Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 89. A Lonely Heart (Part 1)

March 24, 2000, Friday.

"Soupy, I'm sorry. Mingming—that is, Fan Yueming—just called. She saw in the paper that some mall in Dongshan district is having a big sale tomorrow and wants me to go with her. I probably won't be able to go for sushi with you tomorrow..."

"Oh... It's okay, Lang. Spending time with your girlfriend is more important. We can grab sushi another time."

Lying in bed, Guan Xuchen recalled his earlier phone conversation with Gao Xinglang and sighed. He reached for the radio and earphones on the bedside bookshelf and tuned into a radio program.

Guan Xuchen had developed the habit of listening to radio programs before bed during this winter vacation. The other night, lying in bed just like tonight, he couldn't sleep, thinking about Gao Xinglang. He picked up his newly bought radio, intending to tune in to a program.

He flipped through several channels, only to hear either "an expert doctor" explaining how to "cure hepatitis B" or "an experienced TCM practitioner" answering "difficult questions about STDs and urinary issues." Guan Xuchen felt somewhat annoyed. Just as he was about to turn off the radio, he happened to hear a gentle and warm voice announcing the program introduction: "Coming and going, we're only drawing imaginary lines in the air. With hope as the center, persistence as the radius, we follow the circle's path—never abandoning, but seeking love's traces."

From that day on, Guan Xuchen grew fond of this emotional program called Wind Chimes in the Night Rain on Pearl River Radio, and its host, Chen Danling—known as Anna.

"...Hopefully what Anna just said can clear Wen's confusion. Truth is, we all face moments of confusion and disorientation. We may be haunted by the past, anxious about the present, lost about the future, or even have doubts about ourselves. But I always believe that if we bravely endure the fiercest storms, we will witness the most beautiful rainbow. Do you have any worries or confusion? Feel free to write or email to Anna—I'll listen attentively to your heart. I'd like to bring this song, Beyond's Sky, to Wen and all the listeners of our program. After the commercial break, we'll present the finale of the radio drama "The First Intimate Contact"...

Guan Xuchen let out another soft sigh hearing that. He had considered writing an email to Chen Danling, pouring out all his inner confusion and troubles to this understanding elder sister figure. But every time he got halfway through, he would grow timid and dare not continue. He feared his story would be mocked by others, and even more, he dreaded inadvertently involving Gao Xinglang.

Another reason for his sigh was that after nearly a month of listening to the radio drama, it was finally coming to an end. He had been deeply moved by the pure love story between Tsai the Rogue and FlyNDance, desperately hoping for a happy ending for them. Yet as he listened to the later episodes, he would quietly sob into his pillow each time.

The final episode was no exception. The letter Fly&Dance wrote to Tsai the Rogue, like a homing pigeon soaring from Aaron Kwok's song, touched the softest part of Guan Xuchen's heart.

"...Even if all the water in the bathtub is poured out, it still cannot extinguish the flame of my love for you. Can all the water in the bathtub be poured out? Yes, it can. So, yes, I love you."

Hearing this, Guan Xuchen clutched his blanket, already sobbing uncontrollably.

After a long while, his emotions finally settled. The radio drama had concluded, and Chen Danling was delivering the closing remarks for the episode in her delicate voice.

Guan Xuchen, however, was distracted. He recalled the drama's ending and suddenly imagined himself transforming into a beautiful butterfly, forever fluttering in Gao Xinglang's heart.