Chapter 6 — The Three-Person Trip

Our three years of complete affection, how can you say let go just like that, without a single shred of reluctance?

I gently pushed Star-Helper, who was blocking my path, out of the way and faced Retainer-Seeker directly. I recounted all the events of the past in my mind. Retainer-Seeker's complexion turned pale bit by bit, and he frantically waved his hands, continuously admitting his fault. However, every single excuse he offered was softly cut short by a wave of my hand.

There is no need for explanations anymore; I have already let it go.

Star-Helper retrieved the courtyard access card from his pocket, his voice entirely devoid of any softening warmth:

This is a private lodging courtyard, please take your leave.

The proprietress, having heard the commotion, stepped out from the courtyard and offered words of persuasion: Young man, affection cannot be forced.

The young woman here has finally managed to calm her state of mind with great difficulty, do not pester her and cause her further distress.

After a very long moment, his throat bobbed with visible difficulty, and he uttered not a single word of retention anymore. He turned around, dragging his weary and solitary silhouette behind him. Step by step, he vanished into the morning mist along the coastal pathway.

Instead of returning to the courtyard, I walked by myself to sit upon the tier after tier of stone steps by the sea. Drawing my knees up against my chest, I quietly watched the endless rolling of the churning waves. Behind me came the sound of light footsteps. Star-Helper did not speak to disturb me, simply seating himself half a step away by my side. He silently accompanied me through the entirety of the dusk. The setting sun dyed the surface of the sea into a thick, reddish-orange hue, and the glittering ripples like scattered gold made one's eyes sting with smarting warmth. I gazed at the undulating tide in the distance and finally took the initiative to break the silence.

In the past, I was always afraid of entrusting my wholehearted sincerity to someone.

My fingertips unconsciously scraped the fine sand lodged within the crevices of the stone steps, my voice so soft it was nearly swallowed by the sea breeze.

During the three years I spent with Retainer-Seeker, I was constantly compromising and making concessions.

I used to think that love meant endlessly subjecting oneself to grievance, until I met you and finally understood.

A comfortable love has never required one to endure in solitude, nor has it ever demanded that one force one's own emotions down to their absolute lowest ebb.

Star-Helper turned his head, the glow of sunset resting upon his eyelashes. He smoothly shifted his position, gazing straight into my eyes, and confessed his feelings with absolute clarity in every single word:

From the very first moment we collided at the airport, my heart was already moved.

Watching you slowly step out of the shadows over these past few days, I no longer wished to merely be a companion passing the time to cheer you up.

Graceful-Favor, I want to truly be with you.

The sour ache that had accumulated within my chest for so long completely dissolved. A gentle warmth spread outward through my limbs, and I softly nodded in assent. He immediately reached out his hand, his palm warm and dry, firmly covering mine. Allowing our ten fingers to intertwine closely, we leisurely strolled along the endlessly stretching coastline. The sea breeze brushed past the tips of our hair, and all around us was a sense of utter relaxation and peace. In the blink of an eye, the one-month limit of my temporary stay at the courtyard was drawing to a close. One evening while enjoying the breeze on the rooftop, Star-Helper suddenly brought up his future plans. He mentioned intending to settle down in Cloud-City for the long term and open a small, independent style photography studio. He turned his head to look at me, a quiet anticipation hidden deep within his eyes: Would you be willing to stay and be with me?

I will be responsible for going out to take photographs and setting up the scenes, while you write the prose and specialize in crafting the accompanying stories for each collection of photos.

During your free time, you can write your novels with peace of mind. We will not tie each other down; each of us will retain our own independent space.

I agreed without the slightest hesitation. That night, we sat upon the rooftop until the pale light of dawn broke, discussing every single idea with perfect harmony. On the day the studio successfully celebrated its grand opening, the proprietress walked over specially, carrying a very large basket of fresh flowers. Quite a few guests who had stayed at the courtyard also came to offer their congratulations. Star-Helper naturally reached out to wrap an arm around my shoulder, turning toward everyone with a smile to introduce me:

This is my girlfriend, and also the exclusive prose writer of our studio, Gracious-Favor.

Surrounding us erupted friendly ripples of laughter and warm blessings. I leaned close against his side, my heart overflowing with an unshakable sense of security. Late at night, after seeing off the last group of guests, we simply tidied up the shop and sat beside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows to share a late-night snack. Casually, I opened my social media application, which had remained dormant for a very long time. A friend request from Retainer-Seeker popped up abruptly, accompanied by a lengthy, pleading apology seeking reconciliation. Without a second thought, I tapped reject and casually tossed my phone aside. Leaning sideways, I gently rested my head against Star-Helper's shoulder. Outside the window, the ocean waves rose and fell with gentle grace, and beside my shoulder was a warm and steadfast sanctuary. The days of continuous compromise in the past had been completely turned to a new page. I would never look back again.

In the blink of an eye, five years had passed, and the photography studio belonging to Star-Helper and me had firmly established its roots on this old coastal street. Relying on our refined camera lenses and the exclusive story prose I wrote, we had accumulated quite a loyal following of repeat clients. My lower abdomen had quietly begun to swell, sheltering within it a tiny, precious life belonging to both Star-Helper and me. Star-Helper protected me with a meticulous devotion that reached absolute perfection. That very afternoon, the front desk reported a new appointment booking, stating that a university classmate named Auspicious-Hao had scheduled a wedding photography session for the following week.