Warning: The following content contains triggers for self-harm. Please proceed with caution.
- - - - -
The present.
Li Xueyue gulped. What was she supposed to say in this situation? "I… didn't know Wen Jinkai was involved with uhm, Minghua."
"It's alright, I'm also to blame. I should've told you about this earlier." Duchess Wang Qixing sighed, her voice heavy with regret. "I didn't tell you about his involvement with her partially because you seemed happy by his presence. I wanted the best for you and your wellbeing. It was the first time you had ever expressed interest in a man, I didn't want to deter you."
Li Xueyue nodded, though she was unable to fully grasp the Duchess's perspective. "I understand where you were coming from. I should've known it wasn't my place to keep their friendship together."
Duchess Wang Qixing shook her head. "You don't have to blame yourself for what happens between them. Friends come and go."