The next morning, I didn't go to the office.
I sat in a patch of sunlight near the window, lost in thought.
My friends told me they were heading out to buy groceries.
I simply nodded.
But in reality, they were going to meet Xiang.
They called Gu again and asked him to bring Xiang to the café they mentioned.
The three of them waited there—like warriors preparing for battle.
Xiang walked into the café and immediately spotted Ye's friends.
He turned around and looked at Gu, confused.
Gu placed a hand on his shoulder.
> "Xiang, just hear them out. Don't jump to conclusions.
If you want to understand her, listen first.
Please."
But Xiang brushed past him, frustrated, and sat at the table.
Gu followed and sat beside him.
Xiang looked at them sharply.
> "You must know what she's hiding from me.
If you're not going to speak, at least don't act like her."
Xin tapped the table, her anger flaring.
> "You made her cry like that, Xiang."
His expression faltered.
> "She cried?"
They nodded.
Xin's voice softened.
> "You don't know what happened three years ago, do you?"
Gu leaned forward.
> "We don't either—and we'd like to know."
Taking a deep breath, Ling began:
> "Back in college, Ye used to take the bus home—and that's where she first saw you.
It was love at first sight.
But you never noticed her… You were always glued to your phone.
She would time her schedule just to see you.
She missed buses just to ride the one you were on.
You made her heart bloom… but you also broke it without knowing.
She told us how, during one of the exams, she saw you look at her—but even then, you walked away.
She tried to move on after college. She really did."
Ming added:
> "But fate had other plans.
She saw you again at our graduation party… and then you showed up again as her boss.
She thought it was destiny."
> "She was so happy… she couldn't hide it," Xin continued.
"But you didn't remember her. Still, she accepted it.
Yesterday, she called me crying. She said she felt like she was betraying you.
She asked whether she should tell you the truth."
Xiang's eyes softened.
> "But I gave her a chance to tell me. She didn't say anything."
Ling leaned forward, her voice firm.
> "Xiang, do you think it's easy to just blurt out your feelings to someone—especially when you've been hurt before?
She hesitated for a reason.
She's had sleepless nights over this."
Gu crossed his arms and said seriously:
> "Old man, you didn't fall for her first—she fell for you.
You broke her heart once.
But fate gave you another chance.
Don't mess it up this time… or you'll lose her for good."
Xiang stood still for a few minutes, processing everything.
She had loved me for three years?
She had carried that feeling silently, living with the ache—
While I, who acted like I fell for her, ended up doubting her… even yelling at her.
And yet…
She didn't yell back.
She never raised her voice.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Xiang suddenly stood up, grabbed his car keys, and drove straight to her house.
Back at the café, Gu and her friends sighed in relief
Knowing he had finally understood.