Memories are so beautiful, making it impossible for me to let go time and again, even if I’m covered in scars.

"Do you think I don’t want to? Over the years, I’ve been trying to give up on you, to forget you, not to keep you in my heart. But I’ve never been able to forget you. Do you know how desperate that makes me feel? I want to start a new life too, but your shadow and your smile haunt my mind every day. I can’t make these things disappear. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

I’ve waited for you all these years, just for you, but what about you? You’ve gotten married early, had children, but I don’t mind, I just want to have you!"

"You really don’t need to go to such lengths to find me anymore, no matter how sweet you talk, I won’t believe it. I just want to live a stable life now. I don’t want our meeting to ruin my marriage with my husband. I just want us to live happily together; nothing is more important than that for me. If you have even a bit of love left for me, even a bit, then please, let me go and let me walk my own path in life, don’t disturb the quiet life I have now, okay?"

"Since you’re really unwilling to give me another chance to be with you, then spend tonight drinking with me properly. We won’t leave until we’re drunk, and after today, I promise I won’t bother you again. You go your way, and I’ll go mine; after today, we won’t interfere with each other’s lives anymore. How does that sound?"

Ran Zhihan hesitated for a while but ultimately decided to drink with his classmate here. However, he didn’t think that the drinks tonight would lead to suspicions of divorce for himself.

"Remember what you just said, if you can do that, then I’ll drink with you properly, we won’t leave until we’re drunk!" Ran Zhihan thought his husband didn’t know, but he didn’t realize that his every move was under his husband’s watch. He thought that as long as he could destroy all the evidence, he wouldn’t be discovered. But little did he know, his husband had been monitoring him all along, never fully trusting him.

"Don’t worry, as long as you drink with me properly, don’t go home tonight, stay with me, I will certainly keep my promise to you!"

Looking at the woman in front of him who had started drinking, Chen Gang’s mood improved significantly. All he wanted was to be with the woman he loved. Despite waiting in vain for so many years without receiving an explanation, he completed his studies abroad, coming back only to find that his beloved woman had long married and had children. How could he accept this?

Ran Zhihan was poured drink after drink by Chen Gang. He knew he couldn’t hold his liquor well, but seeing his classmate, felt obliged to keep drinking. Who would have thought that when he was thoroughly intoxicated, Chen Gang would take him back home?

"Zhihan, do you know how hard life has been all these years? Whenever I think of being with you, all my burdens feel lighter. I only want to be with my beloved, but you married early and had children. I know you’re no longer whole, but I still want to be with you, to consummate our relationship as husband and wife!

Don’t be angry that I deceived you tonight. Maybe it will be hard to accept when you wake up, but I really can’t stand it anymore. I want to be with you. After waiting over ten years, this is what I get. How could I be willing to accept this? I’ve investigated your marriage, and lately, it’s been fraught with problems and isn’t as happy as it seems. Knowing this, why shouldn’t I take the chance to bring you back to me, to keep you just for myself? All I want is your companionship and gentle treatment!"

Chen Gang voiced his inner thoughts to the drunken Ran Zhihan.

......

As day broke, Chen Gang saw the person in his arms, feeling he was the happiest person in the world. He finally got the love he’s yearned for so long, even if the means were not right. But it fulfilled one of his inner desires.

Zhang Yichen watched as his wife was brought back by Chen Gang and stayed overnight. Choosing to say nothing, he quietly waited for his wife to return and explain. He didn’t know what excuse or lie his wife would use to deceive him this time.

Ran Zhihan opened his eyes groggily, thinking the man beside him was his husband, but upon clearer sight, realized he’d made a grave mistake.

"Chen Gang, why is it you? What did you do to me? Why am I here this night? Didn’t you say that after drinking with you last night, you wouldn’t disturb my life anymore? You lied to me! How could you do this to me? What have I done to deserve this from you? Is living my own life really so difficult? Do you insist on messing up my life until you’re satisfied? I told you we couldn’t be together. After what you’ve done, how do I face my husband? He doesn’t need words to see what happened to me last night. Why would you treat me like this?"

"I have to do this; I want you to divorce your husband so I can take you back. I just want you to stay by my side. You might not value this, but for me, it’s my lifeline. I’ve longed for my beloved woman all these years. I studied hard, aimed for success just so I could bring you back to me and give you the happiest life. But returning home, I found you were already married. I don’t care if you have children or a spouse; I care about whether you can be with me!"

Whether it’s love or hate, I’m not as concerned anymore.

I know what I’ve fought for, loved, taken, and cherished. Maybe you’re all free now!