Chapter 2 – Breakup Scene

Ye Zhou felt his eyes light up, for although he himself wasn’t bad-looking, it was rare to see such a pleasingly handsome man.

His personality was open and he wasn’t easily intimidated, so he quickly replied, “Hello, my name is Ye Zhou. I live next door to you, so we’ll be neighbors from now on. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

Guan Heng nodded at him, polite yet warm, “Thank you.”

Their conversation ended there, without any unnecessary small talk. After all, they had just met; forcing conversation would only lead to awkwardness, and asking too many personal questions right away seemed a bit intrusive.

It seemed Guan Heng was simply coming out to greet him, and once the greetings were over, he returned inside without any hesitation.

Ye Zhou’s first impression of his new neighbor was quite positive, and he didn’t find the swift end to their conversation awkward at all. He was a straightforward person who disliked dragging things out, and naturally appreciated the same style in others. Besides, his new neighbor was very handsome. Although Ye Zhou’s offer was polite, based on his experience with people, he could confidently say that someone like Guan Heng would never like to trouble others.

Guan Heng looked… roughly the same age as him? Or perhaps a little older.

Perhaps because his new neighbor was better than he had imagined, and the house next door was no longer cold and empty, Ye Zhou found himself inexplicably in a good mood, entering his home happily.

Ye Zhou didn’t hear the courtyard gate open again until bedtime, assuming that his new neighbor would be staying in the house tonight. Although he didn’t know whether the other was still unpacking, the neighboring house remained quiet without any disturbing noise. Just that fact alone made Ye Zhou’s favor towards Guan Heng skyrocket, believing that they would likely get along well in the future.

Ye Zhou fell asleep quickly, enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep.

The restaurant didn’t start business until eleven in the morning, but Ye Zhou would arrive at ten to help prepare for the day’s operations, checking the menu, and ensuring there were enough ingredients and supplies for the day. Sometimes, if there were fresh seasonal catches available, he would have to wake up at three or four in the morning to personally drive to the fish market to purchase them.

Perhaps due to sleeping well last night, he woke up half an hour earlier than usual today, feeling rather refreshed and having no intention of going back to sleep. He got up to wash up.

After breakfast, thinking he still had some spare time, he tidied up the trash and took it to the community’s shared garbage disposal area. When he left, there was no movement next door, unsure if Guan Heng was still sleeping or had already gone out.

However, as he opened the courtyard gate, he saw a stranger standing outside.

This man looked young, with delicate features and a refined, elegant demeanor, exuding an intellectual attractiveness. Ye Zhou felt that he’d been fortunate these few days, encountering pleasingly handsome men, but since the stranger was standing in front of his house, he felt compelled to ask, “Uh, what… are you doing standing in front of my house?”

When the man saw that Ye Zhou was the one opening the door, he was merely slightly surprised. However, upon hearing Ye Zhou’s question, his expression became rather peculiar.

Ye Zhou picked up on it sensitively, “What’s wrong?”

The man then asked, “Excuse me… does Guan Heng live here?”

“Oh, yes,” Ye Zhou almost forgot that he wasn’t the only one living here anymore, and he had gotten used to speaking casually. But to avoid misunderstandings, he explained, “He’s my neighbor, living in the building on the right.”

The man glanced at the building on the right, realizing his mistake, blushing slightly, but still politely nodded at Ye Zhou, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Ye Zhou’s observational skills were pretty good, sensing that this man’s relationship with his new neighbor was not ordinary. But Ye Zhou merely kept it to himself, respecting others’ privacy and not prying, walking away with the trash bag.

Ye Zhou entered the garbage disposal area carrying two bags, one for trash and the other for recycling. After throwing away the trash, he sorted the items in the other bag to be recycled, taking a little time.

Just as he finished and was about to leave, he noticed two people standing at the entrance to the garbage disposal area.

“…Guan Heng.”

Upon hearing that name, Ye Zhou immediately stopped. Their community’s garbage disposal area was located in a secluded spot, with the entrance being a narrow alley, hidden around a corner, making it impossible to see inside from the outside. However, Ye Zhou could clearly hear their voices. The speaker was the man who had been standing at his doorstep earlier. Although his tone was still gentle, there was a palpable seriousness in the air between them.

Logically, Ye Zhou should have just walked out, but perhaps it was his sixth sense telling him that this was not the time to interrupt. Except, the garbage disposal area only had one entrance and exit, leaving him no alternative route. He didn’t intend to eavesdrop.

Then, Ye Zhou’s sixth sense proved true. Guan Heng spoke next, his voice low and melodious, but there was an indescribable coldness in it, “Didn’t you propose the breakup?”

A thunderous shock echoed in Ye Zhou’s ears.

He hadn’t expected Guan Heng to also be in the same boat… But why were they discussing a breakup at the garbage disposal area entrance? Didn’t they fear being overheard?

“Yes.” The man pursed his lips, then, as if gathering courage, said, “Being with you, I feel like a puppet on strings, an empty shell without a soul. I find you… terrifying.”

Ye Zhou: “…”

Guan Heng showed no emotion, neither anger nor discernible irritation. After a moment, he said, “I understand. I respect your choice. Let’s separate.”

The man lowered his head, saying, “I’m leaving the country tomorrow, which is why I wanted to make things clear…”

Even after being spoken to in such a manner, Guan Heng did not lose his composure, maintaining his refined demeanor, “Take care of yourself in the future. I wish you smooth sailing.”

“Yes, the same to you.”

They parted ways amicably, without any ugly scenes, which was indeed rare. Ye Zhou caught the man turning to walk away, showing no signs of lingering. Due to the angle, he couldn’t see if Guan Heng had left. To avoid a confrontation, he stayed in the garbage disposal area for a while longer, only leaving when it was his usual departure time.

Unexpectedly, Guan Heng hadn’t left. He was leaning against the wall, holding a cigarette in his mouth, seemingly intending to smoke, but for some reason, he hadn’t lit it.

Given Guan Heng’s demeanor, smoking seemed incongruous, but contrary to expectations, the way he held the cigarette had an indescribable coolness, very attractive.

But Ye Zhou didn’t have the heart to ponder this detail at the moment. This situation was truly awkward.

Guan Heng also spotted Ye Zhou, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, but otherwise, there wasn’t much change in his expression. He unhurriedly removed the cigarette, putting it back in his pocket, even reacting before Ye Zhou, “You saw that?”

“Yes.” Although Ye Zhou had stumbled upon the scene unintentionally, he felt somewhat guilty for overhearing someone’s private matters, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Guan Heng nodded, “I know.”

Ye Zhou really wanted to leave quickly, but humans subconsciously seek to alleviate awkwardness. Since he didn’t know Guan Heng well, he could only make small talk, “You smoke?”

“I used to, not anymore. It’s just a habit to carry them…”

Ye Zhou didn’t smoke himself, but he knew that some people who quit smoking would do this, habitually carrying cigarettes with them. When the urge struck, they would take them out to smell the scent of tobacco without actually lighting them. Studies show that those with a smoking habit tend to smoke more intensely during times of anxiety or irritability. This suggested that although Guan Heng appeared calm on the surface, the breakup might have affected him to some degree.

Ye Zhou and Guan Heng were barely acquainted, merely neighbors. Whatever he said now seemed inappropriate, plus he didn’t know the reason behind their breakup, so it was best not to jump to conclusions. Therefore, he could only act as usual, “It’s not early, I have to open the store, I’ll be on my way.”

“Okay.” Guan Heng watched Ye Zhou’s retreating back, slowly withdrawing his gaze.