Chapter 23: Running Oneself Ragged (10)
The male singer in the karaoke hall possessed a voice with a distinct magnetic quality. His rendition of a love song carried a faint, lingering sorrow that pierced straight to the heart, leaving Hou Weidong feeling an intense, almost physical ache.
The two of them swayed back and forth in the dim light. Suddenly, someone bumped into them, pressing their bodies together. They did not pull apart. Instead, a warm, soft body gently nestled into Hou Weidong’s embrace. He lightly wrapped his arms around the long-haired woman’s waist, and she slowly encircled his broad back with her hands.
Hou Weidong was in the prime of his youth, full of vitality. With a beautiful woman in his arms, his body reacted instinctively, beyond the control of his rational mind. Moreover, his thoughts had inadvertently allowed his body to indulge in the moment. He subtly shifted his hips upward to avoid any awkward contact with the woman, but this posture only pressed their upper bodies even closer together.
"Since we once loved, why must we truly possess you? Even in parting, there will be no great sorrow. The melody of midnight repeats that song over and over: Will you still love me tomorrow?"
As the lyrics drifted through the air, the long-haired woman rested her forehead against Hou Weidong’s shoulder. Aside from Xiaojia, Hou Weidong had never been this close to another woman. The scent of this woman was vastly different from Xiaojia’s. If one were to compare them to flowers, Xiaojia was like a jasmine—pure and subtle—while this long-haired woman was a rose. The fragrances were distinct, yet equally captivating.
The second love song was "Flower in the Water."
"In the cold wind and rain, how much prosperity is but a dream. Once vibrant and colorful, now scattered by the wind. Looking back suddenly, love and joy are like smoke and clouds… I see the flower in the water, striving to keep a single touch of red."
As the second song began, their cheeks pressed tightly together. Hou Weidong abandoned any attempt at restraint. His body responded openly, pressing firmly against the woman. He was certain she could feel his heat, for he clearly sensed the subtle changes in her chest as she reacted to his closeness.
They had completely stopped moving, standing still in the center of the dance floor. Their bodies swayed gently with the rhythm of the music, growing warmer with each passing moment.
Another song began, familiar in both melody and lyrics:
"How long can one love another? Where does the heartache end? Your promise is like a tear, crystal clear and dazzling, yet it breaks the heart… Petals fall like rain behind me."
The long-haired woman’s tears had soaked through the shoulder of Hou Weidong’s shirt. He knew she must be going through a painful time. Given her age, the most likely cause was a broken heart. He wanted to offer words of comfort, but he realized that silence was more powerful than speech. Speaking now would only break the atmosphere. So they stood there, embracing silently, lost together in the gentle, melancholic music.
After ten minutes of tender intimacy, the lights gradually brightened. Although the room remained dim, it was significantly lighter than before. The two separated, standing in their original spots. Tears still traced paths on the long-haired woman’s face. She quickly turned her head away, using the back of her hand to wipe them away. Hou Weidong stood beside her, catching the gesture out of the corner of his eye, but he pretended not to notice, remaining still.
When the music started again, Hou Weidong extended another invitation. To his surprise, the long-haired woman whispered softly, "Thank you." Then, she turned and walked toward the exit of the dance hall.
Hou Weidong stood frozen, as if struck by Sun Wukong’s immobilization spell. His gaze followed the long-haired woman, who looked lonely amidst the crowd. As she reached the door, the overhead light illuminated her silhouette. She paused and looked back, as if searching for something. A flash of light dazzled Hou Weidong’s eyes. By the time he refocused, the long-haired woman had vanished into the night.
With her departure, Hou Weidong lost all interest in dancing. He navigated through the shuffling crowd and left the dance hall.
The world outside felt starkly real compared to the dreamlike atmosphere of the dance hall. The venue had not yet closed, but the few cold drink stalls nearby were deserted. The vendors, mostly local residents, sat listlessly by their carts. When they saw Hou Weidong emerge, they looked at him with hopeful eyes, hoping for a sale.
He entered the college campus through the back gate. Though separated by only a wall, it was a completely different world. The vegetation on campus was lush and vibrant, growing rapidly in the humid summer night. Hou Weidong avoided the main roads, choosing instead to walk along the narrow paths through the trees. Although his graduation had been brief, his mind had undergone a significant shift. His feelings were no longer the same as they had been during his student days.
In the woods, couples were seen embracing. Those who had chosen to stay behind had various reasons for doing so. Hou Weidong thought silently to himself: "Life after graduation is unpredictable. While we can still be together, we should love deeply. When we look back on our youth, there will be something to cherish."
This thought was somewhat gloomy. Suddenly, Hou Weidong remembered that Xiaojia was still waiting for him in Shazhou, enduring the patient and meticulous ideological education from Zhang Yuanzheng and Chen Qingrong. He asked himself quietly: "Am I a fickle man? Why did my heart flutter so strongly when facing this long-haired woman tonight?"
Hou Weidong examined his conscience. He thought of Xiaojia constantly, and his longing for her had only grown stronger with the passage of time since their separation. Yet, this did not prevent him from embracing another woman.
Xiaojia often said: "A man’s heart can be divided into pieces, given to different people. But a woman’s heart is a solid, indivisible whole. Once given to one person, it is hard to make room for anyone else."
At that moment, Hou Weidong wondered doubtfully: "Is everything Xiaojia said true?"
Not far from the guesthouse, there was a small bookstore. It had been opened within the campus specifically to support the families of teachers who were unemployed. Hou Weidong was very familiar with these small shops. He noticed immediately that the little bookstore he often visited was still lit, just as usual.
He entered the store. The owner was not there; instead, an unfamiliar young girl was guarding the shop. Seeing someone enter, she did not greet him but continued reading a book with great interest.
Hou Weidong browsed the shelves for a while. Another person entered and stopped in front of the social sciences, literature, and philosophy section. Hou Weidong did not pay much attention at first, but when he turned his head casually, he was surprised to see that it was Vice Dean Ji Daolin.
Hou Weidong greeted him proactively: "Hello, Vice Dean Ji."
Ji Daolin was wearing a high-quality short-sleeved silk shirt. He looked at Hou Weidong with a hint of surprise and said, "Hou Weidong? What are you doing here?"
Hou Weidong was startled that Ji Daolin could call him by name so easily. Feeling honored, he briefly explained his recent situation.
"Qinglin Town. I have been there. It is very tough. You need to be mentally prepared," Ji Daolin said, pulling a book from the shelf. He continued, "You must look at things from both sides. The most difficult places often hold special opportunities. If you grasp them with care and reflect deeply, you will surely gain something."
After offering these words of encouragement, Ji Daolin’s expression suddenly turned somber. "Teacher Zhu from your department passed away a few days ago. He suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage."
Teacher Zhu was a lecturer in the Political Science and Law Department, teaching civil law. He was knowledgeable, eloquent, and highly praised by students. Hou Weidong was shocked. "Professor Zhu was in such good health. How could he pass away so suddenly?"
"Teacher Zhu was preparing for the associate professor evaluation, which required an English exam. His English was not strong, so he was studying late at home. Unfortunately, the incident occurred. The hospital tried their best to save him, but they could not," Ji Daolin explained. He took out a fountain pen, wrote a few words in the book, and looked up. "Hou Weidong, you are an outstanding graduate of Shazhou College. I believe you will bring honor to your alma mater. This is Lu Yao’s Ordinary World. It is a gift from your teacher."
Receiving this unexpected gift from Ji Daolin, Hou Weidong felt deeply moved. He escorted Ji Daolin out of the bookstore and returned to the guesthouse with Ordinary World in hand.
***
*Days in Qinglin*