Jing Tian still hadn’t replied to any messages, and Zheng Xunqian also didn’t reach out again afterwards.

But Chu Chen Tao, on the other hand, called in the afternoon, asking where he was now, where he had gone last night, and why he hadn’t replied to the messages.

Jing Tian neither had the need to conceal nor the obligation to inform him, so he avoided his questions and just expressed his sincere apologies.

Chu Chen Tao was clearly dissatisfied with this.

“I put everything aside yesterday just to come see you.”

He said.

Feeling guilty, Jing Tian could only apologize, “I’m sorry, really sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” Chu Chen Tao said, “Give me a chance to treat you to a meal, okay?”

After hesitating, Jing Tian stopped refusing, “It’s my fault, I should treat you.”

After hanging up the phone, Yang Yue, who had been lying on the bed playing games, suddenly spoke up, “You better not tell me you’re going to see that Chu guy now.”

“No,” Jing Tian hurriedly shook his head, then denied again, “No, I’m going to see him, but not to see him!”

“Then why? Going to duel with him?”

“I want to make things clear with him,” Jing Tian said, “Dragging it out like this isn’t good for either of us.”

Yang Yue sat up, looking down at him with a serious expression. “Go if you want to, but remember one thing. Don’t be soft-hearted. He never showed any softness towards you.”

Jing Tian speculated that Yang Yue was referring to his past experience of being dumped.

Yang Yue was unwilling to elaborate on this, probably thinking that it was better to forget those painful memories and not seek trouble. Knowing that Chu Chen Tao wasn’t a good person was enough.

It seemed that his past self was easily caught up in one-sided love, seeking what couldn’t be obtained and causing his own distress.

But that shouldn’t be the other person’s fault, right?

Jing Tian thought of himself as ordinary, unable to find any highlights in his personality. He was lukewarm, weak, dull, and uninteresting, inherently unattractive.

It was only natural not to receive a response.

Because he lacked empathy for this failed relationship with no memories, Jing Tian never harbored much resistance towards Chu Chen Tao. On the contrary, he felt a bit surprised by Chu Chen Tao’s undisguised fondness.

In his perception, Chu Chen Tao was a very outstanding person.

Being admired by an outstanding person, anyone would secretly feel pleased.

For this reason, Jing Tian believed it was necessary to express his attitude solemnly and directly, to respect each other properly.

“You didn’t seem to return to school yesterday,” Chu Chen Tao asked.

Jing Tian slightly lowered his head, looking at the plate in front of him with an embarrassed expression, “Yeah.”

Before going out, he deliberately changed into a shirt with a higher collar.

Zheng Xunqian had left two very obvious ambiguous marks on his neck.

Anyone could tell at a glance what he had just experienced.

Jing Tian didn’t want to talk about these things, but Chu Chen Tao was extremely persistent.

“Where did you two go last night?” His smile seemed very unnatural. “Didn’t even have time to reply to my messages?”

“I didn’t pay attention to my phone later,” Jing Tian said, “I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“It’s okay,” Chu Chen Tao said insincerely, “But you’ve been avoiding my questions all along. Where did you go with him last night, and what did you do?”

Jing Tian came with a very sincere attitude.

He wanted to convey his thoughts seriously, to reach a consensus with Chu Chen Tao as much as possible.

But now, before he could bring up the important points, he felt a bit annoyed.

Should I tell him we were having sex with Zheng Xunqian? Do you want to hear the details?

Such thoughts flashed through his mind, and he quickly muttered to himself.

To cover his embarrassment, he unconsciously lowered his head and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.

His behavior was seen by Chu Chen Tao as implicit agreement.

Chu Chen Tao’s expression didn’t look too good. “…Don’t you think it’s unfair to me?”

That sounded really strange.

What exactly wasn’t fair? He wasn’t an object that could be evenly divided.

This was simply a matter between him and Zheng Xunqian.

He did feel guilty towards Chu Chen Tao, but that didn’t mean Chu Chen Tao had the right to overly interfere in his private life.

The more he wanted to avoid it, the more insistent Chu Chen Tao became.

Seeing Jing Tian frowning and remaining silent, he asked again, “What is your relationship with him now?”

Jing Tian bit his lip and bravely spoke up, “Senior, I didn’t come today to talk about these things.”

Chu Chen Tao was taken aback. “What do you want to say?”

“You are someone I deeply respect,” Jing Tian became nervous again, speaking with his head down, looking at his hands placed in front of him, “I admire you very much. But… it’s just pure admiration.”

Chu Chen Tao stared at him. “…So?”

Jing Tian took a deep breath. “I’ve already said last time, I don’t want to date anyone now.”

Chu Chen Tao chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Why did you call me over yesterday then?”

“I know you were drunk,” Chu Chen Tao said, “They say drunk words are sober thoughts. Did you call me because you wanted to see me?”

Jing Tian clenched his fingers tightly.

What Chu Chen Tao said might be right.

He just didn’t know there was a huge misunderstanding in it.

“I’m sorry,” Jing Tian lowered his head, “I don’t know what else to say, I’m really sorry, it was my fault. I promise I won’t do it again in the future.”

“I don’t mind, I’m willing to pick you up,” Chu Chen Tao said, “But that’s not the point. You just left me and went off with another guy, completely disappearing. How am I supposed to feel?”

Jing Tian defended himself in a low voice, “But senior, me and you now… are not… that…”

They were not together, so it couldn’t be considered betrayal.

“You were the one who confessed to me first.”

Chu Chen Tao emphasized.

“…But you rejected me,” Jing Tian retorted softly, “Didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Chu Chen Tao continued, “But that was a long time ago. Later, you agreed to me, and we got along very well.”

“I’m sorry, but… but I really don’t remember.”

“So you’re not going to take responsibility?” Chu Chen Tao asked.

Jing Tian felt a little dazed for a moment.

In just one day, he had been told twice by two different men that he wasn’t taking responsibility.

Compared to the last time, where he felt guilty and restless, this time, he felt a bit bewildered.

What responsibility did he owe Chu Chen Tao?

“Senior,” Jing Tian finally raised his head, “Were we really together before?”

“Of course,” Chu Chen Tao said, “We had originally planned to have dinner together on the day you lost your memory.

　　If you don’t believe me, I can show you our past chat records.”

　　”…No need, I believe you,” Jing Tian felt a bit guilty, trying to maintain eye contact with him, his fingers entwined together, “It’s my fault, I’m sorry.”

　　”I’m not trying to blame you,” Chu Chen Tao’s tone softened a bit, “I just hope…”

　　”I’m sorry,” Jing Tian interrupted him, “I mean, I’m really sorry for what happened in the past.

　　If we were really together before, I… I…”

　　Chu Chen Tao furrowed his brows, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

　　Jing Tian finally looked away, “Well, maybe back then, I didn’t… feel that way about you.”

　　Chu Chen Tao seemed unable to understand his meaning, hesitating for a while before speaking, “What do you mean?”

　　”Just what I said.”

　　Jing Tian said.

　　”How is that possible,” Chu Chen Tao chuckled, “Or did you remember something? Are you mistaken?”

　　It was precisely because he couldn’t remember anything that he could confirm it even more.

　　When facing Chu Chen Tao, his feelings were completely different from when he was with Zheng Xunqian.

　　Even though he couldn’t recall the details of his interactions with Zheng Xunqian, his body instinctively reacted.

　　He felt panicked with Zheng Xunqian, yet irresistibly drawn to him.

　　In contrast, he felt nothing in his heart towards Chu Chen Tao.

　　Not only that.

　　In that carefully kept notebook, the “him” written all over it referred to the same person.

　　The past Jing Tian had no room in his heart for anyone else.

　　Perhaps he really was in a romantic relationship with Chu Chen Tao, but he didn’t like Chu Chen Tao.

　　Since there were no feelings, it should end. This was the best choice for both parties.

　　Yang Yue said he didn’t need to be soft-hearted towards him.

　　He believed Yang Yue.

　　”…Just forget it,” Jing Tian said softly, apologizing again, “I’m really sorry.”

　　Chu Chen Tao remained silent.

　　Jing Tian cautiously raised his eyes to look at him and found that he was shaking his head slowly, looking unable to accept it.

　　”Senior, I…”

　　”I understand,” Chu Chen Tao interrupted him, “You don’t have feelings for me anymore, do you?”

　　There probably weren’t any feelings in the past either.

　　Jing Tian hesitated for a moment, didn’t say that sentence, and nodded cautiously.

　　”Because of Zheng Xunqian?” Chu Chen Tao asked.

　　Jing Tian immediately said, “It has nothing to do with him!”

　　Chu Chen Tao chuckled, “You slept with him yesterday, didn’t you?”

　Chu Chen Tao looked at him, “You slept with someone else yesterday, and today you’re here to clear things up with me.

　　My existence affects your relationship with him, right?”

　　”I didn’t get together with him.”

　　Jing Tian said.

　　”Oh, you didn’t get together, just slept together,” Chu Chen Tao laughed again, “I thought you were being honest for once, but you’re still playing around.”

　　Jing Tian bit his lip, finally couldn’t help but retort, “…None of your business.”

　　Chu Chen Tao didn’t expect him to suddenly become so firm, nodded in surprise after being astonished, “You’re right, it’s not my business anymore.”

　　”Anyway,” Jing Tian stood up, “Thank you and sorry, we’ll…”

　　”Still friends?” Chu Chen Tao asked.

　　Jing Tian hesitated.

　　Their conversation today was very unpleasant, Chu Chen Tao was acting out of character, completely losing his usual grace, and he himself seemed very ruthless.

　　Looking at this atmosphere, it might be difficult for them to get along well in the future.

　　Moreover, the phrase “remaining friends” always seemed to leave some room for ambiguity.

　　While there might have been some hesitation when he came, Jing Tian had now thought it through thoroughly and didn’t want to entangle with him anymore.

　　But to deny it now, he couldn’t harden his heart.

　　Seeing him silent, Chu Chen Tao asked again, “What exactly is your relationship with Zheng Xunqian now?”

　　”…Why bring him up?” Jing Tian asked.

　　”As friends?” Chu Chen Tao looked at him with a mocking expression, “Is he also your friend?”

　　Jing Tian quickly understood Chu Chen Tao’s implied meaning, partly mockery, partly taking advantage of him.

　　He bit his lip, lowered his head, and said softly, “I’m going back first.”

　　After taking two steps, Chu Chen Tao spoke again, “What about that Yang Yue, was he telling the truth last night?”

　　What did Yang Yue say last night? Jing Tian was quite drunk at the time, but he still remembered some things.

　　He claimed to be Jing Tian’s boyfriend and said that the two of them were going to get a room.

　　Chu Chen Tao obviously knew those things weren’t true.

　　Jing Tian stopped in his tracks.

　　”What, do you have something else to say?” Chu Chen Tao asked.

　　Turning around, Jing Tian took a deep breath and said loudly, “You’re really disgraceful like this! It’s embarrassing!”

　　After shouting, he turned around and walked away.

　　Although he didn’t say anything harsh despite mustering up the courage, he still felt somewhat relieved after venting.

　　On the way back, he suddenly realized that today was quite unusual. When he was alone with Chu Chen Tao, Zheng Xunqian didn’t appear at all.

　　In the past, the three of them always ended up together, making the situation awkward and giving him a headache.

　　What was Zheng Xunqian doing now?

　　Jing Tian picked up his phone, glanced at it, and quickly stuffed it back into his pocket.

　　If he didn’t reply, Zheng Xunqian wouldn’t come looking for him.

　　Was he also pretending that nothing happened?

　　Jing Tian told himself in his heart that this was what he had hoped for, the best outcome.

　　After taking a few steps, he took out his phone again.

And there’s also the matter of tutoring.

That’s a serious issue, whether to continue or not, there needs to be an explanation.

Jing Tian walked with his head down, looking at his phone the whole way, but in the end, he didn’t send anything.

“Tomorrow,” he told himself, “I’ll see him in class anyway, I can ask him then.”