Ming was sitting in the park with Xueyao, the sun slowly setting behind the trees, casting long shadows over the ground. He had tried to distance himself from her lately, but Xueyao had always found a way to pull him back. It was her persistent charm, the history they shared, and the memories that blurred his judgment. Every time they were together, he felt like he was slipping away from reality.
Xueyao leaned closer, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Ming, do you ever think about the old days? When it was just the two of us?"
Ming hesitated. "I... I don't know. Things have changed."
"But have they?" she whispered, her hand brushing against his. "We could still have everything we once dreamed of."
Before he could respond, Xueyao closed the distance between them and kissed him—her lips soft and insistent against his. Ming froze, caught off guard by the suddenness of it. For a brief moment, his mind went blank, overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss.
But then, as quickly as it happened, the moment shattered.
"Ming!"
Zihan's voice rang out like a crack of thunder, cutting through the air. Ming pulled away from Xueyao, his heart sinking as he saw Zihan standing just a few feet away, her face filled with shock and disgust. She had seen everything.
Zihan's hands were clenched into fists, her eyes burning with anger. She marched straight up to Ming, her voice trembling with emotion. "Ming, why are you so heartless? How could you do this to Hua?"
Ming opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The guilt in his chest grew heavier as Zihan continued, her voice rising with every word. "She's done so much for you, Ming! She's stood by you, loved you, and this is how you repay her? With this—" she gestured toward Xueyao, who was watching the scene unfold with a smug look on her face.
Zihan turned her fury toward Xueyao, her voice dripping with contempt. "And you," she spat, "you think you can just waltz back into his life and ruin everything? After all this time? You're nothing but a—"
Before Xueyao could react, Zihan slapped her hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the park, leaving Xueyao stunned, her hand flying to her cheek in disbelief.
"You stay away from them, Xueyao," Zihan hissed, her voice shaking with anger. "You've done enough damage."
With that, Zihan spun around and stormed off, her footsteps quick and determined, leaving both Ming and Xueyao behind in stunned silence.
Ming stood there, guilt and shame twisting in his gut. He knew he had crossed a line, a line that he could never uncross. The hurt in Zihan's eyes, the betrayal he had caused Hua—it was all crashing down on him now, and there was no turning back.
As Zihan's figure disappeared in the distance, Ming was left standing alone with Xueyao, who still hadn't said a word since the slap. He didn't know what to say, how to explain himself, or even where to begin. All he knew was that he had made a terrible mistake—one that might cost him everything.
"Maybe I should leave," Ming muttered, his voice barely audible. He started to take a step back, away from Xueyao, but she grabbed his wrist.
"Don't walk away, Ming," Xueyao whispered, her voice pleading. "We still have a chance."
But Ming shook his head, pulling his hand free from her grasp. "No, Xueyao. I can't do this anymore."
Without another word, Ming turned and walked away, his heart heavy with regret, leaving Xueyao alone in the fading light.