Before, I had always wanted to travel. Gu Juan said to wait until he's done with his busy schedule, and I waited for six years.

Now, I don't want to wait anymore.

Qi Yinghuai looked into my eyes with a burning gaze and said, "I don't want to wait either."

We embarked on a spontaneous trip, a travel commando of exhaustion, capturing the most mundane photos.

But in every photo, I was smiling.

By the time we returned from the trip, half a year had passed.

When I got off the plane, I felt a bit dazed.

It seemed like I couldn't connect the past me with the present me.

How did I become like this?

Clearly, I had so many dreams, so many ideas, so many places I wanted to go.

Slowly, the only places I wanted to go were Gu Juan's office, Gu Juan's hotel, and the banquets Gu Juan attended. I wanted to see if he was cheating on me with another woman.

Looking back now, it's truly terrifying.

Qi Yinghuai accompanied me home, and as soon as the car reached the bottom of the building, I saw a familiar figure.

Gu Juan was standing there.

Why did he become so thin? His suit hung loosely on him, looking ill-fitting.

"Wanwan..." His gaze fell on Qi Yinghuai. "You and him..."

"Is there something you need?" I interrupted him.

"I... I just wanted to see if you're doing well." He scrutinized me from head to toe, trying hard to control his emotions, but tears betrayed him.

I was puzzled. What was he... crying out of jealousy?

Gu Juan lowered his head, concealing his embarrassment. His voice was choked with sobs as he said, "I... I went to the school the other day and took a look around. That tree of ours is still there."

I recalled and understood which tree he was referring to.

A tree we planted together. On Arbor Day, he ran into our school and said he wanted to leave something that belonged to both of us.

"And then?"

His body trembled slightly, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier..."

"You already did." I interrupted him again. "You've said it many times."

He tightly closed his eyes, and tears gushed out like a broken dam. "I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I don't know how we ended up like this. I... I've always loved you, but what have I done?"

He struck himself a few times.

I just watched him silently, without any ripples in my heart.

"After you finish talking, let's go upstairs. It's so hot outside."

He didn't say anything.

I held Qi Yinghuai's hand and went upstairs.

After we had dinner, I lifted the curtain and looked down. Gu Juan was still standing there.

He stood under the lamplight, lonely and desolate, his figure appearing fragile and separated from this world by a barrier.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

When I looked again, he had left.