Back Then, I Adored You

Lu Bancheng could not reconcile with this, and it surfaced in his heart gradually. He never knew that he had such dark thoughts so deep down in his bones.

Since she cannot love me, then she might as well hate me. Since hate is also a feeling, it’s better than indifference, isn’t it?

As this thought crossed his mind, Lu Bancheng’s gaze suddenly landed on Xu Wennuan. “Move out of my house.”

Xu Wennuan stopped in her tracks and stood with her back facing him awkwardly without saying a word.

“If there is a need on the parents’ end of the deal, I will contact you.” Lu Bancheng stared at Xu Wennuan’s back for some time without blinking. He found it difficult to face her level-headedness and calmness, so he shifted his eyes away before speaking again.

“Because we’re all adults, we have our adult social circles. This will save me the inconvenience when I need to return home…”

After a pause, Lu Bancheng added, “Like last night.”

The room was silent for a minute before Xu Wennuan turned around and gave him a clearcut word of reply with a calm expression on her face. “Alright.”

Lu Bancheng’s lips twisted up into a sneer upon seeing how straightforward she was.

Yes, back then, I was the one who asked her to move into my home based on the fact that I had given her a million dollars.

She had been completely against living in my home, but acquiesced. Now that I’ve asked her to move out, her heart is probably jumping with joy.

Lu Bancheng now wasn’t so sure if he was making life difficult for her—or difficult for himself. Clearly, the more he had been throwing obstacles in her way, the more terrible he had felt each time, and yet he still said, “Alright, then. Pack up your things tomor—”

“It’s alright.” Before Lu Bancheng could finish his words, Xu Wennuan interrupted him in a low voice. “I will pack up and leave now.”

Lu Bancheng nodded his head a few times before he eventually managed to say, “Good. Remember to clear everything at one go. I do not wish to see you return here to get your things anytime out of the blue.”

Xu Wennuan did not respond and walked back into the guest bedroom.

Sometime later, Lu Bancheng heard the sound of luggage being unzipped. Following that, he heard the sounds of cabinets and trunks being overturned. He stood in the living room and listened for some time before he bent down and picked up the paper bag that she had placed on the floor earlier on. He then entered the master bedroom.

He closed the door and laid on his back on the bed as he stared fixedly at the ceiling. He had not slept at all the previous night and was truly exhausted. Yet still, he could not fall asleep.

After a long time had passed, he could hear the sound of luggage being dragged outside of the front door. His hands trembled beside him on his bed. He maintained his position and remained motionless.

He then heard the sound of the shoe cabinet being pulled open to get her shoes. Lu Bancheng shut his eyes, and his fingers dug hard into his bedsheets.

The door was pushed open again and then closed shut.

It was completely silent now, and Lu Bancheng felt as if his heart was suddenly hollowed out. He raised his hand to clutch his chest and remained in a silent daze for some moments before he got up and walked over to the window barefooted.

Through the window, he saw Xu Wennuan drag two pieces of luggage out of the building’s exit. She struggled greatly moving in a straight line because her luggage was so heavy and she was carrying so many other bags. Some time after her silhouette had disappeared into the shadows, Lu Bancheng lowered his head and looked at his feet. After a moment, he turned and walked back into his bedroom, grabbed his car keys, and left the apartment.

When Lu Bancheng drove out of the underground parking lot and was prepared to make a left turn, he caught sight of Xu Wennuan through his rearview mirror. She was seated on her luggage and making a phone call with her head lowered.