Chapter Twelve: A Chaotic Love Triangle

“At first, when he sought me out, it was always to ask about you. But when he wanted to see you and brought me along, it was only because he was afraid it would be awkward otherwise. Don’t you understand?” Nian Yu said to Xiao Jie.

“But now, his heart is all yours,” Xiao Jie replied.

“You know how deeply he cares. He does love me, but I know there’s a place in his heart that belongs to you,” Nian Yu said softly.

“I understand. I’ll leave tomorrow,” Xiao Jie said, looking at Nian Yu.

“You’ve misunderstood, Xiao Jie. What I want is for you to confess your feelings to him,” Nian Yu said.

“Are you out of your mind? Don’t you love him anymore?” Xiao Jie looked at her in astonishment.

“I’m not crazy. I do love him, but things aren’t like they used to be. I can no longer help him—if anything, I’d only hold him back. So I’m choosing to let him go,” Nian Yu replied sincerely.

She continued, “But I can’t rest easy about him. I know you love him too, so I want to entrust him to you. Though he seems strong, inside he’s still just a child.”

“Don’t say anything. Let me finish,” Nian Yu stopped Xiao Jie as she was about to protest.

“Because you still love him, I want you to take care of him. After all, you were the first person he ever liked. With you by his side, maybe he’ll gradually forget about me,” Nian Yu said, her gaze lingering wistfully on Zhou Yu, who was eating outside.

“Take care of him yourself, I don’t care,” Xiao Jie said, her tone tinged with frustration.

“Don’t say silly things. I’ll leave before dawn tomorrow, go back home, and see my parents,” Nian Yu said.

“You can’t just walk away. I admit I still love him, but he should be the one to make this decision,” Xiao Jie said, staring at Nian Yu.

“Zhou Yu, come here,” Xiao Jie called out to him after finishing her conversation with Nian Yu.

Hearing Xiao Jie’s call, Zhou Yu put down his food and hurried over.

When he entered the room, Zhou Yu sensed something was off and quietly asked Xiao Jie, “What’s going on? What did Nian Yu want to tell you?”

“Never mind that. Listen to me now,” Xiao Jie said solemnly.

“Alright, go ahead,” Zhou Yu replied, feeling a bit helpless. He had no idea what Nian Yu and Xiao Jie had discussed, or why the two of them had called him in.

“Zhou Yu, I love you. Be with me,” Xiao Jie said, looking straight into his eyes.

“Don’t joke around, Nian Yu’s still here,” Zhou Yu said to her.

“I’m not joking. I mean it—and it was Nian Yu who asked me to tell you this,” Xiao Jie replied.

“What? What’s going on?” Zhou Yu turned to Nian Yu in disbelief.

“Don’t be surprised yet. Wait until you’ve heard everything,” Xiao Jie said.

“Fine, I’m listening,” Zhou Yu said, resigned to hearing her out.

“Nian Yu just told me everything. Back then, I didn’t understand love, so I missed my chance with you. She also said you still have feelings for me, and I still love you too,” Xiao Jie said, glancing at Nian Yu.

She went on, “After she told me all this, she said she’s leaving you and going back to her hometown to see her parents. She said being with you now would only hold you back, so she’s choosing to leave. She asked me to take care of you. But ultimately, the choice is yours.”

Zhou Yu looked at Xiao Jie and said, “I admit I still have feelings for you. But I love Nian Yu—I could never betray her. But now that we’ve broken up, I guess I still love her too. Since you’re both leaving the decision to me, shouldn’t I be the one to choose who I want to be with?”

After exchanging a glance with Nian Yu, Xiao Jie said, “I hope you make the right choice.”

“Alright, since it’s up to me, let me say my piece first,” Zhou Yu said, looking at both women.

He found a spot to sit down, then looked at them and continued, “When I first met you both, you were already best friends. Back then, I wanted to pursue you, but you only cared about your studies. So I tried to get close to Nian Yu, asking her to bring you out, just so I could spend more time with you. In the end, I realized there was no hope—you never paid any attention to me. I was heartbroken, but Nian Yu was always there for me. Gradually, I fell in love with her instead. Later, you went to the police academy, and we barely kept in touch. You and Nian Yu also spoke less.”

He glanced at Nian Yu before continuing, “Xiao Jie, you and Nian Yu have always been close. Every time Nian Yu and I argued, it was you who comforted her. I hope that never changes.”

After saying this, Zhou Yu fell silent.

He noticed tears glistening in both their eyes.

“So what’s your decision? After all that, I still don’t know who you’re choosing,” Xiao Jie asked, her voice trembling.

“I didn’t know you loved me too. I thought I was the only one suffering among the three of us, but now I see none of us are happy,” Zhou Yu paused.

He went on, “Since our relationship is so complicated, maybe it’s better to make things simple and clear.”

Nian Yu looked at him and said, “What crazy idea do you have now? Just tell us your decision.”

“You asked me to choose, so you have to listen to me,” Zhou Yu said as he stood up and walked over to them.

He took both their hands in his and said, “Why don’t the three of us stay together? I want both of you, and I won’t abandon either.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jie and Nian Yu both gave him a playful scolding, calling him a rascal, before walking out together.

Zhou Yu stood there alone, wondering to himself if they had really agreed.