Recalling when she watched me leave, how much he struggled deep inside, yet he never gave up, always considering me family at heart.

Ran Zhihan saw the back of her husband leaving, and she could only stand there silently fuming. She knew this matter wasn’t as simple as she imagined. Once something like this happens, it won’t change just because of a few words of pleading.

But since this has already happened, what should she do to salvage it? If her husband finds out the truth, the consequences would be unimaginable, a risk nobody can afford to bear. She mustn’t endanger herself.

Knock, knock, knock...

Ran Zhihan heard her phone ringing. She quickly opened it and saw a message from her so-called middle school classmate (Chen Gang). But why did seeing this message make her anxiety grow stronger?

"Zhihan, I know you probably don’t want to hear me speak right now. I admit that what happened tonight was abrupt of me. I shouldn’t have confessed so straightforwardly. I just cannot bear the thought of losing you again. I just want to keep you by my side, so I made such a reckless move tonight. I hope you can forgive me.

In fact, your husband doesn’t love you. I can see your heart is tormented and tortured. So, why not choose to leave him and embrace mine? I’ve been chasing after you since middle school, yet you never even spared me a glance. Am I truly of no use in your eyes? You’re unwilling to even give me a glance. Do you know how much I’ve longed to be with you until old age?

Tomorrow night, I’ll be waiting for you at the bar. No show, no break. If you don’t come, I’ll wait there all night. If you still consider me your classmate or friend, please make sure to meet me once."

As Ran Zhihan looked at the message, she felt even worse. She knew it was wrong to go, but she was worried about what might happen if she didn’t go, leaving him to wait a whole night. She didn’t want that to happen or to owe him a favor. When she braved it and went to the place, she found out it was all just a setup.

Zhang Yichen saw his wife had been at home all day and thought there’s no way she would go out and do something behind his back that would embarrass him, but he didn’t expect that she’d quietly leave in the middle of the night.

When Ran Zhihan arrived at the bar, she saw Chen Gang drinking heavily. She wasn’t sure why a feeling of heartache inexplicably emerged. Though this man in front of her was merely a classmate, why did seeing him cause such discomfort in her heart? Was it because she used to like him?

Reflecting on that time, she liked a man but couldn’t confess. Even when he sincerely confessed in front of her, she could only heartlessly reject him and tell him her thoughts against her will.

Back then, she already felt she was unworthy of such a man. He was excellent, and his academic achievements were impressive. How could she, just a student, match his status and position? Since she couldn’t give him the best, she shouldn’t hold him back.

"Chen Gang, stop drinking. It’s the middle of the night, and you’re drinking so much. Do you know it’s really worrying!"

"Zhihan, you came? Don’t worry about me. No one cares how much I drink. You don’t care about me either. Even if the whole world cares, it’s not from you. All I want is a glance from you, a chat with you. I know it’s awkward for you that I’m back, and hearing this makes you uncomfortable. But think about my feelings. After so many years chasing you, you’re married with kids, while I’m still waiting. Does that mean nothing to you?"

"I’ve told you, it’s impossible between us. I’m married, with a husband and a child. I can’t act recklessly like I used to. I admit I liked you back in school, but I humbly thought I was never good enough for you, couldn’t make you happy. Since I couldn’t, I shouldn’t hold you back and hinder your future. I gave up on you then, so why come back and say this? Don’t you think it makes our relationship more awkward and unbearable?"

I know what you’re thinking deep down. I don’t want my husband to doubt me again. Because I came home late last night, he’s already suspicious. I don’t want my hard-earned marriage to shatter because of a few meetings between us. I don’t want that to happen to me. If you truly love me, or if you really care, please think about my feelings. Don’t do things that hurt me; I can’t take it!"

After speaking, Ran Zhihan wanted to turn and leave, but Chen Gang suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Ran Zhihan widened her eyes, shocked that the man in front of her forced a kiss on her. What if her husband found out? What would the consequences be? All she could think about now was what kind of ending she’d face, what consequences awaited. She hadn’t realized her actions had severely hurt the person in front of her, and even more, hurt the husband who deeply loved her at home.

"Let go of me. Don’t you know this makes me look down on you? I’ve told you clearly, so why insist on being with me? You’re putting me in an impossible position.

We never got together before, and we won’t now. Don’t forget, I have a family, I have kids. You’re no longer the pure girl you once were. Stop scheming to win me over.

Even if you could have me now, what you’d get wouldn’t be whole. This isn’t fair to anyone. Why not find a perfect girl to marry, have children, and create your happiness?"

In the end, my longing for him became a form of torture. Even if I endlessly longed for him in solitude, he never appeared once.