Chapter 2

During that whole year in the facility, Qianqian hadn't visited me once. Suffocating terror had swallowed me whole back then. I would break down, screaming for doctors and nurses, threatening to hurt myself just to force them to let me call her.

Once, twice, three times...

She never picked up.

Gradually, I grew numb, and my illness was cured. I never wanted to call her again.

Thirsty, I got out of bed and walked downstairs to get some water.

That was when I saw Qianqian out on the balcony, on the phone.

Her voice wasn't loud, but I could hear every word.

"Mhm, be good. At tomorrow's auction, bid on whatever you want. Don't worry about the price. Be sweet, okay? I've been a little busy lately, so I can't keep you company all the time."

Her tone was doting—a tenderness that once belonged exclusively to me. Just not anymore.

Holding my glass, I stood quietly behind her, listening for a moment.

I found it utterly boring.

Just as I turned to leave, her voice broke the silence. "Ming? When did you come down?"

She had already ended the call. "Just now..."

She wanted to explain, but I cut her off. "I was just thirsty, came down for some water. Go on with your call, don't mind me."

She took a step toward me, reaching out to grab my arm.

But I was already one step ahead, turning and walking back upstairs.

At the bend of the staircase, from the corner of my eye, I saw her gaze locked onto me the entire way.

The next morning during breakfast, Qianqian poured me a glass of warm milk.

It was her habit.

In the past, I would always drink every last drop, and she would gaze at me with a warm smile.

This time, I didn't touch the milk. Instead, I poured myself a glass of warm water.

Her smile froze on her face, but she said nothing.

Qianqian stood up, grabbed her coat, and walked toward the foyer. "I have to head out for a bit."

"Okay," I answered.

She reached the front door, pausing to look back at me. "Nothing you want to ask?"

Something to ask.

True. If this were the past, I would have interrogated her relentlessly.

I would ask where she was going, how long she'd be gone, and who she was meeting.

I didn't even know when I had become so terribly insecure, so terrified that she might leave me.

Thankfully, those days were gone.

I spoke, my tone completely flat. "Nothing."

Qianqian stood frozen in place for several seconds, but in the end, she left without another word.

After she was gone, I went upstairs to pack my things.

There really wasn't much to take.

I didn't want any of the clothes I had worn during my stay at the facility; seeing them only dredged up agonizing memories.

I packed the framed photo of my parents into the suitcase.

And then there was a journal—the one I had kept while locked away.

I flipped through it. Each page held only a single sentence.

"Called her again today. The 180th time. She didn't pick up."

"Today's therapy session hurt so badly."

"I miss Mom and Dad so much. Nobody loves me anymore. Even she is bullying me now."

"Today is my birthday. Nobody remembered."

"It feels like I haven't thought about her for three whole days. The doctor says I'm almost cured."

I closed the journal and tossed it straight into the trash can.

Qianqian returned quickly, bringing her three best friends with her.

They gathered in the study to talk about business.

The study door wasn't fully closed, and from the living room, I could clearly hear their chatter.

"So, boss, how are things going with him?" That was Yingnan Han, the one who praised my waist.

Qianqian's voice sounded calm. "Decent."

Then came Rong Yu, the one who said I was too stiff. "He looks way more normal now, just sitting on the couch reading. Didn't even flinch when we walked in. I honestly thought he was going to throw another fit."

Yingnan chimed in again. "Seriously though, Qianqian, isn't that little side piece of yours, Guangqi, acting a bit too flashy lately? He dropped a hundred million on a diamond necklace at the auction today without batting an eye. And if that wasn't enough, he's telling everyone you bought it for him."