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.

"Are you still a man? How badly did you bully Joanna? She ran out alone at night, and you're not worried?"

Liam berated me loudly.

"Isn't she with you? Why should I worry?"

I retorted and hung up, then resumed chatting with a few friends on the forum.

They all thought I could get back into the industry. With my talent, I could keep up with the trends.

I made up my mind to start living for myself.

Not long after.

I heard the door open, probably Joanna coming back, but I didn't bother to check and continued chatting with my friends.

One of my friends, John Miller, worked at a top gaming company and wanted to invite me to be a lead artist.

So when he heard I was back, he immediately got me an interview opportunity with his boss.

I readily agreed and decided to go for the interview the next day.

The next day.

I didn't get up to make breakfast for Joanna as usual. I slept until past nine, made myself a sandwich, and had some milk and juice.

In the past, I had to cater to Joanna's taste, making different dishes to please her.

Sometimes, she would say she wanted something the night before, but when I made it the next day, she didn't want it and asked for something else.

She even asked me to make a portion for Liam.

It felt like I was their nanny, always at their beck and call.

Compared to that, not having to get up at six to please Joanna and having no worries now was incredibly comfortable.

Even the sunlight outside felt much brighter.

After arriving at the company.

With my friend's introduction, I met the general manager and had a long conversation.

Then, I presented my award-winning works and previous game scene and character illustrations.

The general manager was very impressed and asked me to design a game character poster within three days.

If I passed this test, I could join the company directly.

I nodded in agreement, cherishing this opportunity and planning to work hard for the next three days. After all, applicants for top gaming companies were as numerous as cattle.

Since I had turned off my phone for the interview, I only remembered to turn it back on after leaving the company. Immediately, I saw a message reminder from Joanna half an hour ago.

But when I clicked on it, the message had been retracted.

At that moment, someone in the classmates' group chat tagged me.

I clicked in and saw that Joanna, who rarely showed up, was unusually active in the group chat today, constantly interacting with Liam and posting photos she took of him.

Some photos were quite intimate.

Joanna was leaning on Liam's shoulder while Liam was stroking her hair.

It seemed they went to take photos together this morning, enjoying their happy world.

The classmates were all making a fuss, and many asked me how the photos looked.

I simply replied with "nice."

The group chat fell silent instantly.

Joanna didn't show up again.