When Xiang arrived, he opened the door and stepped inside.
I didn't even turn around, assuming it was my friends.
I was standing by the window, lost in thought.
> "Ye," he called gently.
The moment I turned, he rushed to me and pulled me into a tight hug.
I stood frozen, stunned by his sudden presence, still processing what was happening.
He leaned back, cupped my face, and whispered,
> "Ye… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you or doubted you."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked out,
> "Xiang… actually, I betrayed you.
I hid the truth. It's my fault. I shouldn't have kept it from you."
Xiang broke down too.
> "Ye, I know you loved me three years ago… and I was blind.
I didn't see you—not back then.
I don't deserve your forgiveness."
He slapped himself and held out his hand.
> "Punish me, Ye. I deserve it."
I held his hand gently and said,
> "You do deserve punishment… for breaking my heart and making me wait."
Then I gave his hand a light slap and pulled him into a hug.
Xiang looked stunned.
> "Did you… really forgive me?"
I nodded, smiling through tears.
> "Yeah, I forgave you.
But breaking my heart? You'll have to make it up to me."
> "How?" he asked eagerly.
I shrugged.
> "Figure it out. I won't make it easy."
He smirked, leaned in, and kissed me.
> "Crazy!" I said, laughing in surprise.
He kissed me again.
> "I told you—I love it when you call me crazy and golden retriever."
> "You're such a crazy man!" I said again.
Another kiss.
Meanwhile, my friends stood near the door, covering their eyes, blushing.
Gu, watching proudly, looked like a proud mother seeing her son graduate from heartbreak.
---
That evening, I visited Xiang's rented apartment.
While we were traveling in his car, I kept glancing at the street he used to walk down after getting off the bus.
Xiang noticed and asked,
> "Ye, what are you looking at?"—while grabbing my hand.
I replied,
> "Usually, when you got off the bus, you'd run like a horse across the road and turn left.
But now, you're taking a new route."
His expression turned from a sad puppy to a grinning golden retriever.
> "So you were stalking me back then, huh?" he teased.
> "Who stalked you?! Even if I wanted to, I couldn't catch up—
you'd already be halfway down the road by the time I turned my head!"
He chuckled.
> "Back then, I was working at my mother's company.
She'd give me huge files to read and expected me to take over.
But I didn't like it, so I always dragged myself home.
Every time, she'd scold me:
'Why aren't you in the office? You're always glued to your phone. Use it again, and I'll throw it out!'"
I laughed.
> "Your mom was right. If I'd been in her place, I would've smashed it myself."
He turned to me.
> "Why are you on her side?"
> "Because whenever I saw you, your phone was in your hand and your Bluetooth was always on.
One day, I peeked and saw you were scrolling through Instagram."
---
He stopped the car, turned to me with a soft expression, and gently held both my hands.
> "Ye… did you really like me that much back then?"
His eyes shimmered, full of emotion.
> "Ye, I'll take care of you like my child.
I'll make it up to you.
I'll make you happy."
I smiled at him.
> "You don't need to sacrifice anything for me.
Just be yourself. That's who I fell for—not your money or your face.
Let's enjoy life and support each other, okay?"
I patted his head gently.
Just then, his phone rang.
It was his mom.
He picked up and said,
> "Moooom~"
I could hear her yelling even without the speaker on.
> "Xiang! When are you coming home? We're waiting!
You're almost thirty—when do you plan to marry?!"
Xiang gave me an awkward smile.
> "Mom, I'm coming home right now—and I've got a surprise!
Please don't yell anymore. I'll be there in ten minutes, okay? Bye!"
He quickly hung up before she could continue.
Turning to me, he said,
> "Ye, we're going to my parents' house now."
> "What?!" I panicked.
"It's not appropriate! You didn't even tell them I'm coming!"
> "If you don't come, my mom will set me up with someone else!" he begged.