Then a series of relaxed laughs rang out from ahead.
Yan Heqing's eyelids twitched.
The man is telling stories to amuse the girl and ease her tension.
Yan Heqing recalled that time when fireflies explored the cave.
He got separated from his classmates and injured his foot, so he was alone in the Firefly Cave waiting for rescue.
He spent many dark places in his life.
The first time was in the morgue. At that time, he didn't understand the meaning of death. He only knew that his mother and father would never open their eyes again. No matter how much he cried and threw a tantrum, they would never come to comfort him.
There were lights in the morgue, but he felt it was terribly dark and cold, more terrifying than anywhere else.
The second time was in the storage room of the orphanage. He hid there from dawn till dusk, tears streaming down his face.
His mother and father are gone, and now he can't even see his younger brother.
He cried and vowed that he would grow up quickly, become an excellent and strong adult, and protect everyone he wanted to protect.
The third time was on the Yan Family's balcony.
The first time Yan Shengbing forced him to live on the balcony was one night. It was dark, the lights were off, and even though the windows were tightly closed in winter, he could still hear the sound of snow falling outside.
For a while, he was particularly afraid of snow. When the snow melted, he was so cold that he lost all feeling several times. It was only when he thought of Yan Mingsong that he persisted in rubbing his numb hands to warm them.
The fourth time is the original text.
The straightforward text simply recounts how he was locked in a dark, sunless room by Lu Muchi, and then lost his eyesight, plunging into darkness forever.
The fifth was the Firefly Cave.
After waiting for what felt like hours, Lu Lin finally arrived.
In his life, which was not long yet felt so long, the first person to lead him out of the darkness was Lu Lin.
At that moment, he suddenly understood the feeling of being moved at sea that time.
Lu Lin's embrace was so warm, like candy; once you taste sweetness, you'll greedily want to have it.
This time, Lu Lin was right beside him.
Yan Heqing smiled silently. He squeezed Lu Lin's hand back and answered him in a low voice, "It's good enough that you're here. I'll be afraid of the dark if you're not."
Lu Lin's breath hitched noticeably. He stroked Yan Heqing's waistline heavily with his fingertips, considering for a few seconds whether to ask the staff not to come for the time being, or to have the staff take the young couple out first.
Just as the thought crossed their minds, the cave wall opened up in the distance, letting in light. It was an invisible door, and several staff members quickly ran out.
Lu Lin lowered his brows and supported Yan Heqing's waist to help him get ashore first.
Following the staff out through the employee entrance, we walked a long way before arriving at the souvenir shop. An employee was waiting at the exit, handing us two small whale pendants with a bright smile.
One white, one black. "Hopefully, the interruption of our adventure just now didn't leave you two with a bad experience."
Yan Heqing almost suspected that this was a minor malfunction in Lu Lin's plan, as the experience was more interesting than simply going on a rafting trip.
He took the ornaments, hung both on his backpack, and smiled at the employee, saying, "Thank you, we really like them."
The store mostly sold marine animal-related products. The two browsed around but didn't buy anything. As they left the store, they saw the streets adorned with festive lanterns, already lit up, which looked especially beautiful.
The fireworks show began, and tourists were all watching the fireworks. Only Yan Heqing and Lu Lin were on the street.
Yan Heqing's hands were warm today, so Lu Lin held them tightly and put them in his pocket to keep them warm. He turned to Yan Heqing and asked, "Shall we go do something else or go see the fireworks?"
Yan Heqing glanced at the time. "Go see the good stuff. Close your eyes and come with me."
Lu Lin raised an eyebrow slightly, but still closed his eyes. "I have no sense of direction, so you have to hold my hand tightly and don't let go."
Lu Lin's vision went dark; all he could hear were the distant sounds of fireworks and music, followed by the young man's gentle reply—
"Yes, I will hold your hand tightly and never let go for the rest of my life."
Lu Lin's throat tightened. He couldn't see anything, but that didn't stop him from stroking Yan Heqing's fingers, hoping the road would be longer. "Walk slowly, don't rush."
"It's already very slow."
Lu Lin smiled, "Then go slower."
Yan Heqing slowed his pace again.
After walking for about ten minutes, the fireworks show ended, and Yan Heqing stopped. He tried to pull his hand away, but Lu Lin immediately grabbed it back. Yan Heqing smiled and said, "Take your things."
Lu Lin lingered for a moment, then gently stroked Yan Heqing's palm before releasing it.
In the distance came the laughter of tourists leaving, and nearby, rustling sounds. After about two or three minutes, he heard Yan Heqing say, "That's enough."
Lu Lin opened his eyes, and his blurry vision gradually brightened, finally focusing on the lit sky lantern.
The sky lantern was made by Yan Heqing himself. Compared to the sky lanterns prepared by the amusement park last time, his was a mini sky lantern, small and not much bigger than his palm. At this moment, it rested in Yan Heqing's palm, as if he were holding a ball of light.
"I've written my wish down; this side is for you." Yan Heqing unscrewed the pen cap and handed Lu Lin a fountain pen.
Lu Lin took the pen, steadied the sky lantern with his left hand, and wrote on the lampshade.
He didn't cover himself, and Yan Heqing could see him perfectly clearly.
Lu Lin stroked each character carefully.
[Watching the Sunrise with Yan Heqing on March 4th next year.]
Yan Heqing's lips curled up slightly. After Lu Lin finished writing, he turned the lantern to the other side, where his wish was written on the lampshade.
[I want to watch the Sunrise with Lu Lin on March 4th next year.]
Lu Lin raised his hand and ruffled his hair, his dark eyes filled with laughter, "When two people make a wish, it will definitely come true."
Yan Heqing nodded, then released his hand, and the sky lantern rose into the sky from his palm.
After the fireworks display ended, the winter night sky, briefly illuminated, returned to darkness.
But soon, another bright light appeared, like the moon breaking through the dark clouds, hanging high in the sky once again.
Chapter 147 Sunrise 1
Yan Heqing fell asleep shortly after the plane took off.
He barely rested during the winter break, spending all his time in the lab. Lu Lin had told him in advance last month that he would take him to a special place to watch the Sunrise on March 4th.