sunlight slanted through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the small living room. Lin Chen lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind wandering. He couldn't help but think about the past, the time when he and Xiao Qing were inseparable.

They had grown up together, sharing every moment of their childhood. Every morning, they would wake up early to prepare for school, their hands brushing as they reached for their books. They had played hide-and-seek in the backyard, raced up and down the hills, and shared secrets under the starry sky. Their bond was unbreakable, like two trees growing side by side, intertwined roots and all.

As they entered adulthood, their paths continued to converge. They attended the same university, sitting side by side in class, their laughter filling the air. They even worked at the same company, their desks facing each other, their conversations laced with familiarity and comfort. Despite the distance and the chaos of life, they never lost sight of each other.