C19 Chapter 19

Su Mengxin had booked the weekend hiking group well in advance. She packed everything she might need: water, energy bars, a first-aid kit, and bandages...

At last, the weekend arrived—the day she’d been counting down to. No one knew how much she’d done to get ready. After learning through his friends that he liked hiking and rock climbing, she pushed herself to pick up the skills. Whatever he liked, she tried to learn. Whatever he didn’t, she stayed away from.

In love, she was like a kid—simple, eager, trying to learn the way a child learns what makes their parents happy. But in this relationship, she was always the one giving. For her, what she gave and what she got back never came close to balancing out.

As for Huang Chengzhi, maybe he couldn’t stand any of it. He didn’t like her—no clear reason, no explanation. She didn’t even know he didn’t like her. To him, maybe it was all just going through the motions.

And once he found out certain things, even that pretense would disappear. But after being in a relationship for so long, having it all turn into nothing would be devastating for any girl. Maybe one day he’d leave without a word, and she’d be left behind without ever understanding why.

It wasn’t fair to her. And when she finally learned the real reason, she’d probably be heartbroken. Nobody’s dislike comes out of nowhere. It always has a reason—and for them, that reason was bound to matter.

Finally, the day was here. Su Mengxin called Huang Chengzhi, her voice soft and sweet, almost coy. “Chengzhi, I’m here—at the place I told you about. Are you on your way? If you’re not here yet, be careful, okay? I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay.” Just that one word. Huang Chengzhi didn’t say where he was, didn’t say what he was doing—nothing. Just: okay. Wait if you want.

Who was Liu Minxi? Su Mengxin’s closest friend. In Mengxin’s eyes, Minxi had always been sweet and kind. She never believed Minxi could betray her. Mengxin told her everything, treating her like her best friend—more like a sister.

But sometimes that kind of closeness is exactly what makes betrayal possible. To Minxi, nothing—no feelings, no relationship—could compete with the pull of fame. She struck a deal with Huang Chengzhi.

Minxi wanted to be famous, and Chengzhi could give her that. In her mind, people were just pieces she could move around. Nothing mattered more to her than becoming known.

Su Mengxin waited there while everyone on the team urged her to stop. If she kept waiting, they wouldn’t have enough time. She shook her head helplessly and said, “He probably just hasn’t gotten here yet. You guys go ahead and start the hike. We’ll catch up in a bit.”

She called again. “Are you here yet? I’m waiting for you. If you don’t come soon, we’re not going to have enough time. They already started hiking. I’m still here—hurry up.”

His answer was still just one word: “Okay.” No emotion, no warmth—just a flat, cold “okay.”

Su Mengxin was used to it. She figured that was just how he talked, how he dealt with people. She thought he couldn’t change, that his voice simply didn’t carry much feeling.

She never knew that tone was only for her.

The hiking group had started at 7 a.m. They reached the base of the mountain at seven and gathered there. She waited for him, and now it was already noon. At least the weather was cool and overcast; the climb wouldn’t be too exhausting.

By noon, they were already at the summit, spreading out blankets and pulling out food, eating like it was a little picnic. Su Mengxin stood alone at the base, staring at the only road that led up there.

She wanted so badly for Huang Chengzhi’s car to come racing in. But it was noon—he probably wasn’t coming. She leaned against a nearby tree and slowly slid down. With her hands braced against her forehead and her face tucked between her knees, she thought maybe something had come up, maybe he hadn’t made it in time—still making excuses for him in her own mind.

He left her confused and heartbroken. Why didn’t he show up? And if he couldn’t make it, why didn’t he at least call? What could be so urgent? What could possibly matter more than his girlfriend? Hadn’t he said he was free on Sunday? Unless something came up at work?

The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. After the hike, she’d swing by his office and take a look. She turned her anger into fuel. In half a day—just the afternoon—she hiked up and back down.

Everyone in the group stared at her in surprise and said, “That’s impressive, girl.”

She smiled and said, “I’m just in a bad mood. I’m channeling it into something productive. Honestly, anyone could do it.”

“Did you eat lunch?” they asked.

“I did,” she said. Only she knew the truth—she’d barely had any water.

She was in such a foul mood that she hardly ate at the dinner gathering, either. She couldn’t stop worrying that something was wrong at Chengzhi’s company, and she wondered if there was anything she could do to help him.