I Can Still Salvage It

Because they had stayed up too late causing a ruckus the previous day, everyone slept past ten o’clock the next day before getting up.

After Shen Mian woke up, he remembered that he had gotten drunk the previous night and clung onto Pei Zhiyi. Any sense of shame or keeping a distance was thrown aside. In the end, it was Pei Zhiyi who carried him to take a shower. However, Pei Zhiyi had also been drinking, and the two of them ended up sleeping together in a daze.

Shen Mian pinched his nose bridge, feeling a slight headache from the hangover. He sighed inwardly, realizing that drinking indeed resulted in a terrible hangover.

But regretting it was useless.

He checked the time and saw that it was already half-past ten. Surprisingly, Pei Zhiyi, who rarely woke up later than him, was still lying with closed eyes. His black hair spread out on the pillow, and his closed eyes appeared much gentler than usual.

Suddenly, Shen Mian didn’t feel like waking Pei Zhiyi up.

He watched Pei Zhiyi for about ten minutes until Pei Zhiyi opened his eyes on his own. Shen Mian smiled and said, “Morning, it’s time for lunch.”

…….

Shen Mian went to have lunch with Pei Zhiyi at the hotel restaurant and almost half of the people in the restaurant were their buddies who had played around together the previous night. Everyone had a tired look, clearly having exhausted themselves the day before.

But after finishing their meal, one by one, they became lively again, determined not to waste such a good afternoon and wanting to go out and have fun again.

However, that afternoon, they didn’t go out together in a group but split up. Before leaving, Xu Jing reminded them, “There will be a fireworks display and light show in the scenic area tonight, starting at 8 o’clock. Remember to appear.”

Shen Mian made a hand gesture indicating that he received the message.

After playing too much the night before, he planned to wander around the resort in the afternoon so after he finished lunch with Pei Zhiyi, he strolled around the resort, fed the swans, and before he knew it, it was already evening.

However, just before leaving for the fireworks display, Shen Mian suddenly received a message from Mu Lingling, saying that she needed to discuss something with him and asked him to come to Liuyi Bridge in the scenic area.

Liuyi Bridge was right next to the viewing area of the fireworks display.

Shen Mian was a bit puzzled and told Pei Zhiyi, “You go ahead and save us a spot in the viewing area. Mu Lingling has something to talk to me about. I’ll join you in a while.”

Pei Zhiyi didn’t ask further and nodded in agreement.

Shen Mian also didn’t expect Mu Lingling to find him, he thought it was probably about some activity.

However, when he arrived at Liuyi Bridge, from a distance, he saw Mu Lingling, Xu Qian and another girl all standing beside each other. The girl had a waterfall of black long hair, wearing a black woolen jacket and a red skirt, with bare legs and a pair of boots. Even in the nighttime, she stood out beautifully in the crowd.

Shen Mian recognized her. It was Lu Yue from Class 4. He and Lu Yue were both in the music club the previous year, but this year, due to advancing to the second year of high school, they hardly went to the club and rarely saw each other.

Shen Mian walked over and smiled friendly at Lu Yue, greeting her, then asked Mu Lingling, “Why did you call me?”

Mu Lingling was shocked by his dullness. With such a beautiful girl standing next to him, he still asked why.

Mu Lingling pulled Xu Qian and walked away, tossing a remark at Shen Mian, “It’s not me who’s looking for you, it’s Lu Yue. If you are curious ask her about it”

After saying that, she ran off with Xu Qian, disappearing without a trace.

On the bustling Liuyi Bridge, Shen Mian and Lu Yue stood face to face. Lu Yue played with her hair, seeming a bit shy.

But just a few seconds later, she straightforwardly said to Shen Mian, “I asked Mu Lingling to call you out for me.”

Shen Mian foolishly replied with an “Oh,” slowly realizing the purpose of that meeting.

Sure enough, Lu Yue looked at him and gently said, “Because I want to confess to you.”

As Lu Yue spoke those words, the lights on Liuyi Bridge and the ones next to Anzichuan River under the bridge all lit up. It was as if they were creating a grand spectacle to accompany the girl’s confession.

In the evening breeze, Lu Yue’s face looked gentle and charming. She wasn’t the kind of delicate and adorable girl like a fawn but exuded confidence, independence, and a mature composure beyond her age.

Shen Mian didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Actually, he had received many confessions before. With his good looks, he had received numerous love letters over the years, even girls from other schools had gone to great lengths to get his contact information.

But this time, Lu Yue earnestly asked him out and confessed on that busy bridge, which was dreamlike and beautiful. It seemed like she was the first.

He belatedly understood why she chose Liuyi Bridge. Because just like that mountain path, the bridge also had a legend. It was said that in ancient times, a pair of lovers reunited on that bridge after being separated due to war, which is why it was also called Lover’s Bridge.

Shen Mian felt a bit nervous as he looked at Lu Yue’s smiling face under the lights. It was difficult for him to refuse.

He had a soft heart, always gentle even when rejecting someone, afraid of hurting their feelings.

So he asked, a bit bewildered, “Could you have it wrong? We haven’t really had much contact…”

Lu Yue burst into laughter and cheerfully said, “Who would mistake the person they like? Shen Mian, I noticed you last year. When you were in the Music Club, you were always so adorable and kind to everyone. I really like you, but it’s only today that I gathered the courage to tell you.”

That was something Shen Mian hadn’t expected. He looked at Lu Yue in surprise, having a faint protest against the word “adorable” in his heart.

But Lu Yue continued, “I genuinely like you. When I walk among the crowd, my eyes can’t help but focus on you. So, I…”

She said many things, confessing her feelings for Shen Mian.

Shen Mian knew he should listen attentively; it was a sign of respect for the girl and her confession.

But it was really difficult for him to do so.

Because he saw Pei Zhiyi.

The viewing area was filled with people holding up their phones. Everyone’s faces appeared distorted in the reflection of the fireworks.

Yet, Shen Mian could still spot Pei Zhiyi.

Pei Zhiyi, dressed in a black long coat, had a pale complexion. Since there was no Shen Mian by his side, he had returned to his usual aloof appearance, standing at the edge, not smiling, just gazing at the sky.

The fireworks were splendid and magnificent, and everyone watching had smiles on their faces, except for Pei Zhiyi, who seemed disconnected from everything before him.

Shen Mian’s attention was completely drawn to Pei Zhiyi, to the point that he involuntarily took a step forward.

He couldn’t bear seeing Pei Zhiyi so distant and cold. He knew Pei Zhiyi must be unhappy again, so he subconsciously wanted to go to him and make him happy.

But as he took just one step forward, he encountered Lu Yue’s eager gaze.

He heard Lu Yue say, “Shen Mian, I want to ask you, would you like to be in a relationship with me? Even if it’s just trying to be together, if you don’t currently like anyone, I’m confident I can make you like me as we spend time together.”

Shen Mian’s footsteps halted.

The fireworks above them became more numerous, and as the performance continued, the atmosphere became more lively. Even on Liuyi Bridge, they could hear the cheers of the crowd.

Shen Mian gazed into Lu Yue’s eyes. If he agreed to that girl in front of him, he wouldn’t end up shattered like falling off a cliff, nor would he be troubled by his relationship with Pei Zhiyi.

He would walk a smooth and enviable path, having an ordinary and admired romance.

He knew Lu Yue was wonderful, a famous beauty in their grade, and her eyes were filled with sincerity.

If it were another boy there, they might have eagerly agreed immediately.

Even a year-ago Shen Mian might have been swayed, thinking that having such a relationship wouldn’t be bad.

But then he looked up at Pei Zhiyi, the one standing under the bridge, alone and isolated from the crowd.

Such splendid fireworks, such a lively scene, but in his eyes, it was so quiet.

The world froze, centered around Pei Zhiyi.

Everything stopped spinning.

He blinked his eyes lightly and suddenly remembered Xu Yuanfan’s words to him.

“You can’t hide your feelings. If you try desperately to convince yourself that you don’t like him, yet you can’t control it, then it means you do like him.”

He had been trying to convince himself these past few days that his feelings for Pei Zhiyi were merely attachment and habit, that the gentle and enduring kindness of Pei Zhiyi blurred the boundaries.

But at that moment, separated by the crowd and the fireworks.

There was a good girl right in front of him, who almost met all the standards of a perfect lover.

Suddenly, he couldn’t convince himself anymore.

Because the reason he wanted to reject Lu Yue wasn’t that Lu Yue wasn’t good enough or that he didn’t want to be in a relationship.

It was because another person’s name flashed through his mind.

He even untimely recalled the kiss given by that person.

In the dim corridor, there was a faint taste of lime on their lips, and a small sliver of moonlight slipped through the window, bearing witness to it all.

He smiled apologetically at Lu Yue, not realizing his own eyes were also moist.

Lu Yue was surprised and stared at him, unblinking.

He sincerely apologized to Lu Yue, “I’m sorry, I already have feelings for someone.”

He refused the possibility of a grand avenue and chose to walk the cliffside path.

Would he fall? Would he drag Pei Zhiyi into the abyss with him?

He didn’t know.

But he couldn’t deceive himself any longer.

He had long grown accustomed to Pei Zhiyi’s kisses, even if they came from a twist of fate, but how could he accept someone else?

With teary eyes, he looked at Lu Yue. “You’re a wonderful girl, and I wish I could like you, but… I can’t.”

Lu Yue’s expression turned a bit sad.

But as she looked into Shen Mian’s eyes, she seemed to understand something else.

She cautiously asked Shen Mian, “The person you like… are you together with them?”

Shen Mian didn’t know how to answer that question.

Pei Zhiyi had always been with him, just not as his own.

He smiled at Lu Yue and shook his head, feeling helpless.

He didn’t want to ruin everything. How could he fall in love with his childhood friend, someone as close as a brother?

If he had liked someone else, he probably wouldn’t struggle so painfully.

But that person was Pei Zhiyi.

The most precious person in the world to him, the one he liked the most.

How could he tell Pei Zhiyi, “Brother, I realized I liked you”?

Shen Mian wiped his face and smiled at Lu Yue again.

He reached into his pocket and took out a candy, orange-flavored, and handed it to Lu Yue.

“I’m sorry for making you sad. I don’t have anything else to offer, so I can only give you candy.”

Lu Yue looked at the round candy in her hand and sighed inwardly. He rejected her, yet he still gave her candy. It was because of this kindness and tenderness that she couldn’t let go of Shen Mian.

She complained softly in her heart, accepting the candy.

Then she took out a candy from her pocket and handed it to Shen Mian, a green one with a lemon flavor.

“I’ll accept your candy, so I won’t be sad anymore. So I’m giving you one too. Don’t be sad, maybe the person you like will also like you, maybe you’ll have other people to like in the future.”

She was the one who had just experienced heartbreak, yet she was comforting Shen Mian.

Shen Mian thought she truly is a wonderful girl. He wondered who would have the fortune to date her in this lifetime.

“Thank you.”

Shen Mian accepted her candy.