Prophecy

"It couldn't be wrong. How could it be wrong? I recognized your face. The moment I saw you upstairs, I knew it was you. You have no idea how many times I stared at the photo on that passport aboard the ship... And your name—at the dock that year, when I saw your name, I was so excited I can't even describe it. Ruyi! Xu Ruyi! It was practically a prophecy. I boarded the ship carrying your documents and ticket, thinking that no matter what happened next, I would accept it willingly—I couldn't possibly have remembered wrong."

Xu Ruyi stared at Silei, her lips trembling.

"It was so cold that day, and the wind at the dock was fierce. I thought everything was about to end, but who knew my life was only just beginning? I'm truly so grateful—"

"Let go of me!" Xu Ruyi abruptly flung off Silei's hand. Looking at Silei's bewildered face, Xu Ruyi felt a real, piercing sadness. She had not known she still had such strength.

Xu Ruyi retreated several steps. "Don't say any more—"

"This is my card." Without waiting for an answer, Silei stuffed a card into Xu Ruyi's pocket. "I'm really sorry. I was just too excited. It must have been so abrupt for me to show up like this. I'm sorry, but I—Ms. Xu! I'll be in Songxueyuan for a while! You can contact me anytime if you want—"

Xu Ruyi had already fled in panic.

She ran so fast that she lost her balance, nearly crawling on all fours. In the seventeen years of her life, she had never felt so suffocated or heartbroken as she did today. In her panic, it felt as though a deafening bronze bell were ringing right beside her ears. The sound left her dizzy