Chapter 5

I re-watched that video nonetheless.

He had personally edited it for the proposal.

The video played frame by frame, showcasing our nine years of love.

After the college entrance exam, during graduation photos,

He swapped places with a classmate to stand behind me.

I would never forget that day.

The young man suddenly leaned down and asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend.

Usually confident and composed, his voice was uncharacteristically nervous.

He said, “Don’t look back, I’m afraid you’ll refuse.”

The summer breeze brushed against our youthful faces.

The photographer called out, “Three, two, one, cheese!”

The moment the shutter clicked, I, with my back to him, said “yes.”

We both attended university in A City, but our schools were two hours apart by car.

He always tirelessly commuted between the two campuses,

Four hours round trip, just to see me.

After graduating with his master’s degree, he proposed to me immediately.

With all our friends and family as witnesses, he kissed me and said he had waited eight years for this day.

I watched with a cold heart, but by the end, my eyes were still wet.

Perhaps nine years was long enough that we had both loved with fervent sincerity.

Walking hand in hand all this way, I always thought he was as focused as I was.

Only at the threshold of marriage did I suddenly realize he had been distracted along the way.

The thought sent a dull ache through my heart.

In all those countless memories,

At what moment did his heart make room, secretly hiding someone else?

Seeing my tears, he held my hand.

“Crybaby, how do you always cry when you watch this?”

“Next time, I won’t let you watch.”

But my hand trembled slightly.

I found myself afraid.

Afraid of the truth that was about to be revealed tonight.

Afraid that these nine years would meet a dismal end tonight.