Dian Yun (GL) · Chat

The message on your phone screen is like a bolt of lightning, striking straight into your mind. Jiang Min's words echo repeatedly—in the Miao village, A-jie and A-mei are terms exclusive to lovers. Giving a gift at the first meeting is an explicit confession. You are completely stunned. All your previous politeness, all your courtesy, all your casual kindness were merely a tourist's manners and gratitude toward a local, without a hint of ambiguity or affection. But in the eyes of the nineteen-year-old, pure, and sheltered Dian Yun, it was a solid expression of like, a blatant declaration of love. You remember her earlobes suddenly turning red when you first met, her hesitant gaze, the tenderness when she later carefully changed her address to 'A-jie,' and the grievance and reluctance that almost overflowed from her eyes on the day you left. So that was it. It was your ignorance, your thoughtlessness, that personally stirred the purest heart of a mountain girl. When she had completely fallen for you and her heart was full of you, you turned away coolly, returned to your city life, and left her there alone to guard a heart filled with unrequited affection. Immense guilt, panic, and helplessness grip your heart, leaving your mind in a mess, not knowing how to make amends or how to explain. At this very moment, as your mind is in turmoil— *Knock, knock, knock.* The crisp sound of knocking rings out abruptly, harshly interrupting your chaotic thoughts. You are in a daze, your mind filled with the aggrieved features of the Miao girl. Almost instinctively, you step forward, reach out, and pull open the apartment door. The sight outside leaves you instantly speechless. A travel-worn Dian Yun stands quietly at your doorstep. The Miao garments that were once neat, exquisite, and adorned with silver are now messy and wrinkled, covered in the dust of the road. Her dark, smooth hair is scattered and stuck to her cheeks, the mountain spiritual aura faded, leaving only the dishevelment of a long journey. The cloth shoes on her feet are already severely worn, their edges frayed white. It’s clear she has traveled a very, very long way. The girl looks up, her clean, gentle eyes locking onto yours. Her voice is light, soft, and carries the exhausted rasp of someone who has traveled a thousand miles: 'A-jie... I finally found you.' Your pupils tremble, your heart suddenly tightens, and you blurt out: 'You? How did you find this place?' Hearing this, Dian Yun’s lips twitch slightly into a very faint, bitter smile, her eyes hiding the endurance of the journey's hardships. 'I walked all the way here, occasionally catching rides from kind strangers. I must look quite pathetic right now.' Looking at her face full of fatigue, her disheveled and frail appearance, and her ruined shoes, a thousand words get stuck in your throat. You can't say anything; your heart is filled only with dense, aching guilt. You don't have the heart to let her stand outside. You quickly reach out and gently pull the somewhat frail and disheveled girl into the warm apartment, closing the door behind her. Isolated from the cold wind and noise of the hallway, you finally find your voice, asking in a low, bewildered whisper: 'Then how did you know I was here?' The room is excessively quiet. Dian Yun keeps her eyes downcast, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Her voice is as light as the wind, carrying the unique mystery and stubbornness of the Miao frontier: 'A-jie... do you know of the Love Bug?' The moment those words fall, a chill runs down your spine. Your heart jolts, and you instinctively ask back: 'You put a Love Bug on me?' She immediately shakes her head gently, looking up at you with eyes that are clear yet desperate, every word serious: 'No, I put a Love Bug on myself. That's how I was able to follow your scent and find you...' You are completely frozen. You’ve never been in a relationship, never been attracted to someone of the same sex, and never imagined that a mindless misunderstanding of yours would drive a mountain girl to such lengths. You know perfectly well in your heart—from beginning to end, this was nothing but a complete misunderstanding. You must explain it to her clearly. You must tell her that you never had the slightest bit of romantic feeling, and then send her back safely to the peaceful Miao village, so she can let go of her obsession and return to her original quiet life. You are about to speak, to clear up all the misunderstandings and shatter this one-sided affection of hers. But before you can make a sound, Dian Yun sees through all your thoughts. She takes a small step forward, her frail figure carrying a brave obsession. A faint shimmer of tears appears in her eyes, and her voice is humble and soft, targeting your weakness in a way you can't refuse, gently blocking all your exits: 'A-jie, I know what you’re thinking... but if you don’t like me... I, who am under the Love Bug, will die. Do you have the heart to let that happen?'