Chapter 30: Unimportant Things

The hallway felt cold, a piercing draft cutting through Feng Xiyao’s thin T-shirt, chilling her to the bone.

For a moment, Meng Zhi seemed like a stranger. He wasn’t the warm, flawless boyfriend from her memories, the one who made everyone feel at ease.

This boy’s eyes were aloof, heavy, distant, as if he were shutting the world out.

Yet, it didn’t feel wrong. Maybe this was the real Meng Zhi.

Or rather, who he’d always been.

Perhaps in her last life, she’d been lost in a fantasy of love, where he was the perfect boyfriend, tirelessly supporting her music dreams.

That fantasy was so perfect she forgot reality wasn’t a romance novel.

The ideal partner in stories was, in life, a person with their own desires, their own dreams, their own life. They wanted to be understood, cared for, allowed their own selfishness.

What did Meng Zhi want?

Even scouring their shared years, she couldn’t find an answer. Everything he did seemed rooted in his love for her, as if her happiness was his.

Her music dreams fulfilled? That was his dream too.

…Was it really?

Did I ever ask about his dreams?

Did I ever care about his life?

Had I, without realizing, already ruined his life?

In that instant, a nameless, crushing fear enveloped her, sharper than Chen Xinya’s taunts, nearly breaking her.

Because she realized, maybe there was never love between them.

Just her, spoiled like a princess, taking his affection for granted.

She’d never loved him the way he loved her.

“Brother Meng Zhi, I—” Her eyes reddened, voice trembling.

“…Sorry.”

But he didn’t let her speak. Head bowed, eyes dark, he said, “I got carried away, talking to myself.”

“Forget what I said. I’m going to bed.”

As he moved to close the door, Feng Xiyao desperately blocked it, as if letting it shut would seal an irreversible end.

“S-Sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Her voice cracked with guilt and sobs. “I get it now. I finally understand what I did wrong.”

“Brother Meng Zhi, don’t push me away. Give me one more chance…”

Seeing her cling to the door, he stopped resisting and opened it wider. “Fine, it’s too late. It’s not safe for you to go back alone.”

His eyes dimmed. “Come in. Same room as last time.”

She froze, then lit up. “Brother Meng Zhi, you’re forgiving me?”

“I never said I blamed you.”

He shook his head. “I told you. You all act on your own ideas, never caring what I think.”

“I don’t overthink it. I don’t care what you did. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“What I want to do, I’ll do myself.”

She couldn’t help adding, “Whatever you want, I can do it with—”

“If I need you, I’ll say so.”

His words cut her off, making her swallow the rest. She realized she’d almost made the same mistake again—imposing her wishes on him.

“So, what’s Brother Meng Zhi doing now?”

“I’m hungry.” He rubbed his stomach, gazing vaguely outside. “Gonna grab something to eat.”

She wanted to join him, but instinct told her to leave him alone.

Her mistake was bad enough. She shouldn’t disturb what he wanted to do. Let him enjoy it in peace.

“Okay.”

Head lowered, she murmured, “I’ll head to bed. Need me to wake you tomorrow?”

“If I’m not up by seven, come get me.”

He threw on a thin hoodie, zipping it up and pulling the hood over. “I’m out.”

“Mm.”

Watching him leave, the door closing, the light in her eyes faded.

It was laughable.

Only now did she realize she’d never fully accepted her rebirth.

She’d thought everything would stay the same, that her Brother Meng Zhi would still be hers.

But everything was different.

She had to face it: he didn’t like her anymore.

To make him like her again would be a long, hard road.

Not just repairing this rift, but fending off rivals like Chen Xinya.

Most importantly, becoming a better version of herself.

Not the princess who basked in his love but ignored his pain.

“Brother Meng Zhi…”

Leaning against the door, she took a deep breath.

“…I won’t mess up again.”

Late-night McDonald’s had only a few scattered customers.

Ordering a burger combo from a yawning cashier, Meng Zhi sat by a second-floor window, ready to enjoy his snack.

The view was nice, overlooking the plaza’s night scene, even catching the city’s neon glow in the distance.

Two bites into the burger, it wasn’t quite what he craved. A bit disappointing.

But it was fine.

He’d just come to escape.

Not getting the taste he wanted didn’t matter. The world rarely went his way. He was used to it.

But in the quiet, slow moment, a surprised voice broke through.

“Meng Zhi?! What are you doing here?”

He looked up, startled to see her.

Wavy curls, a Lolita dress, skin pale and delicate like a doll.

Standing awkwardly in the aisle, holding a tray of burgers, staring at him.

“…Lin Yuhan?”