'SEE YOU MORNING' 029 Long Journey

'SEE YOU MORNING' 029 Long Journey

How to choose between a new love and an old one — for Li Haojun, he still leans toward the familiar, someone he can more easily trust, perhaps with deeper emotional entanglements and attachments, a sense of not being able to let the other person down buried deep within. Perhaps that is the loyalty Kesiya described? The quality she admired.

After several days of warm companionship, Li Haojun bid farewell to Qin Wenjing and set off once again. This time it would be a long-distance journey, from Washington State in the western United States to New York on the eastern coast, to attend an industry launch event. Since regaining consciousness, he had never visited that metropolis. Malaya would accompany him on the trip.

The two discussed and chose a slow overnight long-range aircraft, so they could arrive at their destination in the morning for the event and then return — a very tight schedule. They met at Spokane Airport. Outside the entrance to the terminal hall, the sun was already setting, golden light spilling across the roads and building surfaces, while various aircraft took off and landed inside from time to time.

Following Malaya's information, Li Haojun made his way along the various signs to his boarding area. There were very few passengers. In the corner over there, a slender figure faced the window with her back to the aisle — it looked like her. She had already been there for a while.

Li Haojun walked over, confirmed it was that little sprite just from passing behind her, circled around to face her, and met her eyes.

"Arrived early? Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay," she said, standing up and smiling at Li Haojun. Her eyes were always so clear and deep.

Today Malaya looked extremely slim. She wore a black faux-leather suit — an asymmetric front with a wide-lapel short jacket, a white silk scarf tied at the collar, tight leather pants that showed off her slender waist, her rounded but not voluptuous hips, and then her long legs, ending in red stilettos with thin heels at the cuffs of her fitted pants. This was the first time he had seen her in high heels. The added height accentuated her slim figure beautifully, and her long high ponytail made her look even more elegant.

Li Haojun, worried she might twist an ankle in heels she wasn't used to, extended his right arm for her to hold. Malaya didn't refuse, tilting her head and squinting as she giggled and walked along beside him, laughing. Her slim figure, the way she moved — everything radiated youthful charm.

They were taking a long-range, low-cruise-speed business jet with a very high aspect ratio, very high cruise altitude, and excellent fuel economy. However, what it sacrificed was time, so this type of aircraft always flew at night and was equipped with comfortable reclining seats and a lavatory.

Ladies first — Malaya chose a forward seat when boarding. After takeoff came the long climb. She rotated her seat back somewhat, then reported the itinerary to Li Haojun. Her mind was truly admirable — times, locations, contents — she recited the next day's schedule without a single pause. When she finished, she looked at Li Haojun with a mischievous grin.

Behind them, the setting sun streamed into the cabin, falling on the windshield frame, the front dashboard, and the decorative panels on both sides — gold mixed with lingering red. It seemed to make Li Haojun a little distracted. The aerial dinner he once shared with Qin Wenjing still seemed to linger before his eyes, yet here he was on the same plane with such a little beauty, having left her behind at home. A certain guilt seemed to settle in his heart.

"Are you thinking about her?" Malaya had been staring at Li Haojun's eyes with a grin for quite a while before finally speaking.

"Mm," Li Haojun replied with an awkward smile.

"Do you miss my sister?" Malaya pressed on.

"I miss her too," Li Haojun gave an affirmative answer out of politeness. To be honest, her sister's stunning appearance today had captured his attention — he hadn't even thought of Kesiya yet. But how could he say something like that outright?

"Then who do you like more, her or my sister?" Malaya kept pressing, her face still smiling, but her eyes so piercing they seemed to reach straight into the soul.

"Mm," Li Haojun hesitated before saying,

"I like you both. But Qin Wenjing and I have been together for many years, and she was by my side when I needed her most. That kind of companionship is immeasurable."

"Alright, I can understand that. Between me and my sister, who do you like more?" Malaya asked, one hand resting on the seat back, her chin on the back of her hand, looking up at Li Haojun. Her slender, fair fingers and wrist framed the lines of her cheek and jaw, her eyes sparkling with childlike innocence and purity.

"I like you both. You're cuter, your sister is more dignified." Unbiased — Li Haojun even thought his own answer was brilliant, and it was also his true feeling.

"Hmph, dodging," Malaya said, pulling a long face and turning to look out the cabin window. That streak of rosy cloud had long been swallowed by the sea of clouds behind them. The night sky at ten thousand meters seemed even more empty — even the stars had vanished who knew where, making one feel doubly lonely and desolate.

Malaya turned back, lips pressed together, saying nothing, just looking quietly at Li Haojun.

"I think… I might like you a little more. Your cleverness, the infectiousness of your youth, your face and figure, your eyes…"

"Hmph," Malaya smiled triumphantly, reclined her seat back a bit more, and lay there looking out the window. After a while, she brushed her single ponytail with her left hand and placed it on her left chest, tilted her head to the right, and looked at Li Haojun again, asking,

"If I asked you these same questions twenty years from now, after we've worked together, how would you answer?"

"Maybe it would be like my relationship with Qin Wenjing."

"Not necessarily," Malaya answered in the negative, then fell silent. After a long while she added,

"True feelings aren't built on this kind of interaction, this kind of ordinary workplace interaction." She lay on the reclined seat, speaking almost to herself,

"Maybe… let's go on an adventure?" She finished and turned to look at Li Haojun.

Looking into her eyes, Li Haojun didn't understand exactly what she meant, but he didn't press her either. He just gave a token "mm" in agreement.

The cabin seats required a rightward rotation to recline the backrest and raise the leg support. With the backrests down, the two seats were angled parallel. Li Haojun lay in his seat, and directly below and to his left was Malaya — blonde bangs covering her forehead, her straight ponytail scattered across her chest, rising and falling with each breath. That small body of hers — who knew what it had been through for her mind to hold such extraordinary things.

Malaya's head was tilted slightly to the left, no longer talking. Li Haojun couldn't tell if she had fallen asleep, but he still closed the window shades and the cabin lights, leaving only the faint glow of the cabin's guide and indicator lights. A low hum of engines came from the rear of the cabin, like a lullaby in the darkness. It was just that thin, lovely figure — coming into this world all alone — it was hard not to feel tender toward her.

Another clear morning. Malaya had chosen an air taxi as transportation from the airport to their destination, but near the downtown area it could only fly over the Hudson River. The morning golden sunlight was filtering through the gaps between the buildings on Manhattan Island, sparkling down onto the riverbank and into the cabin.

In the morning light, Malaya used her portable computer to check the schedule, contact information, and route navigation. Watching her from behind — that petite figure, yet carrying a maturity beyond her years. Time and again, she gave Li Haojun this impression.

They landed at a docking point on the riverbank. The moment they stepped onto the ground, Malaya dashed ahead like a bird let out of its cage, her high heels clicking crisply on the paved surface. Li Haojun followed behind her. He always had some resistance to unfamiliar environments — he couldn't blend in quickly. Walking behind her let him keep better watch on her surroundings as well as what was behind him. But soon the deserted streets and uniform buildings on both sides put Li Haojun less on guard — for instance, there were almost no people or vehicles, so few danger factors; the roadside buildings were all the same, doors and windows shut tight, so it was unlikely anyone would come out to rob them. So some of his attention shifted to Malaya ahead. Her pace was a bit fast — he didn't know if she was in a hurry or what. And the way she walked — she placed the balls of her feet neatly along a line, but her heels wobbled each time they hit the ground. Li Haojun couldn't help worrying she might twist an ankle. At the same time, the support from the balls of her feet transferred smoothly through her calves and thighs to her hip joints. Her smooth hips swayed with the rhythm of her steps and the shifting weight of her supporting leg, while her light arm swings perfectly balanced the movement below. Her upper body and head had no lateral sway at all; instead, the slight up-and-down motion of her figure made her straight ponytail sway cleanly in the wind.

Over the decades, with the population decrease and the accompanying drop in commercial activity, especially as most federal states realized that historically financial activities had amplified human greed and evil, plundered the real economy, and had a subversive impact on all social activity — their scale had been restricted. Manhattan in New York was no longer a financial center but had become a center of fashion, culture, and consumer entertainment. It was just that those high-cost skyscrapers weren't very popular in such an environment, looking somewhat desolate.

Following behind Malaya, even though she was leading the way, Li Haojun still kept track of their route. They walked along West 48th Street, having just passed 11th and 12th Avenues. As they entered the downtown area, vehicles and people gradually increased — everyone was in a rush in the morning light. And after slowly adapting to the new environment, Li Haojun moved to Malaya's left, walking shoulder to shoulder with her, occasionally turning to chat, so he could still keep an eye on the blind spots behind him.

Turn left at the 9th Avenue intersection, and the exhibition hall is just ahead. Its modern architecture features sleek contours in minimalist limestone white and metallic black, complemented by expansive transparent glass that lends the entire structure a crystalline clarity. Inside, the building houses an open-air garden, with exhibition zones on different levels surrounding the perimeter. Cast-iron black beams and limestone white columns frame each floor, while glass railings along the display platforms are adorned with diverse green plants. Adjacent to these plants lie pathways leading to the central elevators, which connect each exhibition level like tree trunks.

Malaya led Li Haojun to her company's booth, where the local New York staff were already waiting. Malaya introduced the two sides.

Jenna Johnson, manager of the Elegant Charm Hall Manhattan store in New York, primarily responsible for local beauty and SPA services. She had also brought her sales staff to handle exhibitors' inquiries about various services.

Already middle-aged, she wore a deep brown cotton-linen maxi dress. The deep V, buttonless front was cinched tight with a dark red belt. Her slender waist contrasted with her full hips and robust chest — through the cotton-linen fabric, one could vaguely see she was not wearing anything underneath. Yes, her figure matched the body-sculpting beauty service advertisements perfectly.

On the other hand, when biotechnology could enhance soldiers' physical capabilities, it could also enhance the abilities of athletes and dancers. Technological progress was like the first domino to fall — no one knew where its effects would reach. After physical enhancement applications were released, products that enhanced human senses and brain capabilities would not be absent either, only their efficacy was restricted for the sake of social fairness and order.

The exhibition attendees only cared about uses and effects, so the busy ones were all sales consultants. No one cared what the compounds were or their biological processes. So Li Haojun could only sit bored inside the booth, or wander around occasionally. Malaya, on the other hand, was full of energy, always engaged with customers.

Leaving the somewhat noisy booth, Li Haojun walked to the railing at the edge of the platform. Stainless-steel handrails and irregular grille railings, with water-ripple textured glass inlaid between them. On the other side, the exhibition hall's central ground garden was visible — stone paths and green grass, dotted with potted green plants. Between the water-patterned glass and the greenery, the building's structural beams and columns looked like white porous stone supporting the spatial form.

As he approached slowly, a sudden visual impact made Li Haojun feel a sense of familiarity — as if he had been here before, as if he had once experienced this very scene. A strange feeling. He continued to the railing and looked down at the exhibition floors below and the garden on the ground, but the feeling of familiarity was gone. Li Haojun turned back to look at the bustling crowd at the company booth, hoping the sight might awaken some clues from deep in his memory — still nothing. That déjà vu had just appeared out of nowhere and vanished in an instant. Li Haojun really wanted to know what kind of life he had lived before. That feeling of almost finding his memory just now had been so good. The exhibitors passing before him — they all must have their own complete memories, only he could not have his.

Having searched his memory and found nothing, Li Haojun's attention drifted back to his gaze floating among the passing guests. Behind the swaying figures was that familiar little girl — Malaya was standing there, turning her head to look at him. Li Haojun didn't know how long he had been under her gaze in his daze, so he gave an awkward smile and nodded slightly to her. Then he couldn't help wondering — had she also existed in his past? But he immediately wanted to scold himself — what was wrong with him? She was only a teenager. How could she have any intersection with his past experiences?

All the way to the boring afternoon, Li Haojun finally found his purpose. Some parents who brought their children to consult were more detail-oriented, so he explained to them in simple terms how various compounds affected biological processes, as well as the production process and the health standards followed. Some children were studying dance or art, some hoped to get some help with their studies or exams. After explaining the product's effects and mechanisms, Li Haojun would always tactfully suggest they needn't cling to external aids — they could try, but just taste it lightly. This was the side effect of technological development. In many fields it changed the rules of the game, putting those who didn't participate at a disadvantage in competition. But Li Haojun's heart inherently resisted this direction of development that went against nature, even though it was his profession.

Li Haojun was not good with words, let alone handling sales or client relationships. He was only skilled at specific technical work. He had no flashy language to woo clients — he only explained to the children and their guardians what he understood would actually happen, letting them understand their choices and the corresponding consequences. Although this might affect the company's sales performance, Li Haojun cared more about responsibility and inner peace — the responsibility of his own life, the social responsibility of the enterprise.

In his area of expertise, driven by his inner motivation, Li Haojun seemed to forget the passage of time, only feeling the trust and spiritual connection in the eyes of those children and parents.

The afternoon passed quickly like this. When he finished talking, Li Haojun noticed that the marketing director who had gone to visit a competitor, Shirleen MacArthur, had also returned and was watching him talk with customers with great interest. Li Haojun smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries. She was an older Western white woman with an oval face, rounded red lips, a rounded nose shape, and a low nasal bridge — completely conforming to typical Anglo-Saxon or Germanic features. Her approachable image suited her position well.

After the busy morning and afternoon window hours, the crowd in the entire exhibition hall gradually thinned. Li Haojun had some free time and found his gaze sweeping the booth, looking for Malaya's figure. He searched around but didn't see her, then turned back and realized she had, at some point, moved a chair and was sitting in the corner of the booth. She was sitting sideways with her legs crossed, behind a potted rubber tree, looking back at him. Their eyes met — Malaya had no expression at all. Li Haojun gave her a slight smile and looked away. He realized he had been unconsciously looking for that figure, but didn't know if that was right or wrong.

The sky darkened. Inside the exhibition hall, the bright lighting illuminated whites and pale greens, contrasting with the dim dome skylight and blue-grays. Fine rain moistened the iron-colored beams and softened the halos of neon lights. As the drizzle drifted in, no more people streamed into the hall, and as they left, it grew increasingly empty and desolate.

Having finished their exhibition work, the two left the venue and set off on the return journey. Perhaps because there was no rush to get back to the city, Malaya walked leisurely along the street. Accompanied by the rhythm of her high heels, her arm swings, waist and hips, and chest and shoulders swayed in an S-shaped dynamic rhythm. Li Haojun walked beside her, occasionally studying her figure, her face. She had no expression at all. The fine rain dampened her hair, and the tiny droplets refracted the roadside neon lights in seven colors, like a fairy-tale world.

"You walk very elegantly," Li Haojun tried to break the silence by complimenting her.

Malaya still said nothing, as if she hadn't heard. Li Haojun couldn't help but sigh — a woman's heart was truly hard to fathom. He would just walk with her like this. Heading north all the way, the streets of Manhattan hadn't changed much over the years. It seemed the look of this first New World on the East Coast was a collective choice of the residents. Gradually leaving the prosperous commercial district, the atmosphere of everyday life here grew richer. Along the street were mostly food stalls and small clothing and goods shops. The lights had just come on, and mostly young people came and went.

The fine rain soaked the rooftops, the ground, the walls and stone steps. In the dark night, large and small patches of reflected red, green, orange, and yellow were exceptionally sharp and clear. With each step forward, the light and shadow shifted and flickered, and combined with the rain-moistened air, it was delightful to the senses and refreshing to the heart.

Such beautiful scenery, with a beauty by his side — Li Haojun also calmed his mind and slowly enjoyed the moment. But the rain was getting heavier, and raindrops on his eyelashes were already blurring his vision. Li Haojun quickly unbuttoned and took off his jacket, holding it over his and Malaya's heads. After a few steps, he felt the wind and rain together, cold air whistling at his waist. Li Haojun looked around and realized they had already walked out of the downtown area. He wondered if there were any raincoats sold along the way. He looked at Malaya again — her face was still calm as water. He didn't want to break this tranquility either, let alone ask how the return transportation was arranged.

Looking at the roadside greenery, the cool breeze still blowing, Li Haojun simply held his jacket over both their heads, one arm around Malaya's waist pressing her close to his body, the other hand pulling the windward side of the jacket to block the wind. Malaya also put her arm around Li Haojun's waist.

Gradually, where their bodies touched, they could feel each other's warmth. But Li Haojun felt that Malaya's hand on his waist was still cold, so he simply put her hand into his pants pocket, the other arm around her waist, his hand holding her fingertips.

The two walked silently like this on the rain-streaked street, dim yellow light mixed with raindrops scattered on the ground. Then Malaya spoke,

"Turn left at this intersection. I booked a taxi. We'll wait at the waterfront, then go to the airport."

"Okay," Li Haojun didn't say much more, quietly holding her as they walked along the empty street.

Soon, the dimly lit tree-lined avenue in the rain and its pale streetlights were left behind. Standing at the waterfront, the wind was a bit stronger. Li Haojun looked at Malaya beside him — her bangs were soaking wet, her cheeks and neck were drenched. She occasionally glanced up at Li Haojun, still saying nothing.

A cool breeze blew across the river. Li Haojun turned his back to the wind, pulled Malaya to face him, opened his arms, and held her tightly in his embrace, her cold arms pressed firmly against his chest.

Malaya was still silent, letting the bleak wind and rain drift past, letting the old lights freeze this moment.