Both stillness and movement are fitting, as each journeys toward the distant heavens.

The hastily wrapped T-shirt was torn open, and since iodine had been used to clean the wound, the congealed blood scab didn’t bleed afresh. Yet, the sting of disinfectant made Bai Haonan grunt like a pig in pain.

Chen Sufen was as careful as she could be, her face lit with amusement. “I admit it hurts a bit, but you’re a professional athlete, aren’t you? Can’t handle a little pain from an injury?”

Bai Haonan protested loudly, “I’ve never had a serious injury before, damn it, except for taking that knife for you!” Indeed, professional footballers rarely suffer such open wounds; it did hurt.

The newlywed woman softened her gaze. “Alright, alright, I’ll be gentler. Later, let’s find a quieter place to stay, shall we? I saw from the brochure by the bed that there’s a habitat for black-necked cranes nearby. It’s really beautiful.”

Bai Haonan grumbled impatiently, “Ah, whatever you want, just hurry up, I’m starving. Couldn’t I just find a clinic and get patched up? Why must you fuss here?”

Chen Sufen was nearly at her wit’s end. “I worked so hard to take care of you, even if it’s not an achievement, it’s at least hard work! Shouldn’t any man find this romantic and warm? I’m dressing your wound with my own hands! And you were injured for another woman! You’ve dated so many girls, and you still don’t appreciate a bit of sentiment?”

Bai Haonan scoffed. “You count as a girl? Let me repeat myself, this morning was just an accident!”

Chen Sufen held her temper. “I’m not a girl? What were you doing when you were trembling this morning?”

Bai Haonan sighed. “Fen’er, some things can’t be forced. Let me give you an example: with any other girl, even if she isn’t as pretty as you, when I touch the hair at the back of her neck, put my arm around her waist, I feel thrilled, can’t wait to flip her collar, and if I rub against her neck, I’m already aroused. But with you? If I weren’t still groggy this morning, I wouldn’t even make a move. We’re too familiar—so familiar that touching you feels like touching myself. There’s no pleasure! No romance!”

Chen Sufen was on the verge of blowing up at first, but his last words gave her renewed motivation. “Haonan, since I started focusing on my college entrance exams in my second year of high school, we’ve spent less time together. I believe I can slowly nurture these feelings. We do have affection for each other!”

Bai Haonan responded gloomily, “I really don’t get it. Now you’re a college student with a bright future, and I’ve got no money or prospects. Why are you still attached to me?”

Chen Sufen was resolute. “You will have a future!” She added, “Look at Rongdu—just a little opportunity, and the nurses and girls from the medical university say you’re already doing so well! You’ve got it!”

Bai Haonan mocked himself, “That’s luck! My luck’s been good so far, but it’s easy to win when the wind’s at your back; when it’s against you, it’ll kill you!”

Chen Sufen had finished dressing his wound, and hugged his arm to her chest, giving him a look of pure admiration, her posture proud. “I believe in you! Absolutely!”

Bai Haonan felt awkward all over, tried to pull his arm free, but the bulky bandages made that impossible. Chen Sufen was stubborn enough, so finally, just as he’d been coaxed countless times as a child, he had no choice but to pull the girl up with him. “Alright, alright, I don’t want to argue. Do whatever you want, it’s suffocating in here, let’s go out!”

This was an inconspicuous county city on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan. Chen Sufen had far more travel experience than Bai Haonan; relying on the brochures at the bedside, she quickly figured out the local highlights. She was especially aware that this Weston chain hotel also had a newly developed guesthouse near the black-necked cranes’ habitat. They went downstairs and were immediately offered transport; since they had their own car, it led the way.

Up in the mountains, over twenty kilometers from the city!

A cluster of small villas built from stone, with both the surrounding environment and architectural features reaching international standards. Chen Sufen was overjoyed before she even got out of the car. “Look! Hide away in a place like this, and if you’re still found, that’d be a miracle!”

Bai Haonan had to agree, so he didn’t resist her arrangements and followed her out.

It was comfortable, nearly perched on the cliffside. Apart from the stone base, there were floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony corridor made of treated wood. No matter which way you looked, the rolling mountains stretched before your eyes, a sense of immersion in nature. Once the car outside shut off, you could only hear the sounds of insects and birds. Below the cliff was a vast wetland, where white egrets occasionally soared skyward. Even someone as uncultured as Bai Haonan nodded, “A lot of guys in the team used to say they wanted to earn enough to retire somewhere with beautiful scenery. This must be the place. It’s peaceful!”

Chen Sufen, like a newlywed wife, happily moved their meager belongings inside—mostly things Bai Haonan had packed from his rented room, ready to be thrown out. She loved sports, and soon little beads of sweat dotted her nose, but her mood was radiant. She quickly boiled water and made tea, fussing over him.

Unfortunately, Bai Haonan was a rough fellow. He could sit on the picturesque porch for ten minutes at most, before he started fidgeting. Even with his injured hand, he got up to wander outside, only to discover that this guesthouse truly only had this courtyard, two staff and a chef, facing seven villas and over a dozen rooms. Whether due to the post-holiday travel lull or some other reason, there were just these two guests now!

To many who love exploring and seeking tranquility, this would be a dream—a soul-soothing escape from the urban jungle. But for Bai Haonan, it was madness!

How could he endure such emptiness and boredom?

His restless nature could never adapt to such an environment.

All he wanted was anything but calm—he wanted excitement!

Chen Sufen gleefully dug out the branded electric hair clipper Bai Haonan had bought, finally managed to catch him, and pinned him to the porch to trim his overgrown hair into a neat round cut, finding delight in this cozy world for two. Bai Haonan seized the chance to grab the car keys and darted out, claiming he would drive around the area.

The girl was a bit helpless, but standing in the elegantly understated mountain villa, she couldn’t help but smile. Where could that monkey-like man possibly go? To enjoy this moment together was already a long-cherished dream. Viewing the lush scenery from every window and door—even the bathroom faced the forest—she jumped to the counter, searched for TV channels, put on a soothing melody of flowing water, and began some yoga.

Chen Sufen wasn’t much of a sophisticate; practicing yoga was just one of the essential skills for her future as a fitness instructor. But she never expected that since she decided to devote herself to studying, to create a better future for this man, she had already started transforming herself.

The more books you read, the more scholarly air you gain.

The more yoga you practice, the more you cultivate meditation and calmness.

These were things Bai Haonan had never possessed.

If a man and a woman are just casual lovers, sweat spent in bed is enough. But if they want to be husband and wife, partners for the long haul, then surely shared language is the most important thing?

Even though the college girl tried to speak roughly, keeping the style of a sports school, the chasm between them was not so easily bridged; in fact, it was slowly widening.