As we hugged again, I knew that I could trust Bao with my secret.
After leaving the clinic, I decided to take a detour on my way home. I walked to the abandoned place where I had met Yumei before.
As I approached the spot, I saw Yumei sitting on the ground, surrounded by a few scattered books and a tiny, retro-style radio. The radio was playing a soft, melancholic tune by TV Girl, one of Yumei's favorite artists. Yumei looked up and smiled when she saw me. "Hey, Mei! What brings you here?" she asked, twisting the dial on the radio to adjust the volume. I sat down beside her, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. "Just needed some fresh air, I guess." Yumei nodded. "I know the feeling. Sometimes I come here to clear my head too."
We chatted for a bit, talking about music and life. Yumei told me about her favorite radio stations and DJs, and I shared some of my own favorite songs and artists. "I'm really into Beabadoobee right now," Yumei said, nodding enthusiastically. "Her lyrics are so raw and honest." I smiled, nodding in agreement. "I love her too! And I'm also really into Girl in Red. Her music is so catchy and relatable." Yumei grinned. "Oh, I love her! And of course, who can forget BTS? They're like the ultimate K-pop group." I laughed. "Everyone listens to them, right?" Yumei nodded, smiling. "Pretty much! But I think that's what makes music so special - it brings people together."
As we talked, Yumei started fiddling with the radio dials, searching for a specific station or song. "I love this little radio," she said, holding it up admiringly. "It's so cute and retro!" I smiled, nodding in agreement. "It's adorable. Where did you find it?" Yumei grinned mischievously. "I found it in a thrift store. I think it was meant for me to find."
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the scene, Yumei turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "You know, Mei, I think music is a lot like friendship. It's all about finding that perfect melody, that perfect harmony. And when you do, it's like nothing else matters." I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding wash over me. "I know exactly what you mean, Yumei. Music has a way of bringing people together, of creating a sense of community and connection." Yumei smiled, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Exactly! And I think that's what I love most about music - the way it makes me feel connected to something bigger than myself."
We geeked out about aliens and music for a while longer, discussing everything from the possibility of intergalactic communication to our favorite sci-fi soundtracks. As the sun began to set, Yumei glanced at her watch and stood up. "I'm so sorry, Mei, but I have to go. I have a prior commitment." I nodded, understanding. "No worries, Yumei. It was great seeing you." As we parted ways, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected encounter. Sometimes, all it takes is a chance meeting to brighten up your day. I walked home, feeling more at peace than I had in a long time. Little did I know, things were about to get a lot more complicated.
As I strolled through the quiet streets, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It wasn't just the encounter with Yumei - it was the whole day, really. Everything had felt slightly surreal, like I was walking through a dream. I pushed the feeling aside, attributing it to fatigue. But the sense of unease lingered, like a shadow in the corner of my mind. I quickened my pace, eager to get home and shake off the feeling. But as I turned the corner onto my street, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat. Zhiyu was standing outside my apartment, looking up at the sky with a curious expression. What was he doing here?