Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I looked up at him.

The early morning sun was so clear and bright that the tension in his eyes had nowhere to hide.

I was such an idiot.

How could I ever have thought Ji Ye was cold toward me?

He was clearly still the same boy who would answer my call at two in the morning, no matter how many years we’d gone without speaking.

But Ji Ye, you were an eagle destined to soar.

And I had already sunk deep into a reeking swamp of mud and decay.

How ridiculous. Just now, as I walked beside you, I’d actually allowed myself a sliver of hope.

I’d hoped that moment could last forever.

Wake up, Song Fu. Wake up.

Don’t even think about dragging anyone else into the mire with you.

“Yes, he’s my boyfriend.” I heard myself answer, enunciating every word with perfect clarity. “He’s from my hometown. His family is rich, and he treats me very well. We’re even going on a trip together next month.”

Ji Ye froze, his face gradually turning pale.

After what felt like an eternity, Caicai kicked her legs impatiently.

Ji Ye regained his composure and said flatly, “Oh. That’s good.”

He walked a few steps, then turned back. His eyes were dark, his tone cutting.

“But Song Fu, let me remind you of one thing. If he’s that rich and still lets his girlfriend work a part-time job, your boyfriend is definitely a piece of trash.”

In an instant, a piercing ache filled my chest.

I hurriedly turned away to hide the tears I could no longer control.

Then I heard him continue behind me. “I’ll pay you as usual for this month. You don’t need to walk Caicai anymore. Wouldn’t want your boyfriend getting the wrong idea.”

I wiped away my tears in embarrassment and nodded blindly.

The wind swept through the treetops as I strode forward.

I was terrified that if I slowed down even a little, my tears would fall.

Don’t be like this, Song Fu. You have no right to be weak.

Mom was long buried beneath the earth. There was no one left who would ache for your tears.

But hurried footsteps suddenly sounded behind me.

Ji Ye tapped me on the shoulder, then quickly pulled his hand back.

When he spoke, his voice was stiff, tinged with an indefinable trace of hope and struggle.

“Right. Before your boyfriend called, what were you going to tell me? About what you said in our senior year. What about it?”

Ah. Fifteen minutes ago, before my phone had rung.

Caicai had been wagging her tail as she chased a butterfly.

The gentle sunlight had merged Ji Ye’s shadow with mine, like an endless, lingering embrace.

Bewitched by the breeze and the fragrance of flowers, I had opened my mouth to tell him that what I’d said in our senior year had been a lie. I had never found him annoying.

Being friends with Ji Ye was the greatest blessing Song Fu had ever known.

But I couldn’t say it anymore.

Time was such a strange thing. Only fifteen minutes had passed, yet the light had already receded from my world. The shadows of the past came surging back, swallowing me whole once more.

Then let them swallow only me.

I blinked rapidly until every trace of my tears had disappeared.

Then I turned around, wearing just the right expression of scornful mockery.

“What exactly do you want to hear from me?” I stared at him coldly. “Do you want me to say everything I said back then was a lie? Do you want to ask if there’s still a chance for us to be friends?”

The light in Ji Ye’s eyes slowly went out.

Still, I continued in the same cruel tone.

“Oh, please, Young Master Ji. You were always clinging to me when we were kids, and you’re still doing it now. What, am I really that indispensable to you?”

After a long silence, Ji Ye finally spoke.

His profile was rigid, his voice cold as ice.

“Song Fu, you really know how to play people.”

“I’m the pathetic one. I admit defeat. Let’s never see each other again.”

He turned and walked away without hesitation.

Just like all those years ago, when he had silently disappeared into the glow of the setting sun.

He didn’t spare me another glance.

Yes. This was how it should have been all along.

Ji Ye came from a privileged family, excelled at school, and had always been one of heaven’s chosen.

Knowing someone like me was one of the few misfortunes in his life.

And I had dared to stab him in the heart twice.

It was unforgivable.

Fortunately, Ji Ye, there would only ever be those two times.

It would never happen again.

I promise.

The wind swept through the treetops, gently lifting the ends of my hair.

I lowered my head, sniffled, and walked toward the other end of the road.

Don’t look back, Song Fu. Don’t look back.

But I still couldn’t resist taking one last glance at Ji Ye’s retreating figure.

Tall and slender, he often wore a gray hoodie, loose-fitting yet somehow exceptionally stylish on him.

Before him and after him, I met countless boys who loved wearing hoodies.

But none of them were like him.