By the third day, Lanky had already sorted out his emotions and was ready to return to the army. He couldn’t say he hated Luka; having grown up together, how could he not understand Luka’s feelings for Nina? He had just been pretending not to see it!
For this, he could only play along with their clumsy act before his discharge, performing a scene of brotherly friendship, a silent understanding between the two of them.
In the days that followed, the three of them worked hard to maintain a facade of harmony, lingering on the edge of pain and love… their hearts were weary, yet none were willing to let go.
Several times, Nina wanted to end the dangerous relationship with the two of them and find a place where no one knew them to start anew…
But every time she faced Lanky’s deep affection and Luka’s earnestness, she found herself repeatedly defeated.
Finally, on the eve of Lanky’s discharge… Luka staged a self-harm act. After graduating from high school, he quickly received his military enlistment notice, which terrified him. He worried that once he enlisted… Lanky would stand on a moral high ground and kick him out of this twisted love.
So Nina agreed, or perhaps it should be said… she was simply exhausted! But while she promised Luka, she found herself unable to speak when facing Lanky.
This made the perceptive Lanky sense something was off. He took the initiative to speak: “I know… I’ve always known… about you and Luka, but the feelings I have for you are something I can never take back and give to anyone else; they are unique in this world. If you want to let go… I might not be able to live either…”
Lanky spoke calmly, but to Nina, it felt as if her heart was being struck by a hammer, again and again, causing her pain. She had never imagined that such a proud Lanky… would love her so tragically.
Unable to hold back, she burst into tears, as if trying to cry out all the grievances of the three of them… to tell the world that they were also victims in this twisted love.
Lanky gently enveloped the girl, kissing away Nina’s fallen hot tears, his heart aching, “I won’t force you! I want to give you a happy home, even if the person with you… isn’t me.”
Nina bit her lip but couldn’t stop crying. She forced a smile, “So, tears also have warmth.”
“Foolish girl, you’re not a cold-blooded animal, of course, they have warmth.”
Thus, with Lanky’s tacit approval… Nina ultimately lied to Luka. But how could the sensitive Luka not feel that the atmosphere at home was off? Lanky was mature and steady, never making things difficult for Nina. During the time Luka was at home, Lanky was even as quiet as a transparent person, only appearing quietly when Nina needed him.
Lanky’s presence became a thorn in Luka’s heart, jealousy and inferiority made him increasingly disadvantaged in this relationship.
Luka didn’t want to hurt his girl, nor did he want to always be quarrelsome and suspicious; he was tired… yet he couldn’t let go of his love. So he could only immaturely seek proof of their love in daily life, jealousy made Luka petty and sharp-tongued.
The thoughts of the three returned to the dark, rickety bridge… lingering in silence.
“Hey! What are you three doing on the bridge? Are you raising mosquitoes? Come down quickly!” The aunt shook her head at their silence, “I’m telling you! What’s there to think about? Nina, I’ve seen you grow up since you were little, and so have you, Lanky and Luka. What kind of people are you three? Auntie still knows!
You’re just overthinking it; just live your lives! Good or bad, it’s all up to you; don’t worry about what others think! Alright! Go to sleep, don’t raise any more mosquitoes.” After saying this, the aunt hurried back home.
Seeing this, Nina couldn’t help but chuckle, “I think… I once accidentally cut the fur of her little black dog.”
Luka couldn’t hold back either, “Yeah! I even bought a Barbie doll for you at the night market.”
At this moment, Lanky simply said, “Nina said back then… she wanted to earn money and leave this place… I’ve always kept that in my heart.”
Nina seemed to realize something; she stretched lazily, “Ah! Right! Leaving this place is enough; I don’t want to choose.”
Lanky smiled too: “There shouldn’t be a choice; let’s prepare to move! Move to a place where no one knows us.”
Seeing them banter back and forth and decide on an escape route, Luka rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Lanky’s neck and pulling Nina close. Playfully, he said, “Hey~ you didn’t ask me, how strange! You guys!” But after saying this, the three of them laughed, their smiles radiant.
From then on, the three of them had a home, and their hearts no longer wandered aimlessly.
Three people together, can it work?
Three people, can it work or not?
(The End)
