Next Time We Meet, Let's Sit Down and Talk

You Li kept his feelings hidden for ten years and never spoke of them, from beginning to end. On the day he left his job, he quietly completed all the formalities, then deleted his crush and all his colleagues and friends from his contacts. He chose to make a clean exit, preserving the last shred of dignity between ordinary acquaintances. If they ever met again in the vast sea of people, they would probably be strangers, their eyes passing over each other as they pretended not to notice. A burning love began in his heart and ended with his departure: a long, secret crush no one ever knew about.

Theme: Some affections need not be spoken aloud. Leaving with dignity can be its own kind of kindness. He quietly put away ten years of love and let them each move on with their lives.