Returning from the Nevada desert base mission, as Li Haojun had anticipated, they followed standard procedure to head to Spokane for data exchange. Having not seen John in ages, both were warm upon meeting and found a place to eat and chat. John remained his usual self—unfettered and seemingly living life with ease and contentment. Li Haojun reflected wistfully that since their last mission together to that water city, they hadn't undertaken any significant assignments together. He felt a deep sense of nostalgia, realizing that over half a year had slipped by in the blink of an eye.
由内华达沙漠基地任务返回,如李皓珺所料,又是依照例行程序前往斯波坎交换数据.与约翰好久未见,双方一见面都很热情,找了个地方边吃边聊.约翰还是老样子,不修边幅,似乎生活过得自在惬意,李皓珺感慨了一下自从上次一起去过那座水上城市之后就再也没有一起出过什么任务,满是怀念,如今时间一晃半年多了.
"Ha ha, it's best to steer clear of that place. But my assignments tend to be in remote areas or lawless territories—you'd be wise to keep your distance from me." John quipped, then asked,
"哈哈,那地方还是少去的好,只是我的任务都是比较偏僻或者法外之地,你还是少跟我."约翰玩笑道,接着又问,
"How have things been going for you lately?"
"你们这些日子还顺利吧?"
"Yes," Li Haojun replied.
"是啊,"李皓珺答道,
"Actually, he has quite a lot on his plate," Tan Wenjing remarked, casting a glance at Li Haojun. Her smile was warm and contented. Today, she wore her shoulder-length hair in soft waves, swept to one side. The midday sunlight streamed through the window, filtering through her strands and lending her an especially charming aura.
"实际上他的工作内容比较多,"说着覃文静看了一眼李皓珺,微笑而满足的笑容,今天她做了大波浪的披肩发,挽在肩膀一边,中午的阳光从窗户进来,透过她的发丝,格外妩媚.
After giving her a quick glance, Li Haojun hurriedly resumed chatting with John—he didn't want to flaunt his affection in front of others.
欣赏了她一眼,李皓珺急忙接着跟约翰聊天,不好跟人家秀恩爱,
Ah, actually, when I went to Sacramento, things got pretty complicated. I was even followed, which really made me nervous.
"啊,其实我去萨克拉门托那边,情况也挺复杂的,还被人跟踪,弄得我也很紧张."
"Oh, who are you going over there with?" John asked curiously.
"哦,去那边是和谁啊?"约翰好奇地问,
"Lily Brent—do you know her?"
"莉莉·布伦特,你认识吗?"
"Oh, it's her. We worked together before—back when she was just starting out, still very young. But then I heard she took a long break. I'm glad she's back now." John's tone was meaningful, as if reminiscing about his own child.
"哦,是她,我们过去合作过,那还是她很年轻的时候开始的.但是后来我听说她休息了好一段时间,很高兴现在她又回来了."约翰意味深长的语气,好像是在回忆自己的孩子.
When I saw her, she looked radiant, driving a classic four-door Jaguar sedan with great poise. She was quiet, though, and seemed like a straightforward person.
"我见到她的时候看起来她气色很好,开了一辆古典捷豹四门轿车,很有气质.只是话不多,看起来好像很简洁明快的一个人,"见约翰提及莉莉,自己也主动介绍了见到她的情况,
"You mentioned her driving skills are exceptional," Qin Wenjing added from the side.
"你说过她的驾驶技术了得," 覃文静在一边补充道,
"Yes, she's quite skilled at operating machinery. It seems she really enjoys the thrill of driving." Li Haojun also shared his own reflections.
"是啊,她很擅长操控机械,看起来她很享受驾驶乐趣." 李皓珺也谈谈自己的感慨,
"She used to be quite a mischievous child, always loving speed and all kinds of machinery," John said with a smile, as if transported back to those memories. After a moment, he shifted the conversation and asked,
"过去她是个挺顽皮的孩子,喜欢速度,也喜欢各种机械,"约翰一边笑着说,仿佛又回到了记忆的过去,片刻,又话锋一转问,
Ethan, have you recalled any past experiences?
"伊森,你有没有回忆起过去的经历啊?"
"No, at least I can't recall any specific incidents," Li Haojun said with a slight frown.
"没有,至少没有想起任何具体事件," 李皓珺撇了撇嘴说,
John glanced at Qin Wenjing, then shifted his gaze to Li Haojun and said with a smile,
约翰看了一眼覃文静,又把目光移向李皓珺,笑着说,
That's perfectly fine. You both look very happy now.
"这样也很好,你们现在看起来很幸福."
"Yes," Li Haojun replied with a smile, turning to glance at Qin Wenjing. She was looking at him, her face radiant with happiness—a sight that couldn't help but stir a sense of responsibility and burden within him...
"是啊,"李皓珺笑着回答,扭头看看覃文静,她正看着自己,脸上洋溢着幸福,不觉得让李皓珺内心感到几许责任与负担...
After finishing the data exchange, Li Haojun took the opportunity while Qin Wenjing went to the restroom to bid him farewell at the restaurant entrance. He asked John earnestly,
结束数据交换,趁着覃文静去洗手间,李皓珺在餐馆门口与他道别时,很认真地问约翰,
Mr. Weiant, I have lost my past memories. In my middle age, I feel like a tree without roots, engaged in tasks whose origins I cannot trace and whose destinations I cannot discern. Could you offer me some advice?
"韦安特先生,我失去了之前的记忆,中年的我犹如一棵没有根基的大树,做着一些不知来时路,也不清楚去往何处的事务,你能给我一些建议吗?"
John stared into Li Haojun's eyes for a moment before declaring with unwavering certainty,
约翰看着李皓珺的眼睛凝视了片刻,斩钉截铁地说,
"Maintain the status quo."
"保持现状,"
Li Haojun hesitated for a moment, not expecting such a simple answer that offered little practical guidance.
李皓珺迟疑了一下,没想到是这样简单的,不太具有可操作指导性的回答.
At that moment, Tan Wenjing also caught up, and the two sides bid farewell. As the weather had turned cooler, John didn't ride his Harley motorcycle but instead drove away in an old pickup truck.
这时覃文静也赶上来,双方道别.天气凉了,约翰没有骑他的哈利摩托,而是开了一辆老款皮卡车离去了.
"What should we do now?" Tan Wenjing stood before Li Haojun and asked softly.
"现在怎么办?"覃文静站在李皓珺面前轻声问,
Familiar faces, familiar streets—it felt like yesterday. These were the very origins of all his present memories, making Li Haojun cherish them all the more. So, with both hands resting on Qin Wenjing's arms, he said with absolute certainty,
熟悉的人,熟悉的街道,仿佛就在昨天,那些是自己现有所有记忆的起点,让李皓珺倍感珍惜.于是双手扶着覃文静的双臂,十分肯定地说,
"Let's go see an opera."
"我们去看歌剧."
Hearing this answer, Qin Wenjing smiled with satisfaction. She knew her man was nostalgic—old memories and old people always held his heart, and she would be the one he treasured more and more as time went on.
听到这个回答,覃文静欣慰地笑了,她知道自己的男人是个念旧的人,旧的回忆,旧的人,总是能拴住他的心,自己就会是他那个越久越珍惜的人.
Still the same street, golden sunlight spilling across the pavement—no longer scorching, yet unable to conceal the fiery passion within the lovers' hearts. Hand in hand, they climbed the steps, their hearts stirred, their shadows following each other, their eyes meeting and lingering from time to time.
还是那条街道,金色的阳光洒在路面上,只是不再炙热,但依然无法掩饰有情人内心的炙热,手拉手走上台阶,那心意的撩动,身影的追随,两人不时四目相望凝视.
The dark gold theater doors, passing through the foyer, felt like stepping back in time to that first encounter. Faintly, the melodious singing from the performance hall could be heard.
暗金色的剧院大门,穿过前厅,仿佛穿越时空又回到最初的相遇,隐约可以听到表演大厅传出的悠扬歌声,
The two entered the performance hall, where the audience remained sparse. Nevertheless, Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing still chose seats in the back row.
两个人进入表演大厅,依旧观众稀疏,但是李皓珺和覃文静依然选择了后排的座椅.
Under the stage lights, the joys and sorrows, the partings and reunions of human life unfold like a timeless song that never changes with the times. Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing, however, seem merely to be watching others' stories unfold, savoring their own moments.
舞台的灯光里上演着人世间的喜怒哀乐,悲欢离合,仿佛是从不会随时代变迁而改变的歌,而李皓珺和覃文静似乎只是在观看着别人的故事,品味着自己的时光.
After the performance, they stepped out onto the street where night had already fallen. Having learned his lesson, Li Haojun had prepared more warm clothes for Qin Wenjing—a traditional wool coat with a suit collar in bold color blocks. It was a bit heavy, but thick and tailored to fit her figure perfectly.
看完演出来到街上,夜幕早已降临,这次李皓珺吸取了教训,他为覃文静准备了更多保暖衣物,一件大色块西服领传统毛呢大衣,有点重,但是厚实且贴合覃文静的身材.
After helping her put it on, Li Haojun couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt toward Malaya as he watched her blissful expression. Ah well, he'd make it up to her another time.
帮她穿好后,看着她幸福的表情,李皓珺不觉感到有些对不住玛莱雅,哎,有机会再补偿她吧.
The deserted street, a solitary streetlight at the corner. Qin Wenjing grabbed Li Haojun's arm.
冷清的街道,街角孤单的街灯,覃文静拉住李皓珺,
"Then where do we go?"
"然后我们去哪里?"
"I don't know either. Want to come with me?" Li Haojun asked with a smile.
"我也不知道,要跟我走吗?" 李皓珺笑着问,
"Sure," Qin Wenjing obediently gave an affirmative reply.
"好啊,"覃文静很乖的给了一个肯定的回答,
Turning the corner brought them right back to the path they'd taken earlier. The commercial establishments lining both sides of the street still glowed with light, though all the staff had long since clocked out, leaving only basic self-service options. Spotting a restaurant by the roadside, the two seized the chance to fill their stomachs. Though only simple set meals remained, the upside was complete privacy. Seated by the window, they could linger without a care for the time.
转过街角正好是来时的路,路两侧的商业经营场所依然亮着灯,只是员工都已下班了,只剩下简单的自助服务.路边遇到一间餐馆,两人也趁机填饱肚子,虽然只剩简单的定制搭配,好处是无人打扰,两个人坐在窗边,不必在意时间.
The bright indoor lighting cast the furnishings and the silhouettes of the two figures onto the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a simple and tranquil scene.
室内的灯光明亮,把室内摆设和二人身影映在了落地窗上,简洁宁静,
Qin Wenjing took a bite of the dessert and smiled warmly at Li Haojun across the table.
覃文静尝了一口甜点,笑眯眯地看着桌对面的李皓珺,
"What are you laughing at?" Li Haojun asked curiously.
"你笑什么," 李皓珺好奇地问,
"I'm delighted," Qin Wenjing said playfully.
"我高兴,"覃文静调皮地说,
Li Haojun glanced at the glass window in the night and the integrated tabletop, then remarked with a hint of emotion,
李皓珺望了望,夜色中的玻璃窗和这一体的桌面,略有感慨地说,
This place reminds me of us at the No. 6 Motel.
"这环境,让我想起我们在6号汽车旅馆,"
Qin Wenjing ate while smiling warmly at Li Haojun without saying a word.
覃文静一边吃,一边笑眯眯地看着李皓珺不说话,
"Are you that easy to please? Well, that makes it easier to find happiness," Li Haojun said, her delight tinged with a touch of melancholy.
"你这么好满足吗?也好,这样更容易幸福," 李皓珺虽然欣喜,多少还是有些感慨,
Isn't this better? With fewer demands, it's easier to satisfy them. When you're with me, all I need to do is be happy—isn't that fine? Right now, you're right beside me. And in the long run, you've come back to me.
"这样不好吗,要求少自然容易满足,有你陪着我的时候我就只负责开心不好吗,从现在来看,你就在我身边,从更长的时间来看,你又回到了我身边,"
"Yes," Li Haojun was genuinely curious about what had happened long ago, but he didn't want to dampen Tan Wenjing's current enthusiasm, so he refrained from pressing further.
"是啊,"李皓珺的内心很好奇更久时间之前发生了什么,但是他不想打消覃文静现在的兴致,也就没有追问,
"Oh, it's raining," Li Haojun said, noticing the raindrops on the glass window.
"唉,下雨了," 李皓珺看到了玻璃窗上的雨滴,
"Oh," Tan Wenjing glanced out the window, her attention seemingly drawn away for a moment, then continued asking,
"哦,"覃文静看了一眼窗外,一瞬间注意力似乎被吸引了,然后接着问,
"Shall we take a walk in the rain together later?" he said, flicking a strand of hair from his temple with his left hand.
"一会儿我们要一起在雨中散步吗?"说完用左手撩了一下鬓角发丝,
"Sure, whatever makes you happy."
"好啊,只要你高兴,"
Before Li Haojun could finish speaking, Qin Wenjing reached under the tabletop with her left hand and grabbed his thigh. Leaning forward, she looked up and asked,
没等李皓珺说完,覃文静左手伸过桌板下抓了一把他的大腿,她前倾着身体,抬头问,
"Aren't you cold?"
"你不会冷吧?"
"No, I'm wearing warm clothes,"...
"不会,我穿了保暖的衣服,"...
On the deserted street, a drizzling rain had long since soaked the pavement, reflecting the cold glow of sparse streetlights. Two figures cast long shadows in the lamplight. Unnoticed, the fine raindrops had transformed into light snowflakes drifting down.
冷清的街道上,淅淅沥沥的小雨早已打湿路面,反射着稀疏路灯的冷光,两个人在灯光里拉出长长的影子,不知何时,丝丝雨滴已经化作轻盈雪片飘落,
She grabbed Qin Wenjing beside her, pulled out her scarf to wrap around her hair, then shook the droplets off the suit collar before turning it up to shield the neckline.
拉住身边的覃文静,抽出她的围巾包裹住头发,然后打去西服领的水珠后把领子竖起来挡住领口,
It looked quite nice. Li Haojun took her hand and tucked it into his pocket as they continued walking. Her smile radiated around them, yet seemed to echo deep within her heart.
这样看起来不错,李皓珺拉着她的手,插在自己兜里,继续散步,她的笑容洋溢在身边,又似乎回荡在心底,
"If you get tired from walking, we'll just call a cab."
"如果你走累了咱们就叫一辆出租车,"
"Not tired at all. Take it slow, no rush," Qin Wenjing replied.
"不累啊,慢慢走,不急," 覃文静回答,
Indeed, when two people who care about each other are together, what's there to rush about?
是啊,两个在乎的人在一起,还有什么是心急的呢,
Far from the bustling city center, the dark fields stretched endlessly beneath a swirling blanket of snow. Within the dim cones of light pierced by falling flakes, two figures walked side by side.
走下去已经远离闹市繁华,暗夜的田野被淹没在纷纷雪花之中不见边际,昏暗灯光被雪花撑起的光锥里,两个身影结伴同行.