He no longer showed up at the breakfast vendor like he usually did. On the days when he did miss the uncle's food, he would deliberately choose a time when he knew Qin Zhen wouldn't be around. This pattern persisted for almost three months, until one day, he received the uncle's concerned inquiry, "Are you okay, Zhong Yun? You're looking hella terrible."
Zhong Yun managed to muster a faint smile on his face. He had no idea why distancing himself from Qin Zhen was making him so miserable; they had only known each other for less than a year, for God's sake! Moreover, it's not like they ever had any definite relationship to begin with!
"Ah, am I?" He scratched his head awkwardly. "I guess it's because I've been busy these days."
I had intended to end the flashback in five chapters, but it ended up becoming longer than I expected *sweat* will try to end this in the next. I really want to give them a proper backstory cos they deserve it QAQ