"During the four years in university, I took up part-time jobs and in between studying and working, I had no time to even think about relationships or love. It was not something that I deemed substantial. By the time I graduated from university, I had landed a job in Chengshi. It was a competitive industry, and I had the lowest qualification among the architects. I could only pursue further studies and continue on the path working while studying. When I first started, naturally I had to put in more effort compared to others to be recognized. Adding to that was my postgraduate studies, I would say that during those times I had to squeeze really hard to find time to sleep."

"To me, a relationship is still a luxury." Song Yu took a deep breath. "Now that I'm finally on the right track and with less crazy work hours, I've been thinking about something that has bothered me more than once."

"My mom is right. If there's someone I like, I should go for it. Regardless of what you think, I feel that I need to let you know about my feelings. That's the only way for me to not have any regrets. I will stop asking myself 'what-ifs.'"

"Jian Yi, I like you." She pressed her forehead on the door and spoke softly. She could hear her heart pounding violently.

It was as if a fire had started in her heart and spread all the way to her head. Her face was burning.

At that moment, she felt like she could no longer breathe.

"If... If you reciprocate, open the door. I want to say it to you in-person," she said. She was suffocating as she continued, "If you don't see me that way, I apologize for acting up. You can pretend you heard nothing tonight. You don't need to open the door, and you don't need to feel bothered by it. Just pretend nothing ever happened. We are still good friends, and I won't have a second thought about you."

Song Yu stopped and lowered her glance to the doorknob.

There was no movement. Her heart sank. She was disappointed even though she acted like she would not be bothered by it. It was hard not to be disappointed as she had been in love with him for so many years. She had always thought he shared the same feelings.

Song Yu's eyes hurt and she felt her tears welling up. Just when she was ready to retreat into her room, the doorknob turned.

"Creak!"

The door opened.

At first, Song Yu saw a pair of slippers. Extending from there, she saw a pair of long, naked legs. Up to the level of the knees, there was a white towel.

Her eyes continued to move up. At the waist level where the towel was tied, she could see a flat and toned abdomen. The abs muscles were clearly defined, akin to those photoshopped models in the magazines. His rock-hard abs were exhibiting the strength underneath.

She did not think Jian Yi was naked!

Song Yu could feel her face burning and steam coming out of her ears.

Standing at the door, he was so close to her. She could feel the radiating heat from his chest on her forehead.

Song Yu was too shy to lift up her head. Her face was all red, and she was staring at her feet, not knowing what to do. She was afraid to look up because the scene was too provocative.