6

I lit a cigarette and stared blankly at the windowsill.

Because he doesn't like the smell of smoke, I quit smoking.

That was the only benefit of being with him, I suppose.

Out of spite, I smoked one after another until I coughed repeatedly, and then I extinguished the cigarette butt.

At night, I turned on my phone, finding it much quieter.

I suddenly realized my social circle was nearly nonexistent; these seven years almost entirely revolved around him.

Shen Shixuan's social media updates were still coming in; I had actually forgotten to block her.

And rightly so, because she wouldn't think to contact me at all.

In the morning, she updated her status again.

In the photo, a sickly beauty lay on the hospital bed, pitiful yet holding a familiar hand, smiling blissfully.

Caption: It feels so good having you here.

The timing coincided with my flight, as well as the start of the wedding.