Broken in the Dark

The apartment building was shrouded in shadow, the night as dark as ink, pressing heavily upon the city as if to devour everything. Neon lights flickered erratically in the thick darkness, seemingly struggling in vain. The building housing Ah Yu's apartment stood like a silent behemoth in this darkness, exuding a cold and aloof aura.

In the apartment's living room, the dim, ambiguous lighting, like a thin veil, cast a hazy, dreamlike glow over everything. This lighting, which should have created a warm atmosphere, now seemed strangely eerie, as if concealing countless unspeakable secrets.

Zhong Hua arrived with a joyful heart, carrying a carefully prepared dinner for A Yu. A happy smile graced her face, and she could already picture A Yu's delighted expression upon seeing the meal. The insulated lunchbox in her hands contained A Yu's favorite dishes, each one imbued with her love. However, the moment she gently opened the apartment door, that sound—a woman's soft laughter—pierced her heart like a sharp ice knife.

Her heart sank, as if she had fallen into an abyss. An ominous premonition instantly enveloped her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. Without time to think further, instinctively, she tiptoed towards the bedroom and hid inside the closet. The closet was very small, filled with Ah Yu's clothes, and that familiar scent now felt incredibly oppressive, as if invisible hands were tightly binding her.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Wanqing's clear yet shrill laughter echoed from the living room, like the hooting of an owl, particularly jarring in the silent air: "You think Gu Yanting will really let you go? Only people like us, with blood on our hands, can survive in this circle." Zhong Hua's heart leaped into her throat, her eyes widening as she stared intently at the living room through the tiny crack in the wardrobe door, her gaze filled with terror and disbelief. She strained to hear every word, as if it were a crucial clue to unraveling the mystery, while simultaneously trying to find an explanation in the expressions of the two people present.

Whispers of the cruel truth

The brief silence, like a heavy hammer blow, struck Zhong Hua's heart again and again. Each blow made her heart tremble violently, as if it would shatter at any moment. Finally, Ah Yu's familiar yet seemingly unfamiliar voice came, low and weary, as if carrying endless vicissitudes and helplessness: "Perhaps you are right...we were meant to be the same kind of people."

The moment Zhong Hua heard those words, she felt as if she were in an ice cellar, her blood freezing instantly. A bone-chilling cold shot from her feet to her heart, making her shiver involuntarily. She covered her mouth tightly with her hand, her nails digging deep into her palms, as if only in this way could she stop the sobs that were about to escape her lips. However, tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes, quickly blurring her vision.

Once, in Zhong Hua's eyes, Ah Yu was a warm and upright man, her solid support in this chaotic world. The beautiful times they spent together were like dazzling stars, embedded in the sky of her memory. Those sweet vows still seemed to echo in her ears, but now they shattered like bubbles before her eyes, leaving only endless emptiness and pain.

Her thoughts drifted back to the past. She remembered their first encounter, a bright and sunny afternoon. The sky was a deep, jewel-like blue, with fluffy white clouds floating in the air. Zhong Hua was hurrying along, carrying a stack of documents, preoccupied with work, completely unaware of Ah Yu ahead of her. They bumped into each other, scattering the documents everywhere. Startled, Zhong Hua quickly crouched down to pick them up, filled with guilt and panic. However, Ah Yu wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled and helped her pick up the documents. His smile was as radiant as the sun, instantly captivating Zhong Hua's heart. From then on, their interactions increased, and their feelings for each other gradually deepened without them even realizing it.

They went to the beach together to watch the sunrise. The pre-dawn darkness shrouded the entire sea, and all was silent. They stood quietly on the sand, waiting for that first ray of light. When the first rays of sunlight finally touched the sea, golden light instantly illuminated the whole world. Ah Yu held Zhong Hua's hand tightly, her eyes firm yet gentle, and said, "Zhong Hua, I will always be with you, and I will never let you get hurt." At that moment, Zhong Hua felt like the happiest person in the world. She believed Ah Yu's vow, and she believed they would walk hand in hand forever.

And then there was that time when Zhong Hua was sick and bedridden, lying weakly in bed. Upon learning this, Ah Yu immediately dropped everything and rushed to her side. He busied himself taking care of her meticulously, bringing her water and medicine, wiping her forehead with a damp towel to lower her fever, and staying by her bedside all night without sleep. In that long, dark night, Ah Yu's figure was like a warm light, giving her endless comfort and strength.

However, hearing Ah Yu's conversation with Lin Wanqing, she couldn't reconcile the Ah Yu before her, who was uttering such heartbreaking words, with the man she remembered who deeply loved her. Her heart was filled with doubt and pain, constantly asking herself: Had this cruel world changed him, or had he never truly revealed his true feelings to her? Zhong Hua felt as if she were trapped in a vast mystery, surrounded by darkness, unable to find an exit or see any direction.

In utter shock and pain, Zhong Hua's gaze wandered unconsciously. Suddenly, she saw the familiar mug in the trash can—it was her and Ah Yu's matching mug. Every morning, they would use these mugs to drink coffee and enjoy a warm breakfast. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the dining table, and they would sit facing each other, smiling and talking, sharing their innermost thoughts. Those mugs held countless beautiful memories for them; they were a symbol of their love.

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