I once dreamed of becoming a lotus—witnessing the world’s dazzling chaos yet staying untainted, embracing the rebirth of all things while flowing quietly within them.

I once believed in her, in love stories others called fairy tales: vows to last until seas dried and stones crumbled, until time itself turned to dust.

But on that graduation afternoon, I realized none of it was as pure as I’d imagined.

My name is Xiao Feng—a recent high school graduate stepping toward university. I once had a beautiful girlfriend. She isn’t mine anymore.

It was a bustling graduation afternoon. I’d slipped into the school’s back garden to escape the classroom noise, craving a moment of quiet.

That choice led me to the most unforgettable scene of my teenage years.

I sat beneath a neatly trimmed ornamental tree when a man’s voice caught my attention.

A young man in a casual suit, hair slicked into a sharp pompadour with gel.

He faced a sweet-faced girl in a white dress.

“Xia Xue, why haven’t you broken up with Xiao Feng yet? You said you didn’t like him—so why stay?”

Flustered, Xia Xue waved her hands. “No! I’ll tell him tonight at the party. I only like you now, Hong Tao—you know he’s too naive, too straightforward… not my type at all!”

Hong Tao smiled gently. “Good. How could that kid ever treat you like I do?”

He pulled her slowly into his arms and kissed her rosy lips.

Xiao Feng saw it all. He didn’t interrupt. Didn’t rage. Just turned away silently. In that fleeting turn, his eyes stung.

*Did I not love her enough? Was being sincere really a flaw?*

Memories flooded him—every joyful moment with Xia Xue since they first met. A single tear traced a quiet path down his cheek. *Is this the price of believing too deeply in love?*

He wiped it away, masked his pain with calm, and returned to class. He sat by the window, staring blankly at the city lights. Laughter and chatter swirled around him—utterly disconnected from his silence.

Night fell. The graduation party erupted in cheers—except for Xiao Feng, still seated by the glass.

“Xiao Feng… could you come out for a moment?” A voice both familiar and distant reached him.

His body trembled. He turned slowly to face the girl who once made his heart race—and now made it ache.

*So it’s finally here.*

“Mm.” He followed her out. Only in a quiet hallway corner did she stop, facing his calmly indifferent expression.

“Xiao Feng… let’s break up.” The words slipped out, weightless to her.

A sharp pang pierced his chest—but his nod stayed steady. “I understand.”

“You… won’t even try to keep me?” Xia Xue blinked, startled by his calm.

He met her gaze. “Was there… even one moment… you truly liked me?”

Guilt flickered across her face. “I know you were good to me. But love gone is gone. Why dig up the past?”

She turned and left—no glance back. A stranger.

“How laughable. *This* was the love I believed in?” he whispered, bitter mockery curling his lips.

Around him, seniors laughed under fairy lights. He felt isolated—a ghost in another world, mocked by the very air.

One last look where she vanished. Then he walked away from the school that shattered his faith.

Creak~

Xiao Feng opened his apartment door. Emptiness deepened the hollow in his chest.

Thud~

He shut the door, flicked the living room light. The sudden glare made him squint.

A moment later—

His eyes adjusted. The photo on the coffee table—him and Xia Xue—sent another ache through him. A bitter chuckle escaped.

“The person I was is dead. I won’t believe in love’s nonsense anymore. Eternal vows? Scumbag promises. Sweet words? Just deception. From now on, I answer only to myself.”

Ring ring ring~

He pulled out his phone.

“Mom? What a surprise.”

“Can’t a mother miss her son?”

“Of course! I miss you too,” he replied, forcing lightness into his voice.

“You rascal! Exam’s over—how’d you do?”

“I think… solid. Key university’s within reach.”

“Hah! My boy! Which one?”

“I’ll decide later.”

“Wait—you weren’t aiming for City X’s key uni? I thought it was perfect!”

“No. I’ll apply to Province H’s instead.” His tone dipped.

“Your path, your walk. Just own it.”

“…I know.”

“Gotta go.”

“Okay.”

Beep beep beep…

The forced smile vanished the moment the dial tone faded.

*City X’s university was hers. He’d chosen it just to follow her. And now…*

Knock knock knock~

“Xiao Feng? You in there?”

He rose, opened the door.

A stunning woman stood there—provocative dress, long legs, breathtaking beauty. The very image of a mature “older sister” archetype.

Xiao Feng forced a smile. “Sister Qing? Something up?”

Her lips pursed. “What? Can’t your dear older sister check on her cute little brother? And *please*—drop the fake smile.”

“It’s not fake,” he insisted, straining for naturalness.

“Way too fake. Woman’s intuition: something’s weighing on you.”

She leaned in, her captivating face inches from his. Those enchanting eyes locked onto his—searching, piercing.

Sister Qing lived next door. An art student at Province H’s key university. Her real name was Liu Qing—but Xiao Feng never knew. She’d always said: *Just call me Sister Qing. No more questions.*