Chapter 44

Epilogue

The art gallery jointly run by Chen Ang and Li Wei finally moved from breaking even to turning a profit after more than half a year of effort. Before money started flowing steadily, most of Chen Ang’s spare cash had gone into round-trip tickets to Tokyo once a month. Xu Heng’s schedule was packed, and his budget was tight too, but the two of them still happily carried on their long-distance relationship.

Life carried on as usual. Ordinary, but never dull. Chen Jing finalized her divorce. On the day she signed the papers, she had a meal with Chen Ang. She wore a red coat and held a bouquet of flowers he gave her. She looked vibrant and full of life.

The only time Chen Ang and Xu Heng ever had a fight was on Chen Ang’s birthday.

Xu Heng had taken a few days off, bought a ticket, and flew back home to surprise him. He didn’t say a word beforehand, hoping to make it special. But when he arrived, Chen Ang wasn’t home. Xu Heng tried calling him over and over, but the call wouldn’t go through. Eventually, Chen Ang finally picked up.

Chen Ang asked, “What’s up?”

Xu Heng said, “Where are you?”

Chen Ang replied, “Take a guess.”

Xu Heng said, “Guess your ass.”

Chen Ang laughed, “I just got off the plane.”

Xu Heng went silent.

Chen Ang asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Baby, where are you?”

Xu Heng said, “I’m downstairs at your place.”

“What the hell, why’d you come back,” Chen Ang got flustered. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Xu Heng replied, “You didn’t tell me you were flying to Japan either.”

Chen Ang said, “That’s different…”

Xu Heng snapped, “How is it different? I came to celebrate your birthday.”

—

A year and a half flew by. Xu Heng completed his studies in Japan and parted ways with Zou He at the airport.

Xu Heng said, “Come visit me sometime.”

Zou He had dyed his hair back to black. He looked well-behaved, hands in his pockets. “Definitely,” he said.

When Xu Heng landed, Zhang Ting and her whole family were there waiting. Xu Heng gave Zhang Ting a hug, and she smiled and said, “Take a couple of days to rest. We’re waiting for you to start work.”

Chen Ang was there too. He stepped forward, kissed Xu Heng on the forehead, and said, “Welcome back.”

—

It was the last day of the month. Chen Ang’s calendar had already flipped to its final page. That evening, they had dinner together and walked hand in hand along the roadside toward home. Chen Ang said, “I’ve been eyeing a condo near your new studio. Let’s check it out sometime.”

Xu Heng suddenly stopped walking.

Chen Ang looked a little embarrassed, avoiding Xu Heng’s gaze. Then he blurted, “Oh right, today’s the last day.”

Xu Heng didn’t get it at first. Then Chen Ang pulled out the calendar Xu Heng had given him. He carried it with him all this time. The pages rustled as he flipped through them. Only the last page remained untouched. Chen Ang seemed a bit nervous as he opened the hidden final page.

Unlike the long-winded notes on the earlier pages, this one held only a single line.

「どんなことが起きるとしても，君の側に離れたくないよ。」

It looked familiar to Chen Ang. Before he could recall where he’d seen it, Xu Heng softly revealed the words he had written a year and a half ago.

“No matter what happens, I don’t want to leave your side.”

Chen Ang stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly smiled. He pulled the blushing Xu Heng into a hug and whispered, “Me too.”

The story ends here, and begins again from here.

-The End-