Chapter 3 Breaking Point
"What do you mean?"
Lu Xiao's eyes redden, he stares at the suitcase in shock, then scans around in panic.
Only then does he realize everything of mine in the house is gone.
His voice trembles in disbelief.
"Su Mo, you want to break up with me?"
I look up and gaze deeply one last time at this boy I've loved for ten years.
Now a man who navigates complex environments with ease.
"Yes, break up."
"Fine, break up then. Whoever regrets it is the loser."
Slam.
My response is the sharp, resolute sound of the door closing.
Eight years together, five underground.
I used to have my own job.
It was for Lu Xiao, who wanted to see me every day but feared exposure hurting his career.
So I took odd jobs from set to set.
The boy Lu Xiao who, as a child, risked everything to save me from abusive, drunken parents.
The teen Lu Xiao who went hungry so I could eat.
Not this current star Lu Xiao, who sells himself out for fame and profit.
My phone buzzes with WeChat messages.
The pinned profile has a red 1 in the corner.
I don't open it. I long-press to delete the contact, my finger pauses for a second, then presses down.
I see Lu Xiao's name again in the Trending Search.
The production team cuts the intimate scene into clips and releases them across platforms to build hype for the premiere.
The comments section fills up with CP fans.
[Overjoyed, my shipped CP just got married on the spot.]
[Holy crap, is this something a minor like me can watch? Even Empress Dowager Cixi didn't eat this well.]
[Xiao-Ning couple, heaven match, earth match, perfect match!]
A high school classmate screenshots the comments and posts in the class group, tagging Lu Xiao.
[Big star, Shen Yining is my goddess. You hooked up with my goddess, at least treat me to a meal to soothe my broken heart.]
Someone doubts.
[Fake, right? Isn't Lu Xiao with Su Mo?]
Someone explains.
[They split long ago, heard it was in sophomore year. Lu Xiao signed with a company that forbade dating.]
Someone wants confirmation but doesn't dare ask Lu Xiao, tags me.
[Su Mo, did you two really split or fake it to go underground?]
[Are Lu Xiao and Shen Yining really together?]
[Haha, do you regret it like missing a billion?]
The girls tagging me all chased Lu Xiao in high school.
Lu Xiao's rejection line was always the same.
"Sorry, I only like Su Mo."
That made me public enemy to all girls in school.
Now they finally get a chance for revenge, how could they pass it up.
[@S. Not talking? Looking down on old classmates?]
[@S. Or something shady you can't say, hehe.]
I frown and open the keypad.
Suddenly, a message pops up.
It's from Lu Xiao, who hasn't spoken in the group since signing.