Chapter 69: No Relationship

Sourness chest—heavy—nowhere vent.
Some mood—stared Qi Yu—defiant—not move—see through.
Qi Yu seemed unaware—would not lift eyes.
“Hello—okay?” Man still pushed phone at face.
Cold glance—“No.”
Usually polite—no mood—one word—ignore.
Man stiff—still—“Just admire—friend…”
Silent—won’t repeat.
His noise—more irritable.
Glare—about speak—other voice.
“Please leave? Friend returning soon.” Polite words—cold voice.
Man left awkward.
As he rose—two eyes met.
Jiang Ya—eyes water—Qi Yu two seconds—back phone.
Obvious ignore.
Won’t look anymore?
That disgusted?
Heart dull knife—no sharp pain—seeps bone—reminder—strangers now.
Half hour—eight—ceremony.
Father bride aisle—white dress—holy—stunned all.
Applause rings—smiles blessings.
Only Qi Yu—dazed at couple—occasional clap—flat.
Complex—envy—more than bit.
Envy open love—lights for them—witness world—she—coming out broke family—abandoned—what—pathetic?
Thin smile stage—pity self.
Why both—Qi Li—Jiang Ya—dump then “love”—rather never loved—less guilt—nights whose fault.
Applause follow—glance beside.
Never understood—duty family never abandon—only her—easy discard—filial then marry man—years later regret woman?
Silent sneer—breath—numb heart squeeze bitter.
Crowd loud—heart empty.
Nine—banquet start—toast—noise.
Newlyweds left—talk relationships.
Jiang Ya quiet—Qi Yu unusually chatty.
Past love—table looked—only Jiang Ya Qi Yu silent—eyes on Qi Yu.
Qi Yu frank—“Last year—broke two months ago—nothing to say.” Light smile.
Woman sigh—“Why? Incompatible?”
Hot gaze on Qi Yu—she ignored—“Many reasons.”
Pat shoulder—“Next better—world many—someone loves you more.”
“Mm I think so too.”
Silence broken—
“Bring red wine?” Jiang Ya—all looked—one did not.
“Sure? Strong—” Li Wen—remember two beers limit.
“Want try.” Half glass.
“Try—” gulp half—cough—Li Wen pat—“Sip not gulp—” look blank Qi Yu—“Tissue—”
Jiang Ya wipe—stare Qi Yu—join laugh—no care here.
Qi Yu laugh—more sour—tide breath.
Last hope dead—pour another—alcohol only medicine.
Drunk join toast—when Jiang Ya speak Qi Yu silent—late Jiang Ya drinking Li Wen worry Qi Yu cold watch.
End—Jiang Ya red—Li Wen support out.
“Miss—told you not drink—” lean wall—
Squat—hair floor—drunk teacher gone—ghost.
Li Wen see Qi Yu exit—grab her.
“What?”—squat Jiang Ya—pause.
“Neighbors—take her home—sleep here—”
Lift Jiang Ya—obedient quiet.
Qi Yu see red face wet eyes—pitying?
Brow knit—look away—“Inconvenient.”
“Call car.”
Li Wen stunned—Jiang Ya grip clothes tight.
Li Wen taxi—worry driver—must send self—far—
Jiang Ya leave wall—“I can go myself…”
“I’ll send.”
Qi Yu—dark eyes—“Hold her—get car.”
Fast parking—new black car—Jiang Ya front seat not back.
Quiet car.
Hot face—“Why not drive?”
“No seatbelt—want me help?”
“No—” buckle fast.
Smooth drive—silence temperature rise.
Red light—“When buy car?”
“Last week.”
Road trip memory—mad to think.
“Thanks for ride.”
“You’re welcome.”
Never look away front—“Don’t misunderstand—don’t trouble others—just convenient.”
“Oh… okay.” Dazed—silent.
Community—two shadows far—lamp shadows close—harmony.
Drunk—soft ground—spin—hold wall slow walk.
Corridor—mother scolding daughter behind—
Needle pain—rebel teen has love—she wasted body—he won’t walk beside—
Elevator alone—
Lean side—bitter smile tremble—“Still… blame me?”
“What mean?”
“I know you blame… but I have reasons cannot say…”
Tears—Qi Yu—“So say now.”
“I…” stopped—“At least… no misunderstanding… peace—okay?”
“Misunderstanding?” Laugh—hold door—cold smile—“You wanted split—I agreed.”
“Peace—I sent you home tonight.”
“Long broken up—people move on.”
“Don’t flatter yourself—we’re just familiar strangers—no other relationship.”