When Longing Can No Longer Lie
1736 Words
For three days in Suzhou, inside the room filled with memories, Wei Wei sat quietly, lost in her thoughts.
Deep inside her heart, she asked herself,
“Should I go back?”
“If I return, what should I say?”
Guilt and pride continued to surround her mind.
“Wei Wei!!”
Jiang Yi Chen’s voice startled her. He walked into the room and opened the door without knocking.
“Chen Ge, can you knock first?” Wei Wei rolled her eyes.
“Let’s go fishing!”
Yi Chen’s voice was loud enough that even Ahpo could hear it from her room.
Actually, Wei Wei still hadn’t finished thinking about her problem, but the offer to go fishing was tempting. Remembering their childhood, fishing with Yi Chen had always been one of the memories that brought her comfort.
“Alright. Give me five minutes.”
Wei Wei pushed Yi Chen out and closed the door.
She took out her phone and typed a message to Yu Chen.
“I’m going to extend my stay in my hometown for another three days.”
After that, she prepared to go out.
Thinking back to their childhood, Yi Chen often took Wei Wei fishing behind his house. The place was rarely passed by boats and almost had no visitors, making it a peaceful spot for fishing.
When she entered Yi Chen’s house, Wei Wei saw a beautiful woman with fair skin, her hair tied up neatly, and a gentle gaze.
Su Wan Rou. Jiang Yi Chen’s wife and Wei Wei’s childhood friend.
“Good morning, Wan Rou Jie.”
“Going fishing? I’ve prepared some snacks for you two.”
Wan Rou’s smile looked like a spring flower blooming.
Yi Chen smiled as he looked at his wife, then held her hand.
“Thank you.”
Seeing the scene in front of her, Wei Wei’s heart unconsciously thought of Yu Chen again.
“I’ll go to the back first.”
With quick steps, she walked toward the back of the house.
Wan Rou noticed Wei Wei’s strange behavior. She lightly nudged Yi Chen, signaling him to follow her.
Wei Wei sat by the canal, resting her chin on her hand.
“Sigh…”
She let out a long breath.
“I actually miss Yu Chen.”
“What?”
Yi Chen’s voice came from behind her.
Wei Wei immediately turned in surprise.
“A... what?”
“I heard you say that you miss someone.”
Yi Chen smiled mischievously.
“You miss your boyfriend, don’t you?”
Wei Wei’s hands started to sweat. Her gaze avoided Yi Chen’s.
“That means you still love him. Why are you lying to your own heart?”
Yi Chen smiled.
“Chen Ge, you really don’t suit saying things this poetic.”
“Hey, at least appreciate my effort. Hmph...”
Yi Chen pretended to sulk.
Wan Rou came over carrying the snacks and heard their conversation. She only smiled.
“Wei Wei, what Chen Ge said is right. Be honest with your heart.”
Wan Rou held Wei Wei’s hand.
Actually, Wei Wei already understood what Wan Rou meant. It was just that a part of her heart still wanted to avoid it.
“What are you hesitating about?”
Yi Chen asked.
“I mean, your problem can be solved through a proper conversation. I don’t want you to regret it later.”
Yi Chen’s voice became more serious this time.
Wan Rou held Wei Wei’s hand.
“In a relationship, communication is the most important thing. Avoiding it is not the answer.”
“I know...”
Wei Wei shook her head and lightly tapped her own face.
“Alright. Three days later, I’ll go back and talk to him.”
“Let’s go fishing.”
In the end, Wei Wei spent that day fishing together with Yi Chen and Wan Rou.
……
Yu Chen left for Suzhou that same day and arrived in the afternoon.
He searched for the address Qiao An Ran had given him.
When he entered the alley near Wei Wei’s house, his steps suddenly stopped.
He saw Wei Wei walking side by side with a man who had an athletic build and tanned skin.
His heart was immediately filled with jealousy.
“Who is he?”
“Does she already have someone new?”
Yu Chen shook his head.
“I don’t even have the right to be angry. I’m the one who made her leave.”
He knew Wei Wei wasn’t the kind of woman who would be involved with two people at the same time. So even though his heart felt uncomfortable, he tried to calm himself.
Quietly, Yu Chen followed them from behind.
Occasionally, the man placed his arm around Wei Wei’s shoulders, causing Yu Chen’s eyebrows to rise and his forehead to crease.
A feeling of discomfort that he couldn’t hide filled his heart.
But he could only endure it.
When they arrived in front of Wei Wei’s house, Yi Chen talked with her for a moment before finally leaving.
From the corner of her eyes, Wei Wei noticed a man standing by the side of the road.
His face looked tired, his eyes filled with guilt, as if he was almost about to cry.
Yu Chen.
Their eyes met.
Wei Wei stared at him for a long time, and Yu Chen looked back at her.
At that moment, all Yu Chen wanted was to run toward her and hold her in his arms. He wanted to tell her how much he missed her.
But he held himself back.
He was afraid that if he forced himself too much, Wei Wei would only distance herself further.
“Oops... looks like someone has come to pick up the princess.”
Yi Chen’s voice brought Wei Wei back from staring at Yu Chen.
Wei Wei immediately hit his arm.
“Hahahaha...”
Yi Chen dodged while laughing, then left without looking back.
“Wei Wei...”
Yu Chen’s voice was soft, almost inaudible.
“Come in. It’s almost night.”
Wei Wei turned around and walked into the house without checking whether Yu Chen followed her or not.
But deep inside, she had actually already forgiven Yu Chen.
She just wanted to see him try. She wanted him to realize his mistake.
Inside the house, Ahpo was sitting on her rocking chair while embroidering.
When she saw a man walking behind Wei Wei, the corner of her lips immediately lifted.
“Finally, the one who has been waiting has arrived.”
Ahpo continued speaking while her hands never stopped moving.
Wei Wei’s eyes widened. Her face turned slightly red as she lowered her head.
“Ahpooo... who was waiting for him...”
Yu Chen scratched his hair and looked away.
“Alright. I’ll cook first. You young people should settle your matters.”
Ahpo walked toward the kitchen, leaving the two of them behind.
For a moment, everything became silent.
Yu Chen scratched his head.
Wei Wei also remained quiet.
Only the sound of their heartbeats could be heard.
Wei Wei took a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to calm herself.
Finally, she started the conversation.
“Let’s talk.”
Wei Wei walked toward the bedroom, and Yu Chen followed behind her.
Inside the room, the atmosphere became quiet again.
Wei Wei stood with her back facing Yu Chen, creating a distance between them.
Looking at her back, Yu Chen wanted to get closer.
His hand even lifted slightly, wanting to hug her.
But he pulled it back.
He was afraid that if he did that, Wei Wei would distance herself from him again.
“Wei Wei... forgive me.”
Yu Chen’s voice broke the silence between them.
Wei Wei remained silent.
She didn’t answer.
Her arms only wrapped around herself, her fingers gripping her own arm.
“That day... I thought my words disappointed you. I didn’t think carefully... I’m sorry.”
Seeing that Wei Wei was still silent, Yu Chen continued.
“But... but I didn’t like her. I... I only love you.”
“She is only my past. I didn’t know it would make you angry.”
Finally, Wei Wei spoke.
“You know I wasn’t angry because of Ruo Xi, right?”
“Do you realize that you were still searching for answers from your past relationship?”
Yu Chen fell silent.
“If you found out that her life was not going well, what would you do?”
“And if her life was going well, then what?”
Wei Wei’s voice became hoarse.
Yu Chen slowly held her arm.
“It’s not like that...”
“I... I wanted to be seen by Ruo Xi.”
“I just wanted to find the answer to my own confidence.”
“I feel... like I’m not worthy of you.”
“Sorry... I’m sorry...”
Yu Chen’s face looked desperate.
He only hoped Wei Wei would look at him.
“I thought if Ruo Xi could see me... then you would also be proud of me.”
Wei Wei stayed silent.
“Wei... I swear, it was never because I still wanted to be with her.”
“But it was because I... I thought if Ruo Xi acknowledged me, then I would finally be worthy of standing beside you.”
Yu Chen lowered his head and buried his face in his palms.
His words pierced Wei Wei’s heart.
She knew Yu Chen was fragile.
She knew he often kept many things inside himself.
But she never knew that all this time, Yu Chen had seen himself as someone so unworthy.
Wei Wei turned around.
She walked closer and hugged him, gently rubbing his shoulder.
“I don’t love you because of the Yu Chen that Ruo Xi wants to be proud of.”
“I love you for who you are.”
“You don’t need to keep proving that you are accepted by other people.”
“I accept you... all your flaws, both the good and the bad.”
Yu Chen’s body trembled slightly.
His tears fell.
He hugged Wei Wei tighter.
He didn’t want to lose this woman.
He loved her so much that it felt difficult to breathe.
“Do... do you forgive me?”
Yu Chen looked into her eyes, hoping to find the answer.
- Writer
