Once upon a time

Tan Huaiyu sat in the law firm's temporary office, surrounded by piles of documents and materials. The preparations for the new law firm were tedious and complex, and he had barely rested in the past few days. His phone screen lit up, and he picked it up casually to glance at it—it was Xiao Jue's WeChat Moments.

A photo of a marriage certificate with a simple caption: [It's legal now.]

Tan Huaiyu was somewhat surprised. He knew Xiao Jue and Lin Ye were together, but he didn't expect them to be planning to get married so soon. He clicked on the photo and looked at it carefully. In the photo, Xiao Jue and Lin Ye were sitting together in white shirts. Although Xiao Jue looked a little dazed, you could tell he was smiling so happily, while Lin Ye was gazing tenderly at the camera.

Tan Huaiyu gave it a like and commented "Congratulations," then turned off his phone, leaned back in his office chair, and stared blankly at the glaring light above him.

He didn't even know what he was thinking.

Perhaps I'm a little envious.

Or perhaps, a little jealousy.

I envy them for being able to have a happy ending with their love.

I'm jealous that they were able to get married.

Humans are indeed complex and troublesome creatures.

Tan Huaiyu forced a bitter smile. He reached for the photo frame on his desk; inside was an old photograph—a picture of Qi Shuo participating in an English speech contest more than a decade ago when he was in high school.

The boy in the photo stands on the podium, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers. His features are striking, and his gaze is firm and confident. He holds a speech in his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips, and he radiates a dazzling light.

At that time, Qi Shuo was his faith and role model.

Back then, I was ambitious and always thought that nothing in life was difficult.

Back then... everything was so wonderful.

Tan Huaiyu's fingers gently traced Qi Shuo's face in the photo, a hint of nostalgia and heartache flashing in his eyes. The photo was yellowed and the corners were worn, but he had always treasured it and never thrown it away.

This was the only thing he owned that belonged to Qi Shuo.

Tan Huaiyu closed his eyes, and in his drowsy state, he recalled the past.

That outwardly cold but inwardly warm-hearted Qi Shuo, that passionate and brave Qi Shuo, that Qi Shuo who would take him running in the mountains, that Qi Shuo who would make him toys, that Qi Shuo who would tell him the Harry Potter series, that... even though he himself was mired in the mud, he still wanted to bring him hope.

Qi Shuo.

This person was a constant presence throughout Tan Huaiyu's life.

We first met when I was 6 years old, and now I'm 23.

Seventeen years have passed.

For seventeen years, Qi Shuo has been his only motivation and hope for life.

It was the only piece of driftwood he had on the vast, hopeless sea.

She is the person he wants to be with forever.

Tan Huaiyu's breathing gradually became steady, and his consciousness began to fade. In the last moments before falling into a deep sleep, he murmured to himself, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

"Brother Qi Shuo."

"Don't abandon me."

In his dream, he returned to his childhood. He stood in that dark, violent home, covered in wounds, curled up in a corner. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a beam of light shone in. Qi Shuo stood in the doorway, extending his hand to him, his voice gentle yet firm:

"Huaiyu, come with me."

He reached out, trying to grasp that hand, but he couldn't hold on. Qi Shuo's figure gradually faded into the distance, disappearing into the darkness.

"Brother Qi Shuo!"

Tan Huaiyu woke up with a start, his forehead covered in cold sweat. The office was quiet, with only the slight hum of the air conditioner. He checked the time; it was already ten o'clock at night.

Outside the window, the night view of the northern city was dazzling and bustling. Tan Huaiyu stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant lights. Among those lights, could there be one... that belonged to Qi Shuo?

He took a deep breath, grabbed his coat and keys, and walked out of the office.

The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of her fatigue. Tan Huaiyu stood by the roadside and hailed a taxi.

"Master, Yucaiyuan."

The car drove away from the city center, heading towards that old, simple neighborhood that held so many of his memories.

That was his home.

A home bearing traces of Qi Shuo's influence.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of Yucaiyuan residential area. Tan Huaiyu paid the fare, got out, and stood in front of the rusty iron gate. It was already late at night, and there were hardly any people in the residential area, with only a few streetlights shining forlornly, casting a dim yellow glow.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the residential complex. The stairwell was still dimly lit, and the steps were somewhat steep, but he walked steadily, as if he had walked this path countless times before.

Insert the key into the lock and turn it gently.

With a click, the door opened.

Tan Huaiyu pushed open the door and fumbled for the light switch. The moment the light came on, he froze—a familiar figure was sitting on the sofa in the living room.

Qi Shuo.

He was wearing a simple black T-shirt and jeans, holding a book in his hand. Hearing the noise, he looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by a gentle smile: "You're back?"

Tan Huaiyu stood there, unable to tell if this was a dream or reality. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out.

"What's wrong?" Qi Shuo put down his book, stood up, and walked towards him. "Work is tiring?"

His voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze caressing Tan Huaiyu's heart. Tan Huaiyu watched him approach step by step, saw the familiar expression on his face, and felt his outstretched hand—

"Huaiyu?"

Tan Huaiyu suddenly woke up with a start.

The office was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner. Outside, it was already daylight, and sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting a thin strip of light on the floor.

He sat in his office chair, a coat draped over his shoulders—probably put on by his assistant when he came in. His forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his heart was pounding as if he had just finished a marathon.

It was just a dream.

Tan Huaiyu gave a wry smile and rubbed his temples. These past few days, he'd been having the same dream—that Qi Shuo was waiting for him at home, that Qi Shuo was smiling at him, that Qi Shuo… was still caring for him as before.

But the reality is that Qi Shuo and he are now like strangers.

He picked up his phone and glanced at the time—7:30 AM. There was an unread message on the screen from his assistant: [Attorney Tan, there's a client meeting at 10:00 AM today. I've prepared the materials.]

Tan Huaiyu replied with an "OK," then stood up and walked towards the office restroom. The cold water splashed on his face, the biting chill completely sobering him up.

The person in the mirror was pale, with obvious dark circles under their eyes, and their amber eyes were full of exhaustion. Tan Huaiyu looked at herself and suddenly felt a little unfamiliar.

Who is this?

Is it that young lawyer who's a force to be reckoned with in Beijing? Is it Tan Huaiyu, hailed as a "genius" in the industry? Or... is it that boy who's always so cautious in front of Qi Shuo, afraid of making a mistake?

He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating smile.

Yes, they are.

Neither.

After washing up and changing his clothes, Tan Huaiyu walked out of the office. His assistant was already waiting at the door, holding a cup of coffee and a breakfast.

"Good morning, Attorney Tan." The assistant handed him coffee and breakfast. "Here's your breakfast."

"Thank you." Tan Huaiyu accepted it, his voice a little hoarse.

"Did you stay up late again last night?" the assistant asked worriedly. "Should we postpone today's meeting?"

"No need," Tan Huaiyu shook his head. "I'm fine."

The assistant hesitated, but ultimately said nothing more.

Tan Huaiyu walked into the conference room and began preparing the meeting materials for the day. He moved quickly and his mind was clear, as if the exhausted person from just moments before was not him at all.

This is his life—busy, fulfilling, with no free time.

There's no time to miss, no time to reminisce, no time to...dream.

The meeting went very smoothly. The client was very satisfied with his proposal and signed the contract on the spot. After seeing the client off, the assistant excitedly said, "Attorney Tan, this is the first big deal our firm has ever closed!"

"Hmm." Tan Huaiyu nodded, his face expressionless. "Well done."

"Are you unhappy?" the assistant asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I'm happy." Tan Huaiyu forced a smile. "I'm just a little tired."

"Then you should go back and get some rest," the assistant said. "Leave the rest to me."

“Okay.” Tan Huaiyu didn’t refuse again, picked up his coat and keys, and left the law firm.

Walking down the street, the sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was blowing. Tan Huaiyu wandered aimlessly, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the library entrance.

He stopped and looked up at the familiar building. It was here that he had met Qi Shuo yesterday.

Five years have passed, and Qi Shuo has changed, yet he seems unchanged. He is still so calm, so aloof, so…heartbreaking.

Tan Huaiyu took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went inside. The library was quiet, with only the occasional sound of turning pages and footsteps. He went straight to the corner by the window—the place where Qi Shuo had stood yesterday, watching him.

The corner was empty.

Tan Huaiyu stood there, looking at the empty seat, a mix of emotions welling up inside him. He walked over and sat down in that seat, just as Qi Shuo had done the day before.

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the table and forming a bright band of light. Tan Huaiyu reached out and gently touched the sunlight with her fingertips; it felt warm and real.

Just like... the warmth Qi Shuo once gave him.

"Sir, is this place taken?"

A voice suddenly rang out. Tan Huaiyu looked up and saw a young girl standing opposite him, holding a book in her hand, looking at him somewhat shyly.

"Nobody's here," Tan Huaiyu said calmly, withdrawing his hand.

"Thank you." The girl smiled and sat down in the seat opposite her.

Tan Huaiyu stood up and left the library. As he stepped outside, the sunlight stung his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and continued walking.

Before he knew it, he had walked to that noodle shop again—the place where he and Qi Shuo had eaten yesterday.

The noodle shop wasn't crowded. When the owner saw him, he greeted him warmly, "Sir, what would you like to eat?"

"A bowl of beef noodles," Tan Huaiyu said. "No cilantro."

"Okay!"

The noodles arrived quickly, steaming hot and fragrant. Tan Huaiyu picked up his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat. The taste was the same as yesterday, but something felt missing.

The person on the other side is missing...

Tan Huaiyu gave a bitter smile and continued eating his noodles. After finishing, he paid and left the noodle shop. The sun was still shining brightly, and the streets were still bustling, but he felt... utterly lonely.

He took out his phone, hesitated for a long time, and finally opened his contacts, looking at the number he had saved for five years but had never dialed—"Qi Shuo".

My finger hovered over the "call" button, hesitating to drop it.

In the end, he exited the contacts and put his phone away.

It's not the right time yet.

He told himself that.

Tan Huaiyu took a deep breath and walked towards the bus stop. The bus arrived quickly, and he boarded, finding a window seat. The bus slowly started moving, and the scenery outside the window rushed past.

Looking at the familiar streets, buildings, and people, he suddenly realized that this city was no longer the same northern city it was five years ago.

And he and Qi Shuo are no longer the same people they were five years ago.

That's fine too.

Tan Huaiyu told himself this.

At least... they're still in the same city.

At least... they can see each other again.

At least... he still has a chance.

The bus arrived at its stop, and Tan Huaiyu got off, heading towards Yucaiyuan. He pushed open the door to his home; the room remained quiet and empty. He took off his coat, hung it on the hanger, then walked to the sofa and sat down.

On the coffee table, Qi Shuo's high school graduation photo stood quietly. In the photo, Qi Shuo still smiled so confidently and so brightly.

Tan Huaiyu picked up the photo frame and gently stroked Qi Shuo's face in the photo.

"Brother Qi Shuo," he said softly, "I'm back."

The room was quiet, and no one responded.

But Tan Huaiyu knew that one day he would bring Qi Shuo back into his life.

Someday.