Tragic Love Stories 1
Xu Ping helped Zhuoya with something, and as a token of gratitude, Zhuoya invited her to dinner. Buoyed by the alcohol, Xu Ping asked, “How is it that a young, beautiful, and talented girl like you doesn’t have a boyfriend?”
Zhuoya’s face showed a mixture of happiness and pain. “Sister Xu, to be honest with you, I think I might be single for the rest of my life.” Zhuoya explained that three years ago, she had fallen in love with an exceptional man who, unfortunately, was married.
She was tormented by her feelings, and eventually, she set aside her pride and confessed her love to him. To her surprise, although the man was sincerely grateful for her affection, he did not reciprocate it, remaining heartbreakingly rational.
“Sister Xu, what should I do? I’ve tried everything to find another man to replace him in my heart, but I know it’s hopeless. Even if I could be intimate with him just once, I could die content… Why is fate treating me this way?” Zhuoya cried.
Xu Ping felt great sympathy for Zhuoya’s situation and cautiously asked, “Can you tell me who this man is?”
“Besides my mother, you’re the only person in the world who knows. I’ll tell you, it’s Li Zhaonan, the deputy director of the Personnel Bureau.”
Xu Ping almost screamed in shock, thinking how small the world is. How could she not recognize Li Zhaonan? He was the husband of her close friend Zhu Wei! Zhu Wei worked in a bank and had been married to Li Zhaonan for thirteen years.
Their marriage was very harmonious, much like Xu Ping’s own, so they often shared their experiences as couples. Now, her friend’s happiness was at risk, and she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
Xu Ping found Zhu Wei and told her about Zhuoya, warning, “A woman pursuing a man can be very persistent. They both work in the government building, so they’re bound to see each other often. Sooner or later, if Zhuoya throws herself at him, will your Zhaonan have the courage to push her away? You can’t take this lightly.”
Zhu Wei was stunned for a moment and then said, “Thank you, Sister Ping. I’m grateful to have a friend like you.”
“Love is selfish. Can you just let it develop?”
Zhu Wei said each word deliberately, “I am more selfish than you. To defend my love, I would sacrifice my life! I know what to do!”
After this conversation, Xu Ping was a bit scared. If Zhu Wei stormed into the office and caused a scene, how could Xu Ping hold her head high afterward? So she repeatedly warned Zhu Wei not to overdo it.
Zhu Wei smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Why would I overdo it? If someone has a crush on my husband to that extent, as his wife, I should feel proud. Why would I make a scene? Even at home with Zhaonan, I wouldn’t say anything to hint at it. It’s not his fault.”
Afterward, observing Zhu Wei, she seemed unchanged, as if nothing had happened. Xu Ping felt a bit unbalanced: You don’t react to such important information I provided? At least confront Zhaonan or Zhuoya to ring the alarm bell, come on!
Days passed, and Xu Ping felt very tired. She observed that Li Zhaonan often interacted with Zhuoya, always eager to help her with difficulties. But no matter how closely she looked, she couldn’t find any inappropriate evidence. Xu Ping wished she could catch something to prove her judgment to her friend, but there was no chance.
Three years passed. During this time, Xu Ping heard rumors that her own husband was flirting with a woman at his workplace, even younger and sexier than Zhuoya. Xu Ping couldn’t tolerate infidelity.
Despite Zhu Wei’s pleas, she confronted her husband, determined to bring him back. In the end, without solid evidence, their quarrel escalated. Her husband, out of spite, said, “Since you’re spreading rumors about us, let’s just go with it.” Soon, he moved out.
Xu Ping wasn’t scared by him moving out; she could live without a man! One day, she accidentally heard that Zhuoya had a terminal illness and was given only three months to live. Zhuoya knew her fate and cried bitterly. Xu Ping went to see her, and Zhuoya sorrowfully said her biggest regret was not spending even a few days alone with Zhaonan.
Xu Ping quickly shared this good news with Zhu Wei: “Weiwei, you’re so lucky. Heaven is helping you get rid of your rival. Honestly, this is a comfort to me too. My friend’s happiness is my joy.”
Zhu Wei, moved, hugged Xu Ping and cried, “Why didn’t you listen to me and keep your husband?”
“I can’t see what I did wrong. Defending love is the right thing to do, isn’t it?”
Soon, the May Day holiday arrived. Based on past experience, Zhu Wei and her husband would definitely travel with their child. Zhu Wei and her husband loved traveling.
But on May 3rd, feeling bored, Xu Ping made a random call and found Zhu Wei at home! She hurried over and discovered that Li Zhaonan had gone to Huangshan alone!
“How could you let him travel alone?” Xu Ping asked anxiously. “It’s just over a month until the danger is over. This is the final critical period! Zhuoya might be with him right now!”
“I know,” Zhu Wei said calmly.
Xu Ping’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You know and still let him go? You should be by his side at least!”
“Silly sister, I intentionally gave them the opportunity to go together,” Zhu Wei said.
What’s going on?
Zhu Wei explained that she had long been aware of Zhuoya. Hearing about Zhuoya’s terminal illness, she felt sympathy for her. One day, she ran into Zhuoya and found her heartbreakingly haggard. Zhu Wei immediately revealed her identity and invited Zhuoya for coffee. They had a great conversation, all revolving around Li Zhaonan.
Zhuoya expressed her deep love for Zhaonan, “I’m sorry, Sister Wei.” “Good sister, thank you for caring about my husband so much. I understand and don’t blame you,” Zhu Wei said. “I have a problem you might be able to help with. I bought tickets for a ‘Five-day Tour of Huangshan and Suzhou-Hangzhou’ during the May Day holiday, planning to go with Zhaonan.
But now I suddenly have knee pain, and the doctor said I shouldn’t travel. I can only ask someone to accompany Zhaonan, and the best person is you, Sister Zhuoya.”
“What did she say?”
“She cried and hugged me, saying, ‘Sister, my dear sister, I will never forget you. I would never betray you, or else…’ I quickly covered her mouth, saying, ‘Don’t think like that, sister. It’s settled.’ In the evening, I discussed it with Zhaonan, asking him to fulfill my wish.”
“What did Zhaonan say?”
“That’s a secret. Anyway, I let them go.”
Xu Ping was astonished. “Aren’t you letting a wolf into the sheepfold? Zhuoya is terminally ill; she doesn’t care about consequences. What if they end up in bed? You said you were more selfish than I am.”
Zhu Wei patted Xu Ping’s shoulder. “The sky won’t fall. I am selfish, and I’m doing this entirely for myself. Think about it, watching Zhuoya die unfulfilled, how could Zhaonan feel good about it? Sister Ping, you said my happiness is your greatest joy.
Are friends more important than spouses? I love Zhaonan and shouldn’t let him have lifelong regrets. Everything else is trivial compared to Zhaonan’s peace of mind in his later years.”
Xu Ping sighed. “Weiwei, I’m not as wise as you. If I had listened to you earlier, I wouldn’t be in this situation! My husband also went to Huangshan with that girl, but the outcome for me is so different from yours!”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
