

To You, After All These Years

 

Chapter 2: The Distance Between Us

___________________________________

By the time I entered high school, Shen Yichen was already in university.

I thought it would make things easier.

Less chances to see him.

Less chances to embarrass myself.

Less chances to hope for something impossible.

But fate had its own way of playing games with me.

"Xiaoyu, let's go!" Qianrou called, grabbing my wrist as we hurried across the school courtyard. "Gege is coming to pick me up today!"

My heart stopped.

Shen Yichen? Coming here?

I hadn't seen him in months—not since he left for university. Part of me thought I would never see him again.

But here he was.

Standing beside a sleek, black car, his hands in his pockets, dressed in a simple white shirt and dark slacks. Even in something so plain, he looked like he had walked straight out of a novel.

He had changed.

His face was sharper, more mature. His posture more confident. He no longer looked like the boy who ignored me years ago—he looked like a man.

And yet, his gaze was still the same. Cold. Unreadable. Indifferent.

As if I was nothing more than a childhood memory.

Qianrou ran up to him, grinning. "Gege! Let’s go home together!"

I hesitated behind her. Should I greet him? Should I say something?

Before I could decide, Yichen’s gaze flickered to me. Just for a second.

Then, he looked away.

"Get in," he said, opening the car door for Qianrou.

I stepped back. I shouldn’t have expected anything different.

But just as Qianrou climbed in, she turned back to me. "Xiaoyu, want a ride home?"

My heart jumped.

Would he let me? Would he say no?

I waited, holding my breath.

Shen Yichen sighed like this was a waste of his time. "Do whatever you want."

It wasn't an invitation.

It wasn't kindness.

It was permission.

And somehow, that hurt even more.........!

Xiaoyu’s fingers curled around the strap of her bag, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

Do whatever you want.

It was a simple phrase, indifferent and detached. And yet, it felt like a rejection—like she was nothing more than a passing stranger he had no reason to care about.

She knew she shouldn’t be surprised.

Shen Yichen had always been this way toward her. Distant. Unreachable. But back then, she had been younger, foolishly holding onto the hope that maybe—just maybe—he would eventually see her.

Now, she was old enough to know better.

Qianrou tilted her head, waiting. "Xiaoyu?"

Her friend’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the open car door, then at Shen Yichen, who stood on the other side of the vehicle, his expression unreadable. He wasn’t looking at her.

Of course, he wasn’t.

Why would he?

The logical choice was to get in. It was faster, easier. A chance to be close to him, even if he remained silent the entire way.

But at what cost?

Xiaoyu swallowed.

If she got in, it wouldn’t change anything. He wouldn’t suddenly soften toward her. He wouldn’t talk to her. He wouldn’t see her as anything more than Qianrou’s friend who happened to be in the same car.

And that thought made her chest tighten.

She forced a small smile. "It's okay. I'll walk home."

Qianrou blinked in surprise. "Are you sure? It’s hot today, and—"

"I don’t mind," Xiaoyu interrupted gently. "You go ahead."

Qianrou hesitated, clearly torn, but in the end, she nodded. "Alright… Text me when you get home, okay?"

Xiaoyu nodded.

Shen Yichen didn’t react.

Not a glance. Not a word. Just silence.

He shut the car door with a quiet click, moved around to the driver’s side, and got in without hesitation. A moment later, the engine roared to life.

As the black car pulled away, Xiaoyu stood there, watching until it disappeared down the road.

She had made the right choice.

Then why did it feel like she had lost something?