Chapter 70: Last Confession

Words not loud—each stone—heart shattered.
Delusional.
She was delusional.
Everyone moves forward—only she—dream and reality blur—linger in place.
Qi Yu right—new direction.
What wrong? Best ending she imagined—apart—no compromise—no pain—Qi Yu find braver firmer lover.
Why heart hurt now?
How not care—no lingering—forgot so fast?
Reason shattered.
Red eyes—broken stare—tears—throat sour—no words.
Blink—silent tears—tremble lip—his unmoved face—sour peak—collapse near.
Hide ugly—head down—bite lip—sob—breath pain.
Sobs leaked.
Fog eyes—last reason gone—grip wrist—tighter.
Qi Yu frozen—no pull—complex stare—tear face—heart stop—grief seen.
Tears on her heart—sour bitter taste.
Want ask—why not let go—strangers—no pain—good?
Jiang Ya wouldn’t choose—she wouldn’t tie.
Planned quiet life—why now disturb—walked away wasn’t you?
Grip hand—step close—red eyes wet black—“Delusional?”
“Strangers?”
“You hate me—don’t want connection?”
Silence.
“Is it I don’t want?” Brow—thin tears—anger pressed.
Pull hand off—“You said it first—not me.”
Once tears broke her—hold confess—enough.
No one bears hurt again.
No one waits forever.
“Separated—past—no hate.” Half look away—“Gone—don’t drink next time.”
Glance elevator—sigh—left no look back.
Dazed home—lock bedroom—wall blank.
Drunk tired—won’t sleep.
Wall blank—Qi Yu ghost—warm water—hold sleep—stories—gone.
Empty room—wind sound—last leaf—forgotten.
Heartbeat caged—no sound.
Pale lie—face in doll—sofa to bed nightly.
Afraid lonely.
Hide face—smile fall—tears cold arms—memory warm—heart pain.
No solution—how escape cage.
Qi Yu—I hate me more than you hate me.
……
After exam Qi Xuan Qi Wenping fight—runaway—Friday to Qi Yu apartment—won’t leave next day.
“So fierce—rank drop—phone week—world cut off!”
Qi Yu regret beach trip—petty.
Sand noon—hot wind—stone sea.
“Reward when up—punish when down—week phone still have tablet.”
“Double standard?”
“Not that idiom—shouldn’t scold neighbors—face—Tang wanted weekend—freedom—”
“If freedom you here?” Interrupt—really Tang.
“Study better—don’t anger Mom—fifty this year—shop home—go back tonight.”
“Oh…” vented—can’t face home—poke Qi Yu—“Come back with me?”
“No—drive you door—you up.”
“Why?”
Sea waves eyes flicker.
“Fight with aunt?”
“Mom said—you and aunt—don’t bother you.”
“Not that bad.”
“Two months no home—what so bad— aunt gentle unlike mom…”
Smile no warmth—“Principle.”
Silence—“Eighteen next year—half adult?”
Nod.
“Treat you adult.”
“Not fight—values—surface only if unsolved.”
“Values?”
Sigh—“I’m gay—I love women.”
“Strange to you?”
Shocked long—blank.
“Normal if strange.”
“No—not strange—didn’t expect.”
Could say openly—
Next bomb—“Ex was your homeroom teacher—more surprise?”
“Ah—” jaw drop.
“Close mouth—split now—don’t mention me.” Lift chin.
Qi Yu hug knees sky—lonely—tell half-grown child—
“High school classmate—liked year two—graduation rejected—no contact—parent meeting again.”
“Fate if meant meet—can’t hide.”
“Closer—together—thought road crooked enough—”
“This year bomb—road gone.”
……
“Found—she chose family—not me—done—fought mom—values clash.”
Monologue—Xuan listen—
Xuan calm—“From what I know Teacher Jiang not irresponsible—talk properly?”
Blank laugh—“Not about responsible—never firmly chose me—nothing to talk—”
“Qi Xuan.” Serious eyes—sigh relief—“Want leave here.”
“Leave this home—leave Nanliu.”