Love confession: The Girls I Met Over the Years
“Tomorrow’s Sunday, where should we go?”
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I’ve been working so many days; I’m exhausted.”
“How about we go ice skating at Grandview Mall?”
“No.”
“Shall we take a walk in Tianhe Park?”
“No, too many mosquitoes there.”
“Alright then, how about watching a movie?”
“No.”
“Are you really going to stay in the dorm all day?”
“Come over to my dorm and cook for me.”
“Sure…”
That spring, shortly after joining the company, I met a girl.
She wasn’t very tall, just up to my shoulders, petite and cute, with a small, pretty face and dimples when she smiled.
She spoke softly; every time I chatted with her, I had to perk up my ears and listen carefully. Her speech was slow too, which was frustrating for an impatient person like me.
However, after talking with her more, I noticed my own speech slowed down and became gentler. I even felt a bit effeminate…
I realized that having a slow-paced person around, whether male or female, can positively affect your temperament. No matter how hot-tempered or restless you are, you’d become calmer and better-natured. Personalities influence each other; otherwise, couples wouldn’t end up with similar smiles.
Over time, my colleagues noticed the change too.
They said I had changed.
I asked, “Changed how?”
They replied, “You’ve changed in every way. You even shave now, greet that girl every morning, speak more softly, and we haven’t heard your usual ‘screw you.'”
Speechless, I wondered if being polite and moral was wrong. Fine, if they weren’t used to it, I could greet them every morning with “screw you.”
They also said, “This guy must be dating someone.”
“Ha ha,” I laughed but didn’t reply. Let them guess.
In fact, I wished I were really dating. My silence was merely a powerless cover-up. A person with a girlfriend would proudly answer, “Yes, I have a girlfriend. Do you?”
Sometimes I felt we got along well, laughing and helping each other with work. We’d chat on QQ during work hours until the end of the day, even sending emojis to each other without saying a word but still laughing.
It seemed our relationship was solid, and we were destined to be a couple. But in reality, many solid relationships exist without romantic involvement.
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. Let’s cook together.”
“Sure, what should we eat?”
“What do you like?”
“Let me think…”
“Got it. I want salted egg yolk steamed pork, steamed fish, sweet and sour pork with pineapple, and cordyceps flower duck soup.”
“No problem. I’ll buy the groceries and come over!”
I did make those dishes, but they didn’t turn out well. Some were too salty, others too bland, and the steamed fish turned into boiled fish. Yet, she ate with relish, praising, “Mm, delicious, good taste.”
She was struggling; I knew it wasn’t good. Or maybe I was wrong, and she genuinely liked it. If so, that was my ideal perfect state!
To my surprise, she ate almost everything.
She then cleaned up the dishes. Actually, it’s not just men who look good washing dishes; girls do too.
Standing by the door, I was mesmerized.
“Hey, do you need help?”
“What? Oh, no. You handle it yourself. The kitchen is small.”
“Oh.”
I stood at the door because I had something to tell her. I think you’ve guessed it—I was about to confess. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would jump out. I felt lightheaded, almost blanking out. I forgot all the lines I had rehearsed.
“Let’s go out.”
“What?” She didn’t hear me clearly and asked again.
“Let’s try dating. I like you!” I was shocked at my own words. Finally, I understood why people say love gives you the courage to do anything, even things you never dared before.
She was stunned for a moment.
Her tone, much quicker than usual, said, “We’re just good friends.”
“We get along well; we could try.”
“Actually, you’re not right for me. Sorry.” It was so decisive, like a knife to the heart without blood. I didn’t know how to step down.
My face turned pale. Holding the door frame to steady my shaking legs, I just replied, “Oh.” The beautiful scene I had imagined crumbled instantly, my heart shattered. We sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, only the clock ticking on the wall.
In the following days, it was awkward. I couldn’t look her in the eye when greeting her. Surprisingly, she acted as if nothing had happened. We still laughed together, but I had changed back to my old self, often quarreling and fighting with colleagues, frequently bursting out with “screw you.”
She later left the company, and I heard she got a boyfriend. Eventually, she became a bittersweet memory.
Some time later, I ran into her at the Canton Fair.
“Hey, what a coincidence!”
“Yeah, long time no see. How have you been?”
“Same old. I heard you got married. Why didn’t you invite me?”
“Yes, I did. My husband is from another province, so we went back there for the wedding. It was too far to invite you.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you back then. I had my reasons; there were issues at home.”
“No worries, it’s all in the past. We’re still good friends, aren’t we?”
“Yes, you are great.”
Spring turned to autumn, and years passed like a song. It’s been three years. I still believe that even if we don’t often contact each other, friends remain the best of friends. I hope such an experience happens to me again, with my ideal ending.
Even if we can’t be together, I hope you’d say, “You know, you’re actually a good person.”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
