The party venue was already crowded when Suo Ran arrived. Loud music filled the room, colorful lights moved across the walls, and people sat around tables talking, laughing, and enjoying their evening. Some were dancing near the stage, while others stood in small groups with drinks in their hands. The whole place was noisy enough that Suo Ran had to raise his voice just to ask a staff member where his friends were sitting. He carried a wrapped birthday present in one hand and looked around the room until he spotted a group near the windows. His old friends were gathered around a large table covered with snacks, drinks, and empty plates. They seemed to be having an argument about something, judging by the way one man was pointing at another while the rest watched with great interest.
Suo Ran shook his head and walked toward them.Before he could reach the table, one of his friends spotted him and immediately raised a hand, waving so enthusiastically that he nearly knocked over his glass. "Hey! Look who's finally here!" he shouted over the music. The others turned at once. "Suo Ran!" another called, leaning out of his chair to get a better look. "Over here!" "We can see him," someone else complained, pulling him back by the sleeve before he could fall off his seat. "You don't need to announce his arrival to the entire building." "Then stop sitting there like you're waiting for a funeral and help me call him!" The man slapped his friend's arm away and waved at Suo Ran again.
Suo Ran reached the table just as their argument started getting louder. He stopped beside an empty chair and looked from one face to another, taking in their serious expressions as though he were trying to understand an important matter. "I was wondering whether I'd come to a birthday party or interrupted an important meeting." Chen Hao leaned back in his chair and let out a tired sigh. "An important meeting would have been more peaceful. At least people in meetings pretend to listen to each other." "And yet you invited all of us." Suo Ran pointed out, pulling the chair out slightly with his foot. "That's because we have poor judgment," Zhou Kai replied. As the birthday boy, he seemed more interested in his peanuts than in defending his own party. He popped one into his mouth before pointing toward the empty seat. "Sit down before I change my mind and send you home."
Suo Ran didn't sit immediately. Instead, he placed present on the table in front of Zhou Kai, moving it away from the plates and drinks."You wouldn't dare. I brought you a gift." Zhou Kai's attention shifted to the package so quickly that Li Jun burst out laughing. Zhou Kai put down his peanuts and leaned forward,"Why didn't you say so earlier?" He reached for the present, but Suo Ran casually slid it out of reach. Zhou Kai's hand stopped in midair. "What are you doing?" "Protecting my gift from ungrateful hands." "I wasn't ungrateful!" "You were about to throw me out." "That was before I knew you'd brought something."
Suo Ran gave him a look of disbelief before finally sitting down. "So your hospitality depends on the present?" "Of course," Zhou Kai answered without the slightest hesitation. "Do you think I invited you because I enjoy your company?" "I was hoping you had better taste than that." Li Jun covered his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter, while Chen Hao shook his head as though he had witnessed this exact conversation too many times before. Zhou Kai shot them both an annoyed look, then turned his attention back to the package. He pulled it closer and examined the wrapping, turning it from side to side as if he might discover its contents through the paper. "What's inside?" Suo Ran picked up his glass and took a sip. "A birthday present." Zhou Kai stared at him. "I know that. What's inside?" "Something you won't get if you keep asking questions."
Zhou Kai gave him a long look before reluctantly putting the present down. "Fine. I'll wait until everyone else is here. At least someone might have enough sense to make you tell us." "Don't count on it," Chen Hao said, reaching for his drink. "We've known him for years. You should have learned by now that the more you ask, the less he'll tell you." "That's because you all encourage him." Zhou Kai complained. Suo Ran smiled and pushed the present a little farther from the edge of the table. "You're welcome to return it unopened." "Not a chance." Zhou Kai pulled it back toward himself, then glanced at Suo Ran. "By the way, you haven't changed much."
Suo Ran raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?" "You still know how to annoy people without even trying." "That's a talent," Li Jun said, settling back in his chair. "Some people spend years trying to become interesting. Suo Ran manages it by saying almost nothing." "Are you complimenting me or insulting me?" Suo Ran asked. "I'm still deciding." Chen Hao laughed quietly and shook his head. "Remember when we thought he'd be the first one to lose his temper? Back in college, he looked like he was always one bad day away from getting into a fight." Suo Ran paused with his glass halfway to his lips. "I did not." "You did," Zhou Kai said at once. "Especially when someone took your seat." "That was because you kept taking it." "You could have sat somewhere else." "And you could have stopped taking my seat."
Li Jun chuckled at the memory. "You two argued about that for an entire semester. Then one day, Suo Ran came in late, found Zhou Kai sitting in his place, and sat beside him without saying a word." Zhou Kai's expression changed as he remembered. "I thought he'd finally given up." "He was waiting for you to fall asleep," Chen Hao added. Suo Ran shook his head. "I was trying to listen to the lecture." "You had your eyes closed," Zhou Kai said. "Because I was tired." "And you woke up the moment I stood up." "That was a coincidence."
Their laughter settled into a comfortable quiet. For a moment, they seemed to be looking back at the same younger versions of themselves—careless, stubborn, and convinced that the little problems filling their days would always matter. Chen Hao glanced toward the windows, where the colored lights from the venue moved across the glass. "Those days went by quickly," he said. "Sometimes I still feel like we're going to meet in the old classroom tomorrow morning." Li Jun's smile softened. "And Zhou Kai will arrive late, pretending he had something important to do." "I had important things to do," Zhou Kai protested. "You were buying breakfast." "Breakfast is important." Suo Ran laughed.
Chen Hao looked at Suo Ran. " Hey! What are you laughing at?!You disappeared for a while after graduation, didn't you? We tried to get everyone together, but you were always busy." Suo Ran's fingers rested against the side of his glass. "There were things I needed to take care of." "We know." Chen Hao replied. He didn't press for details, but his expression grew thoughtful. "Still, we missed having you around." Suo Ran looked at him, a little surprised by the straightforward admission. Li Jun nodded in agreement, and even Zhou Kai stopped fiddling with the ribbon on his present. "You could have called," Li Jun said. "We weren't expecting you to explain everything. Just a message now and then would have been enough." "I know." Suo Ran lowered his gaze briefly before offering them a small smile. "I wasn't very good at keeping in touch." "No," Zhou Kai agreed, "you were terrible at it."
Chen Hao nudged his arm. "He was trying to be serious, and you ruined it." "What? I'm being honest." Zhou Kai turned back to Suo Ran. "But he's right. You don't have to vanish whenever life gets complicated. We may not be able to solve your problems, but you can at least let us sit with you while you deal with them." For once, Suo Ran didn't have a quick reply. He looked around the table at the familiar faces, noticing how much had changed and how much hadn't. They had grown older, taken different paths, and built lives that no longer fit together as easily as before. Yet they were still here, making room for him as if the years apart had only been a short break. "I'll try." he said at last.
Zhou Kai studied him for a moment, then nodded, "Good. That's all I'm asking." He reached for his drink, but a mischievous smile soon returned to his face. "Though, if your problem has something to do with your love life, you could always tell us. We're old friends. We can help." Suo Ran gave him a flat look. "You couldn't even help yourself. What makes you think you can help me?" Li Jun burst out laughing, nearly dropping the snack he had picked up. "He's got a point. Zhou Kai's romantic advice should come with a warning label." "You two are unbelievable!" Zhou Kai muttered, throwing a napkin at them. Then he turned back to Suo Ran, his smile softening a little. "Jokes aside, you don't have to figure everything out tonight. Just don't let something you can't change keep hurting you."
Suo Ran looked at Zhou Kai, his teasing smile fading a little. "What if you can't change it, but you can't seem to let it go either?" Zhou Kai paused, studying him before answering. "Then maybe you don't have to force yourself to let go all at once. Some things take time. But you can't keep hurting yourself by waiting for them to become what you want." Suo Ran lowered his eyes, rolling his glass between his palms. The words touched a place he had been trying hard to ignore. "And what if letting go means accepting that you'll never get the answer you wanted?" he asked quietly.
Zhou Kai's expression softened. "Then you have to decide whether that answer is worth losing yourself over." For a moment, Suo Ran said nothing. He wanted to believe that walking away was as simple as making a choice, but some feelings remained even after you had decided they should end. "You make it sound easy," he murmured. "I didn't say it was easy," Zhou Kai replied. "I just don't want you to spend so much time looking back that you forget you still have a life ahead of you." Suo Ran managed a faint smile, though his thoughts remained heavy.
Before Zhou Kai could say anything more,Li Jun reached for the snack bowl again, breaking the quiet before it could become too heavy. "Since we're sharing old memories, can we talk about something less depressing? Like the time Zhou Kai tried to impress that girl at the campus festival?" Zhou Kai's head snapped toward him. "Why would you bring that up?" "Because you spent half the evening rehearsing what to say, then called her by the wrong name." Zhou Kai's face flushed as Li Jun continued laughing. "I was nervous, all right? Anyone could have made the same mistake." "Of course," Chen Hao said, still grinning. "That's why you spent the next week avoiding her." "I was busy!" "You took the longer route to the library every day just to avoid passing her classroom," Suo Ran added. Zhou Kai turned toward him in disbelief. "I thought you were on my side!" "I never said that." Li Jun laughed so hard that he had to put his glass down.
Before Zhou Kai could defend himself again, a waiter arrived carrying a birthday cake, and the conversation immediately shifted. The cake was placed in the middle of the table, decorated with fresh cream and small candles. Zhou Kai's attention left his friends at once as he leaned forward to inspect it. "Now this is what I've been waiting for." "You mean the cake?" Chen Hao asked. "Or the chance to make us pay for dinner?" "Both. Why would I choose?" Suo Ran moved his glass aside to make room while Li Jun helped clear the remaining plates.
Soon, everyone had gathered around the table, and someone dimmed the lights near their seats. The candles were lit, their small flames standing out against the colorful lights moving across the room. Zhou Kai looked around at the group with a satisfied smile, but Chen Hao raised a hand before anyone could start singing. "Wait. Before we sing, the birthday boy needs to make a meaningful wish." Zhou Kai glanced at him. "I've already thought of one." "Let me guess," Li Jun interrupted. "Wealth, good health, and a partner willing to tolerate your personality." "That's a reasonable list," Zhou Kai replied. "You should add a little patience to it," Chen Hao suggested. "Anyone who dates him will need plenty."
Suo Ran looked at Zhou Kai with mock seriousness. "Start with the partner. If someone agrees to tolerate you, the rest of those wishes will be easy." Li Jun burst out laughing, nearly spilling his drink, while Chen Hao shook his head in amusement. Zhou Kai turned toward Suo Ran, narrowing his eyes. "Keep talking. I'll cut your piece of cake smaller than everyone else's." Suo Ran's expression changed immediately. He straightened in his chair and gave Zhou Kai an earnest look. "I take it back. You're a wonderful person with excellent judgment." Li Jun slapped the table, laughing even harder. Zhou Kai tried to maintain his stern expression, but the corners of his mouth twitched. "You changed your mind just because of cake?" "I believe in recognizing my mistakes." Suo Ran glanced at the cake, then back at him. "Besides, there's no point arguing with someone holding a knife." "At least you understand your situation."
Zhou Kai lifted the knife triumphantly, earning another round of laughter before Chen Hao reminded him to make his wish. Zhou Kai finally turned toward the cake and closed his eyes. The others quieted down, watching him for a few seconds before Li Jun suddenly began singing. Chen Hao joined in, followed by Suo Ran, whose voice was nearly drowned out by Zhou Kai's enthusiastic attempt to sing along with his own birthday song. When they finished, Zhou Kai blew out the candles.
Everyone applauded, and Li Jun leaned forward. "What did you wish for?" "If I tell you, it won't come true." Zhou Kai picked up the knife and began cutting the cake. "Then I hope you wished for better singing skills," Chen Hao said, earning a playful glare from the Zhou Kai. Zhou Kai served Chen Hao and Li Jun generous slices before turning to Suo Ran. He paused, looked at him with a satisfied smile, and cut a much smaller piece. Suo Ran stared at the plate as Zhou Kai placed it in front of him. "You're actually holding a grudge over a joke?" "I'm simply exercising my excellent judgment."
Zhou Kai returned to his seat, looking far too pleased with himself. Suo Ran examined his tiny slice, then sighed dramatically. "Next year, you're getting a gift card. At least then you can't use the cake to threaten me." "I'll remember that when your birthday comes around," Zhou Kai replied. "I'm sure you will. You have an excellent memory for anything that benefits you."Chen Hao laughed as he picked up his fork, while Li Jun was already reaching for his phone. "Wait. We need a group picture before everyone finishes eating." He stood up and stretched his arm out, trying to fit everyone into the frame.
Zhou Kai immediately moved closer to the cake, insisting that it should be visible, while Chen Hao leaned away from Li Jun's shoulder. "Can you stop moving for two seconds?" Li Jun complained, adjusting the angle. "I'm trying to take a picture, not herd cats." "Then stop taking so long," Suo Ran said, leaning into the frame. Just as Li Jun pressed the shutter, he reached over and dabbed a little cream onto Suo Ran's cheek. Suo Ran turned to look at him, his smile disappearing as Li Jun hurriedly checked the picture. "Perfect," Li Jun announced, pretending not to notice. "You look much better now." Suo Ran touched his cheek, felt the cream, and slowly turned back toward him. "Do I?" Before Li Jun could move away, Suo Ran scooped a little cream from his plate and wiped it across the tip of his nose. Li Jun jerked backward, nearly dropping the phone.
Chen Hao doubled over laughing, and Zhou Kai grabbed the phone from Li Jun's hand. "Don't move! I need a picture of this." "Give that back!" Li Jun reached for the phone, but Zhou Kai stepped out of reach and snapped several pictures. "Hold still. You're ruining the moment!" "I'll ruin your face in a minute!" Li Jun warned, wiping his nose with a napkin. Zhou Kai looked at the pictures, and his laughter grew louder. "Look at this one! You look ridiculous." Chen Hao leaned over to see, then immediately started laughing again. "Send it to the group chat." "Don't you dare!" Li Jun said, lunging for the phone.
Zhou Kai quickly turned away, holding it above his head. "Too late. I'm saving it." Li Jun stopped and gave him a dangerous smile. "Fine. I'll post the picture of you sleeping on the bus with your mouth open." Zhou Kai lowered the phone at once. "You wouldn't." "Try me." Suo Ran took another bite of cake, watching their expressions with quiet satisfaction. "Send both pictures. That way, everyone gets to suffer equally." Zhou Kai turned toward him in disbelief. "You're supposed to be on my side!" "I am. I'm helping you preserve the group's history."
Suo Ran laughed and leaned back in his chair as Chen Hao took the phone from Zhou Kai to inspect the photographs. Li Jun crowded beside him, pointing at the screen and arguing that the picture of him with cream on his nose should be deleted immediately. Zhou Kai refused, claiming it was the best photograph of the evening, and the three soon became so occupied with the argument that Suo Ran could finally enjoy a moment of peace. He picked up his glass and glanced around the venue. The music had grown louder, and colorful lights swept across the tables as people talked, laughed, and moved to the rhythm. His gaze wandered without much interest until he noticed Cai Lang seated near the far side of the room.Suo Ran's smile slowly faded.He didn't't expected to see Cai Lang here tonight, and for a moment, he considered looking away before Cai Lang noticed him. But then he saw the man sitting beside him, and his fingers stopped against the glass.
A few nights earlier, he had been sitting alone with an envelope in his hand, turning it over several times before finally pulling out the photograph inside. Cai Lang stood beside the same man, close enough to suggest they knew each other well. Suo Ran stared at the picture, his thumb pressing against its edge as he searched for an explanation that wasn't there. "Who is he to you, Cai Lang?" he had muttered, as though the photograph could answer him. When no answer came, he let out a bitter laugh and crushed the picture in his fist. "Why should I care? You can be with whoever you want." He had thrown the crumpled photograph aside.
Across the venue, the man leaned closer to speak over the music. Cai Lang turned toward him to listen, their shoulders nearly touching. Suo Ran watched them for a moment before reminding himself that he had no reason to care. He lowered his eyes, but just as he reached for his drink, the man rested a hand on Cai Lang's arm. Cai Lang didn't move away. Suo Ran's fingers stopped around the glass. He stared at them for another second, then looked down and turned the glass slowly in his hand.
So that's what it looks like when Cai Lang lets someone get close to him...He took another sip of drink and smiled.I was the one who let him go. So why am I still acting as though I have something to lose?...His fingers tightened until the edge of the glass pressed into his palm. He quickly loosened his grip and took a breath, annoyed with himself for reacting this way. "I'm telling you, this picture is worse than the last one!"Li Jun complained, reaching across the table for the phone in Chen Hao's hand. "How many times do I have to ask you to delete it?" Chen Hao pulled the phone away and laughed. "Why would I delete such a masterpiece? Look at Zhou Kai's face in the background." Zhou Kai leaned over his shoulder, his smile disappearing when he saw the screen. "What did you say about my face?" "Nothing," Chen Hao replied innocently, holding the phone farther away. "I'm just saying the camera captured your true personality." "Give me that phone!"
Zhou Kai reached for it while Li Jun tried to grab it from the other side. Suo Ran watched their struggle and managed a small laugh when Zhou Kai nearly knocked over his drink. He even joined in, teasing him about looking as though someone had stolen his birthday cake. Zhou Kai turned to protest, and for a moment, Suo Ran was caught up in their familiar bickering. Then he heard a burst of laughter from across the venue. His eyes moved toward the sound before he could stop himself. The man beside Cai Lang was smiling at something Cai Lang had said, and Cai Lang was smiling too.
Suo Ran swallowed and turned back to his friends, but the conversation had already moved on without him. "Suo Ran, are you even listening?" Zhou Kai waved a hand in front of his face. Suo Ran blinked and looked at him. "Of course. You were explaining how handsome you look in every photograph." Chen Hao burst out laughing, and Zhou Kai threw a napkin at Suo Ran. "I knew you weren't listening!" Suo Ran caught the napkin, forcing a smile as he tossed it back. "Sorry. I was thinking about something." "Something more interesting than my birthday?" Zhou Kai asked, narrowing his eyes. "Nothing is more interesting than your birthday," Suo Ran replied smoothly, lifting his glass. "Especially the cake." His friends laughed and returned to their argument, accepting his answer without another thought.
Suo Ran took a sip, but his attention drifted back across the room almost immediately. The man was still beside Cai Lang, and Cai Lang was still smiling at him. Suo Ran lowered his glass, watching that faint smile. Was he always like this with someone he liked? Did I just never notice before? Or was I never the person who could make him smile that way? His chest tightened at the thought. Maybe I've been holding on to something that ended a long time ago. Maybe Cai Lang has already moved on, and I'm the only fool still looking back..."Suo Ran." Zhou Kai's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "What's wrong with you tonight?"
Suo Ran turned to him and forced a smile. "Nothing. Why?" Zhou Kai glanced at the glass in his hand. "You've barely been listening to us, and you keep looking over there. If something is bothering you, you can tell us." Suo Ran shook his head and took another sip. "There's nothing to tell." "All right," Zhou Kai replied, though his eyes remained on him. "You don't have to explain everything. But don't keep telling yourself something doesn't matter when it clearly does." Suo Ran's fingers tightened around his glass again. For a moment, he couldn't answer. He wanted to tell Zhou Kai that he didn't know what hurt more: seeing Cai Lang with someone else or realizing that he had no right to feel hurt about it. Instead, he gave a small, tired smile. "You're supposed to be enjoying your birthday, not worrying about me."
Zhou Kai studied him for a moment before letting the subject drop. Suo Ran took another sip.If it really doesn't matter, why can't I stop looking?...He lifted his gaze across the venue, and at that exact moment, Cai Lang turned toward him. Their eyes met. Suo Ran froze, his glass still in his hand.