Running away from the Love-Brain

The Pink Virus

Before spring fully arrived in Chengdu, Cui Xijin received two packages.

One was from Ms. Wang, containing a doll from Annabelle. When touched, it squeaked loudly and, after that, sang an eerie version of "Happy Birthday" in Sichuan dialect.

Chen Wenran was so startled that she flailed her arms and threw the doll onto Cui Xijin's wheelchair. Cui Xijin calmly held the doll, raising an eyebrow, "Are you afraid of this too?"

Chen Wenran shrank back but retorted, "Then why were you scared of SpongeBob burying a fish?"

While combing the doll's hair, Cui Xijin nonchalantly replied, "When did I say I was scared?"

Chen Wenran, emboldened, replied, "You came running to me last night asking if I'd seen SpongeBob burying a corpse and wondered if it scared the ghosts!"

Without looking up, Cui Xijin decisively tossed the Annabelle doll back. Chen Wenran screamed and ran away, joining the doll in its shrill cries.

The second package came from Bangkok and contained a colorful taro plant, having traveled from several countries. The delivery took so long that by the time it arrived in Chengdu, the plant's leaves and stems were drooping. Cui Xijin spent quite a while tending to it.

By then, she could sit in her wheelchair for a longer time, so with Ran Yan's help, she managed to set up the plant in one afternoon, adjusting the soil, lighting, and applying diluted liquid fertilizer.

Ran Yan had never seen this kind of plant before and rarely spent time alone with Cui Xijin. After watching her work, she reflected, "I feel like you prefer being with plants over people."

"Many people say that."

Cui Xijin was used to this perception, and often found herself agreeing. Sometimes, she wished she could eliminate most social interactions and emotional entanglements, which felt like infections she didn't need.

If possible, she would rather live her life surrounded by plants and a Brazilian turtle— that would be enough. Of course, she knew this was merely an ideal in a vacuum.

While contemplating this, she observed the taro's condition with a small watering can, noting how the leaves curled slightly in the sunlight, displaying a vivid splash of color against dark green, resembling a painting.

"You really like this plant... what's it called again? Colorful taro?" Ran Yan asked.

Cui Xijin nodded slightly.

To break the silence, she explained, "Colorful taro is a special kind of plant."

"How so?"

"Each plant is unique, even every leaf has different colors and textures, constantly changing based on light and water conditions."

"It seems very similar to humans."

"When I bought it, the seller asked me if it reminded me of someone," Cui Xijin recalled.

"Good at business, huh?" Ran Yan laughed. "So, did you think of anyone?"

Cui Xijin paused, lowering her watering can as she stroked one of the leaves—

High concentrations of pink began to spread across the dark green leaves. Initially a small dot, it gradually diffused with light and moisture, creating a vivid and overwhelming display.

"It doesn't remind me of anyone."

"What does it remind you of then?"

Cui Xijin didn't respond, silently picking up the watering can again. Ran Yan fell silent. She watched the light filtering through the leaves and the free-flowing pink, suddenly making a romantic association—perhaps it was like love.