Work Text:
Sun Tianyu escaped. He had been sick of his father's control in every aspect of his life, so he ran away, without a penny in his pocket.
This is the farthest place he can reach: a remote, quiet small town located near the sea. He is exhausted, unable to go any farther. Dominated by the extreme tiredness mentally and physically, he has a great thirst for a shelter. A florist's in a classic style catches his attention. Maybe the person there will be kind enough to lend a hand.
As he opens the door, the breeze carrying the faint scent caresses his face. Surrounded by the flowers, a man is sitting there quietly, reading an old, faded book. Sun Tianyu recognises that it is The Little Prince. He hears the bell ringing, not at the gate, but in his heart.
The man looks up and asks in a gentle voice, "Wanna buy some flowers?"
Sun Tianyu is frozen to the spot, feeling himself blush, "I don't have any money…"
Jiang Yi stands up and walks to him slowly. "Then you must be in trouble."
Anyhow, Sun Tianyu stays here. There has been one more person attending to the flowers since then. When there is no customer - it is a normal thing in the small town - Jiang Yi will be reading his book as usual, and Sun Tianyu will be at his side, listening to the songs played on the radio.
Sometimes Jiang Yi will be away for fresh flowers. Then Sun Tianyu will wait at the door, expecting the bell to ring. If Jiang Yi comes back late, Sun Tianyu will stand outside the florist's. Feeling the wind coming from the sea, he thinks of Jiang Yi.
Everyone who visits the florist's would relate Jiang Yi to the blooming flowers that fill the small room, bringing brightness and pleasure to the town, except for Sun Tianyu. Sun Tianyu, on his first sight, would describe Jiang Yi as a lonely blue whale, guarding an isolated island in silence.
Sun Tianyu was once curious about why Jiang Yi decided to be a florist here in the town, and why he loved the book The Little Prince.
"Flowers may play a role in special memories. They bring joy." That was his answer for the first question. "I think people should always keep a childish mind, just like the little prince." That was for the second.
He was silent for a while, then continued speaking, "I once had a flower, but now I'm not by his side."
That was the main reason. He had been apart from the one he saw as his rose. He is here, sinking in sadness, waiting for someone who will be his fox.
And someone is going to.
On an ordinary day, Jiang Yi is out again. Sun Tianyu carefully picks out some flowers, preparing for a significant thing to do. As time passes, his heart leaps up.
The bell finally rings. At the moment Jiang Yi steps in, he sees a bouquet consisting of no red roses, but a bunch of blue baby's breath and orange zinnias in front of his face.
Sun Tianyu, holding the bouquet, says in a sincere tone, "Once I lived a dull life. The bell, the wind, and the sea meant nothing to me, until I met you. I shall expect the bell to ring, looking forward to the moment you're back. The wind would bring your voice and breath to me. The sea always makes me think of you. It doesn't matter if you missed your rose, because you have your own fox now. You have already tamed me. Then, may I mean something to you?"
And Jiang Yi says yes.
The florist's is closed today. The two climb up onto the highest hill in the town before the sunset for no particular reason. At the top of the hill, they watch the sun vanishing below the horizon, and the remaining light looks like the spilled orange juice under the dark blue sky. Neither of them offer to talk. They enjoy the silent harmony, until night takes over the entire town.
Jiang Yi sits on the grass. Sun Tianyu lies down and lays his head on Jiang Yi's knees, gazing at the stars over them.
"What should I do next?" he asks.
"Just do what you want," Jiang Yi answers, looking at his face gently with encouragement.
Another day comes. Sun Tianyu doesn't stay at the florist's for the first time. He goes and buys a guitar. Last night, he told Jiang Yi that he had a music dream, and Jiang Yi said it was time to pick it up.
Sun Tianyu's singing has replaced the sound of the radio since. He eagerly introduces his prospect to Jiang Yi, "I have an English name for myself: Rusty. R-U-S-T-Y-, are you sty! And that will be my stage name. Isn't that cool, Yi?" He looks so enthusiastic that Jiang Yi decides to prepare him a special present.
Days later, he tells Sun Tianyu that he has something for him.
"What is it?"
Jiang Yi takes out a necklace and puts it on Sun Tianyu. Sun Tianyu is amazed. He holds the pendant in his hand, observing it carefully. There are words carved on it. It reads 'Best singer' on the front. When he turns it over, he is surprised to find the words are different.
"My love, Rusty?" Sun Tianyu feels touched. He holds Jiang Yi tightly in his arms.
Jiang Yi pats his back. "That's not all. There will be a concert in the town next month. Get ready for your first show."
"Really?" Sun Tianyu quickly sits back from the hug, looking into Jiang Yi's eyes. His puppy eyes sparkle in excitement, hitting Jiang Yi right in his heart.
When Sun Tianyu practises for the show, Jiang Yi records him, either by notes or photos. His actions, his habits, his emotions…All of these gradually form a vivid Sun Tianyu, Sun Tianyu in Jiang Yi's heart. Sun Tianyu is not just his fox, but the main character in his story.
The concert is held as scheduled. Sun Tianyu runs his eyes over the audience as he steps onto the stage. There has never been an event like this in the town before. It is for him. Jiang Yi stands nearest to the stage, showing him the sign of the horns.
Music fuels the evening. Jiang Yi fixes his eyes on the person singing loudly on the stage. He seems so free at the moment. The pendant on his chest glitters together with his eyes under the spotlight. He looks shiny. Jiang Yi is smiling, but feeling a bit uneasy in his heart. He knows that Sun Tianyu belongs to larger stages. He's going to leave the town someday.
Jiang Yi believes that his story is about separation, and he is always preparing for it. While Sun Tianyu is joyful with his dream being realised and his love by his side, Jiang Yi is seriously considering when to say goodbye. He keeps recording Sun Tianyu, and Sun Tianyu will smile at him when he notices his action. At night, he goes through the recordings over and over again. Maybe it will be easier if it comes earlier.
Flowers, dishes, and candlelight. What a cozy night. The two lovers sit on opposite sides of the table with opposite feelings and thoughts. Jiang Yi watches Sun Tianyu sipping his watermelon juice, hesitating how to bring up the heavy topic. He is stroking his hair when Sun Tianyu notices his unnatural state.
"What's going on, Yi?"
"…Nothing."
"Then what are you worrying about?"
"Listen to me, Tianyu. It can be cruel, but…we are going to part."
"Why?"
"You'll be a great singer, a superstar. Before that, you'll have to leave here. You shouldn't be limited by the small stage here in this isolated town."
"But I want to be with you!"
"We can keep each other in the diaries, in photo albums, and in our hearts. And we can send messages. Being together is not that important compared with your dream and future."
"Then what about you? Is it your wish to stay here forever?"
Jiang Yi pauses. Of course it's not his desired vision, but he has never thought of a change.
"If it is not an ideal case to stay here, why won't you go with me?"
Jiang Yi has to admit that he is convinced. His former hesitation seems meaningless. It is high time for Sun Tianyu, and for him, to step out of here to embrace the wonderful world outside.
"Then what should I do next?"
"Just do what you want."
So Jiang Yi sells everything. Not just the flowers, but the whole florist's. Each blossom here is nothing more than a flower just like a hundred thousand other flowers to him. Nevertheless, he's got his unique one, his precious love, the person who drew him out of the irrelevant sorrow.
They go on the road stretching from the town towards the distance. Before that, Jiang Yi has bought a camera.
"What do you want to do?" Sun Tianyu asks.
"To make films." Jiang Yi replies.
"Films for what?"
"For you, and for all the things that deserve to be recorded."
"That's BRIIIILLIANT!"
"That's ordinary."
"That's terrific! That's fantastic! That's marvelous! That's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
"That's enough!"
They walk slowly, side by side. The town is behind them, and the sun is in front.
A hidden tale: The town accepts lonely souls and broken hearts, allowing them to heal, to feel, to love. Once they discover their pursuits, they will leave the town and set out on a new journey. When people who left the town feel upset, they will find someone there, ready to embrace, if they turn around.