You don't deserve love

Liang Chen raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering across his features. "Compensation? What do you mean?"

"I know you said you'd make it up to me," Huo Yi pressed, his determination rising. "I want you to be honest with me. I want to be my brother's substitute."

Liang Chen's expression shifted, confusion mixing with concern. "Huo Yi, I—"

"I don't need love," Huo Yi interrupted, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I just want to be with you. I want a physical relationship—nothing more."

The silence that followed felt heavy, as if the entire café had suddenly muted. Huo Yi felt exposed, laid bare before Liang Chen, and he hated how vulnerable he was.

"I can't," Liang Chen finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The rejection hit Huo Yi like a punch to the gut. He struggled to maintain his composure, but the sting of Liang Chen's words cut deep. "Why not?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice. "You don't have to love me. I just want a chance."

"Because it's not right," Liang Chen replied, shaking his head slowly. "I care about you, but I can't use you like that. It wouldn't be fair to you—or to Huo Fei."

Huo Yi felt a bitter laugh rise in his throat. "Fair? Fair is a joke! Huo Fei has everything he wants, and I'm left here in the shadows! Why shouldn't I get a piece of what I desire?"

"Because you deserve more than just a physical relationship," Liang Chen insisted, his gaze intense. "You deserve love, not just a moment of satisfaction."

Huo Yi's heart shattered. All the hope he had clung to evaporated in an instant. "So, that's it?" he asked, his voice trembling. "You have no feelings for me, and I'm just supposed to walk away?"

"I never wanted to hurt you," Liang Chen said softly. "But I can't give you what you're asking for. I care about you, but I'm not ready for this."

The finality in Liang Chen's words crushed Huo Yi, a weight that felt unbearable. He looked down at the table, unable to face Liang Chen anymore. "I understand," he murmured, his heart heavy with disappointment. "I just… thought you were different."

"I'm sorry," Liang Chen said, reaching across the table to touch Huo Yi's hand, but Huo Yi pulled away, creating a chasm between them.

"I need to go," Huo Yi said, his voice choking with emotion. He stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as he fled the café, leaving Liang Chen behind.

Outside, the air felt suffocating, and Huo Yi fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Each step felt heavy as he walked away, the ache in his chest growing sharper. He knew he needed to distance himself from Liang Chen, to protect his heart from further pain.

But as he walked, he realized that he would never truly be able to forget him.

The days turned into weeks, and the sting of Liang Chen's rejection seeped into every corner of Huo Yi's life. Each morning, he would force himself out of bed, going through the motions of attending classes and pretending that everything was fine. But inside, he felt hollow, a shell of his former self. The vibrant dreams he once held of a future filled with love and passion had turned to ash, leaving only the bitter taste of longing.

At school, Huo Yi found it hard to concentrate. His mind would wander, drifting to memories of Liang Chen—his laugh, the warmth of his skin, the way his gaze could spark life into Huo Yi's dreariest days. Each memory was a fresh wound, and he felt like he was drowning in an ocean of heartache. He could almost hear Liang Chen's voice in his head, reminding him of how undeserving he was, how he would always be second to his brother.

Jing Wei noticed Huo Yi's struggle, but instead of offering comfort, a secret satisfaction brewed within her. Each day, she saw the light fade from his eyes, and while she had always cared for him, a darker part of her couldn't help but feel pleased that Liang Chen had chosen to reject him. To her, it felt like justice, a way to reclaim the affection she felt was unjustly overshadowed by Liang Chen's presence.

"Are you okay?" Jing Wei asked one day, her voice laced with feigned concern as they walked together between classes.

"Just tired," Huo Yi replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was careful not to reveal the turmoil that churned within him. "I'm fine."

She studied him closely, her heart tinged with a mixture of empathy and triumph. "You've been through a lot. Maybe you should take a break or talk to someone about it."

Huo Yi shook his head. "There's nothing to talk about. It's over."

"Right," she said, a hint of a smirk creeping onto her lips. "Over. Just like that."

He sensed the underlying satisfaction in her voice but chose to ignore it. Instead, he pushed through the day, burying himself in his studies and extracurricular activities to escape the pain that lurked beneath the surface. But no matter how busy he kept himself, the memories of Liang Chen haunted him.

He felt so uncomfortable no matter what he did, he couldn't understand why he still loved the man, why he couldn't give up and let go. But he knew he couldn't. He had gone deep, he was obsessed. Huo Yi sighed deeply as they continued walking.

In the evenings, he would often find himself alone in his dorm, staring blankly at the walls, replaying their last conversation in his mind. Why couldn't he have been someone else? Someone more deserving of love? The thought tormented him. He didn't want to be the pathetic substitute, a mere shadow of his brother. Yet, as much as he hated it, he couldn't help but want Liang Chen, even if it meant accepting less than he deserved. So what other choice does he have?