Author's POV
Walking around the corridor, Xingyue again went to Xi Song. She moved her gaze here and there, scanning the surroundings.
She noticed his picture on the notice board with lots of heart stickers on it. She leaned ahead to take a closer look, and the next moment, she narrowed her brows while turning back.
"It looks like Dr. Song has many fangirls in the hospital."
He had a straight face without an expression.
He knew what she was pointing out, but he cared less about this.
"Come on, Xingyue, they know I'm married."
"Oh..." She mockingly opened her mouth, making an 'O' shape with her lips. "That's why our Dr. Song received a special delivery of roses to his home, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"One of your fangirls, Chen Ting, sent flowers for you. And the fact you liked them a lot. So, shall I send a thank you letter on behalf of you?"
His senses blew away, hearing Chen Ting's name. The color of his face had also faded, which made her tease him further.
She added a sarcastic spark along. "Are you having an extra-marital affair, Xi Song?"
He gulped, knowing she was so close to the hidden truth. Stuttering, he tried to cover up for himself, but it only made her laugh.
"What are you saying, Xingyue? I have a beautiful wife to love."
She chuckled at his reply and caressed his cheeks. "Oh, my innocent man, I'm just joking around. I trust you. I know you can't do such a thing. Relax!"
He let out a sigh of relief, but the fear of losing her grew up in his heart.
He felt as if the end of this marriage was near.
He could feel burns already, and it cleared that he didn't prefer the result at all.
His heart was screaming. In the middle of an ocean of confusion, he felt helpless.
He took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped his sweat around his forehead.
"Xingyue?" Someone called her name out as she searched for the owner of the voice.
A guy wearing a white coat waved at her, and she did the same.
She walked towards him as her confusing eyes settled when she smiled at him. "W- Wen Reng?"
"Yep, me. How have you been, Xing? It's been a long time since the last time we met."
"It's actually you. Oh, god, I'm doing great. Yeah, we met at the college farewell. I miss our days a lot."
"Yeah! How're you and Li Yubing doing? Are you guys married already?"
Her mouth remained closed with bitterness and pain, hearing his words. She was unable to say anything.
What could she even say? My boyfriend ran away after showing me beautiful dreams? Or the years passed while waiting for him but he didn't come?
It was a soundless slap on her heart when she thought of settling down with him forever. She thought he was the one who could be her strong pillar for a lifetime.
But when reality spoke, dreams faded in the air like they never existed before.
"He... He's still abroad." She didn't even want to remember him now. After ruining her life, he had no right to come back into her life.
Those years when her trust was breaking up inches by inches, he didn't even bother to call.
He was tension-free, but there was someone who waited for his calls even in the middle of the night.
There was someone who wanted to talk to him for the entire day.
He wasn't aware, but there was someone who prayed for his safety every single minute.
She gave her all in their relationship but received a lesson to learn.
She learned a lesson never to love so honestly the way she did before because, in the end, it left scars of pain only.
"I think he's coming back to China. Did he tell you?"
The darkness covered her eyes.
She grimaced at his words. "He..."
"Maybe, it was a surprise for you. Sorry, I spoiled it."
She didn't even come out of trauma when Xi Song approached them and looked after Xingyue.
"Xingyue... Anything wrong?" He shifted his gaze to him and greeted with a smile. "Wen Reng, you returned after a long time."
"Yeah, I needed some time with my family. By the way, do you guys know each other?"
Xingyue was staring at the ground, and thus, he thought of answering.
"We're..."
"We're friends." She cut his words off, and the comment made him stare at her.
He choked in the air. "Friends? Since when?" He thought, keeping a poker face.
"Ohk! Well, I have some work to do. See you later, Xingyue, Xi Song."
She just kept smiling and waved her hand till he left them alone. She could finally breathe. But then, his face had a 'care to explain' look plastered that again made her freaking out.
"F-R-I-E-N-D-S??"
"Xi Song..." She clutched his arm and swung it. "I was nervous. He's my old friend, and not inviting him to the wedding made me feel guilty. Besides, you know we're married, then why tell others? Aren't we happy?"
He didn't seem to believe in her words. But her charm always dug a path for everyone to fall in.
...................................................
Sitting on the street and next to the street food chain, Xi Song and Ling Xiao enjoyed delicious sweetcorn.
All the time, Ling Xiao kept checking on the time, which annoyed him. He glared at him and asked. "What the heck, Ling Xiao? Why do you keep checking your phone? I'm here for a serious talk."
"I'm waiting for your serious talk too, but you're only busy eating."
"So what? I have so many problems in my life. Eating is the only enjoyable thing I can do."
"Huh? You're the one who created this drama. I feel as if I'm living in a novel and watching a whole setup of drama. Just clear it with her, simple!"
"It's easy to say."
"Your wife is quite understandable. But you love making it tricky."
"You're not understanding.
It's just when she came in front of my eyes, I couldn't dare to utter a word. My heart becomes restless every time I dream about the end of us."
"She told me about Chen Ting, and I felt like she would now say 'Xi Song, let's get a divorce'. I can't live without her, Ling Xiao."
"I'm glad. Now you realize that you can't live without her."
"I have to talk to Chen Ting before she ruins my marriage life."
"And what about your fear? Are you going to be selfish and keep her in the dark?"
The next moment, he had no reply to his question.
He evidently wanted to tell her, but he needed the confidence to meet her eyes.
Ling Xiao was furious over his silence. He was sorry to see his suffering, but he didn't want to ruin her life at all.
At the moment, he could either choose to support his friend or save an innocent life.
He pronounced a sigh when no outcome came out. He was still soundless.
He clenched his jaw and claimed.
"She is like my sister too. I won't let you make her suffer for your loss. We're friends, but I'm not going to support your zipped lips. Xi Song, tell her before I reveal everything." He stood up, leaving him speechless. "And it's a warning for sure."