In a small local company, an employee named Zhang Hao was popular among his colleagues. He is kind-hearted, gentle, and helpful to his co-workers, especially his female colleague Lin Ting, to whom he is more considerate. Their colleagues speculated if there was a relationship blooming, but Zhang Hao and Lin Ting kept their distance since they did not want to give a wrong impression.
Zhang Hao and Lin Ting come from ordinary families, and they are both aware of life’s hardships. 32-year-old Zhang Hao is the second child among his siblings. His parents’ ages are advancing, and his younger brother is still in school. The burden he carries was (at times) too much to bear. As for Lin Ting, her mother died at a young age, and her father remarried. Since then, she longed for a sincere and lasting relationship.
Zhang Hao’s kindness to Lin Ting moved beyond the boundaries of ordinary friendship. He would queue up at the company canteen to buy her breakfast, solve problems for her at work, share housework with her, and also lend her money for medical treatment. However, Zhang Hao never confessed his feelings towards her since he was aware that his conditions were limited. He assumed he could not satisfy the happiness that Li Ting wanted.
5 years have passed, and Zhang Hao relentlessly showed his efforts in silence. Unfortunately, he never won Lin Ting’s affection. Zhang Hao did not give up. After all, he was accustomed to paying for her needs. However, life took a sharp turn. News came from his hometown that his father passed away due to illness, and Zhang Hao had to go back and deal with the funeral arrangements with his family.
In his hometown, Zhang Hao met Xiaofang from a neighboring village. She was simple, kind, and willing to share life’s trials with him. With this, Zhang Hao was touched. Without hesitating, he pursued Xiaofang since he needed someone with whom he could spend the rest of his life and start a family.
When Lin Ting learned that Zhang Hao returned to her hometown and was getting married, she felt devastated. She realized she had long been accustomed to Zhang Hao’s care and kindness. She discovered that she had already fallen in love with him but hesitated to accept his affections before. 😢
On Zhang Hao’s wedding day, Lin Ting cried out: “The man who loves me is gone!” Everyone present was moved when they heard her cry. Zhang Hao walked up to her and gently patted her shoulder. “Take care of yourself.”
Although the ending of the story was sad, it revealed life’s reality. In the world of love and relationships, no apologies are needed. However, both parties separating will be missed. Although they missed each other when Zhang Hao left for his hometown, he moved on. Life goes on even when they are hurting. They have to face the reality of what fate brings and find their own happiness.
The story proves that the sad truth exists and there is no absolute fairness in life. Every person has their own dilemma. When we are faced with one’s feelings, we must learn how to cherish what is in front of us. If feelings are mutual, do not wait until it is gone. Regret is a painful feeling. 😢 At the same time, we must learn to be independent and not rely on others so that we can find true happiness.
