I sat at my desk, the only light in the dormitory coming from the dim glow of the desk lamp.
Li Wei had long since climbed into bed, and his soft breathing was particularly clear in the stillness.
As I gently sifted through some clutter, a yellowed photograph suddenly slipped out from a pile of old books.
It was a group photo taken during the welcome event organized by the Student Council at the beginning of our freshman year.
In the photo, I stood in the corner, looking as innocent as a fawn just entering the world, while Wang Yi stood beside me, his smile radiant and his gaze gentle.
His hand rested naturally on my shoulder, and at that moment, I felt that this gesture was the safest support in the world.
Memories surged like a tide—
It was when we had just met, and he took the initiative to help me familiarize myself with everything about the Student Council.
He stood in the center of the conference room, patiently explaining the workflow to me, every detail so meticulously presented that I felt like I was being treated as someone special.
Later, he secretly prepared a surprise party for my birthday, hiding the cake in the Student Council Office.
And then there was that rainy night when he took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders to shield me from the pouring rain while he himself got completely soaked.
These images flashed by like scenes from a movie, evoking nostalgia and pain all at once.
The smiles in the photograph began to blur, and only then did I realize that tears had already fallen, staining the paper with mottled marks.
Yet the memories did not cease; they ruthlessly tore open the scars hidden beneath the sweet facade—
In the woods, he and Zhang Nana were so close, whispering something to each other, their gazes filled with a heat I had never seen before.
When I confronted him, he merely smiled dismissively and said, "You're overthinking it."
These images cut through me like a knife, making it hard to breathe.
How ridiculous it was that I once gave up friends, changed my habits, and even sacrificed opportunities for him!
How much did I give up for him? And what did he ever give me in return?
"Enough," I whispered, unsure if I was speaking to myself or to the person in the photo.
I tore the picture into pieces, the scraps scattering across the table and floor like those once shattered dreams—nowhere to be found and impossible to reclaim.
Tears flowed uncontrollably, but this time, I didn't let them linger for too long.
The past is the past; I can no longer let it bind my steps.
"Meng Yan, from now on, you must live for yourself."
That night, I finally understood that some things are destined to be irretrievable, and some people simply aren't worth longing for.
The auditorium for the school anniversary summary meeting was brightly lit and packed to capacity. The Student Council members took turns speaking on stage, summarizing the successes and failures of the event. The atmosphere was relaxed yet vibrant.
I sat towards the back, holding a notebook for meeting minutes, my gaze drifting lightly over the crowd. Wang Yi stood at the center of the podium, his figure still tall and striking as he spoke eloquently, drawing waves of applause.
But no matter how beautiful his words were, to me, it was merely a performance.
As the last member of the Student Council finished speaking, Wang Yi suddenly cleared his throat and said loudly, "Before we conclude, I have something special I would like to do."
The entire room fell silent in an instant, all eyes focused on him.
I furrowed my brows slightly, feeling a sense of unease.
Wang Yi picked up a small gift box from the table, tied with a bright red ribbon that stood out under the lights. He stepped down from the podium and walked towards me, one deliberate step at a time.
"Meng Yan," his voice was gentle and deep, "I prepared this especially for you. I hope you will accept it."
He held the gift box out in front of me, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading and anticipation.
The people around us began to cheer: "Wow! Yi Ge is so romantic!" "Meng Yan, just take it!" "Get together! Get together!"
I merely stared at the box, not reaching out to take it or acknowledging the raucous cheers.
"Open it and take a look," he added, his tone laced with pressured confidence and a hint of testing.
My gaze fell on the red ribbon, but inside, I felt a cold laugh rising—how many people had he given such meticulously wrapped gifts to before?
"Thank you," I replied, my voice calm and devoid of any emotion. "But I don't need this."
As soon as the words left my lips, the entire auditorium fell into an eerie silence.
The sound of breathing became distinctly audible.
Wang Yi was taken aback; he clearly hadn't anticipated my reaction would be so cold. The smile on his face froze for a moment before he struggled to maintain his composure. "Meng Yan, did you... misunderstand something? This is just..."
"Enough." I interrupted him, my gaze as cold as frost. "Wang Yi, we are done. Please respect my choice."
These words shattered his facade like a heavy blow, causing those around us to hold their breath.
Whispers began to rise, with someone murmuring, "Did they break up?" "Is that for real?" "No wonder Meng Yan is so distant..."
The embarrassment and awkwardness on Wang Yi's face were unmistakable. He tried to explain but found himself at a loss for appropriate words, stammering, "Meng Yan, I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to..."
"It's unnecessary." My tone remained calm but carried an undeniable finality. "Let the past stay in the past."
With that, I stood up, clutching my notebook to my chest, and quietly said to Li Wei beside me, "Let's go."
Li Wei nodded and carefully supported my arm as we left our seats together.
As I stepped out of the auditorium, I didn't look back at Wang Yi nor did I pay attention to the complex gazes and murmurs behind me.
In that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief—like finally breaking free from a long-held net and breathing in fresh air.
As for Wang Yi, whether he regretted it or felt embarrassed was no longer my concern.
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