Chương 1: Wandering
As the sun gracefully descended beneath the horizon, its last rays kissed the beach, infusing it with a warm, golden glow. The transition from day to night marked the beginning of a nocturnal enchantment during Golden Week, as the shoreline underwent a mesmerizing metamorphosis. The once tranquil sands stirred with newfound vitality as vibrant lights emerged, illuminating the beach in a luminous dance against the dark canvas of the night.
Families, reluctant to bid farewell to the joyous spirit of Golden Week, continued their merriment by the water's edge. Laughter harmonized with the rhythmic crash of waves, creating a symphony of delight. Colorful lanterns swayed playfully in the gentle breeze, casting an enchanting kaleidoscope of hues upon the sand. Along the beachfront, vendors worked their magic, transforming humble stalls into glittering realms of temptation, offering delectable treats and whimsical souvenirs.
Bonfires flickered in scattered clusters, their dancing flames casting intricate shadows on the faces of those gathered around. The air pulsated with the lively cadence of impromptu drum circles and the distant melody of seaside festivities. Under the soothing embrace of the moonlit sky, the beach underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving into a bustling nocturnal paradise where the jubilant spirit of Golden Week seamlessly transcended the confines of daylight, embracing the enchanting magic of the night.
The evening air clung to Shen Guan Xin's skin as she stumbled away from the restaurant where her heart had been shattered. The glow from the neon lights seemed harsh against her teary eyes, and the city's hustle echoed her internal chaos.
As she replayed the rejection in her mind, the pain was sharp, and the reasons eluded her like elusive shadows. She found herself in front of a liquor store, a tempting escape from the ache that throbbed within her. Bottles clinked as she clumsily selected one, not caring about the label or the type; she only sought oblivion. The bitter liquid burned down her throat, providing a temporary respite from the emotional maelstrom.
Shen Guan Xin felt the warmth of the alcohol coursing through her veins, numbing the rawness of her emotions. Leaning against the wall of the store, she scanned the surroundings with bleary eyes. The night has held a disorienting beauty, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. Everyone is wearing a smile on their face. Families and friends are gathered around to enjoy their vacation. The only company she can look for at this moment is this liquor that she has been downing in her throat for the past two hours.
The city lights twinkled like distant stars, mocking the darkness that enveloped her soul. With a bottle clutched in her hand, she stumbled along the uneven pavement, her steps guided by the whims of her intoxicated mind. As the city sounds faded into a distant hum, she found herself in an unfamiliar place — a golf course near the distinct end of the long beach. The manicured greens stretched before her like a vast, moonlit carpet.
The rhythmic chirping of crickets filled the air as Shen Guan Xin ambled onto the dew-kissed grass. The night breeze carried away the scent of alcohol, replacing it with the earthy aroma of the golf course. She roamed, the softness of the grass beneath her feet offering a strange comfort. As she wandered deeper into the course, her mind began to clear, and the numbness started to give way to a quieter sadness. She sank onto the grass, her gaze fixed on the star-studded sky.
The emptiness of the night mirrored the void in her heart, and her thoughts drifted back to the rejection. "Why did he say no? If he didn't want to, why have to wait till today?" she whispered to the night as if expecting the universe to provide an answer.
The memories of the past two years flooded her mind — the laughter, the shared dreams, the subtle gestures that spoke of a connection. They were a couple, even if the physical intimacy was absent. It worked, or maybe that was what it seemed to her. In her intoxicated state, the pain of the rejection morphed into confusion.
She replayed every conversation, every shared moment, searching for a clue, a reason. Was it something she said, something she did? The elusive answers slipped through her fingers like grains of sand. Suddenly that sexy, yet vengeful laugh rang in her ears. Those red lips were curled upward in a mocking gesture. A familiar yet unfamiliar face came into her mind. She realized that face was behind this.
The golf course, now her solitary sanctuary, seemed to cradle her in its quiet embrace. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. Shen Guan Xin lay back on the grass, tears escaping the corners of her eyes, dampening the earth beneath her. In the stillness of the night, she whispered her innermost thoughts to the universe. "Who was that? What went wrong? What would have happened?" Her questions hung in the air, unanswered, as if the cosmos itself were grappling with the inexplicable nature of human relationships. her hand was wandering to get her mobile phone. she then realized that she left it somewhere and didn't remember where that somewhere is.
As the night progressed, the chill in the air began to seep into her bones. Shen Guan Xin, feeling the weight of both emotional and physical fatigue, curled up on the grass, the golf course now her makeshift bed. The moon kept its silent vigil, witnessing the unraveling of a heartbroken soul. As deep clouds of thoughts drifted with the sea breeze, blinding the gleam, Shen Guan Xin drifted into her slumber.
The reality of the night's events crashed over her like a wave. The pain, the confusion, and the sense of abandonment clung to her like the dew on the grass. With a heavy heart and a throbbing head, she rose from the ground, leaving the golf course behind and walking towards the white illuminant. The night had been a surreal journey, a wandering through the labyrinth of her own emotions. The rejection still stung, but the first step into the dawn whispered something that woke her up.