morning sunlight streamed through the window, and Huan Jing was humming while mopping her house. "La la la..." She paused and said, "Sunday means a day off! Today, I'll have fun. After cleaning the house, I'll watch my drama and then go out." A big smile lit up her face.
She picked up a glass-like vase on the table and began cleaning it. Just then, her phone rang. The screen displayed 'Kiyan.' With a sweet smile, she picked up the phone and said, "Finally, you found time to talk to me."
Kiyan said nothing. Huan Jing asked, "So… how are you? Did you have breakfast?"
Kiyan spoke hesitantly, "Huan Jing, I need to tell you something. Right now."
Huan Jing replied, "Okay, tell me."
There was a pause before he continued, "Huan Jing, I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I never had the courage. But now… I can't hide it anymore. I don't want to deceive you. Shu Lan and I… we got back together. You know she's my first love."
Huan Jing's heart dropped, a cold, heavy stone in her chest. She said quietly, "Yes… I know. What did you tell her?"
Kiyan replied, "I said yes. We got back together. I'm sorry. I don't want to have any relationship with you now. I am sorry."
Huan Jing couldn't respond. The world seemed to stop, and a ringing silence filled her ears. She simply hung up. The vase slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor with a loud crash.
In the other room, Tian, who was having breakfast, was startled by the sound. He looked toward the living room to see Huan Jing. She was sitting on the floor, her large tears falling onto the ground, and she started crying loudly.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Huan Jing quickly wiped her tears and went to see. As she opened the door, Tian stood there.
"What happened? I heard something break. Are you hurt?"
Huan Jing, hiding her pain, said, "No, I'm fine. Don't worry."
Tian said, "How can I not worry? I'm your friend. Did you forget? When we became friends, we promised to share every sorrow with each other. You can tell me anything. I'll try to make you laugh. Please, tell me."
Huan Jing's tears didn't stop. She sobbed, "Kiyan left me and got back together with his ex. I truly loved him, stood by him in every difficulty, and tried to help him forget her… but I couldn't. I couldn't do anything."
Without thinking, Tian hugged her and gently stroked her hair, saying, "He wasn't worthy of you. You deserve better, Huan Jing. I won't stop you from crying—crying eases the pain. But don't blame yourself. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."
Tian held her tightly, supporting her unconditionally, and in his touch was a deep sense of calm. After a while, Huan Jing pulled back slightly, wiped her eyes, and gave a faint smile. "Thank you, Tian. It means a lot that you're here."
Tian placed a hand on her back and patted lightly to comfort her. "It's nothing. Now, let's make something for you. You must be hungry."
Huan Jing shook her head. "No, I don't want to eat."
"Impossible!" Tian exclaimed dramatically. "When the stomach is empty, both the heart and mind go crazy. And I can't let my friend go crazy. Come on, to the kitchen!"
He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. Huan Jing silently followed.
In the kitchen, Tian opened the fridge. "You only have eggs, bread, and some vegetables. As a chef, I promise you I can make the world's best 'Sadness-Killer Omelette' with these."
Huan Jing smiled. "Sadness-Killer Omelette? What's that?"
Tian raised his fist in the air, "The secret formula: two eggs, lots of veggies, and my love. This will make your sorrow disappear—guaranteed!"
He started making the omelette while Huan Jing watched. Tian cracked an egg, but half of it accidentally fell onto the counter. He quickly tried to clean it, but some stuck on his T-shirt.
"Oh no! My love spilled on my T-shirt," he said jokingly.
Huan Jing couldn't hold back her laughter. A small chuckle escaped her lips, which soon turned into a loud laugh.
Tian noticed and saw a sparkle in her eyes. "Yes! Laugh! That was my plan. I deliberately made a mess so you'd laugh."
"Liars," Huan Jing said, trying to suppress her laughter. "You can't even make an omelette properly."
"Yeah, I admit. But at least I succeeded in making you laugh," Tian said triumphantly. Finally, he finished the omelette, placed it on a plate, and brought it in front of Huan Jing.
"Here you go, the world's best, slightly messy, but completely love-filled 'Sadness-Killer Omelette.' Eat it and tell me where your sorrow ran away to."
Huan Jing took a bite of the omelette. The taste, Tian's effort, and his words—all of it gave her a sense of calm. She ate while Tian watched, smiling, knowing that in this difficult moment, he was with her—not as a lover, but as a friend, trying to make her laugh again. And that was enough.
Huan Jing's Inner Thoughts
Huan Jing sat on the floor, surrounded by the shattered glass. The sharp pieces reflected the morning light, just like the sharp pain tearing through her heart. A part of her mind was numb, but another part was on fire with questions and self-blame.
Was I not good enough? The question echoed in her head. Did I not try hard enough? I was there for him. I was a friend, a support system, a lover. I did everything I could to make him happy. Why wasn't that enough?
She remembered all the small things. The late-night calls when he was sad, the times she'd bring him soup when he was sick, the way she'd patiently listen to his stories about Shu Lan, trying to convince herself that his past was just that—the past.
He said he was over her. He said he loved me. Was it all a lie? Did he see me as a rebound, a distraction until she came back? A fresh wave of tears flowed down her cheeks, a bitter mix of pain and anger. Anger at Kiyan for his lies, and even more anger at herself for being so naive.
She had given him her whole heart, a heart she had carefully guarded after her last heartbreak. She had trusted him, believed in his words, and opened up to a future with him. And now, that future lay shattered on the floor, just like the vase.
Maybe I should have been more careful. Maybe I should have listened to my gut feeling when he mentioned her name. But I didn't. I was too in love to see the signs. She felt foolish, a fool who had fallen for the same old story. She had tried to heal his wounds, only to have him rip hers wide open.
But then, as Tian stood at her door, a different kind of thought settled in. He didn't ask what happened. He just asked if she was hurt. He saw her pain without needing a single word. He was the one who had always been a constant, a true friend.
Maybe Kiyan wasn't the one I was supposed to be with. Maybe I was always meant to be with someone who didn't need me to heal them, but who would simply be there to heal me when I needed it. The thought, though small, brought a faint glimmer of hope. It was a long road ahead, but for the first time, she felt like she might not be walking it alone.
The Cat and the Wolf (Revised)
Anya was sitting cross-legged on the living room sofa, watching her favorite K-drama. A half-open bag of chips lay on the coffee table, while she nibbled on another snack in her hand. On the screen, the heroine was quarreling with the hero, and Anya's face mirrored the same intensity—almost as if she herself were the heroine of the show.
She was so engrossed that she didn't hear a sound. She felt a faint breath behind her. Her heart fluttered as she turned her head slowly, only to see Zain leaning in. His face was so near, his eyes fixed on the screen, a small smile playing on his lips. Anya's heart skipped a beat, and her breath hitched in her throat.
"This girl… she's exactly like you," Zain said, his voice a low, playful murmur. "By the way, which drama is this?"
Anya's face went pale. The bag of chips slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a thud. "B…Boss? You're here?" she asked nervously, scooting a little away.
Zain straightened up, his expression calm yet curious. "Yes. This drama seems interesting. May I watch it with you?" he asked, his gaze never leaving her.
Anya could only nod silently. The shock was so great that words refused to come out. With a faint, almost fake smile, Zain sat down beside her. The sofa dipped slightly under his weight, and Anya's gaze got stuck on his face. He was so close she could smell his cologne, a clean, woody scent that was both comforting and distracting.
Has some spirit possessed this wolf? He's been acting strange since morning. First, he wanted to be friends, then he washed the dishes, and now he's watching dramas? Looks like he's lost his balance… completely! Anya thought to herself, shifting her eyes back to the screen.
After a moment of silence, Zain suddenly turned to her. He tilted his head slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Anya, why are you looking at me like that? Could it be… you've started liking me?"
His teasing grin made Anya's breath quicken. She quickly shook her head in denial. Zain leaned back with a soft chuckle. "Relax, it was just a joke. Don't take it seriously. Unless you want to?" he added, his voice dropping to a low whisper, his eyes lingering on her flushed cheeks.
Anya's heart hammered against her ribs. She couldn't reply. The room fell silent again, with only the sound of the TV filling the air. On screen, the female lead appeared—wearing glasses, looking exactly like Anya.
Zain reached out, his hand moving slowly, deliberately. He touched her cheek lightly with his finger, a feather-light touch that sent shivers down her spine. "Anya," he said softly, "this girl looks just like you. An exact copy."
Anya's face flushed red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She swatted his hand away. "What are you trying to say? That I look like a cat? You should look at yourself first… scary wolf!"
A strange glint lit up Zain's eyes. He ran his tongue playfully over his lips, his smile turning sly. "Wolf? Yes… I am a wolf. And the wolf always hunts the cat."
Anya's eyes widened. She quickly slid to the corner of the sofa, her legs tucked beneath her. "H-hunt? You mean… you'll hunt me?" she stammered, her voice a tiny squeak.
Zain burst out laughing, a deep, resonant sound that made her jump. "Relax, Anya. I was only joking. But since you called me a wolf, now you must be punished." He leaned in, closer than before, and she could feel the warmth radiating from him.
"W-What punishment?" Anya asked hesitantly, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Zain reached out and gently ruffled her hair, messing up her carefully arranged locks. "This… will make your little cat face even messier."
Anya squealed and tried to shield her face. "Stop it! Boss, what are you doing?"
"Aww, my little kitty," Zain teased, his voice still low and a little husky. He brushed her cheek affectionately with his thumb. "You're just a snack-loving gluttonous cat, not one who should be scared."
Anya jerked his hand away angrily, her face now a bright, burning red. "I'm not a cat! And I thought you were my friend… I never expected this from you!"
Hearing that, Zain drew in a deep breath and sat upright on the sofa. His face grew a little serious, though the smile in his eyes didn't fade completely. "Alright, fine. Sorry. I won't say another word. Let's just watch the drama."
Anya picked up the fallen snack bag, glanced at the TV, and muttered softly, "Fine."
But her heart was still racing wildly, a frantic drum against her chest. She couldn't focus on the drama, not when she could feel his presence so strongly beside her. She snuck a glance at him, only to find him already looking at her, a look of pure, unadulterated amusement on his face.
Ab