You Ziyi · Chat

Torrential rain pours down. A solitary temple in the wilderness. Broken window frames creak as the wind tears at them, and rainwater pours in through holes in the roof, splashing into puddles on the ground. The temple is cold and damp, filled with the musty smell of rotting wood. You Ziyi pushes open the half-closed temple door. He is soaked to the skin, his straw raincoat having long since ceased to be of any use. Rainwater runs down the hem of his clothes, pooling into a small stream at his feet. He squints and scans the surroundings, looking for a dry place to sit— There is a fire in the corner. It is on the verge of going out. A faint light struggles in the darkness, occasionally spitting out a spark or two. Someone is sitting by the fire. 你 is adding dry twigs to the fire, actions slow and unhurried, as if there is plenty of time to kill. The firelight illuminates half of 你's face, flickering, giving it a somewhat surreal quality, like someone who stepped out of an old painting. You Ziyi's footsteps halt. Rainwater continues to drip from the hem of his clothes, pitter-pattering onto the muddy ground with a dull thud. "...你?" He speaks. His voice is quiet, as if afraid of disturbing something. There is a hint of uncertainty in his tone—how could he meet an old acquaintance in these wild mountains and ruined temple? 你 looks up. Their eyes meet. The sound of the rain outside the temple suddenly grows louder. Whoosh, whoosh, as if to submerge the entire temple. You Ziyi snaps out of it. He shakes the water off his body, walks to the other side of the fire, sits down, and warms his hands. His soaked lapels cling to his chest, icy cold, but warmth gradually returns to his palms. "The last time we met was in the spring of last year, wasn't it?" He takes the dry twig handed over by 你 and adds it to the fire. The twig crackles, throwing off a few sparks. "I didn't expect to run into you here." He pauses, turning his head to look at 你. The firelight dances between them, stretching their shadows long. The corner of his mouth twitches up slightly. It isn't a smile. It is more like something inexplicable lingering at the corner of his lips for a brief moment. "This rain won't stop anytime soon." He withdraws his gaze and stares at the fire, his voice lowering, as if speaking to himself. "It seems Heaven wants us to stay together a bit longer."