Chapter 2

I didn’t want to let those two into my apartment. If emotions ran high, I might end up in tomorrow’s headlines.

So we had no choice but to talk in the hallway while my neighbor eavesdropped.

“All right, is that the whole explanation? Anything else?”

I hurriedly lowered my voice and urged them, “If that’s all, please leave. I’m begging you.”

Lu Yan looked even more miserable than I felt. He seized my hand stubbornly. “Please don’t break up with me. This is all a misunderstanding. Zheng Ziyu doesn’t like me anymore. Nothing could ever happen between us. We grew up together, and I’ve only ever seen her as a little sister. If there had been anything between us…”

It was such a classic line that I couldn’t resist finishing it for him.

“You two would’ve gotten together years ago, and I never would’ve entered the picture?”

Lu Yan was left speechless.

Zheng Ziyu went even paler. She stared lifelessly at the floor, then suddenly said, “That’s right. I don’t like Lu Yan anymore.”

Lu Yan froze.

His expression darkened. There was even anger simmering beneath it.

He forced a smile and turned to me. “You heard her, Miaomiao. There’s nothing between us. I’ve pursued you for five years. You know how I feel.”

Leaning against the doorway, I studied the subtle expressions on both their faces.

What a beautifully tragic love story.

“Nothing between you except kissing, you mean?”

Lu Yan frowned at Zheng Ziyu. “She did that without my knowledge. I had no idea.”

Holding back tears, Zheng Ziyu said stubbornly, “It’s true. On his birthday this year, he got drunk. I kissed him while I was taking care of him. He didn’t know.”

I had attended Lu Yan’s birthday party that year too. It had been crowded and lively, with many of his friends there.

But I disliked the way everyone kept trying to pair us up, so I’d found an excuse to leave.

A sentence from the post flashed through my mind. “Lu Yan, you only like me because of that candy. You would’ve fallen for whoever gave it to you. And even after we got together, you answered Zheng Ziyu that way. Doesn’t that prove you have at least some feelings for her?”

Hope flickered in Zheng Ziyu’s eyes.

Lu Yan denied it at once. “No. I only said yes because I wanted to comfort her. I swear, if I feel even the slightest thing for her…”

“Enough!”

Zheng Ziyu’s shout was louder than my earlier command to shut up.

Even my neighbor’s door trembled.

Lu Yan stared at her in astonishment.

Zheng Ziyu drew a deep breath. Looking at me with utter resolve, she said, “I’ll never see Lu Yan again. If he and I ever have a future together, may I die a horrible death. Are you satisfied now?”

I stared at her, exasperated. “I already said we’re breaking up…”

She closed her eyes and wiped away her tears. “If you’re satisfied, then stop making a scene. He truly, truly cares about you.”

Without looking at Lu Yan, Zheng Ziyu turned and walked away.

Lu Yan stared after her for a long time, lost in thought.

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Does she not understand plain language?”

That snapped Lu Yan back to me. Exhaustion filled his eyes, and his voice turned hoarse. “Are you satisfied now, Miaomiao?”

I took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll admit it. Zheng Ziyu’s post isn’t the only reason I want to break up. The truth is, I don’t really like you. And don’t you have some feelings for Zheng Ziyu too? I’ll bow out, you two can date, and all three of us win. Everyone’s happy. Right?”

His exhaustion vanished. His face went green.

“What did you say? You don’t like me?”

And here I’d thought I could avoid admitting what a heartless woman I was.

I nodded helplessly. “Yes. I may not be a good person, but you and Zheng Ziyu sneaking around aren’t exactly saints either. The pot shouldn’t call the kettle black. Let’s just put this behind us.”

Lu Yan stared at me in disbelief. “You’re saying you don’t like me?”

I said nothing.