Chapter 32 – A Momentary Lapse

“Teacher.”

Zhan Hong heard the voice and turned around, his smile deepening as he saw Guan Heng, the wrinkles on his face more pronounced. “You came.”

“Yes.” Zhan Hong was still strong despite being in his sixties, his back straight, but Guan Heng still reached out to support his arm, purely out of respect and affection a student would have for a teacher. Everyone knew that Guan Heng was Zhan Hong’s most accomplished disciple, so no one found it strange. A genius among geniuses like Guan Heng had very few people he truly admired from the bottom of his heart.

Zhan Hong patted Guan Heng’s hand fondly. “You haven’t changed much.”

Guan Heng smiled. “Teacher, take a seat here.”

Guan Heng’s table was filled with familiar classmates, except for Yue Shu. When Guan Heng guided Zhan Hong to their seats, he gave up his original seat for the teacher to sit in, taking the adjacent spot instead. This meant that Zhan Hong sat between Guan Heng and Yue Shu, with one person separating the latter two.

Sitting like this wasn’t problematic since Yue Shu regarded Zhan Hong as his mentor and had a good relationship with him. But Guan Heng’s actions seemed to clearly draw a line between them.

Yue Shu’s face paled once again. Guan Heng had seen right through him, preemptively stopping his attempt to reconnect through their teacher.

If everyone had merely been speculating before, this time Guan Heng made his stance even clearer. He maintained Yue Shu’s dignity while making it abundantly clear that there was no room for negotiation.

Breakups weren’t uncommon occurrences, so no one showed any unusual reactions. The focus of the alumni gathering was ultimately on the reunion of these old classmates, not a reconciliation meeting for couples. No one understood the true state of affairs between Guan Heng and Yue Shu, so they couldn’t intervene.

Even Teacher Zhan understood the situation, shaking his head at Guan Heng with a faint smile, criticizing him, albeit indirectly. “You… You’re still so ruthless when it comes to doing things.”

Yue Shu lowered his head slightly, his complexion turning even paler.

Guan Heng didn’t say anything, seemingly accepting the criticism in silence.

Time was running out, and everyone who was supposed to arrive had gathered. After 6 PM, the restaurant began serving dishes, drinks, and alcohol. Once everyone had food and drink, their attention naturally scattered, and the atmosphere grew lively once more.

Teacher Zhan’s table was popular, with people frequently coming over to exchange pleasantries.

As drinking and eating progressed, some people started browsing their phones, while others left their seats to chat with others.

Yue Shu was unusually silent tonight, but he couldn’t refuse the invitations of those he knew well. Besides, he couldn’t bear to stay seated any longer, so he temporarily left to join another table.

After Yue Shu left, Zhan Hong turned to Guan Heng. “You’ve really split up?”

Guan Heng replied with a simple “Mm.”

Zhan Hong knew his student well enough to understand that this response meant there was no chance of a reversal. While he was delighted to see two successful students together, it seemed that fate had run its course, and it couldn’t be forced. He wouldn’t pry into the reasons either, changing the topic instead. “Do you still visit that man in prison?”

Guan Heng replied without emotion. “Yes.”

Zhan Hong fell silent for a moment, then sighed. “So much time has passed, and you’re still not planning to let go of him? Although what he did was wrong, I can’t help but feel sorry for him now.”

“Teacher, you know I’m a flawed individual.”

Zhan Hong suddenly chuckled, revealing a side unbecoming of a teacher. “Flawed my ass! Everyone has psychological issues to varying degrees; it’s nothing significant. You just love to get stuck in your own thoughts. If you could change that aspect, your achievements would definitely surpass mine. Unfortunately…”

“But I can’t change, nor do I want to. Perhaps I’ll remain this way for the rest of my life.”

In fact, this wasn’t the first time Zhan Hong had tried to persuade Guan Heng, but Guan Heng’s answer remained unchanged, the same for over a decade. “Do you know why I studied psychology? I was curious about human nature. Human nature indeed has its bright side, but there’s often more evil lurking beneath the surface. The line between good and evil is unclear, and most people walk the gray area. You’re a very extreme exception, Guan Heng.”

Zhan Hong sighed again. “But that’s not necessarily bad. At least you’re not heading down the wrong path. Anything that contributes to society is a good thing. It’s just that you live too hard, putting too much pressure on yourself. You can’t shoulder everything alone; even you can’t manage everything. Regardless, I still hope you can be happy. Not letting go of him means not letting go of yourself. Treat yourself well.”

Guan Heng took a longer pause before responding. “I’ll try.”

The conversation between teacher and student was interrupted quickly by others.

By 8 PM, Guan Heng checked his phone, and Ye Zhou still hadn’t replied. Although it was possible that his phone was out of power, someone as meticulous as Ye Zhou wouldn’t fail to inform him beforehand. Guan Heng genuinely felt something was amiss.

He had arrived early today, intending to leave early as well. Since attending such events inevitably involved drinking, he hadn’t driven himself and could only take public transportation back.

Guan Heng raised his glass, toasting Zhan Hong. “Teacher, I need to catch a train, so I’ll be leaving now.”

Zhan Hong didn’t try to detain him, knowing how busy Guan Heng usually was and wouldn’t stop him from doing what he wanted.

Yue Shu hadn’t returned to his seat, and Guan Heng didn’t intend to bid him farewell. There was no need for it. He simply said goodbye to a few of his fellow classmates and left.

It wasn’t too late yet, and the banquet hall’s corridors were still bustling with people. However, after Guan Heng stepped out of the hotel entrance, Yue Shu hurriedly caught up from behind. “Guan Heng.”

Guan Heng stopped and turned around.

In front of the hotel entrance was the parking lot, relatively quiet compared to the noise inside.

Yue Shu had clearly had some alcohol, his cheeks flushed. Having performed all around the world, he was accustomed to social engagements and wouldn’t allow himself to become drunk. Nevertheless, having consumed alcohol, his emotions fluctuated more than usual, giving him the courage to express the pent-up feelings in his heart. “Guan Heng, we’ve been together for two years. Are you really going to be so heartless? You know I can’t live without you. I can’t function without you anymore; you’ve made me this way. It was just one mistake, and you won’t give me a chance to regret it.”

No matter how docile Yue Shu appeared, pride still coursed through his veins. This was already the harshest words his upbringing allowed him to utter.

But life couldn’t be restarted. Sometimes, a momentary lapse led to a lifetime of regret.

Guan Heng continued to gaze at him calmly, his emotions barely stirring. He spoke. “Don’t talk about regret. Since you proposed the breakup, it means you sincerely wanted it at that moment. Now that you’re regretting it, there might be other instances in the future where you’ll bring up separation due to other matters. When we were together, you should have known the kind of person I am. I can’t tolerate any situation that slips out of my control. With a first time, there will never be a second.”

Despite Guan Heng’s gentle demeanor, each word he uttered was firm and resolute.

Yue Shu opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, only feeling a heavy wave of sorrow wash over him. “Guan Heng, I’ve actually never understood what you’re thinking. I don’t truly know you. You’re… hard to approach, as if you’re always far away from me.”

Guan Heng didn’t respond.

Yue Shu lifted his reddened eyes, unwilling to concede. “But Ye Zhou isn’t suitable for you either. He’s too independent; he won’t accept your control. In the end, he’ll end up like me, slipping out of your grasp!”

Guan Heng didn’t offer any reaction to Yue Shu’s words, nor did he get angry. He merely looked at him quietly for a moment before turning around and walking away.