Chapter 8: Unexpected Encounter

  Because she had promised the river, Grass had been thinking about it all along. After dinner, she ran to the internet to take a look. She hoped that as soon as she logged onto QQ, the river's avatar would mischievously swing towards her, swinging all the way into her heart. But the river's avatar was still so gloomy, he was not online, where had he gone? Why wasn't there any news from him at all? Had he abandoned her to Java? Grass tried sending a "smile picture", ten minutes passed, that avatar didn't move, still no response. Grass picked up her phone and pressed the river's number, but hesitated for a moment, she didn't press the call button. Since they exchanged numbers, Grass had silently recited it countless times in her heart, the number was deeply ingrained in her memory, but actually calling or sending a message, Grass still hadn't made up her mind... She would just wait for him online!

  I got used to chatting with He, it's been so long since we met and communicated online, Cao's heart suddenly felt a little anxious, a little flustered, like losing a treasure, six senses were confused: Could it be true that the famous internet proverb "online romance dies when seen in daylight"? Is it possible that He and I can only be acquaintances? No continuation, just no continuation? She didn't want to believe it, nor was she willing to believe it, but He, where are you?

  Cao'er was bored and surfing the internet, she casually opened a web novel, "Crossing Over to Online Romance" caught her eye, wow! The click rate had already exceeded 2 million! Cao'er focused her attention on it, reading chapter by chapter...

  Her heart was fluctuating in the story, and Grass's nose was a little sour, wanting to cry. The life and death of Snow and Zhou Jun's online romance in the story entwined Grass's heart, making her unable to calm down. This is a beautiful and sad online romance: Snow, living under the oppression of her violent husband, struggled hard and finally broke free from that loveless marriage, throwing herself into the arms of "Da Pai Gu" Zhou Jun, who loved and cherished her wholeheartedly, whom she met online. Just when a happy marriage was about to begin, just as Snow was still immersed in the sweetness of happiness, an accident took away Snow's life...

  At some point, tears had filled the grass's cheeks. This feeling started from online love, but it transcended online love and walked into life, depicting a true and sincere human love that moves people to be deeply touched and sigh with emotion!

  The moonlight faded away, and the round but incomplete moon looked like a painter's failed brushstroke. The grass had always stubbornly liked grand finales, but the author let Snowdrop, that flower which was about to bloom fully under the nourishment of love's rain, wither and fall in an instant... making the grass feel that this too was an unacceptable failed brushstroke!

  The river never went online, rubbed his sleepy eyes and sent a message to the grass: "Please leave a message for me after going online! Must! Must! Must!"

  The days are still busy, and after a week of rehearsals, the art show kicked off, the performance was a huge success, and the principal praised Cao in his closing speech.

  To thank Grass and other teachers for their hard work, the garden arranged for them to go on a trip to relax.

  As soon as I stepped into this lush green landscape, my heart began to stir. Living in the city, with its tense life and busy pace, had shrunk my heart into a hollow space, lacking vitality.

  The grass greedily sucked in the air of nature, and the fragrance in the air was refreshing. The grass was like a bird out of its cage, freely grazing its soul in the green mountains and clear waters, it had forgotten everything.

  The lively and clever White Spirit Grass mischievously smiled: "Grass sister, you look very happy, I'm sure it's been a long time since you've come out to relax?" "Hehe! Who says it isn't? I've been busy all the time, now I can finally come out and have close contact with nature!" The grass's joy was overflowing. "Grass sister, when we go back, we'll get to read your great articles again! Unlike us, who only know how to play foolishly every time we come out, take some photos and that's it, you want to turn this pleasant trip into beautiful words! Admiration! Admiration!" As she spoke, she clasped her hands together in a gesture of respect. "You little scamp!" The grass sister tenderly scolded, pointing at White Spirit's broad forehead with her finger, while White Spirit dodged and weaved, giggling.

  They walked while talking and admiring...

  Next to a waterfall that was as white as silk hanging from the ninth heaven, people were taking pictures. Bailing was excitedly shouting: "Cao'er sister, what a beautiful view! Let's take a picture too!" Bailing stood next to the waterfall, posed with her hands catching the flying flowers and jade, urging Cao'er to quickly snap a photo. Then she pulled Cao'er over, saying: "The beautiful scenery is even more stunning with a beauty like you in it!"

  The grass stood beside the waterfall, preparing to take a photo. "Grass, smile!" A male voice called out to the grass. The grass was startled, as all the people who came out to play were female, how could there be a man's voice? Taking a closer look, a large man was holding a camera and waving at himself! The grass couldn't believe its eyes, had it produced an illusion? Rubbing its eyes, it was him! It was him! It was actually He! It's truly that you can meet people in unexpected places! Meeting old friends in a foreign land is already a fortunate thing in life, let alone meeting someone who understands your soul in the world of words! A long-awaited friend, a friend who had been thinking about for many days and hadn't seen in a long time!

  This unexpected encounter made Cao Er extremely delighted, her excited heart almost jumping out. Her eyes shone like a explorer who had discovered treasure after diligent fieldwork. "River, it's you! How did you end up here?" Cao Er asked repeatedly, grasping River's arm. "Hehe! In the last phase, my unit organized a design project, and our leader gave me a bonus and vacation time, so I came out alone to take in the sights!" River's eyes were also filled with joy, it was clear that this unexpected encounter had brought him happiness as well.

  "I saw your message and left one for you too, but there was no response..."

  "Oh, really? At that time, I had already left and didn't leave a message to say goodbye, but you were always on my mind..."

  "Hey, Grass Sister, who is this? You didn't even introduce us, and now you're ignoring me after seeing him. You're so unfair, favoring strangers over friends!" White Ling protested with a pout on her face. Grass only then remembered that White Ling was still beside her. "This is my friend 'He'." "Hello, Brother He!" White Ling's expression changed from gloomy to sunny, and she greeted him warmly without any reserve.

  Seeing the camera hanging from He's neck, Bai Ling suggested: "He Ge, why don't you come with us? You're alone anyway, and you can be our exclusive photographer, okay?" "Bai Ling, stop teasing, He Ge has his own things to do!" "It's nothing, I'm a lone wanderer, free and easy, happy to serve you." He said with a sincere face.

  Cao'er thought of that conversation again, He said if he could have Cao'er's company it would be a different scenery, and now... is this heaven giving this pair of kindred spirits a great opportunity? Now all Cao'er and He need to do is cherish this chance!

  With the river's company, the grass feels that the scenery around it is more enticing: the majestic mountains are dyed with a deep blue color, heavily painted under the blue sky and white clouds. The unbridled mountain water flows forward, purifying into a broad and peaceful mind. All the nerves worn out from worldly affairs relax in this "mountain-water-poetry" atmosphere...

  All the way, He put Cao's backpack on his own shoulder. When they encountered a difficult road, He would also pull Cao's hand. He carefully took photos of Cao and Bai Ling from different angles... doing his best as their photographer. Cao occasionally handed him water and wet wipes... Bai Ling kept smiling slyly, teasing Cao and He nonstop along the way. Cao was too lazy to respond, just looking at her with a smile, "What a kid!"

  All along the way, the grass's heart is filled with warmth and emotion. The tacit understanding between the grass and the river makes this trip even more beautiful and unforgettable!

  Before she knew it, the day's trip was coming to an end. The tour guide from Grass' travel agency was calling everyone to get on the bus, and it was time for Grass and River to part ways. Grass felt a pang of sadness as she gazed at River: "Why don't I go talk to our tour guide, and you can come with us on our tourist bus?" "I'd love to! But I shouldn't...it might give your colleagues the wrong idea and cause trouble for you." "It's fine, just say you're a friend of mine!" "Let's not. We're already lucky to have met today. There's also a day-trip tour bus here, very convenient...let's meet again when we get back!" River insisted on not wanting to cause trouble for Grass, so she didn't press the issue further. But she wanted River to know her whereabouts, and said: "I'll be home in five days." "I'll also be heading back around then." "Great, see you in five days!" "See you in five days!"

  "Grass sister, come on up, the car is about to leave! River brother, goodbye!" Bai Ling urged Grass while also bidding farewell to River. River made a gesture indicating for Grass to get on the car, and Grass turned around and stepped onto the vehicle.

  In the twilight, the tourist bus drove forward, the grass turned back to look around, and the river became a small dot, disappearing from the grass's line of sight...