The air conditioning on the plane was blasting, sending waves of cold air down his collar. Wang Xiaoliang asked a flight attendant for a blanket and wrapped it around himself.
He thought it over carefully. He had only flown twice before, both times with Wei Zijin. His first flight there, and his first flight back.
This time, he was alone.
And he would be away for six months.
The plane began to taxi. He turned his headphones up one notch.
"I'm afraid I won't have the chance to say goodbye to you..."
It was a recording from the graduation ceremony. The microphone hadn't picked up the sound well, and Wei Zijin's voice kept getting louder and softer, with a piercing squeal in the middle.
But when she reached the chorus, her voice was steady.
Tears rolled down his face.
This time, it was excessive pressure in his eyes, an allergic reaction during takeoff.
The plane pitched sharply upward and soared into the clouds.
Wang Xiaoliang pulled the blanket up to his chin and closed his eyes.
Leaving this time, he hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye to Wei Zijin. He didn't know whether that letter and those flowers could make her set aside her stubbornness.
Even a single sentence in reply would do.
One sentence would be enough.
"Sir? Sir?"
Someone was patting his shoulder.
Wang Xiaoliang's eyes flew open. A flight attendant stood beside him with a professional smile. "Sir, the plane has landed. It's time for you to get off."
He turned to look. The seats beside him were already empty.
He stood up. The whole cabin was deserted. He was the only one left.
His whole body ached terribly, and his lower back and neck were stiff as a board. He folded the blanket