Deep within the rainforest, the air was moist and stifling, as if every breath carried a hint of moisture. Raindrops occasionally slid off the leaves, falling onto the moss-covered stones, splashing into nearly imperceptible droplets and emitting a soft "drip-drip" sound, like the whisper of time. The scent of earth and decaying leaves intertwined, exuding a rich, primal aroma, as if this forest had never been touched by human feet.
Lin Ningshuang sat on a moss-covered rock, her back leaning against the thick trunk of an ancient tree. Her fingers gently brushed over the bundle in front of her, her expression calm. The fabric of the bundle was damp from the rain, feeling cool to the touch. She was accustomed to traveling alone, to moving forward in silence. Though there was someone nearby now, it did not bring her any sense of security. Her gaze swept over the figure ahead—the man who had been following her since the afternoon.
Not far away, he sat casually against another rock, his eyes slightly lowered as he examined the wound on his left arm. The bleeding had stopped, but it still ached faintly. Yet, he showed no sign of discomfort. His fingers lightly pressed the skin around the wound, as if assessing the severity of the injury. His expression remained calm, even carrying a hint of imperceptible gentleness, as if the wound were merely a minor episode in his journey.
As the night deepened, the wind in the forest carried a damp chill. Raindrops still occasionally fell from the tips of leaves, tapping against the stones with a crisp, rhythmic sound. The wind rustled through the dense trees, bringing waves of cool air. The leaves swayed gently, whispering as if engaged in a quiet conversation.
"Aren't you going to rest?" His voice was low and gentle, breaking the silence of the night.
Lin Ningshuang didn't turn her head, replying indifferently, "I'll move at dawn." Her voice seemed to come from afar, carrying a hint of detachment.
The man smiled faintly, lifting his gaze to the dense canopy above. His eyes were deep and serene, as if hiding some unspoken thoughts, perhaps reminiscing about something. Recalling how she had tried to shake him off earlier, he couldn't help but shake his head slightly, the smile on his lips deepening.
"Is this forest suitable for someone alone?" he suddenly asked, his voice seeming to scatter in the wind.
Lin Ningshuang finally glanced at him, her eyes calm. "Being alone is the simplest." Her tone was devoid of any emotion, as if stating a plain fact.
The man nodded gently, seemingly unsurprised by her answer. He lowered his gaze back to his wound, pulling out a strip of gauze from his backpack and rewrapping it with deliberate, unhurried movements. His fingers were nimble and steady, the gauze seeming to come alive in his hands as it wound around the wound, finally tied off with a knot. His actions, though simple, exuded a sense of composure.
Lin Ningshuang glanced at him but said nothing, her gaze returning to the dense forest ahead. Her eyes were deep, as if peering through the layers of foliage toward something far beyond.
After a while, the man spoke softly, "Aren't you going to ask how I got hurt?"
Lin Ningshuang's fingers brushed over the fabric of her bundle, her tone indifferent. "It's none of my business." She then shifted her gaze away, closing her eyes as if unwilling to continue the conversation.
The man chuckled softly, his voice carrying no trace of displeasure but rather a hint of resignation. He looked at her, his eyes gentle, and didn't press further. Instead, he sighed lightly and smiled. "Alright."
A moment later, he spoke again, "Aren't you going to ask who I am?"
"Not interested," Lin Ningshuang replied coolly.
The man raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly amused. His voice remained gentle, "What about you? If I keep following you, I should at least know what to call you."
Lin Ningshuang was silent for a moment before finally speaking, "Lin Ningshuang."
The man nodded softly, repeating her name in a low voice, "Lin Ningshuang..." His tone was deep and tender, as if savoring the flavor of her name.
The wind rustled through the trees, and the night was still and silent.
After a long pause, the man chuckled lightly and finally said, "Ji Jin."
Lin Ningshuang glanced at him but said nothing more.
The night was quiet, the wind weaving through the dense forest, bringing a cool breeze. The two sat silently under the tree, the only sound the occasional raindrop falling to the ground, echoing through the night. The drops occasionally landed on their shoulders, bringing a slight chill, but neither of them moved, as if they had become one with the forest.
In that moment, they were merely two travelers resting on their journey, close yet still separated by an invisible distance.
中文版
雨林深处,空气湿润而闷热,仿佛每一口呼吸都带着水汽.枝叶上的雨滴不时滑落,滴落在青石上,溅起微不可察的水花,发出轻微的"滴答"声,像是时间的低语.泥土与腐叶的气息交杂在一起,透着浓郁的原始气息,仿佛这片森林从未被人类踏足过.
蔺凝霜坐在一块苔藓覆盖的石头上,背靠着粗壮的古树,指尖轻轻拂过身前的包裹,神色平静.她的手指修长而有力,包裹的布料已经被雨水浸湿,摸上去有些冰凉.她习惯了独行,习惯了在沉默中前行,眼下虽有旁人在侧,却并未让她产生任何安全感.她的目光掠过前方那道身影——那个从下午便一路跟着她的男人.
不远处,他靠着另一块石头坐下,动作随意,微微垂眸,看着自己左臂的伤口.血早已止住,但仍隐隐作痛,他却并未显露半分不适.他的手指轻轻按压着伤口周围的皮肤,似乎在确认伤势的严重程度.他的神色依旧平静,甚至带着几分难以察觉的温和,仿佛这伤口不过是旅途中的一个小插曲.
夜色渐深,林间的风带着潮湿的凉意,雨滴依旧偶尔从叶尖落下,敲打在青石上,发出滴答的脆响.风穿过密林,带来一阵阵清凉的气息,树叶在风中轻轻摇曳,发出沙沙的声音,仿佛在低声交谈.
"你不休息吗?"他的声音低而温和,打破了夜晚的沉寂.
蔺凝霜没有回头,只是淡淡道:"天亮再走."她的声音像是从远处传来,带着一丝疏离.
男子微微一笑,抬头望向头顶繁密的枝叶,目光深远而宁静.他的眼神中似乎藏着某种难以言说的思绪,仿佛在回忆什么.想到之前她一直试图甩掉自己,他不由得轻轻摇了摇头,嘴角的笑意更深了几分.
"这片林子,很适合一个人吗?"他忽然问,声音像是被风吹散在空气中.
蔺凝霜终于侧眸看了他一眼,眸色平静:"一个人,最省事."她的语气中没有丝毫波动,仿佛在陈述一个再简单不过的事实.
男子听后,轻轻点了点头,似乎并不意外这个回答.他垂眸重新看向伤口,从登山包里扯出一截纱布,将伤口重新缠上,动作不急不缓.他的手指灵巧而稳定,纱布在他的手中仿佛有了生命,轻轻缠绕在伤口上,最后打了个结.他的动作虽然简单,却透着一股从容.
蔺凝霜看了一眼,没有出声,目光落回前方茂密的林间.她的眼神深邃,仿佛在透过层层枝叶,看向更远的地方.
过了一会儿,男子轻声道:"你不问问我是怎么受伤的?"
蔺凝霜指尖摩挲着包裹的布料,语气淡漠:"不关我的事." 随即移开视线,闭上眼,似乎不打算继续这个话题.
男子低低笑了一声,声音里没有丝毫不悦,反而带着几分无奈的意味.他抬眼望向她,眼神温和,没有再追问,反而轻轻叹了口气,笑了笑:"好吧."
片刻后,男子再次开口道:"你不问问我是谁?"
"不想."蔺凝霜语气淡漠.
男子微微挑眉,似是觉得有趣,声音仍旧温和:"那你呢?若我一直跟着你,总得知道怎么称呼你."
蔺凝霜沉默了一瞬,最终还是开口:"蔺凝霜."
男子听到这个名字,轻轻点头,低声念了一遍:"蔺凝霜..."他的声音低沉而柔和,仿佛在品味这个名字的韵味.
林间风声微起,夜色寂静无声.
良久,男子轻笑了一声,终于开口:"嵇瑾."
蔺凝霜偏头看了他一眼,没有再说话.
夜色沉静,风穿过密林,带来清凉的气息.两人安静地坐在树下,只有不远处雨滴坠落的声音,敲打着大地,回响在夜色之中.雨滴偶尔落在他们的肩头,带来一丝凉意,但他们都没有动,仿佛已经与这片森林融为一体.
这一刻,他们只是两个在旅途中歇息的旅人,彼此靠近,却依旧隔着一段距离.