'SEE YOU MORNING' 015 Truly Lived

'SEE YOU MORNING' 015 Truly Lived

It was another new day. Li Haojun lay on his side beside Qin Wenjing, gently stroking her cheek, her hair. The hazy light of early morning filtered through the curtains, slipping through the gaps between strands of hair, falling upon her face.
"I had a dream last night," Li Haojun said softly.
"What? Tell me," Qin Wenjing loved it when Li Haojun shared things with her, anything at all.
"I dreamed of streets at nightfall, a light rain falling. The lights from the big glass shop windows along the street lit up the sidewalk and the passersby. The rain had wet the stone blocks paving the road, and blurred the view. The dim yellow glow of the streetlamps in the distance only lit up a small area around them. There weren't many people on the street, sparse neon signs dotting what little bustle there was." As he described it, Li Haojun added, "I don't even know if I was out shopping or on my way home."
"Were you alone?" Qin Wenjing asked.
"It seems so. It seemed like a commercial street, but most of the buildings on both sides were single-story, with a few two- or three-story ones. I don't even know if it was a place I've been to. I can't remember," Li Haojun said, chuckling at himself.
"Before, we didn't go out shopping at night very often either, mainly for safety reasons. You don't like taking risks, and you definitely don't like taking me into danger," Qin Wenjing said.
"What about you?" Li Haojun asked. "How do you feel about risk?"
"I don't like it either. Maybe it's because of your influence."
"Then with this kind of routine, ordinary life every day, do you ever get tired of it?" Li Haojun added.
Qin Wenjing smiled brightly and said, "It's fine. As long as I have you, that's enough."
Li Haojun smiled at her and said no more. He too was pondering the balance between risk and reward in life's experiences, the balance between quantity and quality. Of course, this kind of quiet inner life every day wasn't necessarily without quality — it just lacked some surprises and waves, and the freshness of unknown expectations.
In his growth and life experience, Li Haojun didn't take risks. He often even avoided them by estimating potential risks in advance. Clearly, you can't rely on luck alone to live a long life, but while this way of living brought relatively stable and predictable returns, it also meant fewer life experiences in other areas.
Li Haojun had also been wondering before whether the time he spent at the solar farm was necessary, or even worth it. Had he, in order to avoid the potential risk of possibly parting from Qin Wenjing in an unknown future, sacrificed the time he could spend with her now? Was he being a little too neurotic? Admittedly, some people plan far ahead and prepare for a rainy day, while others live open-heartedly in the moment. Perhaps these were just different lifestyles or life philosophies, but you couldn't deny the stronger or weaker causal relationships between them.
As usual, after most of the day had passed and Qin Wenjing had finished her work, Li Haojun saw she had some free time and asked, "I saw some netizens sharing that the riverside in Richland is really lively at night. Want me to take you?"
Qin Wenjing widened her eyes in surprise when she heard this, because it didn't match Li Haojun's usual style.
"Really?" Qin Wenjing asked again, then thought for a moment and said, "What should I wear?"
"It might be a bit cool at night. Wear some thicker pants and a windbreaker, that should be fine. Don't wear high heels — walking is tiring," Li Haojun suggested. After a long while, Qin Wenjing came out from the back room having changed, still in high heels. Women.
Along the ordinary highway, heading south all the way, the wetlands and grasslands along the route were dotted with flocks of birds flying freely. This time Qin Wenjing sat in the passenger seat, a loose braid draped over her left shoulder down to her chest, her bangs blown apart by the airflow from the open window, admiring the natural scenery along the way. The afternoon backlight dyed the meadows gold. This was an unfamiliar road, never traveled before. No one knew what scenery lay beyond the next bend.
Small towns, distant mountain peaks, grasslands, forests on the hillsides — such natural scenery kept rotating, and gradually the sky darkened. The headlights of traffic on the highway and the lights along both sides of the road became another kind of roadside view. Light and shadow flashed quickly through the windshield inside the car, making the journey feel like a dream.
Li Haojun didn't say much along the way, and neither did Qin Wenjing. She didn't want to disturb his safe driving. The two of them simply enjoyed the journey together in silent understanding.
Night had fallen, and the car had already entered Richland. On the banks of the Columbia River, walking along the riverside promenade, the dark water reflected the colors of the night sky and the shore lights, turning those solid colors into flowing light and shadow.
Li Haojun had his arm around Qin Wenjing's waist, strolling along the riverbank, watching her bangs and cheeks lit up by the roadside lights. Against the cool-toned night sky and river water above and below, and the warm-toned riverside lights in between, it was as if a fairy tale was playing out — the princess and the prince's love finally coming together.
Li Haojun looked at Qin Wenjing, and she smiled back at him. Li Haojun thought of his opening line.
"Do you miss Van Gogh?"
Qin Wenjing was startled for a moment, then said excitedly, "Oh right! That painting of his, the one by the river, with the starry sky!" She grabbed his arm with both hands, shaking it as she spoke. "That painting — are we inside it?"
"We are. But we don't have to be as sad as he was," Li Haojun said with a smile.
Walking further on, the lights gradually grew brighter and the road opened up into a small square, quite bustling. There were local residents out for a stroll, musicians performing, but most of all there were various food stalls providing energy for the people gathered there.
"We haven't had dinner yet. Shall we eat here?" Li Haojun asked for her opinion.
"Sure, whatever you say," Qin Wenjing looked very happy. She was always like this — not picky at all about Li Haojun. Whether it was because she loved this person so she wasn't picky, or because she wasn't picky so she was able to love a person.
Heading toward the most crowded side, there was a row of food stalls. The first one was grilled seafood — you couldn't fill up on that, so they started with appetizers instead. One portion each, they carried them to a bench at the edge of the square and sat down to savor them slowly. There was plenty of time.
"How is it?" Li Haojun asked, though he didn't really care about the answer. The question was just for atmosphere. He had always been cautious about food from outside, so he had deliberately chosen something familiar. To not spoil the mood, he didn't say anything else.
"Pretty good, tastes delicious." Qin Wenjing didn't think much of it. Whether it was which road to take or what food to choose, she just enjoyed the present food and time with Li Haojun. Or perhaps it was trust — following the one she loved, she entrusted everything to him.
Next came grilled steak. The two of them ordered just one portion and returned to the bench, sharing it face to face. There was also a musician playing on the square — improvising on a classical guitar, the piece unnamed, the melody gentle and plain, the plucking clear.
Because they shared one steak, the two of them were face to face at every moment, looking at each other, tearing, chewing, eyes colliding and communicating, smiles appearing and flowing. The faint light illuminated one side of Qin Wenjing's face, while the quiet night set off Li Haojun's features. In the gentle embrace of the evening breeze, it seemed only their two-person world remained.
Was this a program arranged by heaven? After finishing the steak, they decided to have something starchy, so they each got a hot dog — freshly grilled meat patty with onions and butter. They sat side by side and started eating. Just then a bayan accordion player arrived, launching straight into Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The sound of the accordion was like the evening breeze tearing through the riverside night, underpinning the classical melody from centuries ago, stirring the souls of people today. Li Haojun picked up his hot dog with one hand, his other arm around Qin Wenjing's waist. They ate and listened, occasionally glancing at each other and smiling. At that moment, everything a human being could need seemed completely fulfilled. This was heaven.
With their stomachs full, Li Haojun took Qin Wenjing's hand and they walked around the edge of the small square. Away from the noise of the square's center, they enjoyed their two-person world, content with the sparse lights on the opposite bank and the shimmer and stillness of the river. The night grew deeper, and they still didn't want to go home. The evening breeze had turned a few degrees cooler, but it couldn't conceal the warmth in their hearts. Li Haojun tightened the belt of Qin Wenjing's windbreaker and held her waist close, continuing this sweet moment.
Over at the center of the square, a violinist had appeared at some point. Together with the accordion and the guitar, the collision of these three instruments became that Piazzolla piece — Libertango. The atmosphere at the center of the square had reached its peak. To the music, people cheered and danced. Qin Wenjing here was also infected by the mood. She took Li Haojun's hand with one hand, gently swaying her body to the rhythm.
Seeing that Li Haojun was still so steady, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you even remember if you know how to dance? Tango."
"I don't remember. Did I know before?" Li Haojun felt a bit ashamed that he couldn't fully enjoy this with her in the moment.
Qin Wenjing didn't ask for more. She just held Li Haojun's hand and danced slowly, sometimes drawing close, sometimes pulling away, sometimes spinning on her own, sometimes circling around Li Haojun.
Over at the center of the square, one piece ended but the crowd wasn't satisfied yet. Next came that song — Por Una Cabeza. The melodious, lingering violin tugged at people's heartstrings.
Following Qin Wenjing's movements and steps, Li Haojun also began to move with the rhythm of the music. Though his mind had forgotten the past, his actions only needed to match her present.
"Can I learn from you now? I might make mistakes," Li Haojun said softly as he moved along with Qin Wenjing.
"There are no mistakes in tango. If you make a mistake, keep going."
Whether it was dancing or behavior in life, the tacit, synchronized actions between partners always gave the two people in love a stronger bond. With his arm around Qin Wenjing's waist, holding her hand, stepping in the same rhythm and moving and turning with her, the people and things around them faded away. Only each other was the center. Who would care which step was wrong or who was watching? Li Haojun only cared about accompanying the person he cared about, making her happy.
In the dance, Qin Wenjing was the one who led. She was the one orbiting around Li Haojun as the center. In fact, it wasn't just in dance — in life too, she was attached to that same person. Even in high heels, she still quickly kept up with the music's rhythm, weaving in fancy footwork, twisting her body, showing her deep attachment to Li Haojun at every moment.
And Li Haojun's relative steadiness also perfectly reflected his mature, stable, and reliable nature in a relationship. No matter whether Qin Wenjing moved away or drew close, he was always there, a harbor she could return to. In the dance, he too, in a trustworthy way, firmly held Qin Wenjing's waist and her hand when the moment called for it.
At the climax of the music, the violin's plaintive, weeping melody seemed to voice Qin Wenjing's inner confession. She leaned forward in a deep lunge against Li Haojun, looking up at him with deep affection.
Li Haojun understood her heart. He stepped forward with firm strides, his strong arms pulling her to follow him. It was like a firm promise — one that spanned a lifetime, a promise to never leave through any storm in life, even a declaration of love that transcended the carbon-based life cycle, sworn to the eternal universe.
The music ended, but the people didn't disperse. Li Haojun looked at her face before him, her slightly hurried breathing, and felt an immense tenderness for her in his heart.
Gently pulling Qin Wenjing up, their eyes met. Li Haojun was still silent. His love was only in action, never in words.
When Qin Wenjing had caught her breath, she could no longer hold back. "I love you," she blurted out. Li Haojun immediately pulled her tightly into his arms…
Standing there, oblivious to everything, they didn't know how long it had been when, with the flashing of red and blue police lights, a police drone flew over the square, broadcasting in English, Chinese, and Spanish in turn, ordering the crowd to evacuate because a large group of protesters was approaching, and there were acts of rioting and destruction among them.
Still embracing, unwilling to end this moment, they waited until the drone had circled the square once and returned overhead before Li Haojun let go. He glanced at the drone and took Qin Wenjing's hand, preparing to leave.
As the activity in the square died down, they looked back toward where the police drone had come from. There really were flames and noisy sounds. Li Haojun tugged on Qin Wenjing's hand and said to her with a smile,
"We need to start jogging."
Qin Wenjing said nothing, just smiled and took Li Haojun's hand, running in her high heels. The whoosh of wind rose in her ears, the hem of her windbreaker danced in the air, and the crisp sound of her high heels echoed in the dark night.
Back in the car, they drove out of Richland and onto the main road. The night was deep. Li Haojun didn't want to drive at night, so he found a flat stretch, pulled off the main road, and parked in the woods by the roadside. He got out, checked the surroundings, set up some alarms, and returned to the car.
He reclined the seats, looked up at the stars through the windshield, took Qin Wenjing's hand, and said softly,
"Let's stay the night here. It's not safe to drive at night, and besides, the stars tonight are rare."
"Mhm, whatever you say," Qin Wenjing turned her head to look at Li Haojun and said.
But it wasn't just tonight's stars that were rare. There were also the beautiful experiences and memories that life had gained today.
As the stars shifted, under the night sky, in the embrace of nature, inside the small car in the woods, two hearts reflecting each other slept peacefully.
In the high latitudes of summer, the night is always short. After a few hours of rest, it was already getting light. Li Haojun drove the car back on the road home. The fresh morning air was mixed with the scent of grass, trees, and morning dew. Qin Wenjing had been too tired yesterday and was still lying on the reclined seat.
Li Haojun felt a bit tired too, but he had to push on. Fortunately, the early morning road had very little traffic, and they were home soon. By then Qin Wenjing had regained her energy and had gone to the kitchen to prepare breakfast on her own. Li Haojun went back to his room, lay on the bed, and tried to rest for a bit. But he hadn't even rested ten minutes when he heard Qin Wenjing calling from the kitchen,
"Hey, come look! Come look, we're on the news…"
Li Haojun was curious too, so he stretched and got up. Following the sound to the kitchen, it turned out Qin Wenjing was curious about last night's riots and was watching the morning news. The local police were being interviewed by an NBC local reporter, the background footage showing the riot scenes captured by the police. The one answering questions was the assistant to the local sheriff.
"…It was originally a protest march, but some of the protesters used violent means, such as smashing street facilities and shops, setting fires…"
"What are their demands?" the live reporter asked.
"Mainly about welfare benefits for unemployed residents, it appears so for now. But the main body of the protesters are students and young people, who are not the primary beneficiaries of these welfare programs. The situation is still under investigation." The police spokesperson had barely finished speaking when the mayor's office spokesperson immediately added,
"The welfare for unemployed residents is already enough to let people without jobs live with dignity. Clearly God never promised anyone who comes into this world that they wouldn't have to sweat to eat. And our city's finances provide strong support so that some people can live well without working, doing whatever they want. But you obviously can't expect social welfare to let you drive a Ferrari, right?"
The assistant sheriff immediately added, "Our preliminary investigation shows that most of those who used violence in the march were from out of town, but it's unclear whether they had financial backing from other individuals or organizations. The relevant investigation is ongoing."
The host, of course, couldn't just go along with the official line the whole time, so she pointed out,
"First Amendment rights are inviolable…"
But the assistant sheriff quickly interrupted her. "Yes, but please look at the live footage of the incident," he said, playing video from different camera angles to prove the legality of the police's actions.
The footage included scenes of the protest march and later the police drone evacuating the square.
"Pause it there," said the mayor's office spokesperson. She pointed at the video captured by the police drone — it was exactly the footage of Li Haojun holding Qin Wenjing, looking up at the drone. She emphasized,
"You can express your demands, but you can't eat the welfare that taxpayers created for you and then go destroy the lives of the people who gave you that welfare. Yes, play that segment," she said, pointing at the screen with her finger. "Look at that couple — what a romantic, beautiful life! Such beauty in this world shouldn't be destroyed." Her words were filled with righteous indignation.
The host quickly smoothed things over. "Yes, we are a society governed by law. You can express your demands through normal channels…"
Seeing this segment, Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing looked at each other and smiled. Qin Wenjing couldn't wait to say,
"Look, look! That's it! That's you and me!" Her face was full of happiness and joy, as if her love had received the blessing of the whole world, immeasurably fulfilled.
Li Haojun smiled and patted her head, the way you'd pat a child. Her happiness was his wish.