A simple platinum band.
The guests were the best friends of both sides, everything was kept simple, even the priest was a friend standing in.
Huo Qi arrived late. Seeing a somewhat matured Huo Qi, Angus, Davis, and others eagerly went up to him, surrounding him from all directions, incredibly curious.
Davis teased, "You kid, we thought you weren’t going to show up."
Ao Chen initially wanted to welcome him as well, but seemed to think of something, paused in his steps, deliberately avoided Huo Qi’s line of sight, and then turned around and walked away.
Heading straight for the restroom.
Allen and Eric hadn’t approached yet, and upon seeing Ao Chen’s awkwardness, Allen lamented, "Really, I wasn’t this sad when I found out Jessica found another man. But now, looking at Huo Qi and Ao Chen, I feel a sourness in my heart."
Eric, "Isn’t that the truth? The two of them clearly still have feelings for each other but are both too proud to say anything. Just dragging this out, what exactly are these two trying to do? I’m tired just watching them. Otherwise, we should slip something into their drinks. There’s nothing that can’t be resolved in bed."
"Save it." Allen rolled his eyes.
Allen, "Love is their business. It doesn’t matter how anxious we are as outsiders, and we shouldn’t do anything underhanded. If things don’t work out, we might end up driving a wedge between them, and then wouldn’t we be the sinners?"
Ao Chen stood in front of the restroom sink, looking at his tired reflection in the mirror. He never considered himself a coward. On the contrary, he was bold in his career, had tried every daring possibility. He never felt awkward meeting ex-lovers after break-ups, but with Huo Qi, everything just felt wrong.
Whenever he met Huo Qi’s gaze, he felt panicked, his heart roiling as if wildfire were spreading.
Scorching him so badly that it hurt, he truly feared seeing in Huo Qi’s eyes the distant gaze of a stranger, or the absence of any expectations for him.
He covered his face, incredulously laughed, and said to himself, "Ao Chen, oh Ao Chen, even you have days ."
The restroom door was pushed open from the outside, hitting the door with a loud noise. Annoyed, Ao Chen looked over and saw Huo Qi walking in. Their eyes met through the mirror.
Huo Qi smiled a little, nodded at him, and went into the toilet cubicle.
Ao Chen froze, standing there with a face full of self-mockery.
At the wedding venue, Jessica left her husband to join her group chat. "Both of them went to the restroom?"
Allen nodded, "Yeah, I saw Ao Chen go in first, and then Huo Qi followed after."
Jessica pondered, "Don’t you all think that the current situation is a bit..."
"A bit of what?" Davis asked.
Jessica, "I can’t quite describe it, just that the positions of Huo Qi and Ao Chen seem reversed from before; Ao Chen’s like a rabbit, and Huo Qi’s like the hunter."
Although it was just Jessica’s feeling, once she said it, all the men – based on their observations – couldn’t help but be amazed and astonished.
"Huo Qi is really talented; he never intended to end things with Ao Chen. Over the years, he may have been drawing a circle, and Ao Chen has walked right back into it. But this time, their positions have completely flipped 180 degrees."
Upon deeper reflection, it was terrifying.
Davis looked shocked, "Can it be? Is this still the same innocent and harmless Huo Qi we knew?"
Jessica was more optimistic, "My thoughts are simpler. Don’t you think that this kind of Huo Qi, who is more formidable, suits Ao Chen better? There’s nothing wrong with that."
Davis, "Yes, very good. Moment of silence for Ao Chen."
Allen, "Huo Qi is great. Moment of silence for Ao Chen."
Angus: "Huo Qi is great. Light a candle for Ao Chen."
Jessica: "... Break the pattern, why don’t you? I think you guys are shameless."
Alright, gloating over someone else’s misfortune indeed isn’t right, but the idea of Ao Chen being manipulated by Huo Qi – why did it feel so amusing?
It was extremely funny. Just thinking about it made them laugh uncontrollably.
Huo Qi walked out and saw Ao Chen still standing in front of the sink, looking surprised, "Haven’t you left yet?"
Ao Chen watched Huo Qi through the mirror, eyes unwavering. Huo Qi raised an eyebrow slightly, "You looking at me like that makes me uncomfortable. Do you want to say something?"