Words Against the Heart

Xia Yulan always thought Lin Yifei had loved him all along, but had kept his distance because of social pressure. Then, after getting drunk, Lin Yifei showed up at his door, drenched by the rain, and confessed his true feelings.

That was until Lin Yifei's childhood friend returned home after a failed marriage, and Lin Yifei brought him back to live with him.

Xia Yulan unexpectedly saw the man coming out of the bathroom wearing Lin Yifei's bathrobe. Even when Lin Yifei gestured for him to leave, he couldn't help asking, "Do you really not know that I love you?"

Lin Yifei's impatient expression, as if Xia Yulan were nothing but a nuisance, was his answer.

Xia Yulan understood.

And quietly walked away.

The next time he saw Lin Yifei, Xia Yulan gave him a fleeting glance and brushed past him like a stranger.

But Lin Yifei chased after him and grabbed his wrist, anger blazing in his eyes. "Why haven't you come home?"

Carefully peeling Lin Yifei's fingers off his wrist one by one, Xia Yulan replied calmly, "You've got the wrong person."

His departing figure was just as quiet as the day he left Lin Yifei's home.

*

The childhood friend he had once longed for was finally at his side, yet Lin Yifei realized that somehow, it wasn't what he had expected.

All he could think about was Xia Yulan.

Only after losing him did he realize he loved him.

He deserved it, he thought.

He deserved it, and so did every inch of the life that awaited him without Xia Yulan.

He saw Xia Yulan again after a year of searching desperately and coming up empty.

The person who used to curl up in his arms and beg him to call him "baby" was now holding another man's hand, looking at Lin Yifei with indifference.

He ran after him and made the promise he should have made long ago.

But Xia Yulan didn't want it anymore.

[Angsty groveling pursuit] [One-on-one, no switching partners]

Theme: Love means treating each other with tenderness and respect.