The morning after their confrontation at the restaurant, Chen Xiao sat alone in his apartment, the silence deafening.
The image of Lu Sheng's wounded face… the blood… the pain in his eyes…
It haunted him.
He grabbed his phone and typed Lu Sheng's name into WeChat—but the message wouldn't send.
Blocked.
Panic kicked in. He tried calling. Disconnected.
Tried mutual contacts. No one knew where Lu Sheng was.
It was like he had vanished.
And maybe… he had to.
Chen Xiao sat with his guilt for days, weeks, months. Each day felt longer than the last. He visited places they used to go, scrolled endlessly through old messages, voice notes, photos. None of it brought him peace.
He even went to Lu Sheng's old apartment.
Empty.
Gone without a trace.
Time passed. Seasons changed.
One year.
Twelve full months of searching—quietly, desperately, sometimes pathetically.
And then one rainy afternoon, while traveling to another city for work, Chen Xiao saw someone from afar at a bookstore café. The same gait. The same gentle hands flipping pages. The same faint frown of focus.
Lu Sheng.
Heart pounding, Chen stepped inside. Rain dripped from his coat, his breath caught in his throat.
He waited.
Watched.
Until Lu Sheng stood up to leave.
That's when he found the courage.
"Lu Sheng…"
The name cracked in the air.
Lu Sheng turned slowly.
His eyes met Chen's—and for a moment, time paused.
No anger.
No warmth.
Just distance.
And pain buried deep.
Chen stepped closer, voice trembling. "I've been looking for you… every day."
Lu Sheng didn't respond.
"I know I don't deserve forgiveness. I know what I did can't be erased. But I swear—this year, not a single day passed where I didn't regret it."
Lu Sheng's voice was quiet, almost tired. "And what do you want now?"
"To make it right," Chen whispered. "Even if it takes the rest of my life."