The day Wu Wengen brought Cui Qiqiang home became the worst day of his life.
At first, he was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He held Cui Qiqiang's shoulder, proudly introducing the latter to his family as his roommates and best friend.
Minister Wu and Madam Wu's response was very good. They welcomed Cui Qiqiang nicely, treating him the same as Wu Wengen. Then, when Wu Wengen's eyes trail to his little sister, he was taken aback by the luminous luster in her eyes. So bright. Never been brighter before.
"G—Ge, your friend is so handsome!" Wu Ruoqing was never shy to express her feelings. She was easygoing, frank and straightforward. Coupled with Wu couple and Wu Wengen's pampering, she became a spoiled little princess.
Hearing Wu Ruoqing's words, it was as if lightning bolts crashed upon Wu Wengen's head.
He realized instantly that…Wu Ruoqing had fallen in love at first sight.
Cui Qiqiang was taken aback by the sudden praise then he accepted it sheepishly, his gait was earnest, mature and calm. The more Wu Ruoqing looked, the more she liked him.
Starting from that day, Wu Ruoqing started to pursue Cui Qiqiang. She had always been the one who got what she wanted. Her entire person exuded confidence and beauty. He pestered Cui Qiqiang everywhere, making him helpless and awkward.
"Ge, what kind of girl did Brother Qiqiang like? You're his best friend so you should know it right?"
Wu Wengen's grip on the pen tightened so hard that he almost broke it in half. His face was ghastly pale. Fortunately, his room was dim thus it didn't look as conspicuous. "Y—You really like him?"
"En." Wu Ruoqing didn't realize anything as she held her blushing cheeks, daydreaming. "I like him. I like him so much. What to do? Yesterday, it rained so hard right? Brother Qiqiang braced through the rain to pick me up, he tilted his umbrella to my direction and in the end, his shoulder became completely wet." Wu Ruoqing chuckled affectionately. "Say, how can a person be so gentle and charming?"
It's only because you're my sister! He's kind toward you because of me!
Wu Wengen screamed inside his heart but outwardly, he forced a smile and rubbed Wu Ruoqing's head. "Then Ge…will ask him for you."
"Really?!" Wu Ruoqing jumped up and hugged him tightly. "Ge, you're really the best brother ever! I love you!"
Wu Wengen closed his eyes and replied hoarsely. "…I love you too."
Their relationship was destined to not be able to see the light of the day, so what right did he have to say his feelings? Numerous times, numerous times had he tried to tell Madam Wu. But when he remembered years of their kind grace and sincere love, Wu Wengen couldn't bear to break Wu Ruoqing's heart.
"What exactly do you want?" Cui Qiqiang demanded. His throat rolled tightly. "You…You know why I treated your sister kindly so why didn't you do anything?!"
Wu Wengen buried his face into his palm and wept. "Sorry, I am sorry, Qiqiang."
He really loved him, but could that love go against twenty years of gratitude? His initial resolution to bring Cui Qiqiang away strengthened and he offered a crazy decision. "Let's…Let's elope together, how about it? We will go abroad and live together, just the two of us."
Cui Qiqiang looked at him incredulously. "Wengen, are you crazy?!"
Wu Wengen also knew that he wasn't thinking straight. It was already their fourth year of university and the crucial time for internships. Because of Wu Wengen's identity, he and Cui Qiqiang were accepted into a prestigious company with Minister Wu's help.
Just less than one more year, they would be able to graduate.
Their life, dreams and hope were all here.
Wu Wengen knew that Cui Qiqiang wouldn't be able to leave. He came from a single parent family. His father was a drunkard and it wasn't easy for his mother to leave and raise Cui Qiqiang alone.
Cui Qiqiang had told him his dreams and aspirations. He wished to work as soon as possible and lightened his mother's burden, giving her the happiness that she never received in her marriage. Wu Wengen knew how much Cui Qiqiang cherished his mother and making this kind of request at times like this was…really selfish and cruel.
Wu Wengen broke down that day and chose to avoid everything.
He avoided Cui Qiqiang, avoided Wu Ruoqing, avoided his family and friends.
He spent the time recalling his childhood memories; the cold orphanage, the food that was never enough, the bullies that always left bruises on his body. It was Madam Wu's hands that lifted him from Hell to Heaven.
But at this time, Wu Wengen felt that he had returned to the abyss with no lights once again.
However, if he could have Cui Qiqiang accompany him along this thorny path, then…
Wu Wengen's eyes were filled with strength and resolution. He decided to be selfish, just this one time. He wanted to be happy with Cui Qiqiang. Without caring of reputation, public opinion, or his family's approval, he just wanted to be with the person he loved.
However, Wu Wengen learned that time waited for no one.
When he was ready to embrace the future, he found that that person hadn't waited for him all along.
He returned to his home only to see the sight that completely shattered his heart.
Wu Ruoqing hugged Cui Qiqiang's arms affectionately, her smile sweeter than honey. The four people sitting together, talking, laughing and discussing future plans were as if they were covered in another layer of bubble that he couldn't get through. Among them, he was the only outsider with no place to poke in.
"I'm sorry…" Cui Qiqiang said. "But I really can't endure it anymore…Minister Wu said that he will train me as his secretary if I marry Wu Ruoqing. This…this is once in a lifetime opportunity for me. You know how much it means to me right, Wengen…?"
So what about me? Am I not once in a lifetime for you?
Wu Wengen smiled bleakly. "En…I know." He paused and said, "Then, may I ask for one last thing? Consider it a breakup gift…"
Cui Qiqiang nodded sadly. "What do you want? I will do my best to get it for you."
"Can you...spend this night with me? Just this one night…"
That was where the sex tape came from. However, at that time, Wu Wengen absolutely had no idea that this one thing would become the rock that smashed their last affection to smithereens. At that time, he just wanted to have something of Cui Qiqiang to remind him by. When he was consumed with loneliness, when he was sad and desperate, he would take out the video and reminisce.
Time passed in a blink of an eye. Cui Qiqiang and Wu Ruoqing's relationship was lovely and harmonious. Wu Ruoqing continued her study abroad and Cui Qiqiang went with her. On the other hand, Wu Wengen applied to a mediocre company that was comparable with his skills and continued his humble life, never once did he take advantage of his status to do something more.
When Wu Ruoqing returned to China, the discussion about marriage started in full swing.
The Wu Family was surrounded in a joyous and exuberant atmosphere, contrasted with Wu Wengen's life that was getting more and more desolate. Ever since Cui Qiqiang left, it was like he lost interest in everything. He spent every single day like a zombie, just waiting for night to arrive and sun to come out again the next day.
The next moment he saw Wu Ruoqing was when she tried on her wedding gown.
The pampered little sister had grown up to be a mature and charming woman. But the happiness and innocence in her eyes remained the same. "Brother! Is it beautiful? You haven't spent much time with me nowadays so you must be Brother Qiqiang's groomsman okay?"
To be the groomsman in the wedding of his sister and the person he loved, how laughable was it?
Why did everyone have the right to be happy except him? Why did he have to endure everything alone? Why did he have to concede the person he loved for someone else?
All of the accumulated sadness, despair and grievances burst forth from Wu Wengen's heart all at once.
It was then that he realized that he had never moved on.
.
.
A/N: Cue Little Mix - Secret Love Song. It fits so much QAQ