Chapter 5: Unrequited Love
Life in the second year of high school passed uneventfully, and by its end, Ye Xue and Feng Zihao’s friendship remained superficial.
In their third year, Ye Xue and Feng Zihao were assigned to the same class, while Yun Xinyu ended up in another classroom far from theirs.
Feng Zihao was the most popular boy in their class. Though not the school’s top heartthrob, he still received endless attention and frequent confessions from girls.
Their prior connection allowed Ye Xue and Feng Zihao to naturally become close friends in the new class, even sharing small secrets.
They built many shared memories, and for Ye Xue, these moments were pure perfection. She often reflected that meeting someone like him—someone she could stay beside, even just as a friend—felt like a beautiful, fortunate twist of fate. Perhaps this was love...
Ye Xue would forever remember their first meeting:
Under the sunlight, he smiled softly at her and said, “Hello.”
At that instant, she knew he would be her sunshine for life.
She also recalled his hands, their defined knuckles gripping the umbrella during their first shared walk in the rain.
“Your hands are so beautiful,” she’d wanted to tell him—but didn’t.
Just as she’d never confessed, “You’re wonderful. I like you.”
She remembered too the euphoria of discovering they’d been placed in the same class, a joy so intense it felt like holding the entire world in her palms.
Ye Xue often leaned against the classroom window, watching him sweat on the basketball court. When he scored, her happiness eclipsed even his own.
Later that year, they grew closer. He shared stories of his middle school days, childhood, and dreams for the future. She listened quietly, smiling at times, her heart aching at others.
Occasionally, he skipped study hall to wander the halls, relying on the teacher’s sporadic checks. When the teacher lingered too long, Ye Xue would secretly text: The teacher’s been here awhile. Come back soon. He’d return pretending to have used the restroom, avoiding suspicion.
During sudden cold snaps, Ye Xue’s frail constitution left her shivering or sniffling. Each time, Feng Zihao offered his jacket. When she refused, he insisted his “strong physique” made him immune to cold—though his subsequent sniffles betrayed the truth. “I’m a guy,” he’d say. “Looking after you is natural.”
To spare him these colds, the usually forgetful Ye Xue began meticulously packing extra layers.
As graduation loomed, Ye Xue knew time was slipping away. After endless hesitation, she resolved to confess—but first needed to gauge his feelings.
Casually, she tested the waters: “Hey, Feng Zihao... do you like someone?”
He paused. “Yes.”
Her heart leapt to her throat, fingers twisting nervously.
Fear gripped her—what if it’s not me?—but then she recalled their countless shared moments.
Besides Yun Xinyu, does anyone understand him better?
Is there any girl closer to him than me?
Hope rekindled. Maybe it’s me after all.
“Who is it?” She smiled sweetly, already certain. “Tell me! I swear I won’t tell.”
Feng Zihao hesitated before answering:
“Yun Xinyu. The one you know.”
Ye Xue froze, the words crashing over her. Her mind blanked, leaving only a choked “I need the restroom” before she fled.
She wandered aimlessly, pain tightening her chest until each breath burned. Tears streamed down her face, muffled by hands clamped over her mouth.
Why not me?
Why Yun Xinyu?
Why her?
She told herself she could have accepted anyone else—but Yun Xinyu?
So kind. So lovely. So accomplished.
What chance did she have?
Ye Xue admitted defeat—utter, complete defeat.
Yet she blamed no one. Without Yun Xinyu introducing them years ago, they might never have become friends. Without those subtle nudges for him to care for her, their bond would’ve never formed.
The pain of unrequited love pierced like ten thousand arrows.
Afterward, Ye Xue withdrew. No more chats, no accepting his jacket, no shared umbrellas. She still texted warnings when he skipped class—terse Teacher’s here messages—but their friendship froze until graduation.
Ye Xue chose to study abroad, hoping distance would erase her feelings for the boy who’d been her sunlight.
Now, a decade later, she returns believing she’s moved on...
But her restless gestures betray the truth—her heart still clings to him.
(End of Chapter)
