In that moment, Lin Hao totally chickened out.
Forgotten memories surged up, and suddenly, Shen Yu standing there looked scarier than any ghost.
He froze, mind blank, completely at a loss for words.
But Shen Yu had reached his limit.
Things were already a mess—there was no way they could get any worse.
Rather than dragging this out like some slow-motion tragedy, it was better to cut it off cleanly. At least then, he could go back to his dull, lonely life.
“Don’t show up in front of me again.” Shen Yu stared at him, as if trying to burn the words into Lin Hao’s brain. “Otherwise, what happened four years ago will happen again.”
What happened four years ago?
It was the thing Lin Hao had tried so hard to forget, but it still haunted every corner of his mind.
Overnight, his best friend had turned against him. For four years, Lin Hao hadn’t been able to figure out why.
Was it because he’d mistaken him for a girl?
Because he’d tried to kiss him?
Was that why Shen Yu had “gotten revenge” on him?
Or... was it because Shen Yu liked Qin Sijie...
A sharp pain stabbed Lin Hao’s heart. He lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry.”
If Shen Yu really did like Qin Sijie, then Lin Hao’s drunken antics must have driven him crazy.
But... would it really make him that crazy? Would it... would it...?
Hearing Lin Hao’s apology, Shen Yu’s world went dark.
Don’t apologize.
If you can’t return my feelings, just stay away. No need to say sorry.
“I’ll take you home,” Shen Yu said, his whole body feeling drained, every word sounding like a final farewell.
Lin Hao hesitated, but finally asked, “Why... why didn’t you ever get together with Qin Sijie?”
Qin Sijie?
Shen Yu paused, taking a moment to remember who that even was.
She was the girl Lin Hao had liked at eighteen—the night Lin Hao got wasted, hugged him, kissed him, and told him he liked him. Shen Yu had nearly died from happiness, only for Lin Hao to finish the sentence: “Qin Sijie, I like you.”
From heaven straight to hell—Shen Yu had lost control.
He did what he’d been dreaming of for so long, like a drowning man gulping down one last breath, even if it meant suffocating afterward.
Shen Yu’s temples throbbed. He didn’t dare remember.
But Lin Hao kept talking: “I never knew you liked her. If I’d known...” I never would have said all that stupid stuff.
Shen Yu wasn’t like him—he didn’t treat feelings like a joke.
Shen Yu finally snapped back, still confused: “You think... I liked who?”
Lin Hao gave a sheepish laugh. “You know me, I don’t think things through. If you ever had a problem, you could’ve just told me... When have I ever fought you for anything?”
That was what hurt Lin Hao the most.
He’d always treated Shen Yu like a real brother, always gave him the best of everything.
He knew Shen Yu was quiet and shy, only ever liking things in secret. Lin Hao was so rough around the edges, but he’d notice even if Shen Yu just glanced at a pen for too long—he’d give it to him right away...
He’d always been so good to him.
So why did things end up like this...?
Lin Hao grew more and more uncomfortable. “I shouldn’t have mistaken you for Qin Sijie, but you didn’t have to go that far...”
Shen Yu’s mind was a mess—he couldn’t make sense of what Lin Hao was saying.
But that last sentence, he understood.
Lin Hao had mistaken him for someone else. Lin Hao liked someone else.
Shen Yu looked down and said, “I’m the one who should apologize. But I don’t regret it.”
Lin Hao was stunned.
Shen Yu looked up at him and said, “Just stay away from me. Even after four years apart, I still haven’t forgotten you. I still like you.” He gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. What were four years? His whole life, his heart only had room for Lin Hao.
But Lin Hao didn’t love him.
Shen Yu said tiredly, “If you don’t want to be humiliated like that again, then don’t mess with me.”
It was over.
Shen Yu finally felt like it was truly over this time.
Even if Lin Hao told him he was disgusting, he could accept it now.
But...
Lin Hao just stood there, staring at him in disbelief. “You... like me?”
Chapter 06
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