Shun remained frozen as he realised that he had exposed himself. However, he recovered after thinking about the situation. It was only a matter of time before he was discovered. He never intended to keep the secret for much longer. 

Since he had already declared his intentions to return home, he might as well let everyone know that he had his memories. 

“Shun, you have recovered your memories?” Wang Che asked with a foolish expression. “When did you remember?” 

Shun lifted his chin. “After the night Hu Lei visited me.” 

Hu Lei smiled in self-satisfaction. It was just as she thought. But she did not say anything because Shun and Wang Che were focused on themselves. Now that everything was out in the open, it was better to let them resolve their issues. 

“What? That long?” Wang Che was once again gobsmacked. “Why didn’t you say anything? And why, why did you leave?” 

The last question was asked in a soft and vulnerable tone. Wang Che wanted to be angry for Shun hiding everything, but he knew he did not have the right. If he cared, he might have noticed that Shun had his memories back. 

He remembered that Shun acted a little strangely after that night. It was on that morning that Shun asked him what he wanted. But he was a coward who refused to speak up and kept their relationship awkward and tense. 

After that, Shun focused on the home remodelling, but he refused to engage as usual with Wang Che. He did not act like the normal Shun, even with the memory loss. But he did not try to say anything. He just ignored the issue and hoped that the tension would go away. 

And he lost Shun. 

Shun straightened his back. “It is because I remembered everything that I left. I gave you countless chances to prove that you wanted to be with me, but you threw them back in my face. I am not so cheap that you can get me just like that.” 

Wang Che took a step forward with an earnest expression. “You know that I want nothing more than to be with you. I love you, Shun. I have always loved you.” 

The shimmering tears on Shun’s eyes fell and he wipes them with the sleeve of his sweater. He tried to maintain his cold expression even though he had lost control of his tears. He did not want to appear weak, especially in front of Wang Che. 

“You can say those words, but they are just words. You are a superficial person Wang Che. You only know how to do and say things, but your heart is never truly involved. You have never been willing to bet everything and open your heart.” Shun said. 

“I am willing to leave everything behind and come with you to Mountain Ridge. We can build a life together. We were happy there.” Wang Che felt desperate as he heard Shun saying the things he feared most about himself. 

It was true. He was a superficial person who did things without actually feeling them in his heart. Yes, he loved Shun, but he had never truly shared his heart with him. He always kept his cards close to his chest, refusing to be vulnerable. 

Even when he treated Shun well, a part of him knew that it was to make sure that Shun never left him. He wanted Shun to need him so that he could not ever leave him. 

“How can you even say that with a straight face?” Shun laughed with a croaking voice. “Yes, we were happy. But that is because I went along with you and your plans. I left my life here in Supreme City and stayed with you there for a year.” 

“Why did you not say anything if you did not want to go?” Wang Che asked. 

“That’s the thing. I wanted to go. Maybe I had feelings for you even back then, so I did not think twice about it. That is the kind of person I am. When I care for someone, I do not hold back. I give everything. But I cannot be in a relationship with someone who just takes.” Shun said. 

“Shun, you know that is not true.” Wang Che walked towards Shun until he was right in front of him. 

Shun took a step backwards and looked at Wang Che. “I am not talking about material things. I have enough material things. And if I want more houses or cars or millions, I can ask my family to give me them. Hell, I can ask Zhong Feng, and he will give me whatever I want.” 

Zhong Feng and Hu Lei were watching the entire drama with interest from the couch and did not expect to be drawn into the crossfire. The sudden involvement made it weird since they were there. Hu Lei pulled Zhong Feng’s arm until he stood up. 

“On that note, we are leaving.” Hu Lei said as she dragged Zhong Feng. “But for the record, it is true.” 

As the two people left their living room, Shun and Wang Che faced off again. 

“I can give you everything, Shun.” Wang Che said as he lifted his hand and touched Shun’s face. “There is nothing that I will not give you.” 

Shun closed his eyes as he felt the warmth of that hand. The touch was comforting and familiar. He had dreamt of that touch for countless nights, especially after that kiss under the tree on that night. He wanted to surrender. 

However, he needed to stay strong. He opened his eyes and stepped back. 

“You can give me everything. But you are not willing to give me the thing I want the most.” Shun paused and took a breath. “The real you! I am tired of the façade. I want to know the real Wang Che. The good, the bad and the ugly.” 

Wang Che took a step back, almost instinctually. 

Shun laughed harshly. “That is what I thought. Here I am, pouring my heart to you, and you are still unable to give me a glimpse into yourself. Is this the good life you are promising me? Do you think that I will be happy?” 

Wang Che lowered his head as he felt the world closing in on him again. He knew that he was going to lose Shun. And if he lost Shun this time, there would be no going back. This was his final chance to be with the one person he had ever loved in the whole world. 

Shun’s eyes filled with tears again at the hesitation in Wang Che. He took a step back, intending to leave before he broke down. “Che, I am tired. We should just end things here before we do more damage.” 

Wang Che lifted his head and looked at Shun. His eyes were different somehow. He did not have that composed demeanour anymore, and weird darkness was exposed on his face. It was a change that was intangible yet very real. 

He stretched his hands and caught Shun’s in a tight hold. Shun’s mouth opened in surprise, and his eyes widened at the transformation in Wang Che. 

“As I said, I am willing to give you everything.” Wang Che said in a low voice. “But I am afraid there is no good in my real self.. Only the bad and the ugly.”