The final stretch of the path to the summit required walking, and during that entire time, Zhang Qiran didn’t say a word to Song Zhehan. Throughout the rest of the recording for the day, Zhang continued to do what he was best at—avoiding.

Anything related to Song Zhehan, any topics that could lead to a conversation, Zhang dodged. And if he couldn’t avoid it, he would stay silent, pretending to be mute.

Song Zhehan realized that maybe he had gone a little too far, teasing Zhang until he was visibly upset. Still, Song Zhehan didn’t regret it.

After nine years, he felt as if a missing piece of his heart had finally returned. He was starting to understand that he had never really let go of Zhang Qiran.

Of course, someone as petty as him wouldn’t forgive someone for disappearing without a word so easily.

For nine long years, Song Zhehan had avoided thinking about or even remembering Xiang Yang (Zhang Qiran’s former name). He tried to forget because it still bothered him, the unresolved feelings gnawing at him.

But now, today, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Because the person he liked still liked him back, just as much.