Shen Yiyue was the first to react, taking the lead in applauding for Ning Yu.
"Aww, Yu... that was beautiful!!"
This was her first time hearing Ning Yu sing and play, but she never expected it to be so stunning.
Ji Mengyao was also awakened from her trance by Shen Yiyue's applause, suddenly snapping out of her deep thoughts, only to realize her cheeks had become wet without her noticing.
She quickly wiped them, afraid others might see.
Glancing at Wu Di beside her, she saw him lost in thought with downcast eyes, pondering something unknown.
"How was it? Not bad, right?"
Ning Yu didn't really care much about others' opinions, but Ji Mengyao sat there with reddened eyes, remaining silent.
It wasn't like her at all, so Ning Yu had to break the awkward silence.
"It was beautiful."
Wu Di answered quickly, seeing that Ji Mengyao was still silent.
His face showed no expression, but he was speaking the truth.
"It was beautiful, very moving... Did you... write this song?"
Ji Mengyao finally spoke up.
"How could I? Of course not..."
Ning Yu waved her hand dismissively.
She wanted to say she had dreamed the song, but feeling it sounded too far-fetched, she dismissed the thought.
"Yes, the story in this song sounds so sad..."
Ji Mengyao pressed her lips together, seemingly still recalling the lyrics.
"So, Yu, what kind of story does it tell?"
Shen Yiyue could feel the emotions but hadn't fully understood the story in the lyrics, so she asked curiously.
"Well... it's basically about a lonely planet."
Ning Yu walked over and sat next to Shen Yiyue, both wearing similar dresses with almost identical patterns on their skirts.
"This lonely planet never had its own satellite, until one day, an artificial spacecraft arrived."
"From then on, the spacecraft became its only satellite, keeping it company."
Shen Yiyue looked into Ning Yu's deep amber eyes, seeming to suddenly understand something.
"You know orbits aren't circular, so sometimes it's near, sometimes it's far."
"Like a close friend who sometimes makes you laugh, and other times just quietly stays by your side."
Shen Yiyue's eyes widened slowly, realizing something:
"But that means..."
"Yes."
Ning Yu picked up where she left off:
"No matter how close or far they are, they'll never meet."
"The spacecraft can only orbit around the planet, round and round, and eventually, they'll have to part ways."
"But... they must want to meet, even if just for a brief moment."
Shen Yiyue suddenly remembered a lyric:
"So that's why it says 'the person who can't get close is also waiting to meet you,' right?"
Ning Yu nodded gently.
"Then what's the ending?"
Shen Yiyue was curious, as the lyrics didn't reveal it, only mentioning "at least I can stay by your side."
Ning Yu spread her hands, feigning ignorance:
"That's up to your imagination."
Actually, she knew the ending:
The planet and spacecraft did meet, because the spacecraft ran out of fuel and crashed onto the planet's surface.
From then on, the planet was alone again.
But she didn't say this, leaving it open-ended for Shen Yiyue.
Shen Yiyue suddenly seemed to realize something, opening her mouth as if to say something, glancing back at the two silent figures behind them.
But Ning Yu quickly pressed her finger to her lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
"Shh..."
......
After finishing the remaining wine, Ji Mengyao and Wu Di got ready to leave.
Shen Qianqian had already gone to bed, feeling too tired.
"Thanks for having us! Next time it's our treat!!"
Ji Mengyao expressed her gratitude at the door, appearing to have returned to normal, though Ning Yu could tell she still had something on her mind.
She didn't say anything more, just smiled and bid them farewell.
After watching the two disappear into the darkness, Shen Yiyue closed the door.
"Well done, Yu! Nice wingwoman move!"
Shen Yiyue gave Ning Yu a hearty pat on the shoulder.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Ning Yu played innocent, shrugging her shoulders as she started cleaning up the table.
Shen Yiyue followed, helping Ning Yu tidy up.
It took them quite a while to clean up the coffee table, dining table, and kitchen.
Ning Yu glanced at the wall clock - it was almost midnight, and fatigue was starting to set in after their busy day.
Just as she sat down on the sofa, Shen Yiyue flopped down beside her, laying her head on Ning Yu's lap.
Her face was slightly flushed, clearly having had her share of drinks.
"Hey, shouldn't I be the one getting the lap pillow?"
Ning Yu picked up a strand of her black hair and started tying it into knots.
"Hehe, you can have your turn later!"
Shen Yiyue's long hair fell partly onto Ning Yu's legs, tickling her.
"Hey, Yu, do you think our distance will be that far too?"
?
Ning Yu froze, caught off guard by the question.
"You're literally lying on my lap right now, and you're talking about distance?"
She took Shen Yiyue's own hair and started tickling her ear with it.
"Hehehe haha, stop tickling! You meanie! I'm being serious!!"
Shen Yiyue squirmed like an eel on the sofa, writhing around.
She suddenly grabbed Ning Yu's hand and turned her head, looking at her with sparkling eyes.
"Will there be a day when we can get closer?"
She pressed her lips together, her gaze sincere and no longer playful. Ning Yu stopped her tickling assault.
Shen Yiyue felt her heart beating faster, suddenly regretting:
Why did she keep asking this question over and over?
Ning Yu felt her heart skip a beat too; this time she couldn't dodge the question.
She simply lowered her head, moving closer to Shen Yiyue lying on her lap.
The distance between them grew smaller and smaller.
It seemed she was about to touch those thin, cherry-colored lips.
Shen Yiyue felt like she could barely breathe, her eyes widening involuntarily, though she thought perhaps she should close them.
"Ding dong!"
The doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting their moment.
Shen Yiyue's face had turned completely red, with Ning Yu's face so close she could almost see her own reflection in her eyes.
"I... I... I'll get the door!"
The moment broken, she sprang up from Ning Yu's lap like a fleeing rabbit.
Ning Yu remained motionless for a few seconds, then quickly followed.
Who could be visiting so late?
She summoned her silver wrist crossbow, following behind Shen Yiyue.
Shen Yiyue walked nervously to the door, taking a few deep breaths to compose herself.
Then she opened the door.
"Wu Di?"
She opened the door with surprise in her voice.
"Why did you come back alone? Did you forget something?"