Chapter 2

I had known Jade for many years, but it was the first time I saw her care about someone else.

We had known each other since we were kids.

The first time I saw her, she wore short overalls and carried a bag of rice.

Her face was dirty, but her eyes were bright with life.

For some reason, I pulled my luggage over and asked, “Do you need help?”

She did not hesitate and handed me the bag of rice. Then, she took my luggage.

When we arrived, I discovered that she was also staying with her grandmother in the countryside.

I was there because my parents had died, and she was there because her parents were too busy to take care of her.

I also found out I was one year older than her.

After some time, I started looking after her.

When she started attending my high school, I realized I had a crush on her. I would sometimes give her little gifts and always pay attention to everything she did.

Everyone knew I liked her.

I saw her date another guy, but that relationship ended for some reason.

After high school, I told her how I felt.

We dated for almost ten years.

To me, she was still the lively, passionate girl I first met.

She was just a little immature.

That was okay. I was happy to accept her.

But over time, she started to act worse.

One day after work, a subordinate was so tired she fainted in the office. I found her and helped when the ambulance came.

Jade heard from her nurse friend that I was with another woman. She came over and made a scene.

Even when the subordinate said a few words to me, Jade called her a bad name.

But there was nothing between us.

I was just helping her, and her husband was already on the way.

When Jade saw the husband, she sneered.

“Your wife hooked up with my boyfriend.”

Then, she stormed out.

Luckily, the husband did not believe Jade and thanked me many times.

After I finished, I called Jade, but she blocked me.

I went home, and she moved all her things to another room.

I wrote her many letters, but she tore them up and threw them away.

The food I made was thrown out, too.

When she was hungry, she ordered takeout and left the trash by the door for me to clean.

No matter what, she would not talk to me.

Later, she made me stay at a hotel. She said she did not want to see me and told me to reflect on myself before coming back.

Thinking of this, I shook my head.

She did not really want me to reflect on myself. She was just afraid I would stop her from traveling with Zach.

Honestly, I did not really want to leave this place.

But business here was already running smoothly, and with or without me, it would be fine.

The Northern City branch was different. It was still growing, and if I went there, I would have the chance to do something meaningful again.

I could build something of my own and feel useful again.

Besides, Ryan let me take over the Northern City branch.

I shook myself out of my thoughts.

Jade’s friends told me not to be jealous.

“Yes, they’re just like siblings.

“If something was going on, Jade would have brought him home to meet her parents, not you.”

I looked around. Everyone was sitting in a circle.

There was barely any room for me.

Jade noticed and asked them to move a little to make space for me.

They moved but did not seem happy about it.

In the end, I only got a tiny spot.

I was tall, so it was a tough fit.

Jade did not care and patted the spot behind her.

“Sit here. It’s tight, but you can see everything.”

Then, she fed Zach some chips and stopped looking at me.

Someone asked, “Zach, I heard you’ve been traveling a lot.

“Why did you come back?”

Zach smiled and held Jade’s hand.

“Because I wanted to see who the girl I once liked is going to marry.”

Everyone then looked at me.

I could not tell what they were thinking from their eyes.

I looked around but did not say anything.

Jade was upset and looked at me like she was blaming me.

“Why can’t you even say one promise?”

I sighed. I was about to speak so that she would not throw a tantrum, but Zach stopped me.

“Alright, Alright. We’re all men. I get it.

“I know he wants to treat Jade well.”

Jade looked disappointed and did not talk to me all night.

They ate barbecue while Zach told stories about his travels.

He said he once sold candy on the street and used the money to start a business.

He earned hundreds of thousands and gave it all to charity.

He made videos online and had two million followers.

Everyone thought he was brave for trying so many things.

He looked proud.

“That’s normal. I’m not scared to be independent.

“You have to try many things to find out what you really want.”