Chapter 5

Lu Sheng told himself he wouldn't care. He wouldn't waste his time thinking about a friend who had so easily pushed him aside.

But late at night, when the world was quiet, his mind betrayed him.

The way Chen Xiao avoided his gaze in the hallways.

The way their usual spots at the café and library felt emptier now.

The way Jiayi would always smirk whenever she saw him alone.

It was suffocating.

---

Meanwhile…

Chen Xiao sat in Jiayi's apartment, staring blankly at his phone.

No messages from Lu Sheng.

It had been two weeks since their last conversation. Since that moment in the library.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" Jiayi's voice pulled him back to reality.

Chen Xiao exhaled, setting his phone down. "Jiayi, do we really have to do this?"

Jiayi moved closer, resting a hand on his arm. "Chen, I just don't want anything coming between us. You know how people talk, right? A guy being that close to another guy—it's weird."

Chen Xiao frowned. "It's not weird. We've been best friends since we were kids."

Jiayi sighed, tilting her head. "I know, I know. But I've seen the way he looks at you."

That made Chen Xiao freeze.

"What?"

Jiayi bit her lip, as if hesitating. "I just… I think he likes you. More than a friend should."

Chen Xiao laughed, but it was forced. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Jiayi raised an eyebrow. "Think about it. Has he ever dated anyone? Ever even shown interest in a girl?"

Chen Xiao opened his mouth to respond but stopped.

Had he?

He tried to recall a time Lu Sheng had talked about a crush, a girl he was interested in.

But nothing came to mind.

Jiayi leaned in, lowering her voice. "You're a good guy, Chen. I know you don't want to hurt him, but isn't it better this way? If you keep your distance, he'll move on. It's better for both of you."

Chen Xiao clenched his fists.

Everything she said made sense. Didn't it?

But if it was the right thing to do…

Why did it feel so wrong?

---

A Few Days Later…

Lu Sheng sat alone at his favorite café, stirring his untouched latte. The once-warm atmosphere now felt cold.

Maybe this was his new reality.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard a voice behind him.

"Lu Sheng."

He turned sharply—only to find Jiayi standing there, a smug look on her face.

"Mind if I sit?" she asked, already sliding into the chair across from him.

Lu Sheng's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

Jiayi smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I just thought we should talk. About Chen Xiao."

Lu Sheng stiffened.

Jiayi leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "You really thought he'd stay by your side forever?"

Lu Sheng didn't answer.

She sighed dramatically. "Listen, I don't have anything against you. But let's be real—you're just holding him back. He has a future. A career. A girlfriend. You?" She tilted her head. "What do you have?"

Something in Lu Sheng snapped.

He pushed his chair back, standing up. "You can tell Chen Xiao this for me—" He met Jiayi's gaze, his voice steady.

"—If he wants to leave, then he should at least have the guts to say it to my face."

Then, without another word, he walked away.

But even as he left the café, his heart felt unbearably heavy.

Because deep down, he was afraid.

Afraid that Jiayi was right.

Afraid that Chen Xiao had already made his choeng told himself he wouldn't care. He wouldn't waste his time thinking about a friend who had so easily pushed him aside.