Chapter 79: Cherish a Man's Tears (02)

  In the past few days, due to the evil spirit of SARS, not only was the small town of Yan Nan affected, but the whole nation and even the world were thrown into panic. Fortunately, it was eventually brought under control by human wisdom. People seemed to have had a terrible nightmare. However, after waking up from the dream, they still had to face the cruel reality - this is another new beginning.

  Today is the first Sunday after the long holiday. The weather is somewhat gloomy, the sun is hiding behind thick clouds, as if it doesn't want to come out, and there isn't even a hint of wind - yet, its gloominess seems to be indicating something...

  He hastily ate a little lunch, then went back to the dormitory to take a cool shower and took a nice nap. After replenishing some energy, he felt much more comfortable. As soon as he walked out of the dormitory building, he headed directly towards the direction of Youyuan Garden - of course, when he left the dormitory, he didn't forget to bring an "English Vocabulary Handbook".

  There are many small stone paths paved in the garden, winding and deep. Among them, there is a path that runs roughly from east to west, and its end is a very steep slope. Of course, for safety reasons, a high fence was built along the edge of the slope.

  Walking along the winding path, you can see the distant houses, and further away, a stretch of fields. Even farther away, you can see the rolling mountains... However, this perfect place has rumors of ghosts and monsters.

  Students often spread rumors that there is a female ghost near this path, a female ghost in a white long dress and black long hair often wanders around, with a cold face and eyes filled with infinite desolation. Anyway, the rumors are more and more exaggerated, and some people even claim to have seen the female ghost - of course, they were scared out of their wits and ran away with their pants wet.

  So, this small path is rarely visited by people and has almost become a forbidden area in Yanzijiang. Over time, it has become somewhat desolate. However, there are many maple trees on both sides of the path. In late autumn, especially when the sun sets in the west, the gentle breeze blows, and the thousands of red, brown, or golden maple leaves fall gently under the golden sunlight, like thousands of colorful butterflies fluttering around, creating a scene that intoxicates people and inspires their imagination.

  Ever since he came to S at the beginning of last year, Chen Haonan fell deeply in love with this place after inadvertently discovering this "butterfly fluttering" beauty. He often comes here alone for a walk - perhaps because there are few people who set foot here, and no one disturbs him, he often has a sense of seclusion and endless joy. However, he had never seen the long-haired female ghost in the rumors...

  Entering the secluded garden, Chen Haonan bypassed several affectionate couples and directly stepped onto the rumored "mysterious" path. As usual, the deeper he went, the less he heard any human voices, and the more serene it became - this was a feeling Chen Haonan particularly enjoyed. Of course, under the May sky, with trees lush and dense, there wouldn't be a beautiful scene of "butterflies fluttering" anymore.

  At the end of the path, on the edge of a high slope, Chen Haonan paced back and forth for a while before sitting down against a large maple tree. The sunlight was somewhat dim, but from under the tree, he could see very far away: at the end of a patchwork of brick houses were fields, and at the end of the fields were mountains - the rolling mountains seemed to be placed in the clear mist, one after another, connected together...

  It wasn't long before Chen Haonan's eyes became blurry, he leaned against the tree and slowly closed his eyes. Not long after, he suddenly felt something lightly patting his shoulder, but he didn't pay attention to it and continued leaning against the tree with his eyes closed.

  Right after that, the second tap came again - still a very light one, but this time Chen Haonan truly felt it. Suddenly, a scene from a horror movie where "a ghost taps someone's shoulder" flashed into his mind - he couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. In an instant, as if the whole world had quieted down, yet Chen Haonan's heart seemed like it was going to jump out.

  To be honest, Chen Haonan didn't believe in the existence of ghosts either, but since he was young, he had been influenced by his grandparents' Buddhist beliefs and had a lingering fear of supernatural things. Especially after his father's death, for a very long time, he really hoped that ghosts existed because the saying "people become ghosts when they die" always cast a shadow in his heart: he wanted to see his father's spirit, he wanted to tell his father about the guilt in his heart, and he wanted to tell his father how much he missed him. However, his father had never appeared...

  Still, everything was still, but Chen Haonan became even more frightened, to the point where he didn't dare move his head at all. Who would have thought that at this moment, a female voice sounded in his ear, softly: "Hey! What's wrong with you? Why are you sitting here alone..." Although the voice was soft, it felt so chilly, as if it was trembling.

  "Could it be that there really is a female ghost?" A faint voice came, and Chen Haonan's mind suddenly jumped out with these few words, his heart almost jumping to his throat, but he couldn't shout out any sound.

  "Hey! Hey! What's wrong with you......" That faint voice came again, accompanied by the sound, it seemed like something was gently tapping on my shoulder, as if it was still crawling.

  "Damn it, isn't it said that 'people are three-tenths afraid of ghosts, and ghosts are seven-tenths afraid of people'? In broad daylight, this female ghost is too damn bold!......" Chen Haonan muttered to himself in his heart. Finally, he plucked up the courage to take a sideways glance. It was better not to look, but after taking a look, he became even more anxious: all he saw was a bright red, chicken-like claw resting on his shoulder. "Ah!" he shouted, and immediately fell to one side, almost rolling over.

  Who would have thought that in the split second when he fell to the ground, Chen Haonan saw Ouyang Yiweng crouching beside him - her hand still suspended in mid-air. Before he could get up, he sat on the ground and patted his chest repeatedly, panting heavily... "How, how is it you - are you Ouyang Yiweng?!" He stuttered, his heart still racing rapidly.

  Chen Haonan's fall clearly also frightened Ouyang Yiweng, she was stunned for a long time before coming back to her senses. With a faint smile, she shook her head again, and then asked Chen Haonan in a mysterious tone: "What's wrong with you? Did I scare you?"

  "Ah——" Chen Haonan finally let out a relaxed sigh. Although he didn't say anything, his face was written all over with the word "temper".

  However, Ouyang Yiweng suddenly noticed Chen Haonan's face and burst out laughing again, saying: "The way you looked just now, are you suspecting that we've encountered a ghost? This place is rumored to have a female ghost appearing frequently!"

  "What's there to suspect?!...” Chen Haonan's words were a bit stiff. He got up and sat back down at the base of the tree. Then, he said: "Look at your finger, how did you do that? It's red like blood, it makes people think it's a ghost claw or something!" As he spoke, he scratched his hair back and patted the dust off his pants.

  "Hah—hah!" Ou Yang Yiweng continued laughing.

  "How dare you laugh? What's so funny... Chen Haonan really wanted to scold Ouyang Yiweng a few words, but she was after all a girl, and how could he bear to scold such a beautiful girl?"

  "Alright, alright, I won't laugh at you anymore!" Ouyang Yiweng stopped her laughter. "Just now, I was painting in the dormitory and accidentally got oil paint all over my hand. No matter how hard I washed it, it wouldn't come off..." She said as she sat down next to Chen Haonan on the floor.

  Chen Haonan's heart was still racing, and at this time, Ouyang Yiweng turned around. He clearly saw her beautiful face: her complexion was pale and delicate, her small mouth slightly upturned, but it couldn't hide her beauty; more importantly, under her long eyelashes, a pair of eyes with a deep and profound gaze shone with an otherworldly aura that seemed to hold many things he couldn't express or describe in words... "How did you end up here alone? Didn't you hear the rumors about a female ghost in a white dress often appearing around here?" Feeling somewhat rude, Chen Haonan quickly looked away and asked softly.

  "Aren't you alone too?" Ouyang Yiweng raised her small mouth, "If you can come, why can't I..."

  "That's not it, you're just a girl..."

  "Is it just because she's a girl? Are girls not human?" Ouyang Yiweng quickly interrupted Chen Haonan.

  "Oh no, I didn't mean that... sorry..." Chen Haonan's face turned red as he realized his mistake. He quickly turned his face away again.

  "I didn't blame you," said Ouyang Yiweng in a low voice, "Everyone thinks that girls are timid, but I don't believe it. Besides, where is the ghost in this world? If there's a ghost, it's just some people having ghosts in their hearts..."

  Chen Haonan involuntarily turned his head again to take a look at Ouyang Yiweng's face, and this time he found that in addition to the spiritual energy emanating from her eyes, there was also a deep-seated hesitation, a very deep hesitation. He quietly listened to her words, and from her tone, he faintly heard something else - he was certain that she had also suffered a great blow: she was like a wounded little deer, but this beautiful little deer was so strong... "Yes, some people have ghosts in their hearts, and many more - some people's hearts are even more terrifying than evil spirits!" Chen Haonan couldn't help but sigh.

  "Hehe!" Ouyang Yiweng suddenly smiled, "Why are we so sentimental? Although many people have guilty consciences, human nature is still kind - don't you think?"

  Ouyang Yiweng's words came suddenly, and Chen Haonan didn't know how to respond for a moment. He just smiled slightly and nodded his head.

  "Can you tell me your story?" Ouyang Yiweng said, pouting her mouth, her eyes staring at Chen Haonan, motionless.

  "What's my story?" Chen Haonan was taken aback, he didn't know what Ouyang Yiweng was referring to, but in an instant, he seemed to have sensed something, and many thoughts rushed into his mind.

  "Yes, it's your story - I want to know your story..."

  "How did you suddenly ask about this?" Chen Haonan smiled somewhat helplessly, "A story? Everyone has their own story, I think mine isn't anything special."

  "You have, your story must be very special!" Ouyang Yiweng was somewhat anxious. But soon she realized her own rudeness and immediately added: "Sorry, my words were too heavy - I think...I think your story is still painful, still sad..."

  "How did you know my story is so sad and melancholic?" Chen Haonan forced a smile, perhaps everything came too quickly, or maybe he had never thought of "sharing" his story with someone else, especially a girl of the same age. However, soon he realized he was wrong, because he saw Ouyang Yiweng's eyes, those beautiful eyes that shone with an intense and piercing spirit, were looking at him at this moment, filled with a different kind of deep emotion and longing, as if they were also brimming with crystal tears... Suddenly, Chen Haonan's numb heart softened a little, he gradually realized that there was still a heart so close to his own.

  "Alright..." Chen Haonan let out a slow sigh, and then he began to tell the story that had been buried deep in his heart. His father's passing, the guilt in his heart; the dispersal of his childhood friends, the loneliness deep within; worries about his future, confusion about reality; his family's endless expectations, his own helplessness; the bleakness of the small society at school, the elusive and wavering ideal world...

  Chen Haonan slowly narrated his story, his voice was very small, but the words were extremely clear and powerful. He kept talking, as if he were a child complaining about his hardships, and before he knew it, tears had quietly flowed out, but he didn't even notice.

  Throughout the entire process, Ouyang Yiweng didn't say a single word. She just looked at Chen Haonan's face and quietly listened to him speak. However, when he finally stopped talking, Chen Haonan only then discovered that Ouyang Yiweng had already welled up with tears..."Why are you crying?" He forced out a smile.

  "Ah——" Ouyang Yiweng's heart was still stuck in the situation Chen Haonan had described, and his words made her jump. She hastily pulled out a tissue to wipe away tears, smiled, and said a few more sentences: I'm fine...

  Suddenly, Chen Haonan's face also had tears, Ouyang Yiweng hurriedly pulled out another tissue and handed it to his eyes, helping him wipe away. "Why are you crying too..." She felt a little heartbroken.

  Ouyang Yiweng's sudden movement made Chen Haonan suddenly flustered, he grabbed her hand and took the tissue from her, wiping his eyes himself. As he wiped away tears, he stammered: "I didn't... I'm fine..."

  "Heh——" Ouyang Yiweng couldn't help but giggle at Chen Haonan's somewhat comical movements. However, in an instant, her expression turned serious and she said, "Haonan, can you promise me one thing?"

  "Go on, what is it?" Chen Haonan put down his hand and shifted his gaze to Ouyang Yiweng's face, quietly waiting for her to speak.

  "I don't want to see you cry again in the future - cherish a man's tears!"

  "Should men's tears be cherished?" Chen Haonan repeated Ouyang Yiweng's words, seemingly understanding yet not. Suddenly, a faint voice seemed to echo from the bottom of his heart...