I'll wait for you amidst the romance of nature.

After texting that woman, I opened another can of beer and waited for her reply while drinking it. Finally, just as I was finishing the beer, she replied: "You're being nosy! What business is it of yours whether the child was aborted or not?"

"Could you please stop speaking so harshly every time?... I really just wanted to show you some concern; I think it's tough for you to be going through this."

"Whether it's difficult or not is my own business, and none of you can help me... I know I shouldn't have kept this child, but I still feel terrible. After all, it's a life that grew inside me, and I couldn't take responsibility for it."

"You already have the answer in your heart, it's just a matter of time."

"I really want to drink right now!"

"Given your current health, you shouldn't drink it."

This time, it took a long time for the other person to reply: "Don't talk about me... Have you had any particularly unlucky things happen to you these past few days that you could share with me? So I can find some balance in my heart."

"These past two days haven't been unlucky at all... mostly good things have happened. Our inn has confirmed that it will be able to reopen in November."

"Did your family agree to let you stay in Dali?"

"My family isn't unreasonable. After we reasoned with them, they were willing to give me a chance."

"Hehe, congratulations then... I hope you can make something of yourself in Dali."

"It's a perfectly good thing, but the way you say it makes it sound completely different."

"Didn't you say yourself that you lived a miserable life in Shanghai? My words may be harsh, but I'm just stating the facts."

Looking at the message, I smiled wryly, then replied with a touch of melancholy: "The longer I stay here, the deeper my understanding of Dali becomes... In fact, wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue, and wherever there is intrigue, there is competition for interests... Take our inn, for example. Right now, things are going very well, and people are actively coming to us to talk about investing. If it were an inn that didn't know when it would be able to reopen, even if we talked ourselves hoarse, people would still have to think twice before investing... In this respect, there's not much difference between here and Shanghai."

"Pursuing fame and fortune is human nature, there's nothing to complain about."

"I understand that principle, but I didn't accept that person's investment... although in the long run, his investment would be more beneficial to our inn... because he works for the Environmental Protection Bureau, and if we want to expand in the future, we will inevitably have to deal with him."

"Are you stupid?"

"The other shareholders of the inn also disagreed. I think it's not easy for everyone to get together to do this, and there's no need to ruin our harmony over this."

"You're too sentimental...you don't seem like the kind of man who can achieve great things."

"Maybe... I seem to have become more sentimental since coming to Dali... By the way, if you really can't keep that child, go to the hospital for an abortion as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the more harm it will do to you!"

"Aren't you afraid of incurring bad karma by advising others to abort their children?"

I paused for a moment before replying, "I'm advising you to take care of your health... If you can keep the baby, I would certainly suggest you keep it... I think you should talk to your ex-boyfriend and see what he has to say; he bears more responsibility in this matter than you do."

"What's there to say to a cheating man... I wish he were dead. Even saying another word to him feels like a waste of the air I breathe."

"You're way too strong-willed!"

After my exclamation, she said nothing more. But I'm certain that since she's unwilling to confront her ex-boyfriend, the poor child is most likely doomed.

I couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of fate; the same number, used by two completely different personalities! Gradually, I stopped feeling any connection between this number and Lu Jia, and no longer felt it belonged to her. Because the new owner of this number was so unique, she gave me a very strong sense of detachment.

……

When I returned to the guesthouse from Erhai Lake, I noticed that the light was still on in Lao Mi's room, so I knocked on the door to ask him what he had eaten that night and if he wanted some late-night snacks.

Old Mi opened the door for me, and I asked him, "What did you have for dinner?"

"I saw there were still some leftover noodles in your kitchen, so I cooked them."

"Look at you, we asked you to come eat with us but you wouldn't. This food is so unhealthy, and it'll make you hungry again... I'll order you some late-night snacks."

"No need... I need to talk to you about something."

I went into Old Mi's room and sat down on the sofa, while Old Mi sat in the chair opposite me. He was silent for a moment before saying to me, "I just spoke to your mother on the phone, and I told her everything that's been going on here."

A sudden surge of nervousness washed over me, and I asked, "What did my mom say?"

"Your mom doesn't have much of her own opinion, she'll definitely listen to whatever I say... But I can tell she's unhappy and worried about you... When I get home, call her and talk to her about it. I'll try to persuade her, and she'll gradually come to terms with it."

I lowered my head and replied, "I understand what you mean."

"Then I'll go back tomorrow."

I looked up at Old Mi and quickly said, "Why are you in such a hurry to go back... Stay here for a couple more days. It's your own inn anyway, it doesn't cost any money."

Old Mi shook his head and replied, "I'm worried about your mother being home alone... Even though we argue sometimes, over time, we're like the palm and back of our hands; neither can support the family without the other... Our generation was simple; we just made do and got by. Life might not have been particularly exciting, but it was fulfilling... If you could give us a little something to look forward to, we'd have no regrets in this life... Life doesn't need to be so complicated!"

I didn't say anything, I just silently smoked.

Old Mi continued, "Now that you're with Xiao Ye, I know it's inappropriate to mention Lu Jia... but I still don't think she's a heartless girl. It must be that you didn't try to stop her when she left."

With a heavy heart, I replied, "She's not someone who easily says 'break up.' Since she said it, she must have made up her mind. If I keep her here, I'll only be hurting her... Dad, I really did my best with Lu Jia and me. Her leaving only means we're not the right people. I can't give her what she wants in Shanghai... So, letting go is also a form of fulfillment!"

After saying that, I swallowed hard again... I'm not cold-blooded. If there's even the slightest possibility, who would be willing to give up three years of feelings!

"Is it really that hard for young people these days to go through some tough times together?"

"Difficult, very difficult..."

Old Mi patted my shoulder, then pulled out the supermarket shopping bag he'd been carrying with him from under the table. He took out a large bag of sunflower seeds and placed it in front of me, saying, "You loved eating these when you were little... Knowing I was coming to Dali to see you, your mother spent the whole night kneading them... Actually, we're not here to blame you, we just want you to live a good life... Seeing that you're doing well in Dali, and your friends are loyal, we won't say anything... Your mother and I are getting old... From now on, you'll have to walk your own path; we can't help you anymore!"

I held the heavy bag of sunflower seeds in my hand, tears welling up in my eyes. I wanted to express something. But the next moment, Old Mi asked me to leave his room, saying he was tired and needed to rest.

……

The next day, I drove Ye Zhi's car to take Lao Mi to the train station. I wanted to buy him some local specialties from Dali to take back with him, but he absolutely refused, thinking I was wasting money. I felt really bad, and even more so, I felt like I wasn't a good son.

When he arrived, his bag was full, but when he left, I couldn't put anything in it...

Even after the train had traveled a long way, I still hadn't left the train station when Lao Mi sent me another message: "When I get home, remember to call your mom... In Dali, take care of yourself, eat on time. No matter how important this job is, it can't compare to your health."

The tears I'd been holding back since yesterday finally fell. I wanted to put something in his bag even more... but when I looked at myself, my hands were empty!