This Is Best for Everyone

As the early autumn temperature began to change, the cicadas’ songs had already faded away.

However, the alma mater, renowned as a garden university, was still vibrant, occasionally filled with the sounds of birds.

Some small animals often appeared in the students’ view, like the “Cat Senior” or the “Dog Senior.”

Amidst these sounds, the music classroom became even quieter.

Separated by just a wall was the school’s anniversary banquet, bustling with clinking glasses and lively chatter.

Yet, the two people who should have been the main attractions were here, staring at each other in silence.

Fang Zhou couldn’t explain what had just happened to him.

It was as if he had fallen into a void, his mind blank, doing things beyond his control.

It felt like the inner demons often described in fantasy novels, tempting the protagonist to do unexpected things.

“What happened to you just now?”

Chu Xinran cautiously asked Fang Zhou, her eyes still filled with lingering fear.

Her eyelashes trembled lightly, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly, revealing her inner anxiety and unease.

Chu Xinran looked at the fruit knife on the floor, still feeling a lingering sense of dread.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, terrified by the earlier scene.

She couldn’t imagine what she would have done if something had really happened to Fang Zhou just now.

She might have followed him, perhaps.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s just the pressure recently.”

Fang Zhou’s voice was still hoarse, as if he had been through a great ordeal, though he had merely been sitting there.

No one could understand his inner struggle, nor could they comprehend his confusion and bewilderment as he navigated relationships with several people.

Both the palm and the back of his hand were flesh; hurting either one was unacceptable.

Yet every decision he made inevitably hurt these people.

It felt like a cursed fate.

If that was the case, then let him hurt himself. If it could bring a smile to their faces, Fang Zhou was willing.

In fact, Fang Zhou hadn’t realized that his situation was somewhat similar to Chu Xinran’s earlier state.

When problems couldn’t be solved, self-harm seemed like the most direct way to escape.

A trace of confusion flashed in Chu Xinran’s eyes. She blinked blankly and then softly asked,

“Have you been under a lot of pressure lately? I thought you should be very happy.”

After all, you publicly announced your new girlfriend.

And it was Qin Yun, whom you had dated before. Your relationship should be even stronger now.

Moreover, Chu Xinran had already gathered information.

Fang Wenjing’s kidney donor had been found.

That meant he shouldn’t be troubled and worried about his sister’s survival for now.

In this situation, why would Fang Zhou feel pressured?

Chu Xinran looked at the fruit knife on the floor, puzzled.

Was her information insufficient to understand Fang Zhou’s true feelings?

Fang Zhou gave a bitter smile.

Could it be that the period he referred to wasn’t just these days or weeks, but these past few months, or even this year?

Forget it, there’s no such thing as true empathy in this world.

Even lovers argue and need to go through adjustments to cultivate true love.

“I don’t know where you got the idea that I’m happy.

The truth is, I won’t feel relieved until my sister’s surgery is over.”

Plans can’t keep up with changes.

Right now, he feared his sister’s condition might worsen at any moment.

And the kidney donor might not always be available; they could only wait.

It was like an apple hanging by a thread, ready to fall and become a beast’s meal at any moment.

Chu Xinran fell silent. She knew how much Fang Zhou cared about his sister.

So she couldn’t understand why he still had the time and energy to date Qin Yun during this period.

“Why are you with Qin Yun? Can you tell me? I don’t want any excuses; I just want the most honest, straightforward reason.”

After much thought, Chu Xinran decided to abandon her previous plan and stop pressuring Fang Zhou to make a decision.

The earlier situation had been too frightening.

If Fang Zhou’s emotions had been more intense, they might both have ended up dead.

By morning, their alma mater would be trending alongside the anniversary news.

“A male and female body found in a piano classroom, suspected murder-suicide.”

Chu Xinran couldn’t even bear to think of the word “suicide pact.”

Right now, she wasn’t the Chu Xinran who shared love with Fang Zhou in everyone’s eyes.

People would only think she couldn’t let go of Fang Zhou and came to harm him.

In reality, Chu Xinran couldn’t bear to touch even a finger of Fang Zhou.

As long as Fang Zhou had a convincing reason, Chu Xinran could wait until they broke up.

Fang Zhou looked at his reflection on the polished piano surface, his mind racing.

Should he tell her? It didn’t seem impossible.

It wasn’t something shameful, right?

But saying he was threatened didn’t seem right either.

It was an equal exchange, mutually beneficial.

After thinking for a while, Fang Zhou found the right words.

He cleared his throat and began to explain.

“Qin Yun and I broke up over six months ago. In my heart, her status is about the same as yours.”

Hearing that her status was similar to Qin Yun’s, Chu Xinran felt a mix of sourness and inexplicable joy.

At least she wasn’t too far behind.

If Qin Yun had a chance, did she have a chance too?

“I’m with her because she helped me a lot. When she proposed getting back together, I couldn’t refuse.”

“As for how I handle things with you all, it’s the same. While I have a girlfriend, it’s best not to have any contact.”

“This is best for everyone.”

“Of course, not considering your feelings and making a self-righteous decision was my fault.”

“But no matter who my girlfriend is, I would do the same.”

Fang Zhou spoke honestly.

He couldn’t hide anything from Chu Xinran anymore.

Chu Xinran had already become self-destructive just because she couldn’t accept him being with Qin Yun.

Lies and deceit would only cause more harm.

When someone starts lying, subsequent lies snowball.

To cover one lie, more lies must be woven.

Like a bubble, the more it’s blown, the bigger it gets, until it bursts. It’s better to be honest and tell her the truth.

At least then, she wouldn’t take unexpected actions to test the truth.

Or use self-harm to seek the truth.

Chu Xinran was a girl he had always protected. How could Fang Zhou bear to let her fall into such a state?