When A Snail Falls In Love

Xu Jun's Story Part 3

Mu Tong became accustomed to Xu Jun's existence.

In fact, he became something of a habit.

Every Friday, he would visit her bookstore, browse through the books, drink the tea she personally prepared, and eat the pastries she had made. They very rarely conversed. Much of the time, their gazes would inadvertently cross. He would stare at her, and her perennially tranquil gaze would sweep across him.

Everything was peaceful and perfect. The quiet and cosy bookstore she had personally decorated, the pot of emerald green orchids she had bought, the delicate fragrance of the tea leaves she measured out . . . Xu Jun sometimes felt that he should thank Mu Tong for providing him with such a peaceful and quiet place to be. After a busy day at work, he was only able to fully relax when he was at this place. Moreover, whenever he sat on his usual sofa and closed his eyes, the words that she had uttered that day would float to the forefront of his mind.

Shut your eyes, and the entire world will quieten down.

There were also others pursuing Mu Tong. In these past few days, fresh flowers that someone had sent would always be on the counter after work. The bookstore assistants were not sure of the intention behind the flowers, and would quietly discuss the possibilities whenever Mu Tong was not around.

"It's a white-collar worker who works in the office building opposite," they commented. "Our boss is still attractive and charismatic."

Xu Jun shot a look at the flowers – huh, they were just the standard red roses.

The moment Mu Tong smelled the flowers, she would quietly exhort the bookstore assistants to take them away. After a few weeks, the flowers stopped coming. While the bookstore assistants were somewhat disappointed, Mu Tong carried on with her usual quiet way of life. Xu Jun did not make any comment, but his mood lifted immeasurably.

Falling deeper and deeper . . . it's just that some people never realise it, and simply let things slide.

This year, Qing Ming* happened to fall on a Friday. Early in the morning, the secretary softly asked Xu Jun, "President Xu, the fresh flowers and offerings have already been prepared. Will you be going to the cemetery at noon, as usual?"

* 清明 (Qing Ming) – also known as the Pure Brightness Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day. Usually occurs in early April. During this time, the Chinese visit the graves of their departed relatives and loved ones to pay their respects, offer sacrifices and literally sweep the tombs (clean them).

After a startled moment, Xu Jun nodded.

Months pass, and years go by. Ye Zixi had already been dead for five years, and they had parted twelve years ago.

Xu Jun sat alone at the grave until late.

The picture on the tombstone had been taken when Ye Zixi had returned to Lin City. In it, she looked capable as well as bright and pretty, but she looked so different from the time when they had been in love.

In truth, he could not clearly remember what she had been like when they were lovers. He could only remember feelings and emotions: gentleness, ardour, softness, infatuation. What was clearest to him was that their relationship caused his younger self to feel as if he were perpetually on fire. It was too fierce, too sweet, as if an entire lifetime of affection were consumed in that moment.

When the moon had risen above the tree branches, he finally got up from his perch in front of the grave, draped his coat over his shoulders and followed the dark path out of the cemetery.

At that moment, his handphone chimed with reminders of two scheduled events.

The first: 'Ye Zixi's death memorial'.