Suspect

  Just after the start of senior year, when another long holiday was about to begin, Li Bin appeared in front of me with a low mood. I still remember that at that time, I was holding a stack of books in my hands and was surprised that he would suddenly appear in front of me. I couldn't help but ask: "How did you end up here? Why didn't I see Shao Yin? Didn't you guys say you were going to go out and have some fun together? Did you change your minds?"

  It wasn't until Li Bin raised his head that I saw his eyes were red, as if he had just cried. Before I could speak, he pretended to be relaxed and let out a sigh: "Just now I went to your dormitory. Then I saw... saw Shao Yin get into a car, a car that looked like it was worth tens of thousands of yuan. Coincidentally, her classmate, Liu Yuyuan happened to pass by and told me that it was Shao Yin's boyfriend... Why didn't you tell me? She already had a new boyfriend? Was I the only one who didn't know?"

  "What did you say?" I hugged the book that almost slipped to the ground, this news didn't surprise me too much, because Shao Yin's frequent outings had already made me worried, but she didn't care at all. What surprised me was that Shao Yin hadn't mentioned it to Li Bin, maybe there were other reasons for her outings? I didn't know how to tell Li Bin, after thinking for a long time, I said: "I've... heard about this, Shao Yin's activities are quite frequent, maybe there's some special reason? Why not ask her directly before making a decision? I think... might there be some misunderstanding?"

  No one is more eager for their love to come true than I am. I used to envy the feelings between them, after all, not everyone can be as lucky as Shao Yin, getting a sunny boy to take care of her so carefully from high school until now, what an enviable romance. But the fact surprised me, the day after Shao Yin came back, she pretended to casually tell me that she and Li Bin broke up. Moreover, she didn't give me any reason to persuade her to get back together, but just flashed the platinum ring on her hand and said lightly: "Don't you know the saying 'poor couples have a hundred worries'? I have to consider my own future, so I broke up with him."

  "'A poor husband and wife, a hundred things to worry about.' That was the reason Shaoyin gave me for breaking up back then, so they split up at that time." I looked up at Qinming, perhaps more wanting to sigh over my own youthful years.

  Qin Ming couldn't help but burst out laughing. He pulled out the photo and shook it a few times, shaking his head in dismay: "A poor couple? She could say something like that back then? It's really ridiculous! How did she know they were a poor couple before even graduating? No wonder she got involved in this case... I have to say, she really... I don't know what to say. Is it because she's too rational? Or too realistic?"

  "Everyone has their own choices, and we don't have to think that her choice is wrong. After all, that's the life she wants for herself." I furrowed my brow. Subconsciously, I still didn't want anyone to criticize Shao Yin, after all, she was once my best friend. Moreover, it was indeed her who made my personality less introverted, and made me less extreme when encountering things.

  "Now is not the time to discuss this, the question is you, why did you get involved in Guan Xinyue's life? I don't remember them having any connection between them? How did they meet?"

  Qin Ming solemnly patted my shoulder, barely holding back a smile and said: "This glorious and great task is most suitable for you. I originally thought it would be troublesome to investigate his identity, but it turned out to be so quick. Why don't you go talk to him as a friend? It's more appropriate that way. However, at the right time, you still need to make him clear about your identity."

  This is exactly what I thought. Actually, I also want to know how he's doing. A few days ago, I mentioned a class reunion, and Shao Yin had a thoughtful expression, saying that she had never been to a class reunion and thought it was meaningless. I asked if she was afraid of seeing Li Bin. She was stunned for a moment, but didn't answer, her expression became complicated.

  "There is no medicine for regret in this world, so never regret the choices you made." I don't know if Shao Yin said these words to comfort me or to convince herself to stick with her own choice.

  I have no way to evaluate Shaoyin's values, but in her heart of hearts, there must be a knot that can't be untied. I think she should be like other girls, still hoping to find her own Prince Charming, and the two of them can openly walk into the church together, hand in hand, amidst the blessings of their relatives and friends.

  What I didn't expect was that Li Bin actually lived not far from me, and when we connected on the phone, he said my name with a tone of delight: "I didn't think you'd call me. It seems like since graduation, the only one who hasn't changed their number is you."

  I sat down in the dimly lit coffee shop and looked at Li Bin, who was sitting across from me with a somewhat haggard expression. He forced a smile and said, "Alright, I'm sure I look pretty disheveled right now. You didn't come to find me just to make small talk, did you? I've heard about your work, and I've also heard about the trouble that Shao Yin has been causing lately. Are you looking for some information from me?"

  So frankly asked, I was at a loss for words for a moment, and had to pick up the cup to cover my unease. How should I start? Should I say "Today's weather haha..." or something else? After thinking for half a day, a few completely clichéd words still came out of my mouth: "How have you been all this time?"

  "I've had two girlfriends before, but it seems like neither of them worked out. Now I'm still single." Li Bin said with a calm expression, his hands clasped together as he spoke to me.

  "Oh..." I deliberately prolonged my tone, perhaps because we had been apart for too long, and I was a bit unsure of how to proceed with our conversation. Asking directly might make him uncomfortable, after all, we had met because of Shao Yin.

  Li Bin shook his head and said, "We two don't need to be polite. Although we haven't seen each other for a long time, we both care about Shao Yin, right? A friend of a friend is also a friend, it seems like this has become a rule too. So, if you have anything to ask, just go ahead and ask directly. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you."

  If I continue to be ambiguous, I'm afraid it will only make me appear more hypocritical. I looked at him seriously and asked in a low voice: "Okay, what's the relationship between you and Guan Xinyue? You two aren't... boyfriend and girlfriend, are you?"