Six If not for you, my life would be utterly meaningless.

The morning breeze swept up the first grain of sand; the wind continued to blow, and the clouds continued their drift. The sky grew faintly bright, as dreams began to merge with reality, and people slowly awakened.
But then—pause—which side is truly real? Dream or awakening?
Yet we all sense, vaguely but unmistakably, that this is no longer the world we once knew…

When the gentle sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell upon my face, I suddenly noticed a slight numbness in my arm. Turning my head, I immediately understood: for the entire night, Lele had used my arm as her pillow.
Though it was a bit uncomfortable, gazing at her angelic sleeping face, I could not bear to wake her. In that moment, I silently vowed in my heart that from this day forward, I would cherish this girl for a lifetime…

Lost in thoughts as I watched Lele, she suddenly opened her eyes. Seeing me gazing intently at her, her cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly buried her head in my chest.
“It’s time to get up,” I said, awkwardly trying to avoid the embarrassment of physical closeness, attempting to shift her attention with conversation. But the fresh apple fragrance unique to Lele overwhelmed my senses, and I could not help but react involuntarily.
“No, I’m not getting up!” Seizing the moment as I adjusted myself, Lele suddenly flipped over and climbed atop me.
“Don’t!” Oh, Lele, are you trying to get me in trouble? All my self-restraint dissolved in an instant. The languid morning air was intoxicating, and after pinning me beneath her, Lele herself seemed at a loss for what to do next.
“Little Pig Bei, I’m going to ravish you!” Lele’s face was flushed, her breath quickened, and she pressed close with a playful grin.
Seeing her eyes squeezed shut and lips slightly parted, I finally lost control. With a sudden movement I rolled over, pinning her beneath me, my hands beginning to wander restlessly. But just as I lowered my head, I caught sight of her eyes, red and brimming with tears, as if she might cry at any moment.

I stopped at once, turned to my side, and gently stroked her burning cheek. “I’m sorry, Lele.”

“Pig Bei, in the future… will you always stay with me?” Lele whispered softly in my ear.
“I will. If I cannot make you happy, I would rather die.” I pressed a gentle kiss between her knitted brows.
She said nothing more, only held me tight, her face serene and calm.

The warm morning sunlight quietly filled every corner of the room. Lele leaned lazily on my shoulder, her hair’s fragrance intoxicating.
“Lele, are your parents usually never home?” I turned and rubbed my nose, tickled by her scent, and asked in a low voice.
“Them? They’re in Spain. I barely see them more than a few times a year.” Lele shifted a bit, a trace of helplessness in her eyes as she blinked up at the ceiling.
“Then you’re usually at home all by yourself?” The thought of leaving a sixteen-year-old girl home alone was almost unbelievable to me.
She laughed softly, “Not really. My great-aunt passed away a few days ago, so grandma went back to the old house for the funeral. That’s why…” Suddenly she looked up at me with a mischievous smile, “Pig Bei, your questions are a little suspicious.”

“Ah! No, I—this is just concern,” I stammered, shaking her shoulder in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.

“Alright, stop shaking me! My head’s spinning!” Lele pretended to scold, pushing my hands away. Then, taking advantage of my surprise, she leapt off the bed, pulling the quilt over my head until I was wrapped up tight. “Lazy Bei, the sun’s shining on your butt, get up now…”

With my breathing stifled, I shouted in mock outrage, “You’re trying to murder your husband, Lele!”

Outside the quilt, all was suddenly quiet. I sensed Lele had leaned down to my ear and, through the covers, spoke softly, “I’m going to make breakfast. Sleep a little longer, I’ll call you soon.” A few soft footsteps in slippers, the muffled sound of a closing door, and then the room fell silent.

Throwing off the quilt, I sat up abruptly; the sudden brightness made me squint. Forcing my sleepy eyes open, I began to take in my surroundings. The room was fresh and elegant, simple yet warm, much like its owner’s personality.

On the nightstand stood a photograph of Lele as a child with her mother. In the picture, little Lele grinned joyfully at the camera from a bumper car. On the other side of the bed was a large open bookshelf, and beneath it sat a Snoopy plush over a meter tall. On the white pocket of Snoopy’s blue overalls, I was surprised to see three faintly written words: “Pig Bei.”
I couldn’t help but laugh and sigh, “Damn you, Lele…” Grumbling, I lazily rolled over onto Lele’s soft bed, hugged a pillow, and before I knew it, drifted back to sleep.

Who knows how much time passed before the shrill ring of my phone dragged me out of my dream. My father’s voice came from the other end, “Xiao Bei, remember to come home early. I’ve arranged for you to meet a physics teacher from No. 1 High School after dinner…” He kept talking, but lying there, I was already half-asleep, and didn’t catch what else he said. When the call ended with a long beep, I hung up absentmindedly.

Reluctantly climbing out of bed, I dressed, opened the door, and went to look for Lele. To my surprise, I found her curled up alone on the living room sofa, her head down and arms hugging her knees.

“Lele, what’s wrong?” Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help feeling worried.

She quickly looked up at me, rubbing her obviously tear-stained eyes and forcing a small smile. She propped herself up with the armrest and sat up slowly, “Pig Bei, I’m fine, just a little dizzy…” She turned her flushed face away and gazed dreamily out the window.

“Lele, I’m sorry, I…” I walked over in a few quick steps, sat beside her, and gently pulled her into my arms.
She nestled her head against my chest. “Pig Bei, I… I really am fine.”

Looking at her, my heart filled with tenderness and longing. “Lele,” I murmured, resting my chin on her silky hair. Then I turned and kissed her gently behind the ear, saying earnestly, “Believe me, in the days to come, without you, my life would have no meaning…”

Outside, the sun shone brilliantly…