DANDELIONS

Ch.17

Wuping had decided to leave for training after many hours of fun, and I found myself sitting on the bench, feeling like the third wheel.

As I watched Cheng and Meiying together, jealousy gnawed at me, but I couldn't hate her. Meiying was beautiful and talented, and despite my feelings, we were still friends.

Recalling Cheng's words about fighting for Meiying, I noticed her looking panicked. "What's the matter?" I asked, concerned.

"I'm late for the audition," she said, rushing as Dre dragged her, and we hurried to school.

Upon arriving on time, Meiying took the stage, playing beautifully with a relaxed demeanor. Dre and I sat at the back, and I noticed Meiying Mentor sitting in front of us.

"She's so amazing," I whispered to Dre, turning to see Cheng and his friend nearby, which stirred my jealousy once more.

As Meiying finished her performance, the audience clapped, and she looked at me with a sad expression, her father whispering something in her ear.

Dre and I cheered loudly, drawing attention, and Cheng seemed surprised and confused. I decided to ignore him as I hadn't attended class.

Meiying approached us with her parents, and Dre complimented her performance. I smiled, but I could see she was troubled.

With a shaky voice, Meiying said, "Dre and [Name], we can no longer be friends, you're bad for my life," and I felt hurt by her words.

Glaring at her, I remained silent as she walked past us.

Dre tried to comfort me, holding my hand and whispering reassuring words.

Cheng and his friends teased us, mocking Meiying's earlier reaction, and I couldn't hold back my anger. I slapped Cheng across the face and shouted, "I hate you!"

The room fell silent as he coldly replied, "The feeling is mutual," and brushed past me, accidentally bumping my shoulder.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and Dre comforted me, hugging me tightly.

In the other side Liang  followed Cheng until he stopped, and I confronted him. "How long have you been like this, Cheng?" I asked, with a mix of anger and curiosity.

He stared back, unsure of what I meant by "like this."

"Coward," I said, anger boiling inside me, and I accidentally collided with the wall.

"I'm not a coward," Cheng declared loudly, but I couldn't help but laugh. "You are who you are because of how you treat [name]," I said, watching his reaction.

To my surprise, Cheng began to cry, revealing his hurt feelings. "You don't know I'm hurting too. I didn't mean those words. I just want to protect her," he explained, walking away and leaving me stunned

On [name] side she sat crying on the park bench, Wuping approached with concern in his eyes. I continued sobbing, unable to hide my emotions.

Taking a seat beside me, Wuping hugged me when I unexpectedly leaned into him. "Hey [name], what's the matter? Who made you cry?" he asked gently.

Through my tears, I managed to say, "Cheng."

"You mean Luwie Cheng? What the hell did he do?" Wuping asked, his anger evident.

I felt pitiful, explaining how Cheng had lied to me, making me believe he liked me, only to leave me behind and fight for Meiying.

"That jerk," Wuping exclaimed, comforting me. "Hey [name], stop crying. He's not worth it," he said as I continued to sob.

"I know I shouldn't be crying over him, but it really hurts. And Meiying said we're no longer friends," I said, feeling the pain in my heart.

"[name], I don't know how to comfort the people I love, so cry it out. And when you're tired, smile and forget them," Wuping said, his gentle touch soothing my hair.

Suddenly, a boy nearby clenched his fists, glaring at Wuping with daggers in his eyes. He punched a tree, cursing himself for making me cry.

As I sat there with Wuping, his comforting presence a balm to my wounded heart, my mind involuntarily wandered back to that fateful day when everything changed between him and Cheng.

It was during a martial arts tournament, a day etched in Wuping's memory as both a test of his skill and a harsh lesson in humility.

The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as competitors from various dojos gathered, each eager to prove themselves in combat. Wuping felt a mix of excitement and nerves as he prepared to face off against Cheng, his opponent for the final match.

Cheng, with his imposing stature and formidable reputation, stood across the mat, exuding confidence and determination. Wuping, though intimidated, refused to let fear hold him back. With gritted teeth and a steely gaze, he stepped forward, ready to give it his all.

The match commenced, and Wuping threw himself into the fray with all the energy and determination he could muster. His movements were fluid and calculated, each strike aimed with precision as he sought to find a weakness in Cheng's defenses. But Cheng was a skilled adversary, his reflexes sharp and his defense impenetrable.

As the match wore on, Wuping's frustration mounted. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to gain the upper hand against Cheng's relentless assault. Blow after blow, Wuping found himself pushed back, his resolve tested to its limits.

Despite his best efforts, Wuping soon found himself on the defensive, his energy waning as Cheng continued to press his advantage. With each passing moment, Wuping felt the sting of defeat looming closer, his hopes of victory slipping further and further away.

And then, with a final, decisive strike, Cheng emerged victorious, his triumph met with resounding applause from the crowd. Wuping stood on the mat, battered and bruised, his pride wounded but his spirit unbroken.

As the dust settled and the reality of his defeat sank in, Wuping felt a mix of emotions wash over him. Disappointment, certainly, but also a sense of determination—a resolve to learn from his defeat and come back stronger than ever before.

As I sat there with Wuping, offering him what little comfort I could, I couldn't help but admire his resilience in the face of defeat.