The air inside the office felt heavier than usual.Yuxuan's eyes were still fixed on his phone screen.
The post.
Wang Zihan had finally responded.A long clear statement.
> The picture that's circulating right now is about me and the girl. She is not my girlfriend—neither now nor in the past. She is simply a very good friend from my university days. You could say she's my best friend, though we haven't been in touch much.We happened to meet at a roadside restaurant. That's all that picture shows—a meeting between old friends.
Please stop spreading unnecessary rumors. I am completely satisfied.
Satisfied.
That word lingered in Yuxuan's mind.His fingers slowly tightened around the phone.
Best friend…?
For years they had worked under the same company.The same roof.And yet he had never heard of this.Never once.His brows furrowed.If they were that close why did she never mention him?
A thought surfaced unwanted.Were they… more than that?.His jaw tightened.Did they break up?.Is that why they don't talk?
" No…"
He shook his head slightly.That doesn't make sense.But no matter how much he tried the thought refused to leave.Across the office Nuan sat at her desk.Her eyes rested on the same post.
Calm.
Still.
No visible reaction.But deep inside something stirred.A memory.A different time.A different version of herself.Back then
she used to smile more.Talk more hope more.And beside her was him." Zihan."
Not the star everyone admired today but just another ordinary boy.Someone she once called friend.Her lips curved slightly a faint smile.So small it almost didn't exist.
From a distance Yuxuan saw it.And for the first time he saw her smile.Not the polite one.Not the professional one.A real one.His chest tightened.She looks…happy.A strange feeling crept in not anger not jealousy something quieter something heavier.She never smiled like that with me.He looked away.But his thoughts refused to settle.
If she's happy…Then why does it feel like I'm not part of that happiness?
At that moment Nuan's phone buzzed.
A message.
From Linyue's manager.She read it quickly.
The meeting is postponed. She will visit the office tomorrow.
Nuan stood up without hesitation.She walked straight toward Yuxuan's office.
Knock.
" Come in."
She stepped inside." Sir, Linyue won't be meeting you today. She'll come to the office tomorrow instead."
Her tone was calm professional."That's all I wanted to inform you".She turned to leave.
But—
" Nuan."
Her steps stopped.She turned slightly.
Yuxuan was looking at her.Not as a boss.
Something else something more personal.
" I don't understand something,"he said slowly.
" What kind of relationship do we have?"
The question hung in the air.Nuan frowned slightly. " What are you saying?"
Yuxuan let out a quiet breath." It means…"
He paused searching for the right words.
We both know we're in a relationship.His voice softened." You know I love you."
A silence.
" But I don't feel the same from you."
His gaze locked onto hers."It feels like… you treat this like a job ".That word landed heavily.Nuan's expression didn't change.
But her eyes grew colder.Yuxuan continued.
" You message me… like it's routine.You didn't even care that I didn't reply.You never explain anything about your life."
" And most importantly—"
His voice lowered." When I asked you to meet my mother… you refused."
A pause.
" I just want an answer."
Silence.
Then Nuan spoke.Only one word. " Yes."
Yuxuan's expression froze.She looked at him completely calm.
" It's possible,"she continued.That this relationship… is just like a job to me.Her words were steady.
Flat.
" As for my life—You already know it now."
A pause.
" We were friends."
Her voice softened just slightly." That's all."
She turned again." I'll take my leave."
But before she could walk away Yuxuan laughed a bitter laugh. " Less."
He stood up.Walked toward her.Step by step. " So this is what we are?"
" A relationship with less meaning?"
His eyes searched her face.But she gave him nothing.No hesitation no regret only calm. " You know,"he said quietly,
" You take everything lightly."
A pause.
" Even this."
Nuan looked at him.For a moment something flickered.Then disappeared.
" I understand your feelings,"she said.This is your first relationship.Her voice wasn't mocking.Just… distant.So let me explain something.She met his eyes directly.
" You may think you love me Or maybe you really do."
A pause.
" But that feeling… Can change."
His expression darkened." If someone else gives you more— You'll start loving them instead."
Her tone remained calm.
" This is how life works."
Yuxuan's fists clenched." That's why I don't get attached That's why I don't create expectations. And that's why— I don't want this relationship to be public."
Heavy Silence.
She spoke as if she already knew the ending.As if nothing here mattered.Yuxuan stared at her.His voice dropped.
" So for you… Love is just a word with a known ending?"
A pause.
" And I'm just a part of it?"
Nuan shook her head slightly.
" You're misunderstanding."
Her voice remained unchanged.I never said you were just a pawn but I also never said That this would last forever."
That was worse much worse.Yuxuan let out a slow breath.Then asked quietly—
" If I'm not your pawn…Then what am I to you?"
For a moment—A long unforgiving silence.
it almost felt like she wouldn't answer.But then—
Nuan spoke.Her voice calm.
" You're someone I can leave… without regret."
Everything stopped.Yuxuan's expression froze completely.His eyes widened—just slightly.As if the words hadn't just been heard but felt deep painfully deep.His lips parted but no words came out.
Because nothing could respond to that.
His hands slowly clenched at his sides.
A bitter smile almost formed but broke before it could exist.
Without regret…?
So everything meant nothing?.Not even a trace?
For the first time Yuxuan understood.
He wasn't losing her.Because he never truly had her.Nuan didn't wait.She turned and walked away.
Without hesitation.Without looking back.
As if nothing had happened as if nothing mattered.
Yuxuan stood there alone completely still.
And this time there was no confusion left.
Only one truth remained he had fallen alone.