chapter 3

When he finally made his exit, Yuan Ming followed him out into the

street.  “A’Qian, you’re really going to

go find her?”  He pulled him back by the

shoulder, seemingly frustrated but unable to fully vent at his best friend.

Li Qian furrowed his brows.  “Why are

you upset about this?  You know I’ve been

looking for her for years, and now that I finally have a lead, I’m going to

take it.”

Li Qian turned away but was held back by Yuan Ming’s grip on his arm.  “I hope you find her this time,” he rasped

forcefully.  He took a deep breath.  “Then maybe you can let Xue’er go.”

“What?”  Li Qian was shocked.  When had he ever ‘kept’ Ling Xue?  “What are you talking about?  Ling Xue and I have never had any close

contact with each other, certainly nothing that would intimate what you’re

referring to.”

Yuan Ming’s heart was gloomy.  In

fact, this was the truth.  Li Qian had

never given Ling Xue any hints he was interested, yet she wouldn’t take her

eyes off him.  Him!  Why had they been born in the same year?  This was the secret thorn that Yuan Ming

could never escape.  Every time he moved,

it pricked him deeper.

 Li Qian - the shining light of their

generation - was more successful, talented, and better-looking than the rest of

them.  Every parent idolized him; why

aren’t you as bright, quick, and strong?  Yuan Ming just had to swallow it all down, paste a smile on his face,

and work harder to stay within sight of Li Qian’s tall and powerful

figure.  There was nothing worse than

having a best friend who was also your biggest competition.

“Forget it,” he dropped his hand.  “Sorry, A’Qian, maybe I’ve had too much to drink.”

Li Qian gazed at his friend thoughtfully and offered a rare insight.

“A’Ming, life often presents us with opportunities and challenges, and both

add to our growth and understanding.  With Ling Xue, eh, perhaps she will never be yours to have.  You can’t control who she loves any more than

I can control who I love.”

Li Qian stepped toward the car that was waiting for him.  “But to be clear, A’Ming?  Even without this person that rests in my

heart, I wouldn’t choose Ling Xue.”

He paused and reiterated, “I won’t ever choose Ling Xue, even if this trip

doesn’t have the desired results.  I hope

you can finally find the courage to make your move.  And if it’s not successful, I hope you can

move on and see that you have your own power and journey to embrace.”

“Just like Junhui did.”  This was a

nail in the coffin.

As Li Qian strode away, Yuan Ming’s knees nearly buckled.  He’d seen through everything Yuan Ming tried

to hide for the last twenty-five years – all the jealousy, guilt, and longing

that filled his heart.

Yuan Ming watched heavily in the darkness as Li Qian’s car pulled away, a

little fire beginning to flicker in the depths of his soul.

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