The wedding banquet lasted until evening, and Xiao Yufan couldn’t even recall how exactly he had spent the day. Yu Han left alone without even saying goodbye, clearly still very sensitive to Xiao Yufan’s deception.
“I didn’t know my marriage would cause you so much distress, but we really do hope to have your blessing!” Ma Teng approached, holding a glass of wine. His steps were unsteady—he had clearly already drunk quite a lot as the groom.
“I understand. Don’t worry, I’m fine!” Xiao Yufan naturally knew Ma Teng was referring to him and Cheng Ying. As Ma Teng’s closest friend and Cheng Ying being Mu Qing’s best friend, their blessings were very important to the couple.
Xiao Yufan downed the red wine in one gulp. He had likely consumed no less alcohol than anyone else that day. Perhaps only alcohol could numb the deep grief buried within him.
Watching Ma Teng stagger away, Xiao Yufan’s lips curved into a bitter smile. Ma Teng was drunk from happiness, while he was drunk from sorrow.
…
The banquet gradually came to a close amid continuous farewells among the guests. Xiao Yufan, staggering slightly, walked directly out of the hotel.
Outside, the neon lights were glaringly bright. Leaning against a pillar, squinting at the city’s beautiful night, in his drunken daze, he seemed to see his dream drifting slowly into the sky, merging with the night. There was no loneliness or pain visible in its fading silhouette…
Ma Teng and Mu Qing rushed out of the hotel, supporting the wobbly Xiao Yufan from either side.
“If I had known you’d be this upset, I wouldn’t have let the two of you meet,” Mu Qing said apologetically. She didn’t realize how stubbornly he still held onto that past love—yes, stubborn.
“Sad? Why would I be sad? Don’t you see my dream has already floated into the sky… filled with all my love…” Xiao Yufan mumbled, his gaze unfocused.
Ma Teng and Mu Qing exchanged glances before patting Xiao Yufan’s shoulder. “Stop talking nonsense. Let us take you home.”
“I can take a taxi myself. No need to trouble you two…” Breaking free from their support, Xiao Yufan walked toward the street in front of the hotel.
Stumbling along, he seemed to see Cheng Ying supporting a man as they exited the hotel. He recognized the man—it was someone who had once pursued Cheng Ying alongside him during college.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Yufan seemed to finally understand. He now somewhat grasped why Cheng Ying had chosen to break up. He felt no sadness, for his heart had already died—only a sharp, cutting pain remained, leaving him numb.
After leaving the hotel, Xiao Yufan aimlessly wandered the streets, cigarette after cigarette burning away. Eventually running out of cigarettes, he closed his eyes and leaned against a bench, letting the cold wind continuously brush across his face…
Even after drinking heavily, the pain in his heart still prevented him from falling asleep. Instead, the alcohol only magnified his suffering.
Fragments of memories flashed through Xiao Yufan’s mind—moments of intimacy with Cheng Ying, and the scene from today, flashing faster and faster, as if tearing him apart. In agony, he tightly clutched his head, curling up on the bench and sobbing.
His heart ached more and more. Watching the speeding cars pass by, Xiao Yufan truly wished to end his life and chase after that distant dream…
With his last bit of strength, he pulled out his phone and dialed the most recent contact. After a long wait, the call was finally answered, and Yu Han’s cold voice came through.
“Don’t even try to get my forgiveness. I don’t talk to scum. Please move out of my place as soon as possible…”
Xiao Yufan smiled. As long as Yu Han was still willing to speak to him, there was still hope to mend their relationship. Yet, none of it seemed important anymore. He spoke surprisingly calmly, “If you have time, come to Beihuan Road once.”
“Why would I go? Do you want me to be fooled again?”
“If you don’t come, I really will disappear from your life forever, never to return!” Without waiting for Yu Han’s response, Xiao Yufan abruptly hung up. This time, he truly wasn’t lying. Under the influence of alcohol, he genuinely considered leaving this world entirely…
A gust of cold wind blew across his face again. Before Xiao Yufan could take another step, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed him. He staggered and fell straight to the ground…
…
When Xiao Yufan opened his eyes again, the warm sunlight was almost blinding. He found himself back in his rented room, hearing faint noises outside.
“You’re awake…” Surprisingly, Yu Han didn’t get angry upon seeing Xiao Yufan. Holding a steaming bowl of congee, she entered his bedroom and gently placed it beside his bed…
“Why aren’t you at work yet, big beauty? First time seeing you still around this late…” Rubbing his aching temples, Xiao Yufan found his memories after leaving the hotel were fragmented. Yet, he vaguely remembered seeing a figure appear before him as he passed out, then carrying him away from the ring road…
“About to go…” After placing the congee, Yu Han walked directly out of the bedroom. Although she didn’t want to get angry with Xiao Yufan at this moment, it didn’t mean she had forgotten the betrayal from the day before.
“Thank you!” Xiao Yufan smiled slightly, softly saying to Yu Han’s back. Her steps hesitated briefly, but she didn’t stop…
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