Chapter 1: Let’s break up

“We’re fully aware of the situation and are currently investigating. Has he contacted you at all this week?”

“No. I went to his place twice, but didn’t see him either time.”

“Don’t worry too much. After all, he’s an adult—maybe he just wants to be alone for a while.”

“I hope that’s all it is………………”

“All right, we’ll be going for now. If there’s any news, we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

After seeing the Police off, Yu Yan closed the door and returned to the living room, looking utterly exhausted.

The rain outside was pouring down, the sky pitch-black as far as the eye could see.

Raindrops pelted the glass in thick, relentless sheets, making her already awful mood even heavier.

Today was the second time the Police had come to investigate.

Just like the first time, they asked about He Shuliu’s relationships, the time and place he left, and all the details of their argument that night.

Yu Yan had hoped they’d bring some progress in the investigation, but unfortunately, there was still nothing.

Although the Police said that with someone like He Shuliu, a grown man, it was unlikely he’d truly gone missing, Yu Yan still couldn’t stop herself from overthinking.

It had already been three full weeks since He Shuliu’s disappearance.

Yu Yan and He Shuliu had been together for nearly half a year, and this was the first time he’d gone off the grid for so long.

Let alone after what happened that night.

Yu Yan deeply regretted it.

If she’d known He Shuliu would disappear, she never would have brought up breaking up with him.

At least, she wouldn’t have done it in such an intense way.

Now he was gone, nowhere to be found, his phone unreachable—she didn’t even know if he was alive or dead.

She was truly starting to get scared.

Where on earth had he gone? Even if he really didn’t want anything to do with her anymore, shouldn’t he at least go back to his own home?

He barely had any family, and never mentioned any close friends. Besides his own place, Yu Yan couldn’t think of anywhere else he might go.

If something really had happened to He Shuliu, she would never forgive herself.

Gazing at the crack in her Mug, Yu Yan couldn’t help but remember that chaotic night three weeks ago.

That day was a Friday. As usual, she shut down her computer, ready to get off work, when her department leader suddenly called out to her.

“Xiao Yu, where are you going?”

“I’m heading home.” Yu Yan paused for a moment. “Feifei Jie, is there something you need?”

They didn’t have a habit of working overtime, so she had no idea why the other party was stopping her at this time.

“Of course there’s something!” Chen Feifei smiled. “Tonight’s the Department Dinner. Didn’t you see the group message?”

Department Dinner?

Yu Yan froze for a second, recalling it only after the fact.

There really had been a message in the group about the dinner, but she’d only glanced at it and hadn’t paid much attention.

So it was today?

Yu Yan thought for a moment and decided to decline.

He Shuliu should already be making dinner by now, and she hadn’t told him in advance—he’d probably be unhappy if he found out.

That guy might act carefree and nonchalant most of the time, but when he was sensitive, he was really sensitive—especially about these seemingly trivial things.

Yu Yan would usually just let him have his way.

She couldn’t help it—he was too good at cooking.

“Sorry, Feifei Jie.” Yu Yan apologized, “Someone’s waiting for me at home for dinner, so I’ll pass.”

“Who? Boyfriend?” Chen Feifei grinned mischievously.

“Oh come on, why so clingy? You can eat with your boyfriend any day. Stay with us tonight!”

“Yeah, everyone’s going except you, isn’t that a bit off?” a nearby colleague teased.

“Are you really going to turn down Feifei Jie?”

With things said to this point, it really was hard to refuse.

Yu Yan thought it over, then nodded. “All right, I’ll just let him know.”

She messaged He Shuliu, and his reaction was just as she’d expected.

He wasn’t happy, but didn’t say much—he just sent a pitiful, teary Dog Emoji, reminding her to come home early.

Childish.

Yu Yan calmly replied with an Emoji, put away her phone, and left with her colleagues.

After that, she never replied to him again.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—it was just that she really didn’t have a free hand.

Maybe it was Chen Feifei’s own craving, but tonight’s meal was especially lavish, with all kinds of shellfish.

Yu Yan ate seriously, both hands barely stopping the entire time.

On top of that, everyone was in a high mood, chattering non-stop like someone had opened a floodgate.

Yu Yan was busy eating and occasionally chimed in, but really had no time to check her phone.

The dinner went on until after ten. Many people were drunk, and though Yu Yan hadn’t drunk much, her cheeks were a bit red.

“Xiao Yu, how will you get home?” Chen Feifei asked with a smile.

Yu Yan glanced at her phone. “I’ll take the Subway.”

The screen was packed with unread messages—she didn’t need to look to know who they were from.

She needed to get back quickly.

“It’s so late, it’s not safe for a girl to go alone. Why not have someone take you home?” Chen Feifei said, turning to look behind her, “Are any of you two headed the same way? If it’s convenient……………”

Before she finished, the male colleague on the left spoke up, “I’ll do it. I didn’t drink tonight.”

Yu Yan immediately declined, “No need, I can get home myself.”

“It’s fine, Lin Rang is very reliable—he drives carefully, you don’t have to worry.” Feifei Jie patted her shoulder.

“It’s decided, don’t refuse again or I’ll knock you out and throw you in his car.”

Yu Yan was helpless.

She didn’t know Lin Rang very well, but heard he had a good reputation and was quite sociable—well-liked among colleagues.

There was no other way……………… At worst, she’d treat him to Coffee next week.

Yu Yan didn’t say anything more. She thanked him and got in the car with Lin Rang.

Lin Rang, to his credit, focused on driving and didn’t force conversation, finally giving Yu Yan a chance to check her messages.

Even though He Shuliu hadn’t sent any voice messages, his anxiety was obvious through the screen.

From the initial “Have you started eating?” to the cutesy “I miss you,” and finally the urgent “Is it still not over?”

Yu Yan didn’t bother counting how many messages he’d sent—she simply couldn’t keep up.

He was like a little dog with severe separation anxiety.

Yu Yan couldn’t help sighing and sent him a message.

“On my way.”

“Really?” He replied instantly. “I’ll come downstairs to wait for you!”

Truly a dog.

Yu Yan pictured the scene and couldn’t help but smile a little.

Up front, Lin Rang glanced at her through the rearview mirror and suddenly asked, “Boyfriend’s urging you?”

“Mm.” Yu Yan suppressed her smile.

“He’s a bit worried.”

Lin Rang chuckled, “Worried about what? That you’ll meet some other guy?”

Yu Yan didn’t want to discuss this, “He’s just worried about my safety, that’s all.”

“He’s overthinking, isn’t he?” Lin Rang joked, “Does he know it’s a Department Dinner?”

“He does.” Yu Yan checked the time again.

“He really doesn’t trust you.” Lin Rang paused, “I used to date someone like that. Every time I went out, she’d ask a million questions, afraid I’d mess around……………….”

Yu Yan absentmindedly followed his words, “So did you mess around?”

“Uh? Of course not!” Lin Rang denied immediately.

Yu Yan grunted in response, her gaze fixed on the blinking phone screen.

Why was he still messaging?

“But we still broke up in the end.” Lin Rang peeked at her delicate profile in the mirror, “You know, being with someone like that just gets more exhausting over time………………”

What does that have to do with her?

Yu Yan felt a little annoyed and simply fell silent.

Seeing her not respond, Lin Rang stopped talking and focused on driving.

Twenty minutes later, they finally stopped outside her apartment complex.

Yu Yan opened the door to get out, intending to wave goodbye, but was surprised when Lin Rang also got out.

“I’ll walk you in,” Lin Rang said.

“I saw on the news that there’ve been a lot of creeps hiding in apartment complexes, targeting young women. I wouldn’t feel right letting you go in alone.”

“No need,” Yu Yan shook her head.

“Our complex is safe, creeps can’t get in.”

“At least let me walk you to your building?” Lin Rang scratched his head awkwardly, “Otherwise Feifei Jie will scold me………………”

Yu Yan didn’t like his excessive enthusiasm.

She frowned slightly, just about to refuse, when a familiar voice called out behind her.

“Yan Yan, who’s this guy?”

Yu Yan immediately turned around.

A tall, well-built young man stepped out from under the tree—her boyfriend, He Shuliu.

He was wearing an ordinary black tank top and pants, with a white shirt thrown over, the sleeves loosely rolled up—looking lazy and casual.

Yu Yan was a little surprised, “Didn’t you say you’d wait downstairs?”

“I wanted to see you sooner.” He Shuliu walked over, his eyes pitiful, but when he glanced at Lin Rang, his gaze turned cold.

“Who are you, and who said you could bother my girlfriend?”

Lin Rang was taken aback, and when he got a good look at He Shuliu, jealousy welled up inside.

He hadn’t expected Yu Yan’s boyfriend to be so good-looking.

He was not only taller by a head, but had amazing proportions—nothing but long legs at a glance.

Even worse, his face was striking, his features sharp and refined. Even the most ordinary tank top and shirt looked uniquely stylish on him.

Lin Rang regretted not wearing shoe lifts tonight.

“Watch your mouth, he’s my colleague.” Yu Yan shot He Shuliu a look.

“He was just being nice and giving me a ride. Otherwise, I’d still be on the Subway right now.”

“Nice?” He Shuliu sneered.

“I’d say he’s got other intentions.”

Yu Yan: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

She was starting to regret not dragging him away sooner.

Lin Rang glanced at her, his face showing a complicated mix of guilt and embarrassment.

He put on a magnanimous front and explained, “It’s fine, I get it. But I just………………”

“If you get it, then scram,” He Shuliu interrupted bluntly, lifting his chin.

“……”

Lin Rang coughed twice, turned to open the car door, and said awkwardly, “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll just head back………………”

Before Yu Yan could reply, he quickly turned the car around and sped off into the night.

Yu Yan was silent.

She hadn’t expected He Shuliu to be so rude, or for Lin Rang to actually slink away like that.

Would he complain about this to the others at work?

Just thinking about it soured Yu Yan’s mood.

She looked at He Shuliu, who was also looking at her—his pitch-black eyes clear and bright under the streetlight, all the mockery and harshness from earlier gone.

He seemed completely unaware of what he’d done.

He reached out to hold her hand, but Yu Yan slapped it away.

“Let’s go home,” she said coldly, turning to walk away.

He Shuliu tilted his head, looking puzzled at her anger, but obediently followed.

It was already past eleven, and the whole building was quiet.

Yu Yan pressed her finger to the fingerprint lock, feeling He Shuliu right behind her.

The moment they entered, he tried to hold her hand again, but Yu Yan dodged and pointed to the living room, motioning for him to go over.

He Shuliu blinked. “Are you mad?”

He.

Yu Yan was so angry she actually laughed. “What do you think?”

He Shuliu’s clear eyes were confused. “I don’t understand. What did I do to make you mad?”

As she thought, he didn’t even realize what he’d done or what he’d done wrong.

“That guy was my colleague.” Yu Yan spoke slowly and clearly. “No matter how much you dislike him, you can’t treat him like that.”

He Shuliu was silent for a few seconds. “You’re mad because of him?”

“It’s not about him, it’s about your behavior.” Yu Yan looked at him seriously.

“You shouldn’t have acted that way. It was rude.”

He Shuliu’s face was expressionless. “People like that don’t deserve politeness.”

“So you really don’t think you did anything wrong, do you?”

He Shuliu hesitated, meeting Yu Yan’s eyes.

She stood with arms folded, her tone calm, but her brows slightly knitted.

She was really angry.

He Shuliu’s attitude softened at once.

He leaned in, and seeing that Yu Yan didn’t move away, he gently nudged her with his nose and softly said, “I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on. Don’t be mad, okay?”

His breath was warm, brushing against her face, raising a tingling, damp heat.

Yu Yan felt itchy where he touched her and instinctively wanted to nuzzle back, but held herself back.

She asked, “If something like this happens again, what will you do?”

He Shuliu reached out to stroke her smooth hair, lowering his head to inhale the faint scent of alcohol in her hair.

“I’ll go with you, stay by your side, and not let anyone with bad intentions get close to you.”

Yu Yan:

She couldn’t help shoving him away. “What is wrong with you?”

He Shuliu looked utterly lost. “What do you mean?”

Yu Yan rarely lost her temper, and almost never confronted him like this.

He wanted desperately to understand her feelings, but with so little experience, he just couldn’t get it right.

Looking at his bewildered expression, Yu Yan suddenly felt a wave of frustration.

She remembered what Lin Rang had said in the car.

As unpleasant as it was, she had to admit he was right.

Being with He Shuliu really was exhausting.

He was always messaging her at all hours, clinging to her, hostile to every man around her…

She didn’t know if this was normal behavior, but suddenly, she was just tired.

Maybe they never should have been together in the first place.

Whether it was their personalities or their values, they simply didn’t fit.

She’d always been the one tolerating, convincing herself that this was what relationships were supposed to be like, that she was the one who was abnormal.

But she’d had enough.

She didn’t want her life to be affected by someone else anymore, even if that person was her boyfriend.

Yu Yan took a deep breath, lifted her lashes, and spoke in an exceptionally calm voice.

“Let’s break up.”

He Shuliu froze: “………………What?”