Do You Still Remember Me?

She walked along a bustling street on a cold early winter evening. Everyone was rushing home, but she was not. She had nowhere to go, for that house was too cold.

Linh walked on, a faint smile on her lips, headphones in her ears, her steps slow. Then her steps halted behind the tall figure of a young man. That slender figure exuded loneliness, but just as she was about to approach, another girl came to his side, causing the cold smile that had never once graced his face for Linh to blossom radiantly.

Linh stood silently amidst the passing crowd, watching Ling and Xiang Wei hand in hand. They walked and talked happily, a scene that pierced her heart. Clearly, she was the one who came first, but why did Ling love her? Why was she always the one left behind, always the third party? Why couldn't she be the female lead?

Tears streamed down her cheeks again, but amidst the bustling crowd, she couldn't openly weep. Her weak legs followed them. They laughed, while she cried, crying so much. Her feet followed them for a long distance until her tears had dried. Xiang Wei was also taken home by Ling, leaving him alone walking under the streetlights, never once looking back, completely unaware that someone was always walking with him.

"Huang Hai Ling..."

Linh seemed unable to bear his coldness any longer. She quickly ran forward, grabbing his hand and pulling him back.

"Mai Hui Ling, what are you doing?"

He said coldly, his strong hands trying to pry her hand off, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't.

"Can you carry me?"

Ignoring Ling's attitude, the corners of her lips still held a bright smile.

"What trick are you playing now? Let go!"

Ling said disdainfully.

"Please, just once..."

She maintained her smile, but it carried a desolate, pitiful air.

"Let go, or don't blame me for hitting a woman."

He maintained his cold face, making Linh's heart ache slightly again, tears threatening to fall. Ling was always like this, always cold to her, never smiling at her.

"Just once..."

Linh lowered her head slightly; her demeanor made Ling's heart soften. Indeed, he had never seen her like this. In front of him, Linh always appeared tough, lively, and cunning, chasing away all the girls who surrounded him. This Linh looked so unfamiliar.

"Just once, no second time."

Ling snorted coldly and sat down. Linh happily climbed onto his back, a bright smile always on her face. But after that, both fell silent.

Ling's steps were very slow but firm. His shoulders were broad and warm, making Linh greedily want to possess them forever, but how difficult that was. She feared she couldn't do it anymore.

"Do you want to marry me?"

She asked, even though she already knew the answer, she still didn't know why she wanted to ask. What if one day he would also love her? But her only reply was silence. Surely he truly saw her as air.

"Do you like me?"

Linh continued to ask.

"Do you like me?"

"Do you like me even a little?"

"You..."

"Shut up, or I'll throw you down right now."

He shouted coldly. He truly hated her nagging in his ear, hated her trailing after him, hated her smiling at him, hated her making things difficult for Xiang Wei. He utterly hated her, even wishing she would disappear from his life.

"Do you hate me that much?"

She asked softly, her head gently resting on Ling's neck, greedily inhaling his scent, cautiously as if this were the last time.

"I know you hate me."

She whispered, while he remained silent, walking until the white gates of her house gradually appeared.

"Do you still remember me?"

She asked again, a strange question that made Ling pause. Why would she ask that? When did he forget her?

"You probably don't remember me, don't remember me..."

Linh said tremblingly, her eyes tightly shut, but a tear still rolled down her cheek, landing on Ling's collar. But he seemed not to notice; his steps didn't stop for a second, and he immediately left.

He had no idea that behind that door, Linh, like someone drained of energy, collapsed to the ground and cried. She watched his figure disappear into the distance, her heart in her left chest feeling as if pierced by thousands of knives, numb with pain.

She liked him very much, very much... but he didn't like her. Did he like Wei because she was prettier than her? Because she was gentler than her? Why? Why didn't he love her? Clearly, she loved him first.

"You... don't... remember... me... do you?"

She sobbed, her heart feeling squeezed, painful, and breathless. But why was she the only one who remembered him? Five years by his side couldn't compare to that girl.

Huang Hai Ling, have you truly forgotten me?