"Agreed."

Han Fangchi agreed first, then added, "Tomorrow won't work."

"Something came up? Then another day," He Lezhi said.

He Lezhi was driving today. Han Fangchi sat in the passenger seat, leaning against the seatback with his legs casually bent. He Lezhi drove very steadily, and there was a faint fragrance in the car.

Han Fangchi was silent for a moment before speaking, "Fang Tong is engaged. The dinner is set for tomorrow."

He Lezhi turned his head, a little surprised. "Fang Tong is engaged? Didn't he already get engaged?"

"No, that wasn't him last time," Han Fangchi said.

"Then I must have remembered wrong. I was working so much overtime back then that I was all mixed up," He Lezhi said. "You guys go ahead. We can schedule something else later."

Han Fangchi grunted in agreement.

A brief silence fell over the car. Only the gentle, unobtrusive light from the streetlamps shone in, flickering on and off.

"I was afraid you'd feel awkward." Han Fangchi was the first to break the silence. "They know you don't want to go."

He Lezhi nodded, the light of the streetlamps reflecting in his eyes. "I really won't go."

Fang Tong was one of their friends. He Lezhi didn't interact with him much privately, but they had known each other for many years. Back when Zhou Muyao hadn't returned from Beijing, He Lezhi had basically attended all the social events he was supposed to.

Although it was now impossible for him to appear in a crowd with Zhou Muyao, objectively speaking, it had indeed been a long time since anyone had sought him out—except for Han Fangchi.

It seemed that with the end of a long relationship, those mutual friends had also been cut off by He Lezhi. Perhaps this was an inevitable consequence of ending a relationship; they were, after all, closer to Zhou Muyao.

They were almost at Han Fangchi's place, just one more turn at the intersection.

He Lezhi let out a laugh that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Han Fangchi looked at him.

"Aren't you afraid I'll feel awkward? And you still hang out with me." He Lezhi turned his head to meet his gaze and said with a smile.

Han Fangchi averted his gaze and said nonchalantly, "If you're awkward, just bear with it."

They arrived at the residential complex, and He Lezhi parked the car by the roadside.

Han Fangchi opened the door and was about to get out when he heard He Lezhi say, "Thanks, Fangchi."

Han Fangchi turned back to glance at him, didn't respond, then pushed the door open and got out. "I'm leaving."

It was quite interesting to think about. Han Fangchi was clearly the closest to Zhou Muyao, yet he was also the only friend who still contacted He Lezhi.

This was perhaps related to Han Fangchi's personality. In He Lezhi's impression, he was actually a very thoughtful person who would subtly take care of others. Maybe it was because he had two younger sisters and was used to being a big brother, so he always carried the air of one.

The last two times he had asked He Lezhi out, they had met with friends who were complete strangers to He Lezhi, unrelated to Zhou Muyao. This made it so that when He Lezhi was with him, he no longer constantly thought about his relationship with Zhou Muyao.

And Han Fangchi's always frank and relaxed demeanor gave He Lezhi a feeling of being among "his own people."

At the Sunday gathering, Han Fangchi was once again the last to arrive. As he walked in, he happened to hear Xiao Yao say, "Can you not act so pathetic!"

"Who's acting pathetic?" Han Fangchi retorted smoothly.

Everyone greeted him. Han Fangchi said, "Had a headache, so I took a nap. I'm late."

"Your brother." Xiao Yao stood up and waved Han Fangchi over. "You, come here. Sit next to your baby brother. I feel bad just looking at him." After speaking, he squeezed into a spot on the opposite side and sat down.

Han Fangchi sat down next to him. Zhou Muyao was slumped over the table and called out, "Brother."

"Got an ulcer?" Han Fangchi looked at the corner of his mouth and gestured. "Sit up, let me see."

Zhou Muyao obediently sat up and opened his mouth for him to see.

Han Fangchi held his chin, turning him towards the light. "How long has it been?"

"Two or three days," Zhou Muyao mumbled with his mouth open. "It's nothing."

"Don't drink today," Han Fangchi said, letting him go.

Zhou Muyao slumped back down again, remaining silent.

Ever since He Lezhi disappeared from Zhou Muyao's life, Zhou Muyao had been in this state. Listless, exhausted, his eyes dim, no longer the sparkling eyes he used to have.

Zhou Muyao couldn't live without He Lezhi; everyone knew that. He was like a wilting plant that had lost its sunlight, devoid of its vigorous life force.

Han Fangchi told him not to drink, but Zhou Muyao still drank too much.

The others knew he was hurting and advised him to move on. Zhou Muyao just lay there, shaking his head nonstop.

"I only want Lezhi." Zhou Muyao's voice was muffled, as if he could barely breathe.

"Anyone who didn't know better would think Lezhi did something to you, that he wronged you." Xiao Yao, sitting opposite, sneered. He already had a sharp tongue, and after a few drinks, his tone became even harsher. "If you want to be a scumbag, then don't be so melodramatic."

The two of them usually bickered. They would trade barbs whenever they met, but they were also genuinely good friends who could always have fun together. They hadn't seen each other much lately, but whenever they did, Xiao Yao would needle him. Zhou Muyao wouldn't talk back. He seemed to have lost interest in everything, appearing completely hollow.

Zhou Muyao remained slumped over. Xiao Yao continued, "Lezhi coddles you like a child, and you really think you're a little baby, don't you? Are you seven or eight years old, may I ask?"

Someone next to him nudged his knee, telling him to stop.

Xiao Yao took a cigarette from the person's pack next to him and said with it between his teeth, "People said you were like his silly son, did you really start thinking you were his son? No one is going to clean up your messes forever except your dad, and even your dad didn't clean this one up for you."

Xiao Yao, fueled by the alcohol, was completely unrestrained. Someone beside him sucked in a breath and exclaimed, "Your mouth..."

Back then, in order to be with He Lezhi, Zhou Muyao had impulsively come out to his family. His father hadn't spoken to him for years and wanted to disown him. But now, Zhou Muyao didn't even have He Lezhi anymore.

Xiao Yao's words were barbed, stabbing at Zhou Muyao's heart.

Zhou Muyao didn't say a word in return, only listening in silence.

As people grow up, it seems even "speaking your mind" becomes a luxury. Friends who grew up together, after so many years, might appear to have the same relationship year after year, but in reality, all that's left is an occasional meal together. Their words become more polite, their interactions more courteous. The occasional clashes and conflicts from their school days are long gone.

Therefore, Xiao Yao's tirade actually seemed somewhat sincere. No matter who it was directed at, it could at least be considered showing his true colors.

This wasn't the first time Xiao Yao had cursed him out. There was an even harsher time last winter. That time, Zhou Muyao got drunk and was in great pain, saying he was afraid of losing He Lezhi.

At first, Xiao Yao thought he was just repeating his usual mantra, but as he listened, he felt something was off. He stared at Zhou Muyao and asked, "Are you being serious with me?"

Zhou Muyao looked at him, his eyes red. "I don't want to hide it from Lezhi anymore. Brother Yao, what should I do?"

Xiao Yao was stunned for a full minute, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he stared blankly at Zhou Muyao. Afterward, he suddenly cursed, "Fuck you, Zhou Muyao!"

He grabbed a wine bottle, stood on the coffee table, and pointed at Zhou Muyao. Drunk, his voice was nasal as he said, "Fuck you."

When He Lezhi came to pick up Zhou Muyao that time, Xiao Yao had already left, so they didn't see each other. He Lezhi heard from others that the two had argued but didn't think much of it, saying, "That's normal. When do they not argue?"

When Xiao Yao stopped cursing, Zhou Muyao turned his head to the side, still slumped over.

"Brother."

Han Fangchi sat beside him. He hadn't been drinking and hadn't said much. He really did have a bit of a headache today.

"Is Lezhi okay?" Zhou Muyao asked softly.

"I don't know," Han Fangchi said.

"Are you two in contact?" Zhou Muyao asked.

"Yes."

"Does he seem okay?" Zhou Muyao asked again, a tear slipping from the corner of his eye directly into the sleeve he was resting on. "I miss him."

Han Fangchi didn't answer him again.

He Lezhi would never look like he wasn't okay. The question was meaningless.

"Brother, I have nothing left," Zhou Muyao said, still slumped over.

He spoke so quietly that only Han Fangchi, sitting next to him, could hear clearly. Otherwise, Xiao Yao, sitting opposite, would have definitely said he deserved it.

Han Fangchi said, "It's not that bad."

Zhou Muyao said again, "I've lost everything."

Han Fangchi glanced at him and asked, "Was He Lezhi your everything?"

"Yes," Zhou Muyao said.

Han Fangchi wasn't as sharp-tongued as Xiao Yao. He had always been relatively gentle, not as incisive. Since he could walk, Zhou Muyao had followed him around, calling him "brother." As a child, he was a dark, chubby kid, lively and mischievous, always saving his best things to play with his "Brother Fangchi" after school.

Han Fangchi was his childhood friend, his big brother, someone who had genuinely grown up with Zhou Muyao.

Just then, Han Fangchi leaned forward slightly, getting closer. He looked at Zhou Muyao and asked calmly, "Then how did all this happen?"

Zhou Muyao's vacant gaze landed elsewhere. He couldn't answer. Another silent tear just slid down his face.

"Brother, help me," Zhou Muyao said again.

Because of his headache, Han Fangchi was leaning against the back of his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. He asked, "How can I help?"

When the phone rang, He Lezhi was holding a handful of hangers, about to hang up the freshly washed clothes to dry.

Hearing the phone ring, he turned to pick it up.

Seeing "Fangchi" on the caller ID, He Lezhi was a little surprised. 'They finished dinner this early?'

"Fangchi," He Lezhi answered, putting the phone on speaker and setting it aside. "What's up?"

"Lezhi." Zhou Muyao's voice came through the receiver, and He Lezhi's hands froze.

Zhou Muyao's voice was thick and nasal, full of pleading. "I want to see you. Let's get back together..."

He Lezhi could hear other people talking, and even heard someone through the phone persuading him to give Xiao Hei a chance.

He listened in silence as Zhou Muyao called his name over and over. The sorrow and emotion in his voice weren't feigned; every word was heartfelt, enough to make anyone's heart soften.

"You hang up," He Lezhi said.

"Lezhi," Zhou Muyao said, "I can't let go."

He Lezhi could imagine the entire table watching Zhou Muyao, listening to him make the call. Regardless of whether he showed up or cut off contact, to this day, he was still the topic of conversation at their dinner table.

In the end, it was still He Lezhi who hung up the phone. Afterward, "Fangchi" flashed on the screen again. He Lezhi waited for the call to end on its own before adding the number to his blocklist.