A Taste of Love

A Midnight Escape

The resort had finally settled down for the night, with all the guests having enjoyed the amenities and retired back to their rooms. Muren could once again hear the soothing sound of the waves filling the night air.

Muren was anxious though. The past week had been a whirlwind, one of the craziest rides of his life. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time, and it was mostly because of Licheng. The brooding, drunk man he'd met just a week ago had turned out to be one of the kindest, most caring people he'd ever known. Yet, after spending the whole day together, Muren still couldn't figure out Licheng's feelings for him. There were moments when Licheng seemed to share the same emotions, but at other times, he appeared hesitant to take the next step.

Tonight was the last night before the big wedding. They would soon go their separate ways, uncertain when they'd meet again. Muren knew he had to take this chance and talk to Licheng. He was both excited and nervous.

He had texted Licheng to meet him by the pool at the back of the resort nearly an hour ago, but there was still no sign of him. Worried that Licheng hadn't seen his text, Muren went to check his room. To his surprise, the door to his room was open, but Licheng was nowhere to be found. Unsure whether to wait in the room, he decided instead to search for him. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a letter on the bedside table.

Unwittingly, he picked it up and read it. It was from Xingsi, asking to meet Licheng immediately. Muren wasn't sure when the note had been left or if Licheng was still with Xingsi, but he hurried toward the groom's suite and knocked on the door. When there was no response, he began searching the resort for both Xingsi and Licheng. He finally found them on the terrace.

As Muren approached, he overheard their voices. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Xingsi crying in Licheng's arms.

"What's wrong? Did something happen with Yongjie?" Licheng asked, his voice laced with concern.

The low, uneasy tone of their conversation sent a sinking feeling through Muren's chest.

"I can't do it, Licheng. I don't think I can go ahead with this," Xingsi said, his voice strained as he paced back and forth.

Muren's heart dropped. He moved closer, unable to restrain himself.

"What are you talking about? The wedding is in less than 10 hours," Licheng said, shocked.

"I know! But... I am very confused. I have this nagging feeling that I've made a mistake and rushed into everything," Xingsi admitted, gazing at Licheng. "And I can't shake the feeling that I'm leaving something... someone behind."

"Did something happen with Yongjie? Did he say anything?" Licheng's voice was soft and understanding. He was still trying to process what his friend was saying. Xingsi was not one to act impulsively, so there had to be a logical reason behind all of this.

"No... he's... he's very good, and he loves me. But... he's not you."

Licheng's eyes widened, and Muren felt as if he had been punched in the gut. His worst nightmare was coming true.

"I love him, Licheng." Xingsi held Licheng's hands and said, "Maybe... maybe I love you too."

"Naturally, you love me, and I love you too. But we're friends. We've always been only friends. You wanted it that way," Licheng said, trying to talk sense into his friend.

"Maybe I was wrong about us. I don't know... I don't understand this feeling, Licheng," Xingsi said, pulling Licheng into his arms again.

For someone wanting to call off his wedding, Xingsi seemed unusually calm. Typical Xingsi. Licheng thought.

"What do you want to do now?" Licheng asked, hesitant but composed.

"I need to get out of here. Right now. And I want you to come with me. Can you do that?" Xingsi pleaded, his eyes full of desperation.

"Of course I can," Licheng replied without hesitation. He didn't need more convincing. He would do anything for his friend. Licheng would gladly join Xingsi in running away from his own wedding, if that's what he needed.

Muren's heart shattered at Licheng's words. He hadn't even thought twice before agreeing to run away with the groom. Muren didn't even cross his mind. For a brief moment, Muren had hoped that Licheng would shut Xingsi down, that he'd tell him he had moved on, that he and Muren had something.

Instead, Licheng sighed. "But what about your family... my family... and Yongjie?" he asked.

"I can't deal with all that right now. I just need you, Licheng" Xingsi said, holding his hand even tighter. "I'll wait for you downstairs in an hour. I really hope to see you then."

Muren had heard enough. Tears welled up in his eyes as he quickly ran away, ensuring he wouldn't be spotted by either of them.

Muren couldn't believe what he had just heard. His heart was broken. All the sweet memories of the past week had been shattered by just one sentence from Licheng. Still, he clung to a sliver of hope—that Licheng would come to his senses and make the right decision. Regardless of his feelings for him, it was unacceptable to flee with the groom the night before the wedding. That wasn't the Licheng Muren had come to know and love.

So he waited on the balcony of his room, overlooking the resort's entrance. His mind reeled from the night's events, trying to make sense of what was about to happen. Would Licheng really go through with it?

The hour passed quickly, and Licheng hadn't appeared. A few minutes later, Muren saw Xingsi come down with a small bag. He seemed to have called a cab. He got in and waited.

The suspense was driving Muren crazy. He had to wait another 15 minutes before Licheng finally showed up, just as Xingsi was about to leave. Muren watched them share a hug, then get into the car and drive away from the resort without looking back.

Muren's world crumbled in an instant. It felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. He fought back the tears that threatened to burst out any moment. He wouldn't cry, not for Licheng. That man didn't deserve his love or tears. He was annoyed with himself for falling in love with such a frivolous man. How could he be so foolish to go back to the man who hurt and rejected him. Xingsi was finicky. He changed lovers and husbands at the whim. Licheng would soon realize this and be disappointed again. He was glad that his cousin jumped the gun but was upset about Licheng making the biggest mistake of his life.

Muren's world crumbled in an instant, as if the ground had been ripped out from under him. He fought back the tears that threatened to spill over, refusing to cry—especially not for Licheng. That man didn't deserve his love or his tears.

Frustration bubbled up inside him. Xingsi was impulsive, constantly shifting between lovers and husbands on a whim. How could Licheng be so foolish to get back together with someone so fickle? Xingsi had hurt and rejected him before, and here he was, once again entangled in the same mess. Licheng would eventually realize this, only to be left heartbroken again.

Despite feeling relieved that his cousin had avoided a similar fate, Muren couldn't help but be angry at Licheng for making such a monumental mistake.

As dawn broke, Muren packed up his things and left the island. He didn't want to be around for the chaos that would erupt when everyone found out one of the grooms was missing.