After finishing the glass, I stood up.

"I'll settle the bill. You both enjoy yourselves; don't let me spoil your fun."

I slowly walked out of the restaurant.

The autumn evening breeze was a bit chilly.

I strolled along the riverside avenue.

The river waves lapped against the shore, rising and falling.

In my slightly tipsy state, I looked at the road ahead and had a fleeting thought.

Wasn't this the path I often walked while pursuing Victoria during college?

I fell in love with Victoria at first sight during university.

She was the renowned untouchable beauty of our department.

Young love had been fiery and all-consuming. I pursued her for a whole year before we finally became a couple.

Everyone envied me, saying I was lucky to win over such a high-profile girl.

But I knew that Victoria never broke any of her principles for me.

I found a bench to rest on and took out my phone. I happened to see a new post on Instagram from Rudolf.

In the familiar front passenger seat, the photo focused on a candy apple.

The caption: [Remember when we used to eat candy apples at this shop?]

My fingers lingered on the screen.

Victoria had a slight cleanliness obsession and never allowed me to eat in her passenger seat.

I smiled, but tears oozed from my eyes.

I had believed love was about mutual tolerance and compromise, where one would always have to make concessions.

I never minded his habits.

What hurt was that her principles and rules could be so easily set aside for someone else.

Victoria texted, asking if I had reached home.

I didn't reply.

When I didn't reply, she sent more messages.

[The food wasn't great today. Next time, let's try a different place.]

Another while passed.

[Jerome, are you asleep?]

[Remember to light the calming incense before bed. Good night.]

I scrolled through our past messages. They were filled with my long, rambling updates, met with her occasional short replies of "OK" or "Got it."

She was busy with work and focused on her career, and I always understood.

After getting home and showering, I noticed a familiar car parked below my balcony.

As if sensing my presence, the window rolled down, and I quickly retreated back inside.

The next morning, I went to work with dark circles under my eyes.

Just as I went downstairs, I saw the familiar car.

I tried to act as if I hadn't seen it and kept walking.

But then my phone rang. It was the taxi driver. "Sir, your location is too tricky to find. Could you cancel and book another ride?"

"Can't find the place? What's the point of being a taxi driver?" I was furious.

The pink car drove up beside me, the window rolled down, her beautiful and proud eyes meeting mine. "I'll drive you," she offered.

As it was almost time to go to work, I sat in the passenger seat in silence.

Usually, I would've chatted incessantly.

But now the car was filled only with the sound of the wind outside.

Victoria seemed uncomfortable.

"You haven't had breakfast, have you?" she asked.

"No." I turned to look at the scenery outside.

"Shall I bring you something later?"

"No need."

"Skipping meals is bad for your stomach."

"I'll be fine."

When we arrived at my office, I tried to open the door, but the lock was still engaged.

Victoria frowned. "I've cleaned up the apartment. When will you move back? Aren't you worried about me living alone?"

"I've already paid the first three months' rent there, and your place has great security. What's there to worry about?"

I opened the door and hurriedly got out.

"Jerome," Victoria called after me.

I turned around.

She was dressed in a sharp white suit, her hair fluttering in the wind.

"You're upset about the fire, and I've explained and apologized. If there's something else bothering you, we should talk it out instead of just giving each other the silent treatment."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Victoria, do you think my reaction in the car was indifferent? Isn't this the same way you've always treated me? Or is it only now that you think this kind of behavior means a silent treatment?"

She was speechless.

I turned and left.

For the next five workdays, I buried myself in my job.

Victoria occasionally sent food or messages, but I responded indifferently.

For the first time, I realized it was easier not having to worry about another person's life.

No need to fret about her being forced to drink at social events.

No need to figure out how to make her happier.

The daily chores seemed to be cut in half.

Then, one of our mutual friends got in touch.

"Jerome, Victoria mentioned you've been quite distant with her lately. Come out and let's talk."

I thought it was time to properly explain things.

I went to the address he sent.

It was a cozy bar with gentle, melodious songs wafting through the air.

Following the waiter's direction, I walked towards the seats.

Before I got there, I heard teasing laughter from afar.

Someone said, "He went to great lengths to win Victoria over, but now, look what he has done to her? If it were anyone else giving her the cold shoulder, they wouldn't stand a chance."

Rudolf was sitting very close to Victoria, almost pulling her into his embrace. "Jerome doesn't trust you enough. We've all been friends for decades; you all know how close Victoria and I are."

"Yeah, and besides, Victoria once pursued Rudolf. If they liked each other, Rudolf would've accepted long ago instead of going abroad."

My head buzzed.

Victoria had pursued Rudolf? Before he went abroad?

I recalled that during that time, she suddenly accepted my confession, and I was overjoyed.

Now, my heart sank.

Victoria's voice sounded heavy. "That's all in the past."

I took a deep breath.

There had always been rumors about them in college—a heartthrob and a beauty in the art department were a perfect match.

I thought it was just gossip, but now I felt a dull ache in my heart.

I had believed she was naturally aloof, that her principles were steadfast.

Whenever she showed even a hint of tenderness, I was elated.

No wonder I could never figure her out, always treading carefully to please her.

It turned out she never really had me in her heart.

Rudolf waved his hand. "We're here to help reconcile them today. Let's not dwell on the past."

"Jerome's mistrust of Victoria must be due to childhood trauma, right?" someone speculated.

I walked over.

The group fell silent as I approached, except for the person who had suggested the idea.

Oblivious to my presence, he continued his enthusiastic analysis.

"I heard he had a tough upbringing. It's not surprising if he had some childhood trauma. He grew up feeling inferior, so he never trusted Victoria..."

He noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere, and his voice trailed off as he sensed something was amiss.

"My analysis is correct..."

I sneered. "Out there, you're a loser, but in here, you're a philosophy master? If you're so confident, why not share some of that with me?"

Victoria stood up, her eyes filled with concern.

"Jerome, he didn't mean any harm..."

Our mutual friends at the table looked awkward, and Rudolf quickly stood up to mediate.

"Sorry, we just wanted to help you reconcile."

I didn't look at Rudolf but instead smirked at Victoria. "I remember when I wanted my friend to rent the place opposite yours, you refused. Yet Rudolf moved in right after. So, there's more to the story, isn't there?"

Victoria's eyes darkened. "I was confused about my feelings back then. I only saw Rudolf as a brother."

"A brother, or a lover?" I smirked. "It seems he sees you as more than a sister."

Rudolf's face turned pale, but he stood up defiantly.

"Jerome Brewster, what are you implying? Want a fight?"

I grabbed a glass of red wine and threw it in Rudolf's face. "I don't fight with animals."

He looked utterly disheveled, and those around us gasped.

Victoria looked disappointed. "How can you take it out on others?"

My expression remained unchanged. "When I said we should break up downstairs, I meant it.

"It's not because you saved someone else first or because you're entangled with other men."

I glanced at Rudolf's face and continued, "It's because you don't understand love."

Persisting in a hopeless relationship was my ultimate act of sincerity. Now, it's not that I'm giving up on Victoria, but rather, I'm choosing to free myself.

There were murmurs from the crowd, "Is he really this tough?"

"He's putting on a show now. When Victoria actually breaks up with him, he'll regret it."

I remained indifferent.

Victoria's beautiful face showed a hint of confusion.

To others, she was always clear-headed, independent, talented, and unattainable.

But now, faced with my outburst, she seemed surprised, completely oblivious to his own faults.

I spoke calmly.

"In these three years, have you ever tried to understand me?

"Do you know what kind of flowers I like? Do you know whether I like sweet or spicy food?"

She had a light palate, and I had always accommodated her, rarely eating the spicy food I loved.

"Do you care what I said?

"Do you want to share with me?

"Have you ever introduced me to your friends?"

Sensing the cold indifference from others, I realized how insignificant my grievances were in their eyes.

I prepared to leave, but Victoria grabbed my sleeve.

She lowered her head. "So, in your eyes, I'm so inadequate. But we should work through our issues together."

I felt exhausted. "All our arguments have been about these things."

Her beautiful eyes turned slightly red.

I shook off her hand expressionlessly.

One tried to mediate. "Victoria, don't try to persuade him. Jerome is just angry and not thinking straight. He'll come around."

I left the bar.

A video of our argument at the bar somehow made its way online.

Everyone condemned me for being heartless to such a beauty.

My friends told me that people couldn't believe I would break up with Victoria and were betting on how soon I'd beg her to take me back.

After all, My college days of chasing her were still fresh in their minds.

I smiled faintly and said nothing.

I had been working overtime on a project these days and had no time for anything else.

Finally, the project was finished.

My boss patted my shoulder and said, "Double the bonus, and a promotion is in sight. Take some time to rest now."

I nodded, feeling utterly exhausted.

As the workday ended, a light drizzle began outside.

A few colleagues and I stood at the company's entrance, chatting while waiting for our rides.

One by one, everyone got picked up, leaving me alone.

It was rush hour, and trying to get a cab seemed hopeless.

I looked at the gloomy sky and considered braving the rain to buy an umbrella from the store across the street.

As soon as I stepped into the rain, a shadow fell on my head.

"Jerome, it's raining. I'll pick you up."

Victoria stood at the company entrance, looking ethereal.

Rain splashed up from the ground, creating little water droplets.

I responded politely, "No need, a bit of rain won't hurt me."

I was about to walk away.

Victoria stubbornly followed, holding an umbrella over me, getting her shoulder wet.

Unable to let her get soaked, I walked with her to the convenience store on the next street.

Soon, I came out holding a new transparent umbrella and said politely, "Thank you."

I was about to step into the rain when she called out, "Jerome, I drove here."

I shook my head. "I'll take the subway."

Her faint smile slowly faded.

"When are you coming home? The rose you planted has bloomed."

Home? I frowned.

It reminded me that our breakup had been so sudden.

I hadn't even collected my things from our apartment, and the concert tickets we had bought together were still valid.

I looked up. "I'll go over and pack my things when I have time."

A trace of bewilderment crossed Victoria's face, but she quickly regained her composure. "Jerome, do we really have to be like this?"

"This's not what I wanted," I said calmly.

Her eyelashes fluttered. "I hope we could have a good conversation."

"We've already broken up, and I am very calm right now. You should go home." I walked away without looking back.

Could there be absolute calmness in love?

Unfortunately, I only understood this now.

After sleeping for two days straight, I finally mustered the energy to pack my things.

I messaged Victoria that I was coming over to get my stuff.

She quickly replied, saying she was still at work and the key was in the usual place.

Returning to the familiar apartment complex, I noticed the scorch marks from the fire still on the walls.

I stood quietly for a moment before taking the elevator up.

When I reached the door, the key wasn't under the doormat as usual.

Just as I was about to take out my phone to ask Victoria, the door suddenly opened.

I was stunned.