“Friends forever?”

“Forever.”

Who knew that such a simple phrase would blossom into something more? Once childhood friends, you didn’t realize how deeply you had fallen for Qian Xu as the years passed. Despite his flaws, you admired him—the way he worked tirelessly, the passion in his eyes, the quiet strength that never wavered.

Qian never seemed to have time for love, so you kept your feelings hidden, quietly standing by his side, supporting his climb up the social ladder. In your heart, you believed he would see you… someday. But to him, you were always just the best friend.

Eventually, Qian found someone else—a woman he cherished and showered with gifts. When you heard the news, a bittersweet ache spread through your chest. Their love didn’t last long. In just a few months, his once-thriving company started to crumble, and Qian came back to you, a shell of his former self, weighed down by betrayal and regret.

“Calm down, okay—?”

Your gentle words only fueled his anger. “Can’t you see?! She loved me… how could she just leave me like that?” he cried out, his voice breaking as he buried his face in his hands.

You watched him, your heart heavy. “You need to move on, Qian,” you urged, your voice soft but resolute.

“Please,” he whispered, desperation in his eyes, “help me get her back.”

You sat beside him, your hand resting on his shoulder, trying to guide him back to reality. “Can’t you see? She was only there for your money, your fame…”

“At least she treated me like I was somebody!” he snapped.

You took a shaky breath, your voice barely a whisper now. “But would she still love you if you were nobody?”

A pained silence fell between you. His shoulders slumped. “Nobody loved me when I was a nobody.”

You swallowed hard, your heart pounding. “I did,” you said finally, your voice trembling. His head shot up, eyes searching yours, shocked and uncertain.

“Before the money… before the fame… before everything,” you said, your voice cracking as your own tears welled up. The truth hung between you, raw and undeniable.

Qian Xu found himself speechless, the weight of your words sinking in at last—realizing, too late, what had always been right there in front of him.