Friends Who Loved for Long

Over the thirteen years Yun Zhi had been friends with Nan Qiao, she confessed her feelings more times than she could count.Every single time, Nan Qiao turned her down with the same line—“We’re just friends.”Just friends—yet she could show jealousy, drive away Yun Zhi’s admirers,blur the line between them with lingering intimacy,make unreasonable demands, and even claim the privileges of a lover.And when she caught Yun Zhi in a new relationship,Nan Qiao only smiled and offered her blessing, hoping she’d find someone she truly liked.That was the day Yun Zhi finally woke up.She decided to give up on Nan Qiao—and start living for herself.—On Qixi Festival, Nan Qiao invited Yun Zhi out for dinner after weeks of no contact.She assumed Yun Zhi’s anger would have faded by now.But at the table, Yun Zhi brought someone else—Yu Mingxia.The two of them were unmistakably close,and the way Yu Mingxia looked at Yun Zhi was soft, lingering… intimate.For the first time, Nan Qiao felt a surge of panic she had never known before.She thought Yun Zhi was trying to provoke her,and, like before, she intended to tell her to stay away from Yu Mingxia.But when the call connected, the voice on the other end wasn’t Yun Zhi’s.It was Yu Mingxia’s—cool, clear, and distant.“Zhizhi’s asleep.”“If you need anything, contact me directly. As her girlfriend, I’ll extend you that courtesy.”A faint scoff followed.“But here’s some advice—learn your place. Don’t try to interfere in someone else’s relationship.”Only then did Nan Qiao understand.She had… lost Yun Zhi.—Nan Qiao had always felt that the name Yu Mingxia sounded familiar.Later, she found an old compilation of outstanding alumni from their high school.When she saw the name of the 2012 top science student, it finally clicked.Back in their senior year,she had thrown away a love letter someone had written to Yun Zhi.The signature on it—was Yu Mingxia.—A question:Between someone you’ve loved for years,and someone who has loved you for years,who would you choose?