Stranger in his own friendship

For the first time in years, Lu Sheng felt like a stranger in his own friendship.

Days turned into weeks, and Chen Xiao's absence became more than just an inconvenience—it became a wound that refused to heal.

He stopped replying to messages. Their usual morning chats before class? Gone. Lunch breaks together? A thing of the past.

At first, Lu Sheng convinced himself it was temporary. Midterms. Relationship drama. Family issues.

But then he saw them together.

Chen Xiao and Jiayi.

---

A few days earlier…

Lu Sheng had been walking back from work when he spotted them near the university gate.

Chen Xiao stood with Jiayi, his hands tucked into his pockets, listening as she spoke.

Lu Sheng hesitated. He could have just walked away. Should have walked away.

But before he could, Jiayi leaned in, wrapping her arms around Chen Xiao's and pressing herself closer. A quiet giggle, a whispered conversation, and then—Chen Xiao smiled.

A real, relaxed, effortless smile.

Lu Sheng had seen that smile a thousand times before.

But never directed at someone else.

Something sharp twisted in his chest. He didn't understand it, not fully. Was this jealousy? Pain? Or just the realization that maybe, just maybe, Chen Xiao was moving on without him?

Before he could do anything, Jiayi's gaze flickered over to him.

And she smirked.

It was small, barely noticeable, but it was there. A silent victory.

She had won.

Lu Sheng turned around and walked away before Chen Xiao could see him.

---

Present Day…

Lu Sheng stared at his phone for what felt like the hundredth time.

No new messages. No missed calls.

Finally, he did something reckless.

He went to find Chen Xiao.

---

Evening, University Campus

Chen Xiao was in the library, flipping through a book he probably wasn't reading. He looked up when Lu Sheng approached, his face carefully neutral.

"Lu Sheng." His tone was distant, unfamiliar.

Lu Sheng clenched his fists. "Are you avoiding me?"

Chen Xiao hesitated. "I've been busy."

"That's not an answer."

A pause.

Then, Chen Xiao sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Lu Sheng… things are different now. Jiayi and I—"

"This isn't about Jiayi."

Chen Xiao stiffened.

Lu Sheng swallowed the lump in his throat. His voice was softer this time. "Did I do something wrong?"

For the first time, guilt flickered across Chen Xiao's face. "No. Of course not."

"Then why?"

Chen Xiao looked away. "I just… need some space."

A quiet laugh escaped Lu Sheng's lips, but it was bitter. "Space? After all these years?"

Chen Xiao's jaw tightened. "Lu Sheng, please."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Lu Sheng took a step back, nodding slowly. "Alright."

Chen Xiao's eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he didn't stop him.

He let Lu Sheng walk away.

And this time, Lu Sheng didn't look back.

---

To be continued ....