'SEE YOU MORNING' 071 Flowers of Spring

It was a day off after their journey. Spring shone bright, with white clouds drifting low across the vivid blue sky. Yet Li Haojun had no mood to admire the scenery. Unusually, he sat before the computer browsing information, searching details of every county from Seattle to Montana, and from Oregon to Arizona. He wondered what other obscure and peculiar places existed just like Kalispell.

"Still dwelling on that Sienna?" Qin Wenjing patted him on the shoulder from behind and asked.

"Haha, I truly am. It seems the world is not what people usually describe it to be," Li Haojun replied, turning to face her.

"The weather is lovely today. Let's go out for a walk."

"Sure. How about an outing?" Li Haojun asked casually.

"But where should we go?" Qin Wenjing wondered.

"Let's head to Kalispell."

"Hahaha! Going on a trip to your workplace on a day off? That's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing," Qin Wenjing laughed.

"I just want to see what the place is like when it's not work hours."

Qin Wenjing thought for a moment and turned down the idea.

"Saving the world doesn't depend solely on you. Your real duty is to stay with me."

Li Haojun smiled warmly. To be cherished so deeply by the woman he loved was nothing short of a blessing. He stood up, turned around and embraced her.

"You're right." He held her cheeks gently with both hands and asked, "Where would you like to go? Into the city of Moses Lake?"

"No, a stroll around the house will do. Just stay by my side. Let's keep away from the townsfolk — no Kesiya, no Sienna." A mischievous grin played on her lips. She brushed the bangs at her temples behind her ear and looked up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Hahaha." Li Haojun laughed heartily. He pinched her chin and shook it lightly. "Alright, alright. I'll follow whatever you say."

"Wait for me while I change my clothes." With that, Qin Wenjing walked into the room and sat down at the dressing table.

Li Haojun put on his coat and stepped out into the yard to wait. Bathed in the warm sunshine, he glanced over the flower beds, thinking about which spots needed new plants.

After a while, Qin Wenjing came out of the room. Stepping from the dim interior into the bright spring sunlight, the stark contrast made Li Haojun struck anew by her charm.

She wore a pair of beige low-rise stretch flared trousers, which clung closely to her waist, hips, thighs and knees before gradually widening toward the hems, covering most of her black high-heeled shoes. On top was a short cropped jacket with a large round collar patterned like pale green lotus leaves, worn over a white blouse with lace trim. The delicate lace cuffs peeked out beyond the jacket sleeves.

Her hair was styled in a side-swept half-up look. A fine silver dangling earring glinted from one earlobe. She wore a soft wash of blush and peach lipstick, looking youthful and radiant from head to toe.

She stepped carefully down the steps in her heels, watching each tread closely. Slightly turning her body, the graceful curves of her hips and legs showed in every step, appearing utterly beautiful to Li Haojun.

When Qin Wenjing stood right in front of him, they raised their hands and laced their fingers together at their chests. Li Haojun found himself at a loss for words trying to define the unique beauty she held today.

"What do you think?" Qin Wenjing asked with a smile.

"Your hair..." It was then that Li Haojun noticed her long, straight blonde hair in a soft dark shade.

"It's a wig. How does it look? Still thinking about your sweethearts?"

"Hahaha. It looks wonderful and quite refreshing." He studied her from different angles, and Qin Wenjing cooperated, turning her head and shifting her posture now and then.

"It suits you perfectly. Come on, let's show everyone in Moses Lake." He took her hand and headed for the gate. Qin Wenjing followed, laughing until her waist bent, strands of hair slipping down over her shoulders.

Being out in the spring nature felt vastly different from staying indoors. The brilliant sunlight cast sharp shadows of trees on the ground, highlighting the sunlit sides of branches against the blue sky. The air was filled with the fresh scent of damp soil and budding twigs, filling everyone with vitality in this season of renewal.

Li Haojun held Qin Wenjing's hand as they walked along the hillside path. He kept glancing at her face, her flowing hair, and the gentle sway of her figure as she navigated the rugged path in high heels.

"Can't get enough of looking?" Qin Wenjing smiled.

"Not at all," Li Haojun replied with a silly grin.

"My, I'm only dressed up like them. Imagine how distracted you'd be if you were really with them." She poked his forehead playfully.

"You are nothing like them." Li Haojun stopped walking, held her by the shoulders and admired her for another moment before pulling her into his arms. "Your heart and your whole self belong to me. They could never compare." He sighed softly.

"Even though I still have work contact with Kesiya now and then, our bond has faded little by little since we parted. She might already be dating someone new."

"Then why don't you go find her?" Qin Wenjing pulled away from his embrace and looked straight into his eyes.

"Don't be silly. She probably only sought comfort from me. She's still young; she would never devote herself entirely to me."

"So you do know the gap between fantasy and reality?" Qin Wenjing held back her laughter.

"Wait a minute, you were teasing me just now." Li Haojun finally caught on.

"I was not. You're just being sentimental." Qin Wenjing wriggled free and ran ahead.

Li Haojun followed slowly, enjoying the graceful way she moved as she ran. He called out in mock threat.

"How dare you tease me! Just wait until I catch you!"

Hearing his voice behind her, Qin Wenjing glanced back to check the distance, then laughed loudly and quickened her pace. Beneath the clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds, amid the tender newly awakened land, their playful figures added extra warmth to the thriving spring scenery.

After wandering amid the spring views for a long while, they grew tired and turned for home. Qin Wenjing linked her arm through Li Haojun's as they walked.

"If I could turn back time once more, would you let me be your daughter?"

"Why do you keep wanting to be my daughter?" Li Haojun answered absently.

"Because I want all your love."

"You already have it. Call me dad."

Realizing he was not taking her words seriously, Qin Wenjing explained further.

"I mean if I went back to being much younger."

"Back to kindergarten? That works. I'll hold you while you sleep and never pick on you."

Qin Wenjing felt the topic had become dull, for he still did not understand her sincerity. She pressed on.

"Would you not want a daughter like me?"

"Would you keep all your current memories when you go back?" Li Haojun looked at her seriously. Seeing she said nothing, he continued.

"What truly matters is that you choose me without knowing what the future holds, rather than what kind of relationship we share." The words were honest yet hurtful. As soon as he spoke, he regretted his bluntness for reopening old wounds. He stole a glance at Qin Wenjing, who walked quietly beside him.

Li Haojun halted and pulled her to a stop. Looking into her eyes, he saw that his regret was also hers. He held her tightly in his arms and whispered.

"No one and nothing is perfect in this world. Let us cherish each other and live well in the present."

The spring wind lifted her blonde wig hair and made it flutter before his eyes. He wondered if he had mentioned too many other people in casual talks lately, which had prompted her to dress up like this today. He gently pulled back to check her face, afraid to see tears.

"How about we ask Kesiya out to hang out tomorrow?" Qin Wenjing asked thoughtfully.

"No. She has her own life. If she has found someone else, I wish her happiness."

A faint smile crossed Qin Wenjing's lips. She turned around and started walking home alone.

Curious, Li Haojun hurried after her.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm not telling you." Her playful side showed once again.

Driven by curiosity, Li Haojun begged.

"Please tell me. I'm dying to know."

"I'm laughing because she will never get the chance I have." She spoke cryptically. Li Haojun could not make sense of her words, so he caught up and slowed her steps.

"What chance are you talking about?"

Qin Wenjing looked at him with smiling eyes.

"If Kesiya starts dating another man and then comes back to you, would you take her in?"

"I see." Li Haojun pondered the hypothetical scenario. After all, Qin Wenjing had long since taken root in his heart.

He imagined Kesiya standing before him under such circumstances and knew he could not accept her. Why had she not chosen him when she had the chance? Then his thoughts drifted to Qin Wenjing, who had also come into his life when things were already set. He woke up to find her by his side, with no memory of what had happened before. He could not recall how he had accepted her back then. Reminded of his careless hurtful words earlier, he decided not to dig into the past, unwilling to ruin her cheerful mood.

Returning home after their playful walk in the mountains, they felt fully immersed in the spirit of spring, free from the dreary heaviness of staying indoors. Just as the plants and trees had survived the bitter winter frost and sprouted new branches, no hardship was truly unendurable.

Watching Qin Wenjing walk ahead of him, Li Haojun stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"What are you doing?" She turned her head from the side where her hair hung loose.

Her sparkling eyes, sweet voice and soft red lips made her look like a flower blooming just for him in this lovely spring.(Translated by