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After losing my parents, I desperately tried to find things connected to them.
Back then, Leo went to great lengths, always accompanying me in my search.
Until the taste of this noodle place won me over. He would often take me there, and it became another memory.
"Leo."
"I'm here." He looked at me with bright eyes, his face unable to hide his anticipation.
I smiled. "Thank you."
Even though he had hurt me deeply, now that I had found peace, I was still grateful to him for saving me time and time again.
Hearing this, Leo also smiled. "Sylvia, those aren't the three words I want to hear."
"As long as you're happy, anything I do is worth it."
I didn't speak, remaining silent for a long time.
Leo also said nothing, just stared intently at me.
After a long while.
"Can you do me a favor?" I said.
Hearing this, he quickly nodded. "Of course."
So I got up, took my wallet from my bag, and pulled out that faded family photo. "My parents' faces are almost unrecognizable in this photo now. Lately, I keep dreaming about them."
"I want to ask you to go back to New York, to my old home, and bring back a couple of their photos for me."
"……"
Now Leo fell silent, the smile slowly fading from his face.
After a long time, he finally asked in a low voice, "Sylvia, are you leaving?"
My heart skipped a beat. I looked up at him.
Leo forced a difficult smile, his voice pleading. "I know you're still angry with me, but after all this time, you must have seen how much I regret it."
"I truly know I was wrong, and I want to make it up to you."
"So please, don't disappear on me again. I really..." His voice choked up. "I really can't take it."
Seeing him like this, I sighed helplessly, but decided to keep lying to him.
So I smiled and said, "You're overthinking it. I just miss my parents, and I feel like you're the only one who can help me with this."
"If you don't want to, it's fine. I'll go back and get them myself once I'm better."
Leo looked at me quietly for a long time, as if trying to etch my image into his heart forever.
"I really don't know what to do with you." He said helplessly, slowly standing up and reaching out to ruffle my hair. "I'll try to be back by tomorrow morning. Wait for me."
After saying this, he turned and left the room.
Just as he reached the doorway, Leo stopped, turned back to look at me, and asked, "Sylvia, you're really not lying to me, are you?"
"You really... won't leave?"
Hearing this, I curled my lips into a light smile and shook my head.
He looked at me for a long time before finally disappearing from the hospital room doorway.
Even at night, the airport was bustling with people. Goodbyes and reunions played out here.
I walked up to the ticket counter. The agent was a very pretty woman, and something about her eyes even felt familiar.
I suddenly remembered Lina had similar beautiful eyes.
"Hello, miss. Where would you like to fly to?"
I thought about it and made a bold decision. "Please book me a ticket to the next international flight out, to any country is fine."
The ticket agent looked surprised but still smiled and nodded in agreement.
When I got the ticket, I realized the destination was a place I'd never really heard of.
But that's okay. Life is full of unknowns anyway.
Just before boarding, I received a text from Leo.
Just eight short words.
"Sylvia, you lied to me after all."
I didn't reply. I pulled out my SIM card and threw it in the trash.
That harsh winter had finally passed, giving way to a new spring. My life was taking root and sprouting all over again.
