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Zhuang Zi’ang had imagined this moment countless times—seeing Xiao Yudie again, picturing her face, the way she would look at him.
Yet now, standing before her, he found himself completely at a loss.
With his time running out, he no longer had the right to say, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Big dummy, come here!”
Su Yudie gazed at him, her eyes brimming with tears and deep affection.
But Zhuang Zi’ang stood frozen, unmoving.
He clenched his jaw, swallowing back tears, suppressing the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.
He reminded himself again and again:
Getting close to her would only hurt her.
Seeing his cold indifference, Su Yudie took the initiative, stepping forward.
Zhuang Zi’ang stared at her blankly, biting his lower lip until it bled.
“How have you been? Why have you lost so much weight?” Tears streamed down Xiao Yudie’s cheeks, falling silently to the ground.
It felt as though Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart had shattered alongside them.
His eyes turned bloodshot, and suddenly, he erupted, his voice raw with pain. “Didn’t you leave? Why are you back?”
Xiao Yudie trembled, her steps faltering.
She had never heard him speak to her like this.
But Zhuang Zi’ang was far from finished.
“Do you know how long you’ve been gone this time? Twelve days!”
“You come and go as you please—what am I to you?”
“If you like playing hide and seek so much, then keep playing. I don’t want to see you again.”
Everyone nearby—Li Huang Xuan, Lin Mu Shi—stood in stunned silence.
The Zhuang Zi’ang they knew had always been gentle and refined.
Now, he looked like a man on the verge of collapse.
“Son, what nonsense are you saying?” Li Huang Xuan shoved Zhuang Zi’ang, quickly turning to comfort Su Yucie. “Xiao Yudie, he’s just overwhelmed. He’s missed you terribly.”
Lin Mu Shi remained silent, her eyes rimmed red.
Only she knew what Zhuang Zi’ang was doing.
Every cruel word he spoke was a blade cutting into his own heart.
Su Yudie stepped forward, gently taking his hand, her voice choked with tears. “Big dummy, I’m sorry. I missed you so much. I wanted to see you every day…”
“Enough!” Zhuang Zi’ang wrenched his hand away.
“You disappear for days and now come back acting all apologetic—what kind of logic is that?”
“I’m exhausted. I don’t want to play this game anymore.”
“I see through all your tricks, so do me a favor—stay away.”
It took everything in him to say these words.
Xiao Yudie had longed for this moment, for their reunion. But now, the man standing before her felt like a stranger.
Li Huang Xuan grabbed Zhuang Zi’ang by the collar, furious. “Have you lost your mind? What the hell is wrong with you?”
Lin Mu Shi, unable to hold back any longer, turned away to wipe her tears.
She wished she could be as oblivious as Li Huang Xuan.
But she knew.
She knew the torment Zhuang Zi’ang was enduring, and just imagining it made her heart ache unbearably.
Xiao Yudie’s hands trembled as she pulled a container from her bag.
“I was wrong. Please, forgive me,” she pleaded. “I really missed you. There were just… things I couldn’t avoid.”
“I made you some green dumplings. Just take a bite, okay?”
Her voice quivered, her expression pitiful. Anyone who saw her would find it impossible to stay angry.
Zhuang Zi’ang wanted to hold her. To tell her the truth. To cherish every second they had left.
But he couldn’t. He had to end this.
With a sweep of his arm, he knocked the container to the ground.
The delicate green dumplings rolled across the dirt, gathering dust.
Xiao Yudie watched in stunned silence as four hours of effort—her love, her longing—was reduced to nothing.
“To be honest, we don’t really have a relationship,” Zhuang Zi’ang said coldly. “We’ve only had a few meals together—just friends at best.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea that I have any feelings for you.”
“Everyone knows I’ve always liked Mu Shi. And now, we’re together.”
Then, without hesitation, he intertwined his fingers with Lin Mu Shi’s.
Lin Mu Shi stiffened but didn’t resist.
Zhuang Zi’ang had no choice. He had to make the break clean, before he lost his resolve.
Li Huang Xuan was dumbfounded. “Wait—when did you two get together?”
Xiao Yudie’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
She turned to Lin Mu Shi. “Is this true?”
Lin Mu Shi couldn’t meet her gaze. She shifted her eyes away and, with a cold voice, replied, “Yes. I don’t want my boyfriend to be unclear with other girls.”
But deep inside, she resented Zhuang Zi’ang for making her play the villain.
“Big dummy, I hate you for a lifetime! I never want to see you again!”
Xiao Yudie gave Zhuang Zi’ang one last desperate look before turning and stumbling toward the school gate.
Her braided hair swayed with her steps, the red string tied to it fluttering in the wind—a symbol of good luck.
Zhuang Zi’ang’s vision blurred.
When she finally disappeared from sight, he felt all the strength drain from his body. He collapsed to the ground.
Li Huang Xuan and Lin Mu Shi rushed to his side.
Zhuang Zi’ang pushed them away, lying motionless, overcome by grief. He began to sob, his cries raw and broken.
“Xiao Yudie… Xiao Yudie…”
Slowly, he crawled forward, picking up the dust-covered dumplings one by one, gently placing them back into the container.
Then, he clutched the box to his chest, crying until his voice was hoarse.
“Lin Mu Shi, what the hell is going on?” Li Huang Xuan demanded. “What are you two doing?”
Lin Mu Shi wiped her tears. “Don’t ask me. Let him explain.”
She didn’t want to recall the look in Xiao Yudie’s eyes.
Li Huang Xuan grabbed Zhuang Zi’ang, shaking him. “Why did you do this?!”
But Zhuang Zi’ang was too consumed by sorrow to answer.
Suddenly, he felt something rise in his throat. A sweet, metallic taste filled his mouth.
He coughed, and a mouthful of blood splattered across Li Huang Xuan’s chest.
Li Huang Xuan’s face turned pale. “Zhuang Zi’ang, what’s wrong? We’re taking you to the hospital—now!”
Lin Mu Shi rushed to help. “The infirmary won’t be enough. We need to get him to a hospital. Hurry!”
Li Huang Xuan hoisted him onto his back, dashing out to hail a taxi.
The driver sped off toward the hospital.
In the backseat, Li Huang Xuan clenched his fists. “Lin Mu Shi, even now, you’re still keeping secrets from me?”
Lin Mu Shi’s voice trembled. “Don’t ask. I promised him I wouldn’t tell.”
Zhuang Zi’ang gave a weak smile. “Son… don’t shout. I’m tired. Let me sleep for a while. When I wake up… I’ll tell you everything.”
Sorrow flowed like an endless river.