Reunited Underneath the Lantern Lights

Chapter 23

Wei didn't know what to do at home.

There wasn't Kai there to accompany him. His mom was out working, and the house felt unusually quiet.

With a sigh, he wandered around, feeling a bit lost in the absence of the usual lively atmosphere that Kai brought.

Glancing at the clock, he realized that it was still quite early. Unsure of how to fill the time, he considered reaching out to a friend or finding a hobby to occupy himself until Kai returned.

He sat in his room listlessly. Not knowing what to do.

Maybe he should hit the gym? Get a routine going to show that he's doing more than just surviving.

Standing up, Wei decided that physical activity might be a good way to clear his mind. He changed into workout clothes and headed to the nearby gym.

Although he spent an hour lifting weights, he still felt unsettled and decided to go for a run. It was easier with the track here as there's not many people running around.

It allowed Wei to run carefree.

As Wei jogged, he found himself lost in thought, the rhythmic pounding of his footsteps providing a steady beat to the internal musings.

The cool breeze tousled his hair, and the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the surroundings.

As he continued his run, Wei reached a serene spot with a picturesque view. The beauty of the scenery captivated him, and he decided to take a moment to catch his breath.

Leaning against a tree, he looked out over the landscape, the vibrant colors of the setting sun reflecting off the tranquil lake nearby.

Unexpectedly, Wei's gaze shifted, and his eyes widened in surprise.

There was Luca, not so far away, staring right at Wei, looking surprised.

Breaking the silence, Wei managed to utter, "Luca? What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here? I thought you were still at City D?" Luca asked, confused as well.

Wei's surprise mirrored Luca's, and a moment of mutual bewilderment passed between them.

"I'm here on vacation," Wei uttered.

Luca looked surprised as he furiously blinked, "what do you mean you're also here on vacation?"

"You're on vacation too? I thought you would be with your new boyfriend," Wei said bitterly.

Luca rolled his eyes as he walked closer to Wei, "What's wrong with me and my boyfriend? You and I broke up a long time ago. We're just friends now-you were the one that established that. I heard Kai found out about it first. How did he find out?"

Wei looked at Luca bitterly, "Does it matter how he found out about it? You're a public figure. Someone is bound to find out."

"Not someone who is super close to me. I haven't told anyone about our relationship," Luca said, annoyed.

"See, this is the problem. Ever since you guys started dating, it's like you're a different person and not in a positive way," Wei pointed out, pissed.

Luca's expression shifted from surprise to frustration, his brows furrowing as he responded, "Wei, you can't just blame everything on my relationship. People change, circumstances change. It doesn't mean it's someone's fault."

Wei crossed his arms, his bitterness fueling his words. "It's not just about change, Luca. No one changes that fast. You barely give other people the time of day. Look at you! You're on your phone right now!"