Xing Fei ran down the hallway, desperately trying to hold back her tears.
But it was impossible.
The image she had just witnessed kept replaying in her mind.
Tian and Katie.
Together.
Happy.
In love.
She stopped beside the classroom windows and covered her mouth.
A sob escaped before she could stop it.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
"Xing Fei."
James had followed her.
His voice was gentle.
Careful.
Xing Fei quickly wiped her eyes.
"I'm fine."
It was an obvious lie.
James sighed.
"There is a lot of fish in the ocean."
Xing Fei lowered her head.
"Why are you crying?"
The question made her tears fall even harder.
For several seconds, she couldn't answer.
Then she finally whispered,
"He loves her..."
Her voice trembled.
"I know."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"But it hurts so much."
James' expression softened.
Of course it hurt.
For years, Xing Fei had admired Tian from afar.
She had supported him.
Believed in him.
Stayed beside him.
And now...
His heart belonged to someone else.
James stepped closer.
Without another word, he gently wrapped his arms around her.
Xing Fei froze.
Then her composure finally broke.
She buried her face against his chest and cried.
James carefully rested a hand on her head.
"It's okay."
Xing Fei closed her eyes.
For the first time, she allowed herself to grieve the feelings she had kept hidden for so long.
And while Tian and Katie were beginning a new chapter together...
Xing Fei was finally saying goodbye to hers.