During a camping trip, my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend sang her a love song and presented her with a bouquet.

My old classmates all turned to look at me, thinking I would be furious.

But I just smiled and said, "You two are so in sync, why don't you share a tent tonight?"

——

During the holiday trip, my girlfriend, Joanna Carter, insisted on bringing her ex-boyfriend, Liam Nelson, despite my objections.

Not only that, but they also left me at the highway service area.

I was both sad and angry. When the police sent me home, Joanna said I was lazy and embarrassing her.

So, I exploded and said she didn't care about me, only Liam.

She accused me of being petty and stormed out.

We argued for almost half a month.

It wasn't until this morning that Joanna smiled at me and said, "I was partly wrong before."

"Let's go to watch the sunrise together."

"The tent and snacks are all ready!"

I knew she wasn't sincerely admitting her mistake, just because her parents were coming for a visit and we'd have dinner together in a few days.

After all, every time we argued before, I'd apologize humbly and give her gifts because I was afraid of losing Joanna.

This would last for several days.

Then Joanna would smile and regain her affection for me.

I would be very happy and continue to maintain our hard-won love.

Again and again, Joanna seemed to have gotten used to this pattern and really thought it was always my fault.

It was as if I had been threatened by him.

And I still had to force a smile.

But these days, I've gradually realized that I've lost interest in anything related to Joanna.

So, when she invited me to watch the sunrise, I just responded with a faint "okay" and turned into the study.

In the past, watching the sunrise with Joanna was my long-held wish.

But every time I mentioned it, Joanna refused.

But when Liam invited her, Joanna immediately dressed up and went. Liam even posted photos on social media to provoke me.

I was so angry that I couldn't sleep for days.

Joanna told me not to overthink it, saying that a group of people went and she couldn't refuse.

When I came out of the study, Joanna was nowhere to be found.

She didn't show up at the agreed time in the evening.

Unlike before, I didn't call or text her, just silently called a taxi and set off alone with my luggage.

Life is like a dream; rather than worrying about others, it's better to be happy alone.

There were many people climbing the mountain.

I chatted with them and didn't feel tired. After reaching the top, I took a nap and, with a reminder in my mind, waited for the sunrise in the breeze.

The orange-red light gradually shone on my face through the thin clouds, warm and gentle.

I happily took photos and posted them on social media, only to see a message from Liam in our classmates' group chat.

It was a video of him at a concert, with a girl's voice singing along.

I knew that voice well; it was Joanna. But I didn't feel sad or surprised.

After all, this had happened countless times.

I had lost count.

So, what's one more time now?

The only difference is, I won't call Joanna to question her anymore.

Because there's no need for it anymore.

When I got home, Joanna was already there, and there was a beautifully wrapped gift box on the table.

But I had no interest in opening it. I took a shower and then went to the study to catch up on sleep.

Because I knew it wasn't for me; it was for Liam.

There was once a time when I saw a gift box on the table.

Coincidentally, it was my birthday.

I thought it was a surprise Joanna had prepared for me and eagerly tried to open it, but Joanna saw me and pushed me away, snatching the box.

She said it was a gift for Liam and accused me of being presumptuous and rude.

The next day, she remembered it was my birthday and gave me a belated gift.

But I didn't hold it against her.

Just as I was dozing off in the study, I suddenly heard the door open.

Was Joanna coming to see me? Was she going to apologize?

Forget it.

None of it matters anymore.

I didn't bother to care and fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up in the evening and immediately saw the exquisite gift box on the desk, identical to the one on the table earlier.

However, there was a note at the bottom. It was an apology letter from Joanna. "Sorry, I forgot to inform you yesterday and let you go alone.

Liam got tickets to my favorite idol's concert, but there were only two, so we went. Don't overthink it.

Next week, I promise to go watch the sunrise with you."

I read it, shook my head with a smile, and didn't bother to open the gift box to see what it was. I just shoved it into the drawer.

Watching the sunrise alone. Was it lonely?

I didn't think so; without any worries, it was quite pleasant.

As for the concert tickets.

I remember I went through a lot of trouble to buy two tickets from a scalper and excitedly told Joanna.

But Joanna coldly said she wasn't in the mood.

Since then, I never mentioned it again.

But now that Liam had two tickets, she was in the mood.

Indeed, they were true love.

I was just an outsider.

About an hour later, Joanna called me, "Didn't you see the gift on the desk?"

"I saw it."

I replied.

"Don't you like it? It's the airplane model you've always wanted."

Joanna sounded puzzled.

"Oh, I haven't opened it yet."

I nodded.

Airplane model? I used to like it, but later Joanna said it took up too much space and was something only nerds played with.

So I sent all my models back home and never bought new ones again.

"Are you still mad? Don't be so petty; I've said it..."

Joanna started explaining.

I interrupted her, "No need to say so much. I understand; you two are best friends."

Joanna on the other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly hung up.

I wondered if Joanna was mad. No, before, when I made a fuss, she always found it annoying.

Now that I wasn't making a fuss, she should have been relieved.

Maybe she was laughing after hanging up.

But it didn't matter; it had nothing to do with me.

I didn't want to let Joanna affect my emotions anymore.

That night.

When Joanna came back, she was holding a bouquet of pink and white roses. Seeing me in the living room, she slammed the roses in front of me.

There was an open card on it, saying, "Happy 7th Anniversary of Our Meeting!"

There was a little heart drawn at the end.

Without Joanna saying anything, I knew it was from Liam.

Because Liam always sent pink and white roses.

I always sent red roses.

I used to send pink and white roses, but Joanna said she hated them and told me not to send them again.

She was mad at me for a whole day because of it.

Later, I saw Liam give Joanna pink and white roses, and she was very happy.

I questioned Joanna, and she denied saying she didn't like pink and white roses, saying they symbolized pure love.

I was silent then and finally understood a simple truth.

It's not the type of flower that matters, but the person giving them.

But now, I felt no anger.

"Help me put the flowers in a vase."

Joanna raised her chin, arrogantly ordering me.

"Okay."

I nodded, got up, took out the flowers I had given Joanna before from the vase, and threw them in the trash, replacing them with the pink and white roses.

"What's the matter? Why throw away the red roses and use the new vase? Are you throwing a tantrum?"

Joanna crossed her arms and looked at me with a cold and mocking gaze, continuing, "You're just too petty..."

It was the familiar words again.

The same lofty attitude.

Before, I would be furious, trembling all over, arguing and fighting with Joanna, and then Joanna would storm out.

Then I would apologize and coax her back.

But now I just replied calmly, "You misunderstood."

Joanna seemed surprised by my calmness, then frowned and stopped talking to me, turning and slamming the door as she left.

Undoubtedly.

Joanna was angry again.

She probably thought I would chase after her with her bag like before, apologizing repeatedly.

She would continue to give me the cold shoulder in public.

I would skip work to coax her for hours, ending up getting scolded by my boss, docked pay, or even fired.

As a result, I had to switch companies several times.

This time, I didn't chase after her or plan to coax her. Instead, I went to the study.

After all, Joanna had Liam.

I turned on the computer and logged into a design and drawing forum. Since the account had been set up for a long time, it took me several tries to get the password right.

As soon as I logged in, a friend greeted me. "Hey Andrew, why did you suddenly come back? Didn't you leave the community for your girlfriend? Did you break up?"

I was stunned for a long time before replying with a "yes."

Actually, I've been interested in drawing since I was a child and showed talent. Even prestigious foreign universities and famous gaming companies offered me opportunities.

But for Joanna, I didn't go. I chose a local company to work for.

I usually got up early to make breakfast for Joanna and did her laundry in the evening.

I watched the shows Joanna liked.

I helped Joanna solve work problems.

It seemed everything was to please Joanna, and I gradually gave up on my own interests and hobbies.

Drawing and airplane models were no exception.

But in the end, I got nothing. Joanna was hot and cold towards me but always passionate about Liam.

The dream of spending a lifetime in love with Joanna had long been shattered.

Rather than worrying about others.

It's better to love myself more.

Two hours later, I received a call from Liam.