A Taste of Love

Licheng woke up with the ache in his chest still heavy and unresolved. He couldn't tell what hurt more—the fact that Muren had ghosted him or that he'd let himself get so close, hoping for something more. He sighed, getting up from the bed. He missed Muren.

In just a week, Muren had become someone important to him. He had only dared to attend Xingsi's wedding because of Muren, who had given him the courage to go. The time they spent together on the island was memorable to Licheng, even if it seemed meaningless to Muren. Licheng never imagined Muren would simply disappear after everything they had shared.

He had gotten used to Muren's presence, with his endless chatter and easy smiles. Even when they were apart, Muren's texts had kept him company. But now, Muren had vanished—not just from the island, but from his life. It had been two weeks since Licheng had seen Muren's beautiful face or heard his voice, and the thought that he meant nothing to Muren pained him deeply.

Still, Licheng needed to talk to him, to explain that last night. After begging Xingsi for Muren's address and much contemplation, he decided to pay Muren a surprise visit. He just couldn't let things end so abruptly—he needed closure.

When Licheng reached Muren's flat, his heart raced. He wasn't sure if he was ready to see him again, wasn't sure if he could bear another rejection. He knocked softly on the door. No response. He tried again, a bit more insistently this time, and there he was—Teng Muren. The man who had stolen his heart and peace.

Muren stood there, shocked and confused to see Licheng at his door. He looked disheveled and nervous, his usually cheery expression replaced by a mix of anger and disappointment. Licheng's eyes searched his face, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Muren..." Licheng started, his voice thick with emotion, but Muren cut him off, not ready to let him speak just yet.

"What are you doing here, Licheng? How did you even find me?" Muren's voice was steady, but his heart was in turmoil. He held the door slightly ajar, not inviting him in.

Licheng swallowed hard, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I wanted to talk to you... I missed you, Muren," Licheng confessed immediately.

Muren let out a scoff. "You missed me? After everything? You have some nerve showing up here."

"Please, Muren. I just need a few minutes." He pleaded.

Muren's stomach twisted, and he hated the man's audacity in claiming he had missed him, despite being the one who abandoned him. He wasn't sure if he could trust this man again, but a part of him—the part that still cared—needed answers. He stepped aside, allowing Licheng to enter.

Licheng stepped in slowly, closing the door behind him. For a moment, neither of them said anything, the silence thick with tension.

"Muren," Licheng began, running a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "You left the island without saying a word and have been avoiding me since then. I thought... maybe if I did or said something wrong..."

Muren crossed his arms, his expression guarded. "You really don't know what you did?"

"If this is about not meeting you that night, something came up. Xingsi—"

"Are you seriously apologizing for not meeting me that night? Is that all?" Muren cut him off, his voice rising in frustration.

Licheng was confused. "Muren, I don't understand."

"You don't understand?" Muren's voice cracked, his emotions spilling over. "Xiao Licheng, you idiot! Why did you even come here?"

Licheng instinctively stepped forward, wanting to comfort Muren, but stopped when he saw the hesitation in his eyes. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Muren. I didn't mean to. But I couldn't let things end like this. I thought we... I thought we had something."