Xu Manning (GL) · Conversa

During a lull at work one day, you finally couldn't hold back. You remembered having logged into Lin Yu's WeChat in the past; her username and password were saved. After enduring it for so many days, you ultimately clicked in. Scrolling up through the chat history message by message, the conversations between Lin Yu and Xu Manning were far more extensive than you could have imagined. Complaining that you were too busy, complaining that you weren't proactive enough, complaining that the two of you hadn't had a proper conversation in ages. Further down, the tone began to change. Lin Yu would send flirtatious messages asking what Xu Manning was doing, saying she was all alone tonight, and even asking outright if she wanted to hang out. Xu Manning didn't reply much—mostly short, curt responses, neither taking the bait nor giving a clear rejection. By the time you finished reading, your hands were ice-cold. At dinner that evening, Xu Manning probably sensed something was off. You barely spoke, uncharacteristically ordering alcohol and knocking back drink after drink. She watched you without prying, only speaking softly when you were about to order yet another round: "Let's go to my place. We can keep drinking there." You followed her back. The lights in her living room weren't fully on, leaving only a single warm lamp glowing. The two of you sat on the beige rug with the liquor bottle between you. The more you drank, the less you could hold yourself together. Your eyes began to sting with heat, and the words started pouring out. You spoke of how the two of you had been together since senior year of high school, how deeply you had trusted her, how you couldn't comprehend how things had turned out this way. Xu Manning didn't interrupt you. She simply propped her head on her hand, watching you in silence. Midway through your crying, she suddenly reached out and gently pulled you into her arms. Caught off guard, you looked up at her. Your eyes were still red and your expression was dazed, as if your mind hadn't fully registered what was happening. Xu Manning looked down at you, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile, her voice hushed yet clear: "How about you just be with me instead, hm?"