Help! My hunky roommate is begging me to touch his abs!

As soon as winter vacation arrived, Liu Feng practically fled the city.

He was too ashamed to see Jin Bao'er, too ashamed to see Zhao Yuheng, and even less willing to see those scenes that reminded him of his failure.

He booked a ticket, packed his luggage, and boarded the high-speed train back home, heading north to Shandong, a small town where the winter winds were strong but which made him feel at ease.

The house was still the same as always. His certificates of merit from childhood to adulthood were displayed in the living room, and his mother's freshly washed quilts were drying on the balcony. The familiar aroma of food filled the air as soon as the door was opened.

His parents were overjoyed to see him come back. They pulled him aside and asked him all sorts of questions: about school, his classmates, whether he ate well, and whether he slept soundly.

Liu Feng answered each question with a smile, hiding all his grievances and bitterness in his heart.

He thought he could recover slowly once he got home, but every night, lying in bed, all he could see when he closed his eyes was Jin Bao'er, the evening breeze on the playground, and Zhao Yuheng's kiss that declared ownership.

My chest felt like it was stuffed with a cold, damp piece of cotton, so heavy I could hardly breathe.

He stayed at home for a few days, and apart from having meals with his parents and visiting relatives, he hardly went out.

People who used to love playing sports and being around people now just want to stay quiet.

That day, his mother couldn't stand it anymore and dragged him out of bed.

"What are you doing staying cooped up at home all day? Go out for a walk. Your junior high classmate Lin Miao is back today. She specifically asked me if you came back. Go see her and have a chat."

Liu Feng was taken aback: "Lin Miao?"

This name feels both distant and familiar.

Thin and small, quiet, not talkative, always the shadow following behind him.

"Yes, it's Lin Miao. He's grown tall and strong now. I heard he's studying at university here. He's been thinking about you."

Liu Feng wasn't really interested, but he couldn't resist his mother's nagging, so he put on his coat and went out to walk towards the old street.

The winter wind was a bit cold, and it stung my face slightly.

He walked to the agreed-upon teahouse, pushed open the door, and immediately saw the person sitting by the window.

Wearing a simple black down jacket, she was slender yet upright, with fair skin and gentle eyes, and was gently stirring the tea in her cup.

Hearing the door open, he looked up, his eyes lighting up instantly when they fell on Liu Feng.

"Liu Feng".

The voice was soft, just like it had been many years ago.

Liu Feng felt a sudden pang in his heart and walked over to sit down: "Long time no see."

"Yes, it's been a long time." Lin Miao smiled, her eyes crinkling beautifully. "I heard from Auntie that you were back, so I wanted to invite you out for a chat."

The two chatted casually, talking about junior high, high school, college, and their respective lives.

Lin Miao didn't talk much, and most of the time she listened quietly, but her eyes were always on him, focused and gentle.

As Liu Feng spoke, his mood gradually declined. He was already in a bad mood, and talking about the past made him feel even more empty inside.

Lin Miao noticed something was wrong with him and asked softly, "Are you... in a bad mood?"

Liu Feng remained silent for a while before making no attempt to hide it from him.

In any case, the person in front of him was the most reassuring figure from his youth, someone who would never laugh at him or gossip about him.

He only dared to vaguely say that he had fallen in love with someone, treated him with all his heart, and tried his best to get closer to him, but the other person already had someone else in their heart.

He didn't dare mention his gender. He had kept this a secret for so long, and he was afraid that if he did, he would lose even his only sense of security.

Lin Miao listened quietly, her fingertips pausing slightly. When she looked up, her tone was soft but serious: "It's... a boy, right?"

Liu Feng froze abruptly, his face turning pale instantly. He stared at him in astonishment, as if his secret had been exposed in public, and he even stopped breathing.

He instinctively gripped the cup tightly, his fingertips turning white with nervousness, unsure whether to admit it or deny it.

Lin Miao immediately softened her voice and gently comforted him:

"Don't be afraid, I didn't mean anything by it, and I won't tell anyone. It doesn't matter who you like, it's not your fault."

His eyes were clean and gentle, without a trace of disdain, only heartache and composure.

Liu Feng's tense nerves finally relaxed at that moment.

He recounted his experiences at university in fits and starts.

Meeting Jin Bao'er, falling in love, getting closer, striving for her, watching her with someone else, leaving the scene alone, one-sided love, and a heart full of bitterness.

He didn't say anything particularly emotional; he just spoke in a plain and simple manner.

But by the end, his voice was still a little hoarse.

"I just feel... quite resentful."

Liu Feng looked down at his teacup. "I really like him, and I've tried my best, but he's never had feelings for me."

Lin Miao listened quietly the whole time, without interrupting or judging.

After Liu Feng finished speaking, the room was quiet for a few seconds.

Lin Miao took a deep breath, as if she had made a huge decision, and looked up at him with a soft, watery look in her eyes.

"You know what, Liu Feng? I'm the same kind of person as you."

"Moreover, someone might like you for much longer than you like them."

Liu Feng suddenly looked up: "What did you say?"

Lin Miao looked at him, her voice soft yet exceptionally clear:

"I said, I like you, I've liked you for six years."

Liu Feng froze completely.

My mind went blank, with only those four words echoing in my ears.

Six years.

Lin Miao slowly lowered her head, her fingertips gently gripping the cup, as if she had mustered the greatest courage of her life.

"I've liked you ever since you helped me drive away the people who were bullying me in the first year of junior high."

Liu Feng's memory was suddenly and violently pulled back to many years ago.

Even back then, he was tall, had a straightforward temper, and couldn't stand seeing anyone bully the weak.

Several people blocked Lin Miao's way, trying to rob him and shoving him. He happened to be passing by and, without thinking, rushed forward, pushed them aside, and stood in front of Lin Miao to protect him.

"Get away from him, don't touch him."

At the time, he just thought he was helping a classmate out of the blue and forgot about it as soon as he turned around.

But Lin Miao remembered it for a full six years.

"I've been following you ever since that day."

Lin Miao's voice was soft, but every word struck Liu Feng's heart: "You run, and I'll just sit by the track and watch."

If you play ball, I'll get you water and clothes;

Since you leave late from evening self-study, I'll pretend to stay behind to do practice problems and secretly follow you to your apartment building.

"I remember you don't like cilantro."

"I'll remember that you're prone to finger injuries when you play ball."

"I remember your throat gets sore in winter."

"I remember everything: what color you like, what drink you like, what you're afraid of, and what you're like when you're happy."

Liu Feng's heartbeat grew heavier with each beat.

He never knew that there was such a person standing behind him all along.

"We weren't in the same class in high school, so I would deliberately take a longer route every day to pass by your classroom, just to catch a glimpse of you."

"I was even more upset than you when you didn't do well on your exam; I secretly bought medicine when you got injured playing basketball, but I didn't dare give it to you in person, so I had to ask your friend to give it to you."

"I dare not say it. I'm afraid you'll find it strange, afraid you'll hate me, afraid we won't even be able to be friends anymore."

"I just want to stay with you quietly like this. As long as I can see you, I'm content."

"Since you're going to university in another city, I don't dare to bother you. I can only try to find out about you little by little from your parents and mutual friends."

"Knowing that you're doing well at school puts my mind at ease; knowing that you seem to have someone you like keeps me up at night, but I still hope you can be happy."

Lin Miao raised her head, her eyes red, but she didn't cry.

He simply looked at Liu Feng quietly, as if he were looking at all the light he had shone over the past six years.

"I know you're feeling down right now, and I'm not taking advantage of your vulnerability."

"I just don't want to hide it anymore."

"Liu Feng, I've liked you for six years. It wasn't just a passing fancy; it was a serious and unwavering liking."

"Please look back at me, okay?"

Liu Feng sat there, completely dumbfounded.

Heartache, shock, guilt, heartache, confusion... countless emotions choked him up, leaving him speechless.

He recalled the details he had overlooked.

That figure that always silently followed behind him.

That bottle of water that's always at the perfect temperature.

That route home from school he had walked countless times.

Those encounters that he thought were "just coincidences".

It was never a coincidence.

It turns out there was someone who cherished him dearly and kept him hidden away for six years.

He was so focused on the person in front of him that he never looked back.

"You..." Liu Feng's throat tightened, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Lin Miao chuckled softly, a hint of bitterness in her voice: "I wouldn't dare."

"You are so dazzling, I'm afraid I'm not good enough for you."

"I just want to wait for you, wait until one day, when you're tired and turn around, you'll see that I've always been here."

Liu Feng's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by a hand.

He recalled his carefulness towards Jin Bao'er, his resentment and grievances, and suddenly he understood.

Lin Miao had been experiencing this feeling of unrequited love, silent protection, and not daring to speak up for six whole years.

He endured more than him, suffered more than him, and was more patient than him.

He always thought he was the most pitiful person in this relationship, until today he realized that there was someone even more pitiful than him.

And all of that person's grievances and affections were because of him.

The teahouse was quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing outside the window.

Liu Feng looked at the person in front of him, whose eyes were red but who was still looking at him gently.

The icy barrier in my heart that I had built for Jinbao'er began to crack little by little, and was filled with another kind of burning emotion.

Heartache, guilt, gratitude, and a hint of excitement that even he himself didn't realize.

But more than anything, there was panic.

He still had someone he hadn't let go of in his heart, and accepting any kindness at this moment would seem unfair to Lin Miao.

It also feels like a betrayal of my own sincere feelings.

He could not, and should not, nod immediately.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Lin Miao understood what was going on. The light in her eyes dimmed slightly, and she slowly pulled her hand back.

"Did I...scare you? Just pretend I was talking nonsense today, let's still—"

No.

Liu Feng suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse.

Just as Lin Miao was about to withdraw her hand, he gently but steadily reached out and touched Lin Miao's fingertips first.

I didn't grip it tightly immediately, but just tentatively touched it.

This action had exhausted all his courage at that moment.

"I don't think you're talking nonsense."

Liu Feng didn't dare look too close to him, his gaze slightly averted, his tone heavy yet exceptionally sincere.

"It's because... my heart isn't pure yet."

"I'm still pretending to be someone else."

"If I agree to your request now, it would be too irresponsible of me to do that; it would be lying to you. I can't do that."

Lin Miao was taken aback, her eyes reddening even more, not from sadness, but from being touched by his honesty.

Liu Feng took a deep breath and spoke very softly:

"Lin Miao, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

"I'm also sorry, I can't say I love you right now."

"I need time."

"I need to properly let go of my past troubles and end this relationship properly."

"I don't want to face the past six years with someone else's shadow in my mind."

He paused, then finally raised his eyes and looked at Lin Miao seriously.

"But I can promise you one thing—"

"I'm willing to turn back."

"I'm willing to try and focus my attention on you."

"I am willing to slowly get to know you, treat you well, and cherish the heart that has waited for me for so many years."

"We're not going to be together right now."

"Yes... let's take it slow, okay?"

Lin Miao froze, tears welling up instantly. This time, it was a mix of sourness, tenderness, and the release of finally being seen.

Seeing him shed tears, Liu Feng felt a pang of guilt and finally gently reached out to grasp his slightly cool hand.

This time, I held on very lightly and very solemnly; it wasn't an impulsive decision, but a firm one.

"I won't let you wait in vain again."

"But I don't want to just brush you off."

Give me some time, and give us some time too.

"Once I've truly let go,"

"I will approach you earnestly and cleanly."

Lin Miao nodded vigorously, tears falling even more fiercely, but she bit her lip tightly to keep herself from crying out loud.

He turned around and gently, carefully, grasped Liu Feng's hand in return.

After six years of looking up, we finally got to turn around.

It wasn't a passionate embrace, nor was it an immediate falling in love.

Instead, the most reassuring and responsible response is: "I'm willing to take it slow."

Looking at the person in front of him who was crying and trembling, Liu Feng felt that the wall he had built for Jin Bao'er did not collapse suddenly, but rather loosened little by little and gently.

He finally understood.

He didn't stop loving her, that's why he saw Lin Miao.

It was only after understanding the pain of unrequited love that one finally came to appreciate the deep affection of the person behind them.

He used to chase the light, but only today did he realize...

The true warmth that belonged to him was always behind him, quietly waiting for him for six years.

This time, he won't turn around and run to someone else.

He will walk step by step, slowly and earnestly, toward the person who has been waiting for him.