Chapter 2

The next day, I checked my phone.

My last message to Vivian sat unanswered at the bottom of our chat.

Just like every message I had sent her over the past four years, it was met with total silence.

I stared at the screen and let out a dry laugh. She couldn't even be bothered to reply to my breakup message.

When I was about to lock my phone, a message popped up in our class group chat.

It was the participant list for the upcoming women's basketball invitational. Vivian's name immediately caught my eye. Sam appeared on the list as well.

So the two of them would be coming to my university for the tournament.

My roommate leaned over, took a glance, and clicked his tongue. "Those two are the golden couple at Dartflex University. They're always in the library together. Even the professors think they're a good match."

He pulled up one of Sam's social media posts and said, "Look at them—top two in the class. They even won awards together. What a perfect match."

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and nodded along. My nails dug into my palm.

From that day on, I deliberately avoided the library, the basketball court, and every place where I might bump into Vivian.

Yet somehow, I happened to run into her right outside my professor's office.

She had lost some weight. Her expression was soft, and she was carrying a stack of documents.

When she saw me, she paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ryan? Long time no see. Want to grab a bite together?"

I wanted to turn her down. However, I felt that I should end things with her in person, so I nodded.

Before I could say anything, Sam stepped to Vivian's side and said, "Hey, Ryan, you're here too? Perfect. Let's go together."

He turned to ask Vivian, "Have you picked a place yet?"

She shook her head, and Sam immediately looked back at me. "Ryan, why don't you choose? It's not often we all get to eat together."

Therefore, I casually suggested a hot chicken place near the campus.

Sam frowned and remarked, "Vivian's stomach hasn't been great lately. The doctor told her not to eat spicy food. You didn't know that?"

I bit back my frustration and suggested a family restaurant instead.

Sam shook his head again. "That place is too greasy. She had acid reflux all night after eating there last time."

He paused, then gave a helpless smile. "Ryan, how do you not even know what she can and can't eat?"

I named several more restaurants, but Sam rejected every suggestion, always finding a reason why it wouldn't work for Vivian.

Too far. Too noisy. Too greasy. Too long of a wait.

Finally, he sighed as if he were making a compromise. "Fine, I'll pick. Neither of you is of any help."

Vivian smiled and said with a gentle voice, "Thank you."

Sam rolled his eyes at her, a teasing smile on his face. "I was playing go-between for you two. You owe me big for this. Don't forget to thank me properly later."

I stood beside them as they chatted with each other.

Watching the way Vivian smiled at Sam, my chest tightened until I could barely breathe.

After four years apart, I thought the only thing separating us was distance. I never realized we had grown so far apart that I was no longer part of her life.

The words to end things caught in my throat. Suddenly, I felt like it didn't even matter whether I said them anymore.

When it was time to order, Sam took the menu.

He pointed at the shrimp omelet and said Vivian had been watching her calories lately, so she should avoid anything too greasy.

Then he chose a cucumber salad, saying her stomach had been sensitive and she needed something lighter.

Finally, he ordered a bowl of beef stew and said to Vivian, "I remembered you said you loved their beef stew last time."

Vivian nodded and said, "Yeah. Do you want those crispy pork ribs you like?"

They talked like an old married couple, and I sat across from them feeling like a stranger sharing their table.

Sam suddenly pushed the menu toward me and said, "Ryan, pick something you like too."

I was about to speak when Vivian chimed in, "He doesn't eat spicy food. Maybe get him..."

She stopped. Her finger hovered over the menu as she frowned slightly.

After a moment, she pointed to two dishes. "Maybe these two?" she said hesitantly.

I glanced down at the menu—grilled asparagus with chicken and sautéed mushrooms.

My throat tightened as a wave of bitterness washed over me.

Those were dishes I never touched. I was allergic to mushrooms, and asparagus always gave me a rash.

She had forgotten everything.

Sam laughed and lightly tapped Vivian on the back of her head. "Did studying fry your brain? Those are the dishes I like!"

Vivian froze for a moment.

Then she avoided my eyes and pushed the menu back toward me. "Just order whatever you want."

I shook my head and stood up. "No need. I have plans tonight. I'll head out."

Before leaving, I lowered my head and said to Vivian, "When you have time, check your messages."

She simply replied, "Okay. Sam filters my messages for me. If there's anything important, he'll let me know."

I managed a smile, though it hurt inside.

Since I wasn't important to her anymore, there was no point waiting for her reply.

I turned and pushed open the restaurant door. The night air rushed in, cool and strangely comforting.