章 19: The breakup

Ai bowed as she stepped out of his condo. "Thank you for making me breakfast even though you were sick."

"...Take that as thanks for taking care of me."

She nodded. She turned to leave but stopped. "Oh. I heard from Mrs. Quan Su that the kids from yesterday's story reading event got a basket of expensive chocolates. Was it you?"

Jun glowered at her as if he would eat her alive. "I don't have time to do something so stupid!"

Ai stared at him.

It's clearly him. Is he embarrassed?

"I mentioned it because I appreciate it. You didn't like the kids before but you-"

"I. Didn't. Get. Them. Any. Chocolates," he icily enunciated each word.

Ai didn't know what to say. Was it so difficult to accept it in front of her?

"I see. Oh and another thing."

"What?" He impatiently asked.

"You look so cold and unapproachable, but you turn into a kid when you are sick. I was feeding you porridge, but you kept asking for ice cream."

"..."

"Chocolate with blackberry scoop on top. In the end, I had to feed you porridge as ice cream because you weren't listening."

Jun's demeanor suddenly turned as if it was snowing. His face turned as black as a pot. "Say that in front of anyone and you will suffer."

She blinked.

"Especially in front of my brothers if you ever meet them. Don't utter a single word about yesterday. Just forget about it in the first place!"

Why is he threatening me so suddenly? He is so unpredictable.

Ai frowned and could only leave in confusion.

From a distance, two figures saw her leaving from Jun's condo in utter disbelief.

"Is that what I am seeing, Jian?"

"I think I am seeing the same thing as you, Nian."

"Was it a woman who left?"

"It was definitely a woman. Men don't have those curves."

"A WOMAN left from our dear brother's place? A woman other than Shui? Is that why Jun left? He said he wanted to work for his company but look what we found! Adultery!"

"Do you think what I think too?"

"I don't even want to think about anything at this point. Our future sister-in-law is being cheated!"

"As good future brother-in-laws, we must intervene," Jian solemnly nodded.

Nian pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Yo, Shui. You remember I talked about a beautiful leash I saw online? I think it's time you buy that."

"...What?"

"You need the leash to get your boyfriend back on track. Apparently, he is cheating on you."

—

Han villa.

Han Shui right now - "..."

"Bro Nian. Are you alright?"

"I am definitely alright. Jian is with me too. Shit, we forgot to take a picture of hers, or you would have definitely believed me."

"Alright. I believe you."

"Hmph!"

"I will talk to Jun about this."

"You better do it quickly! How can my little brother meet someone else behind your back? Men are such vile creatures I say!"

Her mouth twitched. "Aren't you a man too?"

"I am an exception, of course," he harrumphed.

"Hey! I am an exception too!" Jian shouted from the other end.

"Shut up. You are not included. You are just as vile."

"What did you say! How dare you, Nian!"

"So should I include you in the innocent and respectful man list? Hah!"

"Umm…Bro Nian…" Shui interrupted.

"As if you are any innocent! I saw how you dumped that woman last week. You are anything but innocent!"

"What about you fighting with Leina all the time? Don't act as if you are painted in white!"

Well…

Shui was left with only one choice. She hung up the phone. Once the twins started bickering, others could only be a spectator.

Shui kept the phone aside and laid back on the bed.

What should I even ask Jun? Didn't he already break up with me?

*Ten days before*

Like always, Jun waited outside her college. Shui came running towards him. "Jun!"

She huffed a little breathlessly. She shook her head. "You didn't have to come. Today we have a late study session. I am staying back after classes will end."

Her friends called her out from a distance. "Hey, Shui! Don't forget about tonight, okay?" They winked and laughed.

Shui hastily bade them goodbye and turned towards them.

Jun stared at her in silence for a while.

She noticed something was wrong. "What is it?"

"Can we talk for a moment?"

Shui was taken aback. She had never heard him talking in such a solemn tone before. His expression felt odd.

"Sure."

They walked inside the campus and stood below a beautiful plum blossom tree.

"Tell me," she hung her arms behind her back and smiled.

Jun didn't seem to find his words for a while, but then he finally asked the inevitable question, "Shui. What do you think about our relationship?"

She blinked once. "What?"

"Our relationship. Are you happy with me?"

Shui was at a loss. The question came out of nowhere and for some reason, she couldn't immediately answer.

Jun faintly smiled. "I already knew the answer. Guess I…just had to see it with my eyes today."

Shui slowly said, observing his strange expression, "I don't understand."

Jun was quiet for a moment before he spoke, "Shui. Let's break up. I don't think I am suited for you."

She looked at him blankly. "Huh?"

"I have been too blind to realize certain things. I was really being stupid. Before I make you any sadder, it's best that I end this now."

"Jun…what are you talking about? Y-you are not making me sad-"

"You don't realize it now. But I have been hurting you all this time. That's why you…" he smiled. "Anyway. I know it's coming suddenly from me. But I have thought about it for long enough. I know what I am talking about."

Shui was in utter disbelief about what she was hearing.

Is he really Jun?

"B-But I don't understand. Wasn't everything fine until yesterday?" She panicked. "Jun, please tell me..."

Jun stared at her. "Was it, Shui? I think things were going in the wrong direction for quite some time. Somewhere in your heart you feel it too, but you are pushing that feeling away. It's because of me. Don't be sad, Shui. I am not doing this to see tears in your eyes. I am doing this so that I don't bring tears to them anymore."

*Present*

Ever since that day, they hadn't spoken since. Shui was still unsure of it happening so until she talked to Jun once again, she decided not to tell her family about her breakup. It happened so suddenly and quickly that that moment felt almost surreal to her.

Until now, Jun never let go of any chance to be with her. He was everywhere with her and every time.

She felt melancholic when Jun talked about breaking up. But she realized she wasn't really as heartbroken as she had imagined she would have been.

How could I not be so affected by it? I love Jun so much.

So where are my feelings going wrong?