Two months had passed since Hua had left for Japan, and though the trip had been successful, her heart remained heavy. The change of scenery, the excitement of new business ventures, and the bustling streets of Tokyo had been a distraction, but no matter how far she traveled, she couldn't escape the memories of Ming. He was always there, lingering in her thoughts, his absence felt like a shadow.
The plane touched down at the Shanghai airport in the early morning. Hua stared out the window, her heart conflicted. She had needed this time away, not just for work but for herself. To regain her strength, to clear her mind. But now that she was back, the weight of everything she had left behind fell heavily on her shoulders.
Zihan had been the only person who knew where she was, and though they spoke occasionally, Hua never asked about Ming. She wasn't ready. But as the days passed in Japan, she couldn't stop wondering. Did Ming try to find her? Did he regret everything that had happened between him and Xueyao?
Stepping off the plane, Hua was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of her home city. The cool breeze of Shanghai hit her face, and she took a deep breath, preparing herself for what lay ahead. She wasn't the same person who had left two months ago. She had grown stronger, but her heart was still fragile.
As she moved through the crowd at the airport, she spotted Zihan waiting for her. A warm smile broke across her best friend's face as she waved Hua over.
"Hua! You're finally back!" Zihan exclaimed, rushing forward to give her a tight hug.
"I missed you too," Hua said, smiling softly as she hugged her friend back.
They walked together toward the exit, Zihan pulling Hua's suitcase along with her. "How was Japan? Did the business trip go well?"
"It went well," Hua replied, nodding. "But... I'm glad to be back. I've missed home."
Zihan glanced at her cautiously, as if she were holding back something. "Hua... there's something you should know."
Hua's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
"Ming has been looking for you. For weeks," Zihan said carefully. "He's been asking everyone about you. He's been... different. It's like he remembers everything."
Hua's eyes widened, her heart pounding. "What do you mean?"
Zihan sighed, shaking her head. "After Xueyao left, he started having memories. He's been trying to find you ever since. He knows he hurt you, Hua. And... I think he's really sorry."
Hua looked away, her emotions swirling inside her. Ming had been looking for her? All this time? Part of her heart ached to see him again, but another part, the part that had been broken by his betrayal, hesitated.
"Do you want to see him?" Zihan asked gently.
"I... I don't know," Hua whispered. "I've been trying so hard to move on, to forget. But now that I'm back, everything feels so real again."
Zihan gave her a supportive smile. "It's okay to take your time. You don't have to rush into anything."
As they reached the car, Hua paused, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "I'll think about it," she finally said.
Zihan nodded in understanding and helped Hua load her bags into the trunk. "Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what you decide."
They drove in silence for a while, the familiar streets of Shanghai whizzing by. Hua stared out the window, her thoughts consumed by Ming. She had tried to forget him, tried to leave everything behind, but the truth was that her heart had never stopped caring.
When they arrived at Hua's apartment, Zihan helped her unload the bags and hugged her once more before leaving.
"I'll call you later, okay?" Zihan said, giving her a final smile before heading off.
Hua stood in front of her apartment door, the key in her hand. She took a deep breath, unlocking it and stepping inside. The familiar scent of home welcomed her, and for a moment, she felt at peace. But that peace was fleeting, quickly replaced by the rush of emotions she had been trying to avoid.
She dropped her bags by the door and sat down on the couch, burying her face in her hands. She had wanted to move on, but the more she thought about Ming, the more she realized how impossible that was.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Zihan: *"I think you should see him. He deserves a chance to explain."*
Hua stared at the screen, her heart conflicted. Could she really face Ming again? Could she listen to him after everything that had happened?
The image of Ming's face flashed through her mind, and for the first time in months, she allowed herself to feel the emotions she had buried so deeply. Maybe it was time to stop running. Maybe it was time to confront the truth.
With a deep breath, Hua picked up her phone and typed a message: *"Where is he?"*