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A private room in a luxury restaurant, Chen Yifan (Evan) and Lin Meichi (Michelle) were invited to attend the wedding anniversary celebration of Michelle's college classmates, Catherine and Kevin.
The private room in the restaurant was illuminated by soft lighting, and various exquisite French dishes were arranged on silver plates.
On such occasions, people usually feel cheerful, but Evan and Michelle subtly felt a hint of nervousness.
"Catherine and Kevin look so happy, don't you think?" Michelle secretly observed the couple, who were taking photos in a nearby corner, with radiant smiles on their faces.
"Those are all just appearances, who knows if it's the same behind the scenes?" Evan smirked, lightly touching the wine glass to his lips, but not drinking.
Catherine walked over, holding a large camera in her hand. "Why don't you guys take a picture too!" she said, smiling brightly.
Evan and Michelle exchanged a glance, then got up and walked to the photo spot with Catherine. Despite their inner doubts, they made an effort to show appropriate politeness and smiles.
The camera's flash flickered in this warm environment, capturing the joy of this moment.
"At this time every year, we celebrate our love, just like reaffirming our commitment," Catherine excitedly explained to Evan and Michelle, her eyes filled with conviction for love and anticipation for the future.
Evan nodded slightly, but inwardly pondered his and Michelle's relationship. They chose not to marry because they didn't want to be bound by traditional patterns of love, but is the happiness of this couple before them really so carefree?
The dinner is in progress, and each dish is carefully plated, adding a touch of elegance and delicacy to this special evening. Evan and Michelle are savoring the delicacies while silently comparing their views on love.
"Our relationship may not have such an anniversary celebration, but I feel like we celebrate our love every day, albeit in different ways," Michelle quietly says to Evan.
Evan looked at Michelle, his eyes shimmering with deep understanding and love. "Yes, our way is more real, more free."
Michelle quietly observed every detail in the compartment. The walls were adorned with gorgeous oil paintings and classical decorations, while delicate crystal light bulbs slowly rotated on the chandelier, emitting a faint halo of light. This was the scene that she and Evan had decided to avoid since their decision not to marry.
During break time, Evan accompanied Michelle to the restroom.
"Wait for me outside the door," Michelle broke the silence.
"Okay, I'll wait for you here," Evan responded promptly.
Michelle followed the signs to the restroom, but accidentally took the wrong path and ended up in a quiet little room. Just as she was about to turn back, she unexpectedly heard an argument coming from the next room. She gestured to Evan to come over.
The two cautiously approached the door and inadvertently overheard Catherine and Kevin engaged in a heated debate. Out of curiosity, they gently peeked through the crack in the door.
In the spacious banquet hall next door, behind a heavy wooden door, Catherine and Kevin are standing in a small room, the atmosphere on the verge of exploding. This space is the kind used for preparation or when privacy is urgently needed, with simple furnishings including a sofa, a table, and a few chairs.
Catherine is wearing an elegant evening gown, but at the moment she doesn't look elegant. Her hands are tightly clutching her handbag, and her face shows an excited expression.
Kevin, on the other hand, is dressed in formal attire, but clearly he is also agitated, with an impatient look on his face.
Catherine's eyes were burning with anger, her hands clenched tightly together, her nails almost sinking into her palms. "That woman called you again, didn't she?" Her voice was full of distrust.
Kevin felt a wave of impatience. He waved his hand, clearly trying to control himself from exploding. "Why are you so suspicious? I already told you it's not!"
His eyes stared at her intensely, with a few veins popping on his forehead.
Catherine walked up to the table, bit her lip, and then glared at him as if trying to pierce him with her gaze.
"I warn you, all the classmates are here now. If you don't want us to be laughed at, to embarrass your daughter, turn off your phone for me." Her voice raised a few notches, making a gesture to shut off the phone.
Kevin then took out his phone, placed it on the table, and tapped it forcefully. "You really are..." He bit his lip, clearly restraining his anger.
"I told you it's business, I can't explain it to you!" he said, then turned off his phone, as if to say with his eyes, "Are you satisfied now?"
"I've endured it many times, Kevin! Every time it's the same, you always act first and think later, never considering my feelings!" Catherine's voice revealed a hint of pain.
"Why don't I consider you? It's you who's always considering yourself!" Kevin retorted.
Both of them stared at each other tightly, unwilling to back down. There was a sense of gunpowder in the air, as if it could explode in the next second. And at this moment, the sounds of merriment in the banquet hall seemed so distant, yet so piercing.
Evan and Michelle glanced at each other, both being non-marriage advocates, but the scene still made them feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"This... is really unexpected," Michelle whispered to Evan.
"Yeah, it seems like the wedding anniversary celebration not only has joy, but also pressure and entanglement," Evan responded, with a hint of a bitter smile on his face.
"What are you doing here?" a waiter suddenly appeared and asked in confusion.
"Ah, we got lost, sorry," Michelle immediately responded, pulling Evan away quickly.
They returned to the banquet hall and, once seated, Michelle took a deep breath. Both of them felt heavy-hearted, but more determined in their decision.
Soft music played in the banquet hall, but the air was filled with tension. Both of them were contemplating everything they had just witnessed.
"This reminds me of my parents. They always pretend everything is fine in front of others," Evan tightly held his glass, his gaze becoming distant.
"Me too. Watching Catherine and Kevin reminds me of my mom. She endured so many years of infidelity and deception to maintain the appearance of harmony," Michelle's voice carried a hint of resignation.
"Evan, is this the truth about marriage? It looks beautiful on the surface, but inside it's full of cracks."
Evan took a deep breath. "Perhaps, but we can't draw conclusions based on just one case. However, it does reflect how some people, in pursuit of surface perfection, overlook the authenticity of emotions."
Michelle looked out the window, her inner doubts tangled like a knot of thread, becoming increasingly complex. "This couple is like a broken mirror, reflecting our inner unease and confusion about marriage."
Delicate dishes were continuously brought to the table, but they seemed to show little interest in these luxurious delicacies.
In this luxurious banquet hall, the crystal chandeliers emit a dazzling light, seemingly trying to illuminate the emotions of every person. However, no matter how bright the light is, it cannot conceal the falsehood of this wedding anniversary celebration.
"It seems we are not the only ones feeling confused about the choice of love and marriage," Evan sighed.
"Yes, people often say that marriage is the grave of love, and that statement is really spot on," Michelle responded.
"Yes, I think even if we choose different paths, it doesn't mean we are wrong," Evan said, with a calm but firm tone.
"I totally agree. People always judge others based on their own values, but they overlook the fact that everyone has their own story and choices," Michelle responded, her eyes revealing a deep understanding.
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