Recollections
Wife spoke up: "For you, for our future, agree to it."
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For some reason, my heart fluttered inexplicably. This was clearly the answer I wanted—why did it leave me feeling uneasy? …
On the way back, I held my wife's hand, feeling the delicate warmth in my palm, listening to the chirping of insects in the night. The romance of the darkness was intoxicating.
I couldn't help but think back to that endless guessing game my wife and I loved to play …
Curious, I asked her, "We've been married so long now—can't you finally tell me when we first met?"
She laughed lightly. "That's a secret. I'll tell you when you remember."
"What if I never do?" I said helplessly. That secret had me itching with curiosity, but no matter how I begged, she wouldn't budge.
My wife slipped from my grasp, skipping lightly ahead, turning to face me backward with her hands behind her back, teasing, "Then wait till we're old and can't walk anymore, sitting in rocking chairs by the fireplace—I'll tell you then … haha …"
Her dress, hugging her graceful curves, swayed in the night breeze. In that instant as she spun, the emerald skirt flared around her like a lotus blooming in splendor—a breathtaking, heart-stirring glimpse.
At that moment, my wife was just like early summer: fresh, youthful, brimming with vitality.
"No way, are you planning to tease me forever? You have to tell me today!" I chased after her, relentless.
"Catch me first, then! Hehe …" She laughed and ran ahead, her skirt fluttering like a beautiful butterfly dancing through the night.
"Don't run—I’m gonna catch you …"
"Hehe … you rascal …"
Her silvery bell-like laughter echoed through the night sky …
An early summer night, the moonlight seductive …
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If women are flowers, then in my heart, my wife is the water goddess—the water lily.
The water lily, genus Nymphaea, also known as the Luo Goddess; in ancient Egypt, it was called the bride of the Nile.
I adore water lilies. They're not like peonies, feigning nobility while being garishly vulgar; nor like lilies, pretending elegance while being calculating green tea; and certainly not like roses, seeming passionate yet utterly worldly.
A single storm reveals the peony's true colors, vulgar as a peacock stripped of its plumes, rotting in the mud amid a mess of bedraggled feathers.
A banquet unmasks the lily's elegant facade—its cloying scent and sprawling petals in solitude betray ambition and ostentation, its scheming ugliness laid bare.
A holiday turns the rose into something cheap and attainable, love reduced to transaction: pay up, and anyone can claim its passion and fragrance.
Only the water lily stands apart.
It fears neither wind nor rain, standing serene in the water. After the tempest, it remains poised and elegant.
Its unique hydrophobic structure keeps it pristine through the gales; lingering raindrops become the most poignant tears at dawn.
The water lily doesn't compete or strive. In remote wilderness ponds far from worldly clamor, it blooms more brilliantly. Beyond the red dust, it unfurls its solitary beauty.
You can't buy a water lily or find it in shops for casual desecration.
To behold its beauty, you must trek mountains and rivers to its habitat, gazing from afar across the lake.
It's a flower that seems to exist only in dreams.
Once you've seen a water lily, your gaze is captivated.
Its mystical, shape-shifting allure hypnotizes your eyes and mind, drawing you in to admire, lost in it, forgetting time—and then yourself.
When white, the water lily is pure and holy, like Xiuyan on stage or at school.
When purple, beautiful and seductive, like Xiuyan entwined with me in bed.
When silver, lonely and despairing, like Xiuyan tearful after our quarrels.
When red, passionate and fervent, like Xiuyan embracing me in the heat of love.
When blue, hopeful and radiant, like Xiuyan walking hand-in-hand toward our future.
These are the languages of the water lily—and of my wife. Every facet manifests perfectly in Xiuyan: contradictory yet harmonious. This essence draws me inexorably.
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Out of breath from running, my wife was caught and pulled into my arms. Panting delicately, she pounded my chest with soft fists.
I laughed heartily, wrapping her tight, resting my chin on her head, inhaling the fresh scent of her hair.
She relaxed too, nestling against me, listening to my heartbeat.
Her subtle fragrance lingered at my nose, intoxicating me in her tenderness, in the night breeze …
Lifting my gaze to the moon,
tonight's clear skies and gentle winds mirrored that night I first saw Xiuyan take the stage …
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I first laid eyes on Xiuyan at Xinghai Music Academy's school festival.
Wang Xianzhu had dragged me from bed at my tech university, hustling all the way to Xinghai.
On the road, he raved about a girl named Jiang Xiuyan—not just the campus beauty, but a goddess among goddesses. A leaked photo from her dance studio had gone viral, making her countless guys' dream girl. He wanted to show me.
This guy spared no expense for a pretty face. To sneak into the show, he'd shelled out big for two Xinghai students' IDs.
Wang Xianzhu, nicknamed "Salty Pork Paw," lived up to it: short, fat, pig-faced.
His lecherous rat eyes spun at mischief; pretty girls stopped him dead, staring till they blushed. With wandering hands always groping, slaps from furious women were routine.
In school, we shared a dorm. He'd sneak porn at midnight, spam my phone with H-novels, calling it "sharing."
I scolded him endlessly, but fed up, I requested a room change from the counselor and dorm warden. They made me wait—no one wanted to room with him till a bed opened. I waited till graduation.
His antics went from annoying to tolerable to habitual.
The nickname stemmed from groping a girl outright; she reported him, nearly getting him expelled.
His dad compensated, pulled strings—crisis averted, but "Salty Pork Paw" stuck.
The more I knew him, the more his pervy soul repulsed me. Still, beyond lust, he was loyal to friends.
Wang Xianzhu led me stealthily to dark corner seats, griping I'd made us late, flipping a pirated program on his phone.
A handsome guy crooned onstage—art wasn't my thing, but it sounded classy.
"Got it!" Wang's eyes lit up. "Final act—we're in luck. Group dance, then hers."
Song ended, host announced; group dance of pretty girls, mesmerizing.
Wang pointed wildly, slapping me: look at that face, those legs.
Host: "Now, Jiang Xiuyan's Fan Dance." The crowd erupted.
Curtains parted. Hanfu-clad, poised onstage, she stunned me—my first true awe at a woman.
How could perfection exist?
The hall hushed, all transfixed by her staggering beauty.
I'd thought "nation-toppling" hyperbole—till her.
Almond eyes brimming emotion, joyful or coy. A glance sparkled like stars.
Lips naturally crimson, brows arched without paint, face peachy, skin like lotus, flawless porcelain.
Swan-neck for elegance and poise.
Full breasts, rounded hips—sensual curves, graceful sway.
Slender waist, willowy; boneless jade fingers; long, straight legs, tall and lithe.
Standing still, she was flawless art.
Every feature perfectly proportioned, as if God lavished all beauty on her.
She's just like a blooming water lily! I thought.
In my heart, water lilies are fairest—captivating, impossible to look away.
Slobbering Wang went slack-jawed, drooling unnoticed.
Xiuyan danced ethereally: light steps, flowing sleeves, wind-like grace, startling as a kingfisher.
Her gait feather-light, like a swallow—illusion of dancing in palms.
Soft yet firm, her lithe form synced to rhythm: boneless fluid, sharp agile; skirt whirling, blending feminine allure and heroic vigor.
Blending contortion and sword dance, fan evoked blades; flexible body flexed impossibly, legs arcing air, curves sexier.
Sleeves like water, fan like sword … stunning shadow, divine beauty—Luo Goddess incarnate!
Final note shook the hall.
All fell for her radiance; curtain call, fangirls yelled, "Sis, you're badass!"
Wang stared hungrily, fists clenched, flushed, tenting pants.
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Heading back, Wang savored endlessly. Near dorm, he bellowed, "Fuck! For a woman like Jiang Xiuyan, I'd die happy!"
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I figured I'd never see her again—till chance pulled us into hot romance.
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Gongga Mountain, 7556 meters—Sichuan's highest, climbers' holy grail. Me too.
Traversing it, conquering nature—thrilling!
Long planned, ignoring pal Yan Xiujiang's protests, I set out.
Yan was a longtime QQ netizen—guy by name, kindred spirits despite never meeting.
Thrilled, I shared plans; he warned of dangers, opposed fiercely.
I agreed verbally, but sneaked off solo, obsessed.
I knew risks—not stupid. No main peak sans experience; target: unnamed 5084m peak.
Gongga south, Tianwan River headwaters—entry. Packing gear.
Couldn't afford it—Yan's gift.
Chatting dreams, I'd lamented climbing costs; soon, full set arrived. Touched, vowed future reciprocation.
Digging pack for rope, sudden pat—startled, turned …
Jiang Xiuyan!
Post-festival, never expected again.
Any man seeing her obsesses—beauty calls. Me too.
Nightly thoughts, but gulf vast: her celestial, me mired. Worship only; she'd ignore.
Worlds apart, fantasies faded—save lonely nights.
Here, in remote Gongga? Thrilled, ecstatic.
But she frowned behind me.
"J-Jiang … classmate, what're you doing here?" Stood awkwardly greeting.
Thick white ski suit, windproof hood, huge goggles, massive pack—like a snowball, comical.
But moody—no laughing.
"Climbing," casually. Then sharp: "And you?" Face dark, like I owed her.
"Uh … climbing too."
Odd tone—knows me?
She grinned: "Dangerous mountain. Told friends/family?"
"Uh … yeah." Familiar vibe?
She chilled: "Fine, let's go together." Ignored, headed up.
Shouldered pack, jogged beside, heart soaring.
Long strides, silent, ignoring me.
"J-Jiang classmate, do you know me?" Broke ice boldly.
"Nope." Stone-faced.
"Then why just now …"
"Greeted a fellow climber. Problem?"
"Uh …"
"What's your name?" Long pause.
"Li Wei, tech uni—third-rate, probably unheard."
"Yeah, never …"
"This …" Stumped.
Entry quiet companionship.
Climbing proper, majestic views softened her.
Chatted my interests; rapport grew, she brightened.
Distances shrank to shoulder-to-shoulder, synced steps.
Goddess so near—bliss.
Scenic spots, photo requests.
Soon, sneaky snaps behind.
Caught, coquettish glance back—smile melted snow, spring in winter.
Bold now, captured every moment.
Phone filled; deleted mine for hers.
All her smiles, faces.
"Add WeChat—send later," smiling.
Vowed: print, wallpaper room—daily smiles.
Topics flowed, bonded; smiles multiplied.
Loved her gentle smiles, heart-melting.
Steep slopes, hand extended—gloved, felt delicate bonelessness.
Soon, hand-in-hand. Luckiest man.
Altitude sapped her; ditched goal for nearer peak, piggybacked.
Arms round me: "Heavy?" Hair tickled, scented.
"Light as feather—back you forever."
Laugh: "Promise? Back me lifelong."
"Willing?" Probe.
Soft laugh, silent.
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Summit reached—not planned, but with her, complete.
Dusk; flat spot, mat, tent up—overnight.
She lit camp stove for dinner.
Done, sat tent-front, steaming food shared.
Like old couple, post-day bliss.
Endless talk: schools, routines, joys, woes.
Confessed sneaking festival peek.
"Liked?" Laugh.
"Loved—pity no more."
Smiled silent.
Simple rations, savored long.
Darkened; lit tent lamp.
"Li Wei, stars!" Coffee cup raised, excited.
"Venus." Bright in wilds, moon-like.
Post-meal coffee warmed; stars emerged.
Stargazing, drew closer, arm to shoulder.
Cold air inhaled; arm-raise to hug—hesitated.
No moves on lone woman.
Arm up-down, frozen.
She relaxed, head on shoulder.
"So beautiful," soft.
Sky: vast Milky Way, stars blazing—urban impossible.
"Majestic!" Awe.
Childlike, sharing constellations.
"Li Wei, red nebula! Pretty!"
"Yeah!"
"There, pinkish!"
"Snap it!"
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Freezing peak air roused me; Xiuyan in bag beside, bundled tight against me.
No tent—squeezed mine overnight.
Face to mine, flawless cheeks rosy-frozen, lashes frosted, breath fogging—adorable.
Waking to you—perfect!
Eternal moment wish.
Lashes fluttered awake; eyes met mine, blinked, blushed.
"Awake long?"
"Just."
"Staring?" Pout.
"'Cause you're gorgeous."
"No staring!"
"Mad? Won't then."
"No, your eyes too …"
"Jiang Xiuyan."
"Hm?"
"You're so beautiful!"
"Um …"
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Washed, packed, descended.
Forever cherish: galactic romance with Xiuyan.
Resolved: confess downhill. Massive courage.
Accept? Plain poor boy, nothing offers.
Deserves better—but can't let go!
See me? Pursued by elites—what am I?
Indifferent? Stars stirred last night; overreached?
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Descent distracted; she quiet, sensing.
Brainstormed words mid-hill; opened mouth—
Scream behind: "Ah~~!"
Instinct grabbed wrist.
Misstepped rock, slipped—saved timely.
Cliff-edge, hollow below; momentum yanked me too.
Feet scrambled holds, free hand clawed dirt—nails torn.
Legs hit something—hooked; gripped wrist iron.
Stopped; gasped, "You okay?"
Upper torso over edge, her below, eyes locked.
Shaken: "Fine, you?"
"Stay put—I'll pull slow."
"~Okay~" Swinging terrified.
"Count three, grab edge other hand."
"Mm."
"One, two … three!" Heaved max.
"Ah~" Tried, failed—slipped, yanked me slam. Shoulder stung—ignored.
"Ah~~ Li Wei, can't hold!" Tears.
"Trust me—you'll make it!" Steady, "Rest, retry."
"No strength!" Trembling sobs.
"Jiang Xiuyan, trust—you'll live!" Felt shakes; needed faith.
"Wuu~ Scared! You'll let go?" Childlike fear.
"Look!" Roared. Eyes up. "I'll die before letting go!"
Eased nod, still weak.
Twice drained me—but must save her. Lifelong crux.
"Even dead, you live! If fall, I'll follow—cushion you!"
"Li Wei!" Calmed, teary gaze.
"Heh~ Rest, one more." Eyes shut, weary.
"Li Wei …"
"Trust—this works."
"No, blood … you're bleeding …" Fresh tears.
Blood dripped her face—demonic beauty.
Shoulder: sharp wood pierced clavicle, blood channeling drops—even her left eye.
Sudden weakness near-drop; gripped harder!
Wound gaped, faster flow, drops to eye.
Drip … drip … drip …
One eye black, one red—hellish.
Dizzy, hazy.
"Bro … let go … won't blame." Serene.
"… What?" Muffled.
"Bro … let go …"
"… Shut up …"
"Bro … I love you." Bare whisper.
Unheard. Coma, but subconscious: grip life-cherished. Death no release!
"Bro …" Sob.
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Drip … drip … drip …
Woo~ Valley winds, her cries.
Drip … drip … drip …
Class? No—wake! Her life in hands!
Drip … drip … drip …
Stage Xiuyan—gorgeous! Wife her? Bliss!
Drip … drip … drip …
Exhausted—sleep crave.
Drip … drip … drip …
Dark vision: snowy cliff, girl dangling wind-chime-like, boy unconscious gripping wrist, blood raining face-eyes.
Crying, tender upward gaze.
Drip … drip … drip …
Dark pursuit, footsteps chase.
Cold voice: Li Wei, where?
Save someone!
Who?
Who … Jiang Xiuyan!
Relation?
None—nobody.
Why save? Quit!
Love her—won't!
Whisper: Saving tires … release, sleep.
True? Drop for sleep?
Yes—what gain? May spurn for other.
No—not for love! Her life! Care not else!
What pay?
All!
All?
Yes—shatter gladly!
Then unleash potential! Last power!
Last?!
……………………
"Ah!~ Ah!~ Ah!~" Eyes snapped, veins bulging, hauled: "Jiang Xiuyan! Grab!~~ Ah!~ Ah!~ Ah!"
Dragged up, collapsed into black …
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Woo~~ Winds howled …
Awoke in warm embrace, perfect sexy body holding, legs clamped.
Crackle~ crackle~
Fire, wood pops.
Face buried thin-clad full breasts—soft heaven.
Orchid-musk scent, milky hint—dreamlike.
Paradise?
Lips licked—salty …
Breasts shifted: "Bro … awake?" Joy.
Effortful gaze: Xiuyan's, red eyes, thrilled face.
Mouth opened—silent.
Knife-slashed wrist to lips, pumped vein faster.
Horrified, shook futile—gorged warm blood, revived.
"Rescue called—snow seals; survive night, saved tomorrow." Maternal calm. "Lost vitals, bloodloss—no water, my blood. Quiet—I sugared up."
Gazed moved, tears flowed.
Wiped, kissed forehead soft: "Sleep~ safe in my arms~"
Readjusted coat, positioned comfy, hugged tight.
Glanced: cave. Tent sealed mouth—storm outside. Smart find.
Deep inside, mats walled; single bag unzipped, near-nude warming, coats wrapped.
Fire between—vented safe. Wet wood popped, shadows danced walls.
Wonder: wood whence? Tent solo? Drag me? Amazing!
Pondered, slipped dark …
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Rocking unease …
Eyes cracked: snowscape moved …
Drag sounds behind …
"Huff~ huff~ huff~" Her gasps.
On her back …
Struggling steps.
"Down …" Weak order—woman no bear man!
"Huff~ trust! Near~ huff~ huff~ Rescue blind—we go point!" Confident power.
"… I …" Black again …
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Hazy shouts, men-women chaos …
"Found 'em!"
"Hurry! Girl fainted!"
"Stretcher! Now!"
"Easy—no secondary injury!"
"Crazy girl—frail, hauled heavy guy three li!"
"Wrist bleeding …"
"Bandage—hold arm."
"Stretcher—load slow!"
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Hot … blinding sun …
Sweating, eyes open—window glare …
Hand shielded …
Mobile …
Room scan …
Xiuyan? Where? Status?
Urgent seek, words pent.
Bed down, yanked IV …
Stumbled door …
Opened …
Xiuyan doorway, gown-clad …
Tearful smile, lily-pure …
Rushed, crushed hug …
She clung, sobbed loud …
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No roses, confessions, rituals …
Naturally, lovers!