Chapter 15: Only You, Yun Xinyu
After politely introducing himself, Feng Zihao immediately turned his gaze back to Yun Xinyu and smiled, saying, "I'll head off now. I still have a script to revise. When this movie comes out, let's watch it together." His eyes were filled with anticipation and joy.
"Sure, go ahead with your work. I won't keep you from your important tasks."
Since her purpose of bringing them together had already been achieved, there was no reason to keep him any longer. She waved goodbye to Feng Zihao.
But then she felt that standing at the door to see someone off wasn't very polite, so she offered to walk him out, thinking she could casually bring up Ye Xue to make him more familiar with her.
While waiting for the elevator, she asked nonchalantly, "Feng Zihao, what do you think of Ye Xue?"
"Why are you asking me that? How would I know what she's like? Aren't you her best friend?"
Feng Zihao looked puzzled.
"No, that's not what I mean. I'm asking how you feel about her. Do you think she's pretty and nice? And...do you like her?"
"...
Yun Xinyu, are you...trying to set us up?
Are you really in such a hurry to push your close male friend away?"
"I'm just concerned about you. You're not young anymore. Besides, didn't you wait for her for ten years? Why are you so shy now that you've finally met?"
"Why do you think the person I've been waiting for is her?"
"From high school until now, haven't only Ye Xue and I been close to you?
If it's not me, then it must be her."
"Sis, I really can't deal with you.
Let me make this clear..."
Feng Zihao looked at Yun Xinyu with exasperation before speaking slowly:
"First, I don't interact much with her, so we're not close.
Second, the person I've been waiting for isn't her.
So guess who it is?"
Yun Xinyu stared blankly at her close male friend, then carefully recalled all possible candidates before replying:
"Aside from Ye Xue and me, there are only guys around you.
Uh...could it be...are you...are you...?"
"What are you implying? Why do you keep excluding yourself? Are you really that insecure, sis?"
"Stop teasing me. It couldn't possibly be me...
Uh...
Is it really me?"
Feng Zihao looked at Yun Xinyu pointing at herself as if she were an idiot.
Yun Xinyu's mind reeled. She had always believed he was waiting for Ye Xue, that he loved Ye Xue.
She'd even been deeply moved by his decade-long devotion as a single man while secretly mocking it.
Now he claimed the person he'd waited for wasn't Ye Xue—but herself?
Had all her emotional investment been wasted?
Well...perhaps that wasn't the main point.
Feng Zihao nodded solemnly and affirmed, "It's you."
He then watched with amusement as she grappled with this revelation, awaiting her response.
It took Yun Xinyu considerable time to accept this fact, her mind still short-circuiting. She stood frozen in place.
Just then, the elevator arrived. Remembering she was supposed to be seeing him off, she waved goodbye, secretly grateful for the timely interruption.
But things didn't go as planned. Feng Zihao stepped into the elevator and, seeing her immobility, seized her flailing hand. With a forceful tug, he pulled the bewildered woman inside.
He leaned in—not a wall slam but an elevator door slam—and gazed at her earnestly. "I wanted to choose a better moment to tell you this, but it seems there's no choice now."
He took a breath. "Alright...Yun Xinyu, listen carefully:
I, Feng Zihao, have always loved only one person—you, Yun Xinyu.
From the past through the present into the future.
Understand?"
Seeing her usually composed friend exuding such unexpected boldness, Yun Xinyu felt distracted. Her heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
"But...but..."
"No 'buts.' I've never regretted waiting ten years for you."
"I..."
"I didn't tell you earlier because I feared ruining our friendship."
"You..."
"Don't rush to refuse. I know what you're thinking.
Having chosen to wait means I've long accepted any outcome.
I just want you to know I'll always be here. If you ever turn around, I'll walk beside you..."
"I..."
"A backup plan? I don't care—I'm happy to be one..."
"No..."
"It's fine. Don't worry about me. Just make the choice you want."
"Wait, wait!
I was just telling you the elevator's here..."
Feng Zihao glanced back—the doors were indeed opening. He tried pulling Yun Xinyu out again, but this time she clung stubbornly to the handrail.
Knowing she felt embarrassed, he released her. Before the doors closed completely, he flashed her a roguish grin.
To others, it might have appeared devastatingly charming—so why did she find it utterly...bizarre?
(End of Chapter)
