Han Shao Zhou had managed to last two whole days without any word from Mo Ming, a feat that seemed nearly impossible for the man who couldn’t go more than three minutes without apologizing and making up before. These two days had been a blur for Han Shao Zhou, with everything seemingly in order—work, meals, sleep—but at the same time, everything felt chaotic, with every small notification on his phone sending his nerves on edge.
Eventually, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t stand it anymore. Convincing himself that it was perfectly normal to return to his own home, he headed back to the apartment where he had lived with Mo Ming.
But what he found there shook him to the core. Mo Ming had actually moved out.
The large apartment was eerily silent, with only the sound of his own breathing filling the space. Standing in the empty closet where Mo Ming’s clothes used to be, Han Shao Zhou’s face turned ashen.
Anger, anxiety, confusion… even a sense of betrayal surged through him.
He quickly lit a cigarette, pacing from the bedroom to the kitchen, and then to the living room. He was well aware that breaking up had always been inevitable, and that this sudden emptiness was simply because he hadn’t yet grown tired of the relationship. It was clear that Mo Ming was probably suffering more than he was, thinking that by moving out, he could force Han Shao Zhou to come crawling back. But now, with no response from him, Mo Ming was probably regretting his decision.
Han Shao Zhou finished two cigarettes on the living room sofa, then stepped out onto the balcony to cool off in the night air. Looking at the sparkling city lights, he grew even more agitated. His hand, almost unconsciously, slipped into his coat pocket, where it brushed against the small box containing the rings.
He had been carrying them around, waiting for Mo Ming to apologize so he could give them to him.
But now…
He felt like an idiot.
Letting out a bitter laugh, Han Shao Zhou turned and walked away, tossing the small, velvet-covered box onto the living room floor like it was trash.
The box hit the floor with a soft thud, its lid popping open. One of the rings remained securely inside, while the other bounced out, clattering across the floor and rolling into a corner…
The door slammed shut behind him as he left the apartment.
Downstairs, he got into the car, and the driver hesitantly asked, “Mr. Han, back to the hotel?”
Han Shao Zhou looked down at his phone but didn’t answer.
In the tense silence of the car, the driver glanced at the rearview mirror, noticing how tightly Han Shao Zhou was gripping his phone, the veins on his forehead bulging with stress. The driver dared not say another word.
After what felt like an eternity, Han Shao Zhou took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for something. Finally, he opened the chat window with Mo Ming and began typing.
Message: [We need to talk.]
Just as he was about to send it, he hesitated, then deleted the message.
He typed again.
Message: [I’m leaving for a business trip tomorrow. I don’t have time to argue with you. Bring some soy sauce home; we’re out.]
Delete. He typed again.
Message: [Have you thought it through? If you have, come back on your own.]
Delete. He typed again.
Message: [I lost a watch. Did you accidentally pack it when you moved? Where are you staying now? I’ll come pick it up.]
Satisfied that this excuse would get him to Mo Ming’s current location, he was just about to send it when his phone rang.
Seeing the name “Xiao Gui” on the caller ID, a rush of adrenaline surged through him.
It was Mo Ming!
Finally!
He waited a few seconds before answering the call, trying to maintain his composure. But when he heard Mo Ming’s soft, pitiful “I miss you,” the tension in his body melted away.
He knew it! He knew that Mo Ming would crack first!
The driver, noticing Han Shao Zhou’s sudden shift in mood, finally mustered the courage to ask, “Mr. Han, where to next?”
“I need to grab something upstairs.”
Han Shao Zhou got out of the car and hurried back into the apartment building.
Inside, the ring box was still lying on the floor, one of the rings missing. Han Shao Zhou moved the coffee table, lifted the rug, and even shifted the sofa, creating a racket in the process, until he finally found the ring in a corner.
Brushing off the dust, he carefully placed the ring back in the box.
Han Shao Zhou didn’t ask the driver to take him; instead, he drove himself to the artificial lake where Mo Ming had said he was. Once there, he parked and started searching along the lakeside. As the night deepened, there were fewer and fewer people around, and when he tried to call Mo Ming, he realized his phone was off.
A wave of cold panic washed over him, and Han Shao Zhou started running along the lakeside, fearing that Mo Ming might have left.
He didn’t know how long he had been running when, finally, he spotted a familiar figure slumped against the railing. His heart skipped a beat.
As he approached, Han Shao Zhou saw Mo Ming sitting there like a lost, abandoned kitten, his head down, shoulders slumped. He was aimlessly dragging a small stick across the concrete, occasionally looking up with an expression that was almost hopeless.
When Mo Ming spotted him, his eyes lit up, and he struggled to stand up, his legs numb from sitting too long.
“Shao Zhou Ge…”
Han Shao Zhou glared at him, anger radiating from him like a dark cloud.
Two whole days!
This idiot had tortured him for two whole days!
Mo Ming nervously walked up to him, but when he saw the cold, hard look on Han Shao Zhou’s face, he immediately lowered his head. “I’m sorry…”
His apology was so practiced, so familiar, that it almost made Han Shao Zhou want to laugh.
Without a word, Han Shao Zhou turned and walked away.
Mo Ming followed silently, head down, like a scolded student following the principal to receive punishment.
It was a long walk back to where Han Shao Zhou had parked.
As they walked, Mo Ming realized that Han Shao Zhou must have walked much farther around the lake to find him.
He looked at Han Shao Zhou’s stiff, cold back and whispered, “I was going to tell you exactly where I was, but my phone died…”
“Shao Zhou Ge, if you’re mad, just yell at me…”
“I promise I’ll behave from now on…”
“If I upset you again, I’ll…”
“I swear, this is the last time…”
Han Shao Zhou ignored him the entire time. When they finally reached the car, he opened the driver’s side door and got in. Mo Ming quickly slid into the passenger seat.
Relieved that he hadn’t been kicked out, Mo Ming sat quietly.
As they drove, Han Shao Zhou remained silent, his face as cold as ice. Mo Ming occasionally glanced over at him, but quickly looked away, sitting obediently in his seat.
It was late, and the road outside the window looked unfamiliar to Mo Ming—it wasn’t the way back to the apartment, nor did it seem like they were heading to a hotel.
“Shao Zhou Ge, where are we going?” Mo Ming asked cautiously.
Han Shao Zhou still didn’t answer.
The car drove into a lush, green area, following a winding road up a hill. Mo Ming finally recognized where they were based on the signs.
This was the Champagnes Hills Villa, the closest luxury estate to the city, surrounded by national forest parks. A lake ran through the area, making it one of the most prestigious places to live.
Looking at the man driving beside him, Mo Ming wisely chose to remain silent. The car pulled up to two tall iron gates, which the guards opened after confirming Han Shao Zhou’s identity.
After parking the car, Han Shao Zhou tossed the keys to a waiting servant and headed into the villa without a word. Mo Ming quickly followed him.
Inside the grand, opulent hall, Han Shao Zhou headed up the staircase. Mo Ming, wide-eyed, took in the lavish surroundings, feeling like a country bumpkin in the big city.
When Han Shao Zhou glanced back and caught him gawking, Mo Ming immediately lowered his head, embarrassed.
The villa was massive, with so many rooms and hallways that Mo Ming worried he might get lost if he wasn’t careful. He grabbed onto the back of Han Shao Zhou’s shirt to keep from falling behind.
Finally, they stopped in front of a door. Han Shao Zhou opened it and motioned for Mo Ming to go inside with a tilt of his chin.
Mo Ming obediently entered the room.
It was a bedroom, with an enormous balcony that offered a breathtaking view of the city’s lights, blending into the starry sky.
It was beautiful, Mo Ming thought…
Bam!
The door slammed shut behind him, making Mo Ming jump. He turned around to see Han Shao Zhou striding toward him, rolling up his sleeves, his face dark with anger.
Mo Ming reflexively shut his eyes.
Han Shao Zhou’s face twisted with anger as two days’ worth of pent-up frustration finally exploded.
He jabbed a finger at Mo Ming’s forehead.
“Didn’t you think you were so tough? Why did you call me then?”
“I thought you were so stubborn, but you couldn’t even last two days?”
“You think you’re so smart, don’t you? You think I wanted to pick you up?”
“Getting dumped and still crawling back to beg for reconciliation—don’t you have any self-respect? Don’t you feel ashamed?”
Mo Ming didn’t say a word, just kept apologizing softly, letting Han Shao Zhou push him back until he was cornered against the wall.
When Han Shao Zhou finally ran out of steam, Mo Ming just stood there, his head down, looking like a wilted flower. The sight of him drained all the remaining anger from Han Shao Zhou’s chest, leaving only a bitter aftertaste.
Han Shao Zhou knew now, without a doubt…
Mo Ming truly couldn’t live without him.
The realization brought a mix of relief and exasperation. What a pitiful person, Han Shao Zhou thought, unable to last even two days without crawling back. From now on, he would be like a piece of sticky tape, forever clinging to Han Shao Zhou’s side.
“Was it tough these past two days?” Han Shao Zhou asked.
Mo Ming nodded.
Han Shao Zhou chuckled softly. “Look at you. How pathetic.”
Mo Ming bit his lip, then cautiously reached out to hug Han Shao Zhou’s waist, only for his hands to be swatted away.
“Shao Zhou Ge…” Mo Ming called out softly, trying again to wrap his arms around Han Shao Zhou, only to be pushed away once more.
He tried again, only to be rejected yet again.
Mo Ming finally stopped, lowering his head in silence. But then, Han Shao Zhou suddenly grabbed his face and kissed him deeply, roughly.
A surge of heat mixed with a sharp pang of longing exploded in his chest.
The night wore on, the only sound in the quiet was the gentle hum of insects.
Mo Ming had long since fallen asleep, exhausted, but Han Shao Zhou couldn’t stop kissing him, from his forehead down to his lips, and beyond.
Even in his sleep, Mo Ming unconsciously leaned into Han Shao Zhou, seeking his warmth.
Han Shao Zhou chuckled softly, squeezing Mo Ming’s face.
“And you thought you could fight me…”
