FOREVRFICTION

In recent years, Wu Hengmin, the wealthy heir of the Wu family, had become well-known for his promiscuity and romantic escapades.

But unlike his cousins and siblings, Wu Hengmin’s romantic tendencies weren't his only highlight, he was also recognised for his impressive business abilities. This made him popular with the elders of the righteous sect, who overlooked his other 'hobbies', considering he was still young and hot blooded.

Though his character was not flawless, but his actions consistently proved to be highly effective, even against the most formidable competitors. Seeing his shining qualities, the Wu Family also gave him more attention.

So his reputation gradually grew, and one day, he was chosen to lead the Wu family's younger generation to the border for training and experience. It was a rare and significant opportunity, because leading the younger generation in such a harsh and demanding environment was a far cry from the world of luxury and romance he was used to.

As news of his appointment spread, opinions were divided. Some quietly lamented that his carefree days were coming to an end, believing he could no longer indulge in his romantic pursuits or enjoy the "seas of flowers and bees" that had once defined him. Others, however, were less optimistic, betting he wouldn’t last a week in such a challenging setting. Despite his rapid rise in business, few believed he could handle the military world. The border was a place for the physically strong and mentally tough, not for someone who only knew how to talk. To many, it was a domain where only warriors thrived, not people like Wu Hengmin.

Turns out they were all waiting to be slapped in the face. Wu Hengmin returned victorious, earning a medal of honor and several high-ranking rewards, leaving his doubters with nothing but pale faces.

Such a powerful young master gained a lot of respect for his endeavours overnight, earning some weight in the market and rising to power rather quickly.

Now, it’s hard to believe that someone of his talent would be friends with Shen Yu, who, at the time, was considered one of the least favorable companion. Yet the truth was, Shen Yu had once saved the young master from a moment of despair. Back then, Shen Yu was still adjusting to the environment of his school, like an immature fledgling struggling to fit in with the crowd.

When he first noticed a young master with a gloomy expression, Shen Yu instinctively kept his distance. However, later that same young master, in the depths of his depression, nearly drank poison, and it was Shen Yu who intervened just in time to stop him.

Shen Yu had never intended to get involved with him, so after the incident, he left the young master to reflect on his actions alone, hoping it would help him see things from a different perspective.

A month later, Shen Yu unexpectedly ran into Wu Hengmin again by a small fountain on the outskirts of the school grounds. This time, the young master seemed more composed, though still carrying an air of quiet intensity. Shen Yu, remembering their previous encounter, didn't shy away but instead offered a polite nod. However the exchange was brief, though awkward, and marked the beginning of a somewhat distant friendship.

Kai hadn't yet been part of his 'little circle' at the time, so Shen Yu often found himself alone.

During those moments, Wu Hengmin would occasionally appear, subtly making his presence known but never engaging or taking any active role. He simply watched from a distance, observing. As time went on and Kai grew closer to Shen Yu, Wu Hengmin slowly started to distance himself, sensing that the dynamic was shifting. Though he had once quietly lingered at the edges, he then seemed to fade into the background, giving space to the growing bond between Shen Yu and Kai.

That is, until Wu Hengmin transferred into Shen Yu's class and became his desk mate. Suddenly, they were forced into each other's daily routine, becoming silent companions in the classroom. Though they spent hours side by side, their bond hadn’t yet deepened enough to leave a lasting impression. Their interactions remained minimal, marked more by quiet coexistence than meaningful connection.

Then, one day, without warning, Wu Hengmin stopped coming to school. His absence was strange and sudden, leaving a quiet gap where his presence once was. But surprisingly, despite withdrawing from campus life entirely, he would still seek out Shen Yu, appearing when least expected. He had retreated from the social circle, fading into the background like an inconspicuous little shell, yet he still made the effort to quietly connect with Shen Yu, as if drawn to him.

Each week, Wu Hengmin would send Shen Yu small gifts, subtle reminders of his presence even though he had withdrawn from campus life. At first, the gestures felt distant, but over time, they became a steady part of Shen Yu's routine. Along with the gifts came letters, filled with anecdotes and stories. The subjects varied, some lighthearted, others more serious, but each conversation, whether through written words or brief encounters, brought Shen Yu a quiet sense of peace.

Although they didn’t meet often, Wu Hengmin always made sure to send something, as if offering a silent greeting. It became a form of unspoken support, one that gave Shen Yu the strength to face his shortcomings with more courage.

Sadly, such a friendship couldn’t withstand the test of time...

When faced with personal interests, Wu Hengmin abandoned Shen Yu, casting him aside like a discarded piece of trash. He came alone, and he left alone, like drifting clouds — fleeting and intangible, never to be touched.

Shen Yu had always maintained a certain emotional distance when it came to injustices, his demeanor cool and detached, as though he were a spectator rather than a participant. But the loss of Wu Hengmin, someone who had quietly supported him, left a coldness that ran deeper than anything he had felt before. It wasn’t just the absence of a friend—it was the loss of something more intangible, like the dimming of a light he hadn’t fully realized he was relying on.

In the weeks that followed, Shen Yu overheard hushed whispers, fragments of conversations that painted a stark picture of Wu Hengmin’s transformation. He had changed, they said, no longer the quiet, almost passive figure he once was. Now, Wu Hengmin seemed more like a force—more assertive, more visible. It was as if the puppet strings that had once controlled him had been cut, leaving him free to carve out his own path, one that no longer intersected with Shen Yu’s.

He wondered if Wu Hengmin changed, or had their bond always been so fragile that it broke the moment the winds changed? The more he thought about it, the more the line between friends and strangers seemed to blur.

Yet, in the depths of his coldness, Shen Yu couldn’t help but wonder if there was some part of him that missed the old Wu Hengmin. Perhaps, in a way, they had both changed over time... but one of them had faded first, leaving the other behind.

Wu Hengmin had made many contributions to his sect and earned considerable respect for his business acumen. Despite feeling a little flustered, Shen Yu couldn’t help but silently admire Wu Hengmin’s success. He even made the effort to attend the celebration banquet when Wu Hengmin came of age. At this point, Shen Yu’s health had deteriorated considerably, and it wasn’t easy for him to drag his ailing body anywhere, but out of respect for their shared history, he decided to honor their friendship.

However, at that same banquet, Shen Yu overheard something that left him stunned, unable to react for a long time.

"Hey, Brother Heng, I just saw Shen Yu downstairs, isn't he your good friend, why don't you introduce us to him?"

When Wu Hengmin heard this, his response was laced with disdain. "Why do you want to meet him? He’s trash. I just found him interesting at that time, you know. Hahaha~"

"Ohhhh, no wonder, he is indeed cute. Hehehe ~"

The sound of his mocking laughter, blended with the snickers and chuckles of those around him, like a cruel slap of reality, persistent and lingering in the air. Yet just as it began to sink in, the noise was quickly muffled by the closing door.

But before it shut completely, Shen Yu could have sworn Wu Hengmin cast a brief, almost knowing glance his way, as if aware that he was being watched by him.

That fleeting moment hung in Shen Yu’s mind for a long time, like a strange mix of disbelief and hurt. It was as if the person he had once considered a companion had been replaced by someone entirely different—a person who could dismiss him so casually, yet somehow still recognise his presence.

The feeling of being both seen and discarded at the same time left Shen Yu with an uneasy sense of betrayal.

But... the past was behind him now, and the door to a new world stood wide open. There was no reason to glance back at what had once been.

"Why is this Shen bastard here? He actually got the ticket?"