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Across the street, I looked at the man standing there. I couldn’t make out his features clearly, nor could I see what expression he wore at that moment. He had his hands in his pockets as he gazed back at me.
I asked: “What do you want to say?”
His voice was slightly hoarse. After a moment, he spoke: “Why?”
I thought for a bit and replied: “Why did I break up with you?”
He made a sound of agreement.
I found it strange–someone as intelligent as him would ask such an obvious question, something everyone around him could see clearly. I didn’t want to dwell on this with him, so I answered dismissively: “My family wants me to get married. They’re pressuring me.”
His voice faltered slightly. After a few seconds, he questioned: “Just because of that?”
I sighed: “Yes.”
He seemed to be contemplating something. After a moment of silence, he began again: “I could…”
I cut him off, not wanting to continue the conversation: “I
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already have someone I’m going to marry. I heard your first love is coming back too. Congratulations.”
He remained silent for a moment. I heard the sound of a lighter being struck. Then he chuckled: “Mm–hmm.”
After that, he asked, as if making small talk: “All those gifts I gave you―you didn’t take any of them. Did you not like thein? Tell me what you like, and I’ll have something new sent to you.”
I sighed: “No need. Let’s not contact each other anymore. Let’s part on good terms. Goodbye.”
With that, I hung up without looking at him again and walked away. On my way back, I blocked all his contact methods.
That afternoon, we went out for dinner with our advisor. Halfway through the meal, he suddenly received a call: “I’m going to pick someone up. He’s like a senior to you all, just returned from abroad. He happens to be dining nearby.”
Shortly after, the private room door opened. I looked up and saw the person standing there. His posture was upright and his bearing exceptional, with his sleeves half–rolled up as he greeted
- us.
People beside me began whispering: “It’s Earl Laurie! He’s actually back in the country.”
“I heard he’s incredible–gained international recognition at such a young age, won many awards. He’s the advisor’s pride and joy.”
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“Not to mention, he’s really handsome.”
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The atmosphere in the room was pleasant. I smiled along, but for some reason, he looked familiar. After he left, my phone on the table vibrated. The screen showed I had received a
WhatsApp message.
Earl: “Don’t remember me?”
Strangely, I hadn’t saved his contact, but I suddenly recalled. Right after college graduation, I went to a concert with friends. When it ended, we got separated in the crowd. While frantically searching for them, I accidentally bumped into someone and twisted my ankle.
That person helped me up, told me not to move, and took me straight to the hospital, even covering my medical expenses. I felt embarrassed–it was entirely my fault, yet I had caused someone else so much trouble. So after leaving the hospital, I asked for his contact information.
After transferring him the money, I unconsciously remarked: “Ironhaven has quite a few kind–hearted people, and they’re all good–looking too.”
He asked in return: “Oh? There are other kind people?”
I said: “Yes, though I never met him again afterward.”
The man pondered for a moment: “I know many people. Perhaps I could help you find him.”
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But after thinking for a long time, I couldn’t figure out how to describe Rod, so I eventually gave up.
He smiled, exuding calm dignity and refined restraint: “Well then, I hope next time we meet, you’ll get your wish.”
Earl and I chatted briefly on WhatsApp. As we were wrapping up the conversation, I thought for a moment and asked: “Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to dinner as…““Thank you,” he said yes. We quickly settled on a time and place.
After dinner, Earl insisted on taking me back to school, just like he had once insisted on personally taking me to the hospital. We were at an impasse by the roadside for a while when some people walked toward us. I overheard their conversation.
“What’s going on? Isn’t Afra coming back tomorrow? How does Rod still have the mood for some bachelor party?”
“I’m not sure about that, but I heard Rod’s been in a terrible mood today, and everyone just wants to cheer him up.”
“That explains why he hasn’t cracked a smile in the private room.”
They seemed to be out just to buy something and were heading back. One of them appeared to recognize me and looked back at Earl and me several times.
So Afra was coming back tomorrow. That’s good.
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Earl studied me for a moment before suddenly asking, “By the way, I never asked–did you find that person?”
I said, “Yes.”
His eyes lingered for a moment before he nodded. “Congratulations.”
I kept quiet after that. Eventually, I couldn’t dissuade him and let him take me back. But shortly after arriving at my dorm, I received a call. No contact name, just an Ironhaven local number. I answered without thinking much of it.
Surprisingly, it was Edward on the other end. His voice was low, with a hint of pleading: “Hulda, where are you right now? Something’s happened here. Could you come over?”
This made no sense to me. “Is there anything in Ironhaven that you guys can’t handle? Stop calling me. I’m about to go to bed.”
He hesitated for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and confiding in me. “It’s about Rod. On his birthday, you asked me to tell him about the breakup, remember? I went upstairs at that time and told him, and he didn’t say much then, but he’s been ignoring me for days and his temper has been terrible. I didn’t realize what was happening until something else happened today, and then I understood–he’s angry that I didn’t keep you from leaving.”
I pressed my lips together. “Today? What happened?“He pondered for a moment, then finally sighed, as if compromising: “I’ll send you a video. It’ll make sense once you watch it.”
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chapter 5
