After graduation, Chen Ke found herself caught in a whirlwind of activity. The freedom that once filled her days with laughter and connection now transformed into a series of back-to-back meetings and networking events. Her father, eager to integrate her into the family business, introduced her to a multitude of influential people—business executives, potential partners, and mentors. Each encounter felt like another step into a world she was expected to conquer, but instead, it left her feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
In the midst of this chaos, her thoughts continually drifted back to Danni. She wanted to share her experiences, vent her frustrations, and most importantly, hear about Danni's day-to-day life. But with every missed call and unanswered message, the distance between them felt more pronounced. Chen Ke would glance at her phone, heart racing with the hope of a notification, only to be met with silence.
"Chen Ke, we need to go," her father would remind her, pulling her back into the reality of their hectic schedule. Each time she stepped away from a meeting or event, she would quickly check her phone, her heart sinking with each passing moment that Danni remained unresponsive.
Despite the busyness, Chen Ke made it a point to reach out to Danni as often as she could. She would send texts during brief lulls in her day, her fingers flying over the screen as she tried to bridge the gap that seemed to grow wider.
"Hey, just wanted to check in! Hope your day is going well! Miss you!"
But Danni was also swamped with academics and extracurricular activities. She juggled projects, studying for exams, and participating in various clubs. Though her schedule was demanding, it didn't match Chen Ke's relentless pace, and still, it left her little room for the kind of connection she craved.
In the rare moments they could steal time together, it often felt rushed and fleeting. They would meet outside campus, grabbing a quick coffee or walking around the park, but even then, Chen Ke couldn't fully immerse herself in the moment. She was always thinking about the next meeting, the next task, and how to please her father and the expectations of her new role.
One afternoon, as they sat on a bench, sipping their drinks in companionable silence, Danni noticed Chen Ke's distracted expression. "You've got that look again," she said gently, nudging her shoulder.
"What look?" Chen Ke asked, forcing a smile, though her eyes didn't quite match her lips.
"The one that says you're a million miles away," Danni replied softly, tilting her head to meet Chen Ke's gaze.
Chen Ke sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, Danni. It's just... everything is so overwhelming right now. I miss our time together, but I feel like I'm being pulled in every direction."
Danni's heart ached at the sight of her friend's struggle. "I get it. I'm busy too, but you're doing this for a reason, right? Just promise me you won't lose yourself in it."
"I won't," Chen Ke vowed, though her tone was uncertain. "I just wish I could balance it all better. I want to be there for you, and I feel like I'm failing."
"You're not failing," Danni reassured her. "We'll figure this out together. Just remember to make time for yourself, too."
But as Chen Ke walked away that day, the weight of her responsibilities pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how hard she tried, she was losing a part of herself—and a part of them.
As days turned into weeks, Chen Ke became adept at managing her time but not at quieting the loneliness that echoed within her. She often found herself staring at the screen during meetings, her thoughts drifting back to Danni.
