s and get that judicial certificate.”
“We’ll talk after scores come out, Mom.”
Tao Shuran tossed the stack of booklets on the table, grabbed her crossbody bag from the closet, slipped on canvas shoes, and headed out.
Outside, the sun blazed like fire, the blue sky streaked with rolling clouds forming airplane contrails.
Tao Shuran spread her arms, squinted up at the sky, and felt this was the happiest day since coming to Fuqing City.
Liang Yuanjing waited for her at the supermarket entrance downstairs.
Dressed all in black, looking cool, with a diagonal backpack and off-white sneakers with pink soles like giant strawberry cotton candy.
She jogged over, still catching her breath, when a pair of pale hands held out an opened soda bottle.
Mist from the melting ice still clung to the bottle, the sour-sweet green apple soda. Tao Shuran lowered her eyes and walked quietly beside him.
Liang Yuanjing said, “I thought you might not come today.”
“How could I not?”
Tao Shuran blinked, finding an excuse. “I always wanted to check out the museum in Fuqing City anyway.”
“Is there a new exhibit lately?”
“Yeah, a series of calligraphy and painting exhibits.”
Tao Shuran asked tentatively, “Do you like museums?”
“It’s okay.”
Liang Yuanjing slowed his step, circling behind her to the side nearer the road, speaking modestly.
“My grandma works there. Today I can check on her.”
It was a holiday, the museum packed, with a long line at the entrance early in the morning.
Liang Yuanjing pulled two pre-booked tickets from his bag and had her wait with him in the shade by the door.
Nearby, a small stall was set up. Tao Shuran stared curiously for a moment and asked softly, “Liang Yuanjing, what’s this?”
“Mint cakes, a Fuqing specialty.”
He glanced over, did not ask if she wanted any, and went straight to the stall, handing over a bill.
“Grandma, one serving please.”
Tao Shuran said politely at once, “No need… I can pay.”
Liang Yuanjing handed it to her. “Consider it thanks for your dad’s sweet-and-sour ribs.”
So he really had eaten those sweet-and-sour ribs.
Joy surged in Tao Shuran’s heart. She lowered her head and took a bite of the mint cake. The mint flavor was faint, a clear sweetness spreading in her mouth, the chewy texture requiring real effort to chew.
Liang Yuanjing asked casually, “Tasty?”
She nodded vigorously. “The best mint cakes I’ve ever had.”
Liang Yuanjing chuckled lightly. “You’ve only tried this one shop.”
Tao Shuran said firmly, “But I know this is the best.”
Just like how she had only ever liked him.
And she was utterly convinced he was the best.
Inside the museum, Liang Yuanjing led her familiarly through the halls until they reached an exhibit.
He stopped.
“A Jing, you’re here.”
An elderly lady with white hair wore silver-rimmed reading glasses, squinting as she noted something in a book.
Tao Shuran instinctively looked to Liang Yuanjing for an introduction.
Her peripheral vision caught the curator’s photo on the wall, and she called out nervously, “Hello, Grandma.”
Lin Lanting smiled. “You’re A Jing’s classmate?”
“Rare sight—this rascal never brings friends to see me.”
Tao Shuran felt a bit embarrassed at the teasing and explained proactively, “Grandma, I love museums, so he came with me.”
“I know this kid.” Lin Lanting said knowingly. “You’re here for the new Flight Simulator Room, right?”
“Go on, there’s a line over there.”
The Flight Simulator Room, as the name implied, used virtual reality for fully immersive flight interaction.
Liang Yuanjing tilted his head to explain to her, “My grandma is a cultural relics restorer, my grandpa was a pilot. This year marks their fortieth anniversary, so as a commemoration, Grandma curated this aviation exhibit.”
“That day I saw you interested in flying, so I invited you along.”
So that was the reason.
Tao Shuran’s gaze skipped over rows of plane models and paused on a compass-shaped icon.
“This is a wind direction rose. Each line segment represents the frequency of a wind direction—the longer the segment, the higher the frequency.”
Talking about aviation, Liang Yuanjing’s eyebrows lifted slightly, his demeanor brightening.
He pointed and asked her, “See, doesn’t its shape look like a rose?”
Staring at the image on the display, Tao Shuran pondered.
She pulled a storage pouch from her bag’s inner pocket, opened it, and took out a paper rose, holding it over the screen.
Indeed, an exact match.
She nodded. “It really looks like a rose.”
Turning back, Liang Yuanjing stared at her thoughtfully.
“You still kept this?”
Tao Shuran was stunned, then tugged at her lips. “I have a collecting habit for these little odds and ends.”
Liang Yuanjing did not dwell on it—a casually folded paper rose.
Several groups had gone in ahead, and the line was nearing its end. When it was almost their turn, Liang Yuanjing lifted his chin, hooked her bag strap with his finger, and pulled her forward a bit.
Tao Shuran turned her head—wow, a young couple nearby was holding hands and subtly squeezing toward them.
Liang Yuanjing dropped his hand and leaned toward her side.
The rustle of clothing fabric was more unbearable than mere physical contact, amplifying all of Tao Shuran’s senses silently.
The experience pods were small cabins for 2-4 people, the rooms dark with only dim yellow lights in the walkway.
Following the screen instructions, Tao Shuran picked up the holographic glasses from the table.
Before putting them on, she turned her head and sneaked a glance at the person beside her.
Liang Yuanjing already had his on—dark night-black frames, cold light refracting from the edges, aloof. His straight nose bridge, tight jaw, features proportioned like a perfect sculpture.
Through the deep black lenses, his gaze was hazy.
“Scared?” He brimmed with irrepressible excitement, even his tone rising, sharp with edge.
“Captain Liang will ensure your safe flight.”
The moment the headphones settled, all lights snapped off, plunging the world into darkness. At the same time, the seat beneath began to move, and an engine startup roar filled her ears.
Tao Shuran tried to relax fully.
Soon, blue skies and white clouds appeared before her, and she felt herself lighten.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am Captain Liang Yuanjing for this flight.”
“On behalf of the crew, welcome aboard Dreamliner Flight to Future City. This flight covers 5100 kilometers, estimated six hours, current cruising altitude 9867 meters. We will cross the ocean, skirt flocks of migratory birds, brave storms, and head to the horizon.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome…”
His fluent English flowed into her ears, the familiar deep voice startling Tao Shuran.
She turned her head and glanced at Liang Yuanjing, as if they were really sitting together on the same airplane.
The plane’s altitude rose slowly.
The scenery visible through the windshield grew more and more magnificent.
Tao Shuran lowered her head and saw the city’s streetscape shrinking slowly beneath her feet. At first, it was an entire street, then it became a single point.
After that, she could see nothing but endless clouds and winding mountains.
Tao Shuran couldn’t help but exclaim in awe. She let out a “wow,” but she didn’t realize that the headsets in the entire cockpit were interconnected.
Her voice came through clearly into Liang Yuanjing’s ears.
He chuckled lightly and said to her,
“How is it? The world is vast, and you are no ordinary person.”
Tao Shuran shook her head.
“I’m very ordinary, very average. I even dropped fifty places in the last exam. Teacher Zhou said that if I stayed in this state, I definitely wouldn’t get into Qing University.”
Did it have to be Qing University?
This question surged in his mind for an instant. Liang Yuanjing fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“Tao Shuran, listen to me.”
“We humans are just the most insignificant of creatures in the universe, but even such insignificant beings like us can invent and create, overlook mountains and rivers, and take in every inch of scenery under our feet.”
“So Tao Shuran, you are amazing. From outside the top thousand in your grade, you’ve risen all the way to the top twenty. You possess an incomparable brilliance and have never been a small boat adrift with the current.”
“I firmly believe you are a giant ship that withstands the storms. The sea winds howl, the mountains roar— no wind or snow can knock you down, because you are resilient and unyielding, never giving up.”
Tao Shuran’s eyes widened, her expression unconsciously dazed.
Was she… really as great as Liang Yuanjing said?
Liang Yuanjing pushed the throttle forward, and the ailerons made the plane execute a beautiful turn in the air. Soon, they flew over a vast blue ocean, where whales leaped into the sky, spraying a rainbow.
His magnetic, low voice sounded in her headset again.
“Now we’re keeping pace with the sunset. The Alps fill our entire view. Classmate Tao Shuran, are you ready to land with me?”
Liang Yuanjing was truly like an airline captain, dutifully showing her every inch of the scenery.
Tao Shuran’s eyes trembled faintly as she followed his rhythm and replied, “Okay.”
The plane descended slowly through a burst of turbulent airflow. Liang Yuanjing’s fringe was blown into disarray by the wind surging from all directions.
His eyes shone brightly, and the slight curve of his thin lips conveyed a confident flair.
In the stall airflow, his raised voice was full of the youthful abandon.
“Then now, let’s charge into the clouds, plunge toward the horizon, and trample the world beneath our feet together.”
In the moments before dawn broke, in the final five minutes of descent, the brilliant cityscape passed through the windshield like an oil painting.
Tao Shuran was completely stunned by the grand scene before her. Her eyes flickered faintly, as if a spark in her heart had been ignited by his pure youthful spirit.
She took off her glasses, but what entered her view was the reflection in the cockpit’s front windshield—all of it Liang Yuanjing’s face.
Bright, radiant, one of a kind.
The words he said to her were like a stone dropped into a pond—unintentional, yet rippling across the water.
Throughout the flight, a resolute answer had been shouting in Tao Shuran’s heart—
‘I’ll never forget you in this lifetime, Liang Yuanjing.’
She turned her head, her gaze at him laden with meaning.
“Liang Yuanjing, you’re done for.”
Liang Yuanjing was still immersed in the thrill of the full-motion flight simulation. He took off his glasses, shook out his hair, revealing a pair of eyes sharp as blades.
He threw his head back and laughed wildly. “Oh? Then please tell me, Captain Tao, how exactly are you going to make me done for?”