She understood very well their commitment to the pursuit of beauty, those engaged in the arts.
Qiao Zhiheâs emotions were suddenly doused by cold water when he saw the icy sculpture of Gu Shengyinâs face.
Seeing the other party did not inquire about his thoughts, he swallowed back the words on his lips.
The two sat quietly like that, surrounded by dancing fireflies, and when looking up, there were bright stars.
Gu Shengyin suddenly fell backward, lying in the grass.
Qiao Zhihe looked at her with some astonishment. In his mind, Sister Deathâs behavior was as strict as someone trained in the most rigorous doctrine.
Every move, even the standing posture, was extremely meticulous.
This was the first time he saw her act so... unconstrained.
Yet, in his heart, there arose a secret joy because of it.
Such a Sister Death seemed to have gained a touch more humanity.
He imitated Gu Shengyinâs movements, using his hands as a pillow, and lay down on the grass.
Looking up at the sky like this, he could not tell which were fireflies and which were stars.
Gu Shengyin suddenly began to speak: "I no longer remember how many years I have been a Grim Reaper, nor how many souls have entered the Underworld through my hands."
Qiao Zhihe did not understand what she wanted to express, but he realized Gu Shengyin wanted to talk.
So he did not interrupt or inquire; he quietly listened to her speak.
Gu Shengyinâs cold voice in such a summer night was like a clear stream flowing gently, easily smoothing away the last trace of impatience in peopleâs hearts.
"You are the only one who can see me as a living person."
Qiao Zhihe couldnât help but smile: to Sister Death, he was also an incredibly special existence.
This realization made him very happy.
"I have seen all kinds of people facing death... Little Crane, let me ask you a question."
Qiao Zhihe focused his attention: "What question, Sister Death?"
Gu Shengyinâs voice was calm: "If one day, you knew you were about to die, what would you think?"
Her voice was so calm, so calm that Qiao Zhihe thought she really just wanted to ask out of idle curiosity.
He seriously thought for a moment and finally said: "I might be very unwilling, right?"
Gu Shengyin repeated: "Unwilling?"
"Yes!" Qiao Zhihe smiled: "Iâm only seventeen, my dream is to become a famous painter, this path has just begun; I havenât proved to my parents that my choice is correct; my parents have only me as a son, if I died, they would be very sad; I havenât..."
He suddenly stopped speaking.
Finally, he said: "I want to live a long, long time."
Gu Shengyin just listened quietly, she could tell Qiao Zhihe had something unspoken, but it was likely a little secret belonging to a young boy, and she did not pursue it.
Qiao Zhihe softly said the words he hadnât spoken in his heart: I havenât confessed to the one I like, I might never confess, but I want to live a long, long time, so the time spent with her will be more, much longer.
Gu Shengyin turned her head and looked at the boyâs bright eyes under the glow of fireflies, full of youthful vigor and vitality.
Such a young boy, his life would end in two months.