She looked so cautiously apologetic, as if I had bullied her.
"No need."
Laurence and I spoke at the same time.
I sneered. Laurence was so concerned about her. She only had to show a bit of humility, and he felt sorry for her.
"I have something to do. You all go ahead and eat."
I stood up to leave, but Laurence grabbed my arm.
"It's Lila's birthday today. Can you stop causing a scene and ruining everyone's mood? Sit down and eat."
I couldn't eat anymore. I brushed off his hand and walked out of the private room without looking back.
At the door, I heard Lila's cautious voice again.
"Laurence, Kiki left. Maybe you should go comfort her."
Laurence's tone was cold.
"Leave her be. She'll get over it in a while."
It was my endless forgiveness in the past that made him think I could digest these emotions on my own.
The early spring night was still very cold. Walking on the street, I felt both hungry and freezing, thinking I deserved it.
I randomly walked into a restaurant and ordered a bowl of beef noodles.
As I ate, tears started streaming down my face. This beef noodle shop was where Laurence and I came on our first day as a couple because I insisted on it.
Before that, he had never eaten at such small restaurants.
We had sweet days together too. He took me to high-end places, integrated me into his circle, introduced me to his friends.
We kissed at the highest point of the Ferris wheel, held each other tightly as we bungee-jumped together...
He also followed me to try street food everywhere, like the most ordinary couple, holding hands and running through the central fountain of the city...
But ever since Lila appeared, everything changed. I became the unnecessary one.
Whenever Lila said a word, he would abandon me and run to her.
Perhaps it was because I fell in love with someone who was always out of my reach that I ended up in such a miserable state.
The owner walked over with a smile and handed me a tissue.
"It's been a while since you came by. Didn't expect my cooking would still make you cry with joy."
Oh, the owner is really confident.
I had no reason to belittle myself because of an unattainable love, reducing myself to dust.
I wiped away my tears, gave the owner a smile, and gradually felt my disappointment fade away.
Back home, after washing up and lying in bed, Laurence sent me a message on WeChat:
"Still angry?"
"Take me off your blacklist so I can call you."
"It's thundering outside. Are you scared sleeping alone?"
"Move back in. Stop making trouble."
I didn't reply to him.
I opened my Moments and saw Lila had posted an animation of Laurence giving her an Ocean Heart necklace.
Captioned:
"Both the person and the necklace are my favorites."
My heart remained calm as I replied with four words:
"Respect, blessings."