When my ex-boyfriend saw me, I was wearing gloves and cleaning up the trash can in the mall.
His first love next to him casually threw her milk tea into my plastic bag.
It splashed milk tea on my face.
After recognizing me, my ex-boyfriend's gaze darkened, and he told his first love to leave.
Afterwards, he held my hand and asked me word by word.
'Sophia, where have you been these years? Why didn't I see you on the day of the university graduation photos when I returned to the country?'
I put on an awkward smile and said, 'I didn't finish college, I dropped out.'
'Why did you drop out? Weren't you the one who loved studying the most?' Zeweil gripped me painfully.
'As you can see, I can't study anymore. I'm currently a janitor at the mall. Let's skip the catching up. I still have work to do, or my supervisor will have something to say if they see me.'
I tightened my grip on the plastic bag, making a sharp 'rustle' sound, and took the opportunity to show off my beloved pink rubber gloves.
Zeweil's gaze instantly became profound.
Zeweil was my ex-boyfriend, and we were together when we were in college.
In our junior year, his first love returned to the country, and he naturally abandoned me.
After he left, I found out I was pregnant. I had no parents to look after me, and I couldn't reach Zeweil.
Every time I called, it was the cold 'The number you dialed is currently on another call.'
I had no money, so I looked up many crude methods to have an abortion.
Jumping, having someone kick my stomach with leather shoes, and taking cold showers naked.
Unfortunately, none of them worked to abort the pregnancy.
I was still young and ignorant, and the child in my belly slowly grew.
With a bulging belly, I hid in a rented room. Due to constantly failing courses, I was advised by the school to drop out.
Relying on the poverty assistance funds from the past and washing dishes at the small food stalls around the university town, I barely managed to survive.
There were many beautiful girls in the university town.
I was like a rat in the crevice, shuttling between the rented room and the food stalls with a bulging belly.
Sometimes, I would steal the leftovers from the university students and bring them home.
During that period, I constantly fantasized about Zeweil coming back.
To take me away and take good care of me.
But he never came to find me.
I didn't bother thinking about it anymore.
I also understood the reason why Zeweil left without a word.
The legitimate partner had returned, and I was merely a low-quality, cheap substitute.
