When Song Ren permitted him to court other women outside of their marriage, he could not fathom those words. He knew that Song Ren was going into their union with the grounds of keeping their relationship solely platonic and mutually benefiting each other's companies.
But he liked Song Ren since they met, and never realized his feelings ran deep until he saw her again at the banquet, after months of parting. They occasionally saw each other after graduation.
He remembered seeing her at a Villa during an event hosted by mutual friends. She wore a white bathing suit with the brightest smile. His heart lept, and his thoughts consisted of her. He racked his brain for weeks, wondering why he missed her and why she occupied his mind. Later, he made sure that whichever events she attended, he'd be there.