I texted my boss, saying I wasn’t feeling well.
After returning home, I packed Mark’s
belongings.
Along with the gifts he’d given me over the
years.
I called a courier and sent them to his
apartment.
When everything was done, I sat on the sofal
and stared blankly for a while.
Then I picked up my phone and texted Mark.
Just three short words.
<
[Let’s break up.]
Last time it was just a fit of anger, and I still
fantasized that he’d beg me to get back
together.
But this time, it was real.
I really wanted to break up with him.
That message wasn’t sent.
I forgot that Mark had blocked me again.
He always did this; once we fought,
He’d delete all my contact information.
I pursed my lips and asked his friend to relay
the message.
i used to complain that Mark used his friends
as messengers.
Ironically, now I needed to do the same.
When I sent the message, I accidentally
clicked on his friend’s Moments.
The latest post was a group photo, the
background a beach.
In the center of the photo were Mark and
く
Jessica.
Jessica was smiling happily, her arm around
Mark’s back.
Mark looked relaxed too.
The post was from a week ago.
During the period when Mark and I were fighting.
I looked at it for a long time, then liked it. In the past, Mark was busy with work.
He said that travel was an economic lie,
consumerism.
The places you want to go are just places locals are already tired of.
I accommodated him; I never went anywhere.
But now, I suddenly wanted to travel.
Maybe I’d also become someone Mark was
tired of.
So when a younger, prettier girl appeared,
He fought with me, gave me the silent
treatment.
<
Some say love is when he’s cold to others but
gentle to you.
Mark was the exact opposite.
He was gentle and encouraging towards
Jessica, but only cold to me.
I was foolish; I didn’t see his displeasure.
Chapter 2
I took a vacation and booked a flight to
Lijiang.
The scenery was beautiful, and the food was
amazing.
While chatting, I asked an old woman if she
ever got tired of living there since she was a
child.
The old woman chuckled.
“This is home. My hometown is developing so well; I’m only proud, why would I be bored?” She said she loved Lijiang, her hometown. It suddenly dawned on me; everyone might
tire of a view eventually.
<
But love makes all the difference.
On the third day, I received a call from Mark.
I didn’t know when, but he’d unblocked me.
His tone was stiff.
“Pudding’s cat food is gone; I don’t know
which kind to buy.”
I told him the brand and added,
“You can use your old photo–recognition app;
you don’t need to ask me.”
Mark avoided my suggestion: “I threw the
packaging away.”
He asked again.
“Pudding broke the cat tree; what should I
do?”
“Buy a new one.”
“Pudding was playing downstairs and got
muddy.”
“Take him to the pet groomer.”
Mark asked many questions, and I answered
く
each one.
Then, suddenly, we had nothing left to say.
After waiting a while, without hearing from
him, I said,
“I’ll hang up now. You can search online for
cat care tips; don’t ask me again.”
There was silence on the other end. Just
before hanging up,
Mark said, “Pudding misses you. Will you
come see him?”
I doubted that.
Due to our jobs, Mark and I often traveled for
work.
Every time Mark came home, Pudding would
wait by the door.
When he saw him, he would excitedly run over
and meow.
But it wasn’t the same with me. I had to
actively seek him out.
I missed him terribly when I was away, but
<
Pudding still avoided me.
He only let me hold him if I tempted him with
treats.
He didn’t miss me before, so why would he
now?
I refused: “No need. He’s your cat; it’s not
appropriate for me to visit.”
After hanging up, I let out a long breath.
I didn’t understand why Mark called.
Was he really asking questions, or did he just
find Pudding troublesome?
It made sense; he was always disciplined,
calm, and meticulous.
Caring for a cat was too difficult and
troublesome for him.
I tossed and turned until dawn.
I picked up my phone and tried to send a text.
[If Pudding’s too much trouble, give him back.
to me.]
I was afraid Mark would get impatient and
<
mistreat Puaaing.
What if he got tired of him and abandoned
him?
It would be better if I kept him, even if
Pudding didn’t like me.
I’d take responsibility and ensure his well-
being.
It was already 3 AM; I didn’t expect an
immediate reply.
[You want Pudding? Even after leaving you,
you still want him?]
Before I replied, I got another message.
[What about me?]
But that message was retracted a second
later. I thought I’d imagined it.
After a while, Mark sent another message.
[Send your location; I’ll come find you with
Pudding.]
At the coffee shop.
Mark was holding Pudding.
<
He looked tired, with dark circles under his
eyes.
I didn’t expect him to arrive so quickly.
Judging by the time, he must have booked
the earliest flight after sending the message.
As soon as Pudding saw me, he struggled
wildly.
Once put down, he immediately ran to my
feet.
Rarely did he treat me and Mark equally.
He purred and rubbed against me, but this
time I only opened the carrier.
I didn’t pick him up.
I had three or four scratches on my arm from
him.
The scars wouldn’t heal, and my sadness was
real.
After receiving Pudding, I was about to leave.
But Mark stopped me.
