They met during military training in their first year of high school. Qi Chen pursued Wen Yusheng for two months before finally winning him over. In truth, their feelings were mutual; Wen Yusheng simply couldn’t read the hints. They got together, and from their first year of high school through university, they were always there for each other.
In their third year of university, Wen Yusheng’s parents found out and demanded he break up with Qi Chen. He refused, but was eventually forced to transfer overseas. That year was the hardest of Qi Chen’s life. They never cut contact, but they could no longer talk often, and their relationship became a secret one.
After graduating from university, Qi Chen was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. He kept it from Wen Yusheng and stayed with him through his final few days. They could only keep in touch by phone, but Qi Chen’s sudden clinginess made Wen Yusheng sense that something was wrong. He asked, but got no answers. His heart was full of unease, though he couldn’t understand why.
After spending a month with him, they went back for a checkup. The doctor said he had only a week left. That night, he cried for a long time, sent Wen Yusheng something, and deleted every way of contacting him. He couldn’t bear to let go, but he had no choice.
Wen Yusheng was frantic. He couldn’t find Qi Chen. He had thought he could spend the rest of his life with him when he returned home, but instead, he received news that Qi Chen had died. He regretted everything and began to hate himself for not realizing sooner, for not being resolute enough. He traveled far and wide to fulfill Qi Chen’s wish. At twenty-six, after accomplishing it, he took an overdose to join him.
Core theme: How could someone who loves you bear to leave you all alone?
