Confrontation

Under the sunlight, three figures walked side by side. Tian Qing quietly listened to the stories they told; they... had so many colors. For the first time, she felt curious about the things around her. Although she could know everything through a computer or phone, she still yearned... to be a part of them, to witness and experience them herself, rather than just learning about everything through mere pictures and theories. Occasionally, he would ask her a few questions amidst the stories, and she would only nod or shake her head slightly, or flutter her long eyelashes. Sometimes she would smile faintly, a smile that melted into the sunlight, pure and strangely beautiful.

Suddenly, Tian Qing's arm was yanked hard, her wrist gripped in a painful squeeze. Without looking up, she could guess who it was; that scent was painfully familiar. Ming Jun stood there, furious. He knew he didn't deserve to be near her, yet seeing her walk beside someone else was something he couldn't bear. And what he saw on her lips was a smile... something he longed to find again, yet today she smiled at another boy, not him. He told himself to let go so neither of them would suffer, but somehow, he still couldn't stay away from her, he just couldn't. Tian Qing just stood there, her head bowed toward the ground, not wanting to look at him. Her heart still ached terribly after what he had caused her, her loved ones, and her family. Even though he hadn't done it on purpose—the guilty party was his father, who had used his own son to carry out that disgusting plot—the trauma refused to release her, leaving her at a loss as to how to face him. Love? She didn't know. Hate? Was there any? Or just strangers? She didn't have the courage.

"You! Stay away from Tian Qing!"

He took a step forward, intending to pull Tian Qing back, but Ming Jun quickly brushed his arm away before he could touch her. He saw her shoulders trembling.

"Get lost! Right now!"

Growling each word through gritted teeth, he was furious. The guy in front of him was nothing, had no right to hurt his Tian Qing, to make his Tian Qing uncomfortable. Unconsciously clenching his fists, he could feel his blood boiling. From start to finish, Hui just stood to one side, watching, taking everything in. And occasionally, his gaze drifted to that girl, her hair falling over her slender shoulders, her breathing rapid, her shoulders trembling slightly. She was so fragile, like a gust of wind.

"Ah...!!!"

Tian Qing gasped in surprise before falling into someone's arms. The scent of sun, wind, and a clean, natural fragrance lingered... So warm...

Ming smiled. His smile was always so bright; no one could tell it was merely an outer shell. Since the person who had always protected him passed away, and over time... he didn't know exactly when, but gradually, he found himself wearing a mask of affability and cheerfulness, even though his heart was empty.

"She's mine, okay?"

Ming Jun froze, stiffening. Only Hui remained as before, indifferent and emotionless.

Her eyes widened in a daze, and she quickly tried to break free from the embrace. She didn't want to depend on anyone; she didn't want to always be passive. As his arms let go, Ming looked at her, his smile suddenly sadder than ever.

She looked at everyone, "friends." She felt something was off. What they brought her was special... but she was afraid. A vague, formless fear. Perhaps, once someone found something important to them, they would feel afraid—afraid of losing it, afraid of losing themselves.

Regaining his composure, he looked at her with a reassuring smile, then looked at them. He saw so many bottled-up emotions: pain, regret, loss... all mixed together.

"Are you okay, Tian Qing? Perhaps you two are misunderstanding. The three of us are just friends. Since we've run into each other, why don't we walk together? We were just planning to grab some food."

"I'm Guang, and this is Hui. Strangers first, friends later."

No one answered. She nodded slightly and stepped forward. Hui followed right beside her, with him behind. The remaining two hesitated slightly before catching up. The tension in the air dissipated, but a strange feeling remained.

Who knew, perhaps after today, a new relationship would form among them. And who knew, amidst their feelings, she might find the things she had lost.

The horizon blazed with red, the surrounding clouds looking as if they were on fire as the sunlight gradually faded in the distance. The wind rustled through the leaves, creating whispering melodies. Looming somewhere in the sky, which was turning a deep purple, was the pale white moon and twinkling stars.