This Time, I Won't Give In!

Xu Ji and He Baizheng were entangled for seven years, through unrequited love, being a substitute, being someone's unattainable beloved, even falling into the sea, disappearing, and bringing each other to ruin.

In the end, He Baizheng came to his senses and was consumed by regret. It took losing half his life to win Xu Ji back.

But on this ordinary day, Xu Ji came home to find the He Baizheng from seven years ago there.

The way the other man looked at him was full of disgust, and his words dripped with contempt, just like seven years ago.

"What tricks are you using to seduce me this time?"

"You're not even half as good as Qu Zhen, and you think you can compare yourself to him? What are you, anyway?"

"Get out. This is no place for someone like you."

Xu Ji looked at him calmly, went upstairs, and packed his things. He didn't have much: just his ID, a few documents, and some clothes. He left everything else behind, including the ring He Baizheng had forced onto his finger.

He walked out with his suitcase, leaving with nothing to his name.

"Fine... Go, then." He Baizheng sneered. "Let's see how long you can keep up this act."

*

Xu Ji had bought a house elsewhere long ago, in case He Baizheng changed his mind again one day. At least then he would have somewhere to go.

He no longer had the energy to put himself through more turmoil. He just wanted to live a quiet life.

He had thought this life would last at least a few years. He hadn't expected this day to come so soon.

The circumstances were unexpected, but the outcome was much the same.

He was no longer the same person he had been seven years ago. He didn't have the strength to go through that torturous love all over again.

"This is for the best. You take your road, and I'll take mine," Xu Ji murmured to himself. "Now we're finally even."

*

He Baizheng, who had hurried home after work to cook for his wife, was in complete shock.

He stared at the version of himself on the sofa, seven years younger, then searched the whole house from top to bottom. At last, he came to one conclusion:

His Xu Ji had run away! His wife had run away!

"Where's Xu Ji?" He Baizheng roared after getting into a fight with his younger self.

The He Baizheng from seven years ago wiped the blood from his lip with disdain and sneered. "I kicked him out."

He was met with He Baizheng's furious wrath!

He Baizheng was devastated. He was going mad. He really wanted to cry.

The wife he'd nearly given his life to win back had left him again. It was over!

Theme: You have to love yourself first before you can love someone else.