Fragile Love

My boyfriend is a swimmer with six-pack abs.

Last night, out of the blue, he broke up with me.

His reason? He claimed I loved his looks, not his soul.

I was lazily nestled in Cayden's arms when he dropped this bombshell, and I was taken aback, scrambling to defend myself...

No, not scrambling, earnestly explaining.

Despite my sweet-talking, calling him "baby" at every turn, Cayden remained unmoved. He gritted his teeth and said, "Hey, maybe you should take your hands off me first if you want to be convincing?"

I reluctantly withdrew my hands and righteously declared, "I just thought you trained all day and worked so hard earlier, so I was giving you a massage."

Cayden looked at me with slightly reddened eyes and said, "I'm moving out."

"What?

Why?"

"You need to prove to me that you love more than just my appearance."

I understood.

In simple terms, he didn't want me to touch him anymore, trying to prove that I wasn't just lusting after his body but was in love with his soul.

I thought he was just saying it, but the next day, Cayden really moved out of my place.

We still had dinner together every day, watched movies, and Cayden even wrote me a love letter.

But he wouldn't touch me, not even a kiss, as if we were in a sweet and innocent school romance.

A week later, I came home from work to find him squatting at my doorstep, subtly hinting that he wanted to move back in.

1

My relationship with Cayden began with a mutual one-night stand.

On the eve of my engagement, I caught my boyfriend, Vance, cheating. I decisively packed my bags and moved to my best friend Brielle's place that very night.

After eight years together, I never imagined Vance and I would end up like this.

I took leave from work and moped around at home for several days.

When the table was piled high with empty bottles, Brielle finally couldn't stand it anymore.

"Yolanda, you're this upset over a cheating jerk? Do you know how not worth it this is?

You've lost your perfect attendance bonus this month, and your salary will be docked by eighteen hundred."

She squinted at me, calculating, "Oh, and these bottles must add up to two thousand, right?

Don't forget you still have a mortgage to pay."

A lump formed in my throat as I looked down at the bottle in my hand, suddenly feeling a pang of heartache.

Brielle snatched the bottle away and dragged me off the couch towards the bathroom.

"It's the weekend.

Go take a shower, change clothes, and put on some makeup."

"For what?"

She paused, turned around with a mysterious smile, and said, "To have some fun."

Then she dragged me, fully made up, to the college swimming pool.

I never expected that by "fun," she meant finding a man.

It's well-known that the sports institute is full of muscular hunks, and watching them can bring joy.

Brielle's high school junior led us into the swimming pool, and as I walked on the slippery floor towards the poolside, I bumped into someone.

I stumbled and almost fell into the pool behind me.

The person steadied me and asked with genuine concern, "Hey, are you okay?"

His voice was pleasant, with a hint of huskiness, like the last trace of intimacy lingering in the throat.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up and met a face with deep-set features and handsome looks.

He was so tall that even in my eight-centimeter heels, I barely reached his nose, only able to see his pale pink lips and the water droplets trickling down his chin.

The heartbreak Vance had caused me that morning vanished instantly, leaving only one clear thought: I was drawn to him.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

He smiled, revealing a set of white teeth. "That's good."

Once he returned to the pool, I quickly rushed to Brielle and asked her junior, "Who is that?"

"Oh, Cayden?

He's the backbone of our school's swim team, one of the most promising candidates for the provincial team," the junior enthusiastically replied.

"If you're interested, Yolanda, I can send you his Whatsapp."

I squinted. "Sure."

After Brielle's junior sent me Cayden's Whatsapp, he changed into his swim trunks and went back to practice.

Brielle and I sat on the bench, our eyes busy with the sight of athletic young men.

Among them, Cayden stood out in both looks and swimming skills.

After watching him swim several laps, I saw him pick up his phone, so I quickly sent a friend request with the note "Poolside Hero."

Cayden accepted my request promptly and politely asked, "Who are you?"

"You helped me at the poolside earlier."

"Oh, does that count as saving a life?"

I typed with a smirk, "Yes, I can't swim.

If I had fallen into the pool, you might have had to save me."

Across the two rows of benches, Cayden paused his typing and suddenly looked up at me.

The bright lights of the swimming pool reflected off the water droplets on his body, creating a refreshing yet captivating scene.

I clearly heard my heartbeat quicken.

Brielle turned to me, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Yolanda, it's fine to admire some eye candy, but don't get too attached.

My junior told me that many of these athletes tend to be quite flirtatious."

I calmly put away my phone. "I know."

As someone who has been navigating the adult world for years, I can distinguish between infatuation and desire.

2

Brielle and I spent the afternoon watching handsome guys swim. By evening, her junior came over and said, "The team is going out for dinner. If you're free, you can join us."

Cayden was among those behind him.

I hesitated politely, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Not at all, it's just a casual gathering, a few people having a meal together."

Cayden's bright and clear eyes looked at me. "Hey, join us."

And so, I ended up going with Cayden and the others to have barbecue at the school gate.

These young boys, having just expended a lot of energy, had enormous appetites.

The skewers disappeared as soon as they were served.

Cayden, sitting beside me, quickly grabbed several chicken wings and placed them on my plate.

Since the next day was a weekend with no training, they ordered a dozen beers.

After a few drinks, Cayden was slightly tipsy.

He turned to look at me, the night breeze blowing, and the lights above reflected in his eyes, creating ripples that had a captivating gaze.

I swallowed hard, trying to contain my anticipation.

After dinner, it was already dark. Brielle had something to do and left early by taxi.

The boys walked back to school in groups, while Cayden lingered behind, walking alongside me.

I turned to him. "Why aren't you with them?"

"It's late, and it's not safe for you to walk alone," he said softly. "I'll walk you home first."

I couldn't help but smile.

On our first meeting, he was already offering to walk me home.

Remembering Brielle's earlier warning at the pool, I genuinely thought Cayden was quite the charmer.

This was good. His initiative meant neither of us had any emotional burden.

We walked a short distance together until we reached a brightly lit Lawson store.

I used the excuse of buying cigarettes to lead him inside and walked to the shelf with condoms, whispering, "Which brand do you prefer?"

Cayden seemed taken aback.

"What?"

"Whichever brand you're used to, just grab it."

I figured he might be shy due to his age, so I considerately stepped aside. "I'll get a bottle of milk, and I'll pay for everything together."

I waited at the counter for a long time, finishing my milk before Cayden finally came over with a small box, insisting on paying himself.

I glanced at his slightly red ears and smiled. "Let's go."

There was a hotel right across the street from the convenience store.

Cayden, experienced as he was, had his ID with him.

The elevator ride up was filled with the unique fresh scent of a young man mixed with a hint of alcohol, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.

Once inside the room, I locked the door behind us and turned to kiss him.

The warmth against my palm gradually increased. Before I knew it, Cayden had turned the tables, sweeping me off my feet and carrying me to the bed.

My fingertips brushed against his damp chest, meeting his eyes, which were filled with desire under the dim light.

Suddenly, I understood a truth-if a new love is captivating enough, even pure desire can swiftly pull someone out of the pain from a previous relationship.

Take now, for instance; all I could see was Cayden above me.

An eighteen-year-old boy, with muscles honed from years of training and an abundance of energy, though his actions were inevitably a bit clumsy.

I let out a small cry of pain, and he immediately softened, gently kissing down from my forehead.

I must have been too exhausted because I couldn't remember when I fell asleep.

When I awoke, daylight was streaming in.

Cayden was already awake, propping his chin up and watching me intently.

I lazily crawled out from under the covers and headed to the bathroom. "Alright, you can head back to school now.

I'll check out later-"

Before I could finish, hurried footsteps approached from behind, and a warm grip caught my wrist.

I paused and turned back, raising an eyebrow at Cayden's hesitant yet pleading gaze. "Is there something else?"

He shook his head, a stubborn glint in his eyes. "I don't have a girlfriend yet."

Even a fool could understand the implication in his words.

I looked at him with interest. "Do you want to try dating me?"

Honestly, I didn't think someone as outstanding as Cayden would genuinely want to date me.

It was just that we got along well last night, and he was in a free period, using me to pass the time.

Conveniently, I had the same thought.

Cayden had beautiful eyes, slightly elongated at the corners, with irises as clear as if washed by water.

At this moment, those eyes were focused on me, and he nodded earnestly.

"Yes."

And just like that, this relationship was casually established.

My gaze traveled down his handsome face, past his defined shoulders and chest, stopping at his suddenly tensed waistline and six-pack abs.

Perhaps my gaze was too brazen, as the boy in front of me shifted uncomfortably, murmuring softly, "Darling."

His call made my heart flutter. I reached out, tracing the contours of his chest and abdomen with my fingertips.

Cayden's Adam's apple bobbed twice, his eyes darkening as he let out a low, hoarse sound.

I hooked my arm around his neck, smiling as I said, "Since it's still early, why don't you relax with me a bit more?"

It wasn't until the afternoon that Cayden and I left the hotel together.

We had lunch at the nearby Serene Breeze Restaurant, and I dropped him off at school. As I turned to leave, Cayden grabbed my wrist again.

"When will you be free next time?

I'll come find you."

I turned back in surprise. "You have that much stamina?"

No wonder he's the star swimmer with those six-pack abs.

Cayden pursed his lips, a hint of grievance in his eyes. "I want to go on a date with you."

I had to admit, young boys are smooth talkers.

Even knowing these were just flattering words, my mood lifted instantly.

I patted his fluffy hair. "Don't worry, I'll contact you when I'm free, and we'll... go on a date."

When I got home, Brielle was waiting in the living room with a feather duster. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over.

"Yolanda, be honest, where were you last night?"

Leaning against the wall at the entrance, I changed my shoes and said, "At a hotel."

"With that Cayden guy..."

"Yes."

She widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at me for a long moment before finally squeezing out, "Do you remember what we talked about at the pool yesterday?"

I walked over to the sofa, picked up the half-empty bottle of wine from the coffee table, and took a big gulp. "I remember.

I wasn't serious, and neither was he. We both got what we wanted."

Brielle sighed heavily, looking as if she had led me astray, which made me want to laugh.

After a while, she leaned in sneakily.

"So... how was it?"

I thought back seriously. "Great stamina, very handsome, pleasing to the eye, and I felt some things I hadn't before."

For example, after being with someone as scrawny as Vance for so long, I didn't know that pecs could be surprisingly soft when not flexed...

While I was still reminiscing, Brielle spoke again. "By the way, Vance contacted me last night. He wants to talk to you, but you blocked him on Whatsapp and phone."

Vance.

I let out a cold laugh, finding it absurd.

He cheated first, even bringing someone to our new bedroom, and I caught him red-handed. What is there to talk about?

"Ignore him, just block him."

I took out my phone and found several messages from Cayden.

"Did you get home safely?"

"Let me know when you do."

"Sister, I found some cute couple avatars. See which one you like, and we can change together."

I didn't expect Cayden to take this superficial relationship so seriously, even down to the details.

So, I genuinely looked through the avatars he sent and finally chose a pair of cuddling ragdoll cats and Samoyeds.

I changed to the childish cat avatar and checked Cayden's profile, only to find he had already changed his and even posted a screenshot on Facebook.

"Loves cats."

The picture was of the cat avatar I had just changed to.

And his note for me was an especially affectionate "Lili."

Rationally, I knew this Facebook post was probably visible only to me.

But emotionally, the unguarded straightforwardness left me momentarily dazed.

When I came to, my fingers had unknowingly moved to his note, clicking to edit-

"Very dangerous."

The straightforward passion of a young man is the easiest to stir one's heart.

But I'm already twenty-six, having navigated the complexities of society for four years, seen all kinds of people and fragile relationships. I should remain clear-headed at all times.

The second week at work, with this overly cute avatar, I found myself thinking of Cayden whenever I discussed plans with clients.

At this time, he was probably either running or in class.

As I was thinking, a message from Cayden popped up. "What are you doing?"

"Working."

"Do you want to meet tonight?"

He asked, and when I didn't reply immediately, he quickly added in a playful tone, "Sister, I miss you."

After answering the last question from a client, I switched back to our chat, pausing slightly before typing, "Okay, I'll come to your school."

"No need, I finish early today and don't have evening training.

Just give me an address, and I'll pick you up."

We hadn't seen each other these past few days, but our Whatsapp contact never ceased.

It's hard to imagine there could be such a clingy boy in the world.

Every time I opened my phone, there were messages from Cayden.

Even during my most passionate days with Vance, it wasn't this intense.

Because of work, my replies were often perfunctory, but he didn't mind.

Only when he sent many messages without a response would he say, slightly aggrieved, "Sister, you haven't talked to me for three hours."

After work, I followed the crowd out and immediately spotted Cayden standing at the entrance.

He had the vibrant energy unique to young boys, and just standing there, he was as dazzling as a ray of light.

Because of this, he seemed a bit out of place.

It was Friday evening, and the crowd was dense. It took me a while to squeeze through to him.

Seeing me, Cayden immediately beamed, showing a bright smile. "Sister!"

He handed me a box of chilled milk and lowered his head to ask, "What do you want for dinner?"

I was momentarily stunned.

Only Brielle and Vance knew I liked chilled pure milk.

How did Cayden, whom I've known for just a week, figure it out?

"Hey, don't you like it?"

Cayden looked puzzled when I didn't take the milk carton, examining it closely. "Isn't this the same brand you bought at the convenience store last time?"

I wondered what kind of rich emotional experiences could shape a young boy to be so considerate, so... captivating.

At that moment, I felt incredibly grateful that my relationship with Cayden began openly.

Without investing emotions, there's no risk of getting hurt.

Coming back to my senses, I took the milk from his hand and shook my head. "No, I really like it.

What do you want to eat? It's on me."

Before Cayden could respond, a familiar male voice, laced with suppressed anger, came from behind me.

"Yolanda."

Turning around, I saw Vance's furious face.

He strode over, his gaze sweeping from my face to Cayden, where clear hostility emerged in his eyes.

"Yolanda, who is this?"

Before I could answer, Cayden stepped in front of me protectively and spoke up, "I'm Yolanda's boyfriend."

"We just had a fight, and you've already found someone new?"

Vance sneered at me incredulously. "In that case, what right do you have to criticize me?"

Looking at the menacing figure before me, I suddenly felt exhausted.

After a week of grueling nine-to-ten workdays, I finally reached the weekend.

At this moment, I should have been enjoying a lovely dinner with a young charmer at a restaurant, followed by a relaxing night on a soft bed.

As for Vance, even after eight years together, the moment I discovered his infidelity, he was dead to me.

Why was he here to bother me now?

"Vance, get this straight. We didn't just have a fight. You cheated before the wedding, and I caught you, then broke up with you on the spot."

I rubbed my tense forehead, impatiently adding, "As for whether I have someone new, and who this person is, that's all after we broke up. It has nothing to do with you, understand?"

Without waiting for Vance's reaction, I took Cayden's hand and left.

Vance didn't follow, but the young boy beside me looked at me, hesitating to speak.

I glanced at him. "If you have something to ask, just ask."

I already guessed what Cayden would inquire about.

It would be about who Vance was and how long we were together.

Everyone has a sense of possessiveness, which I understood, and I had already prepared a string of explanations in my mind.

Unexpectedly, Cayden stopped after a moment of hesitation, turned around, and hugged me.

In the heat of July, his warmth seeped through the soft fabric of his T-shirt, yet it didn't make me feel stifled.

"Big sister," his clear voice whispered in my ear, "don't be sad."

He was so good at this.

Even if it was just an act, I instantly understood why women liked to find a young charmer.

Sensitive, considerate, and especially charming.

I had genuinely invested eight years of emotion, so how could I not be sad?

When I broke up with my first love, Vance appeared and pursued me wholeheartedly.

I was moved by his attentiveness and quickly agreed to be with him. I even stayed in this city after graduation instead of returning to my hometown.

When I first graduated, my monthly salary was only eight thousand yuan. In this high-cost city, rent alone took up a quarter of it.

To save money, I moved in with Vance.

He came from a good family, but we kept our finances separate. Everything, including rent and dating expenses, was split evenly.

In our seventh year together, he still avoided talking about marriage.

By then, I had landed several major projects and received substantial bonuses, which I used along with three years of savings to make a down payment on a small apartment.

When Vance found out, he immediately accused me of being guarded against him.

I tossed the keys on the coffee table and looked at him. "Then let's get married."

He immediately deflated, hesitating for a long time before stammering that it wasn't that he didn't want to marry me, but he wanted to achieve something in his career first to give me a happy family.

At that time, I already had a vague premonition but didn't want to admit it.

Half a year later, pressured by his parents to marry, Vance reluctantly brought up engagement.

Even without any proposal ceremony, I agreed, but my heart was unusually calm.

Until that night, when I caught him with another woman in our bed, I finally understood.

Eight years was too long, not only draining his feelings for me but also leaving me with no expectations of him.

I took a deep breath, pulled away from Cayden's embrace, and patted his fluffy hair. "I've moved on. Let's go eat."

Cayden and I had dinner at a popular hotpot chain.

He mentioned that his swimming coach had set a strict diet, so he could only eat some vegetables and beef in a plain broth, resting his chin in his hand while watching me eat.

I placed a piece of corn in his bowl. "What about the corn?"

Cayden gritted his teeth.

"I can."

I added a slice of fatty beef. "What about this?"

"I can."

"What about the rice cakes?"

"I can."

He resolutely ate everything, then muttered, "I'll just run an extra ten kilometers later."

"It's okay," I winked at him playfully. "We can burn some extra calories tonight."

The young boy's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing twice as he softly called, "Big sister."

I enjoyed it immensely.

Constantly going to hotels was something I couldn't afford as a working professional.

Since we were in a long-term, stable relationship, after dinner, I took Cayden home with me.

A few days ago, I found a new place near my office and moved out from Brielle's.

Cayden seemed particularly happy, his eyes bright as he looked around, telling me, "Big sister, I'm so happy you brought me home."

On the table was an empty photo frame. It used to hold a picture of Vance and me, which I had torn out.

Cayden looked at the frame for a while, then turned to me. "Big sister, let's take a picture together!"

I was still in a daze when he had already taken out his phone, wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and brought the camera close.

Instinctively, I curved my lips into a smile, and Cayden quickly snapped the photo.

"I'll get it printed and bring it over next time."

He sat on the sofa, tapping away on his phone.

Before long, I took out my phone and discovered that Cayden had posted a photo of us on social media with the caption "A Perfect Match," even liking his own post.

In the photo, he looked youthful and fresh, his face full of vitality, eyes sparkling like an eager puppy.

Meanwhile, my face, pressed against his, was pale and weary despite the meticulous makeup, eyes showing the marks left by life's trials.

How could a twenty-six-year-old overworked office drone like me be a match for a young boy in his prime with a bright future ahead?

I couldn't be bothered to complain, so I just sat beside him, scrolling through my phone with one hand while the other reached over to playfully pinch his chest.

It wasn't long before the warmth under my hand increased, and my wrist was firmly grasped by his hand.

I turned my head to see Cayden's eyes, dark under the light, smiling as he said, "Go take a shower."

His kisses, tender and heated, cascaded over me, and in the heat of the moment, he whispered earnestly in my ear, "Lili, I truly adore you."

How could I take such words seriously at a time like this?

Though I felt nothing inside, I still forced a smile, pretending to be enthusiastic as I responded, "Sweetheart, I like you too-let's go to the window."

The next day after lunch, Cayden returned to school.

I saw him off at the community gate and yawned widely, "I have work to do, so I won't see you back to school."

"Okay."

He pursed his lips, then suddenly leaned over to plant a kiss on my cheek, "Can I come see you again on Tuesday?"

I thought, you have great energy, but I'm not as young anymore. Yet, I sighed helplessly, "I'm afraid not.

I've been working overtime a lot lately. I'll contact you when I'm free."

The young boy nodded, looking a bit disappointed, and left with a hint of grievance in his eyes.

Our relationship continued with a mutual, silent understanding.

My work schedule was packed, from nine to ten, with occasional weekend overtime.

Burdened with a mortgage, I didn't dare take a day off. I was so busy that I often skipped meals and naturally had no time to reply to Cayden's messages.

On Friday night, exhausted from overtime, I returned home. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Cayden squatting at my door, engrossed in a game on his phone, with two large bags of groceries beside him.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and, seeing it was me, jumped up in surprise, "You're back-I sent you several messages, but you didn't reply."

I fished out my phone from my bag and glanced at it. "I was busy finalizing contract details and didn't check Whatsapp.

Come on in."

Once inside, I kicked off my high heels, grabbed a half-eaten piece of toast from the fridge, and collapsed onto the sofa.

Cayden put the groceries in the kitchen and peeked out, "Have a little something to eat first. I'll cook, and it won't take long."

"...Okay."

My cooking skills were average, but I could feed myself.

However, I'd been so busy lately that the kitchen had been cold and unused for a long time, and it was only tonight that it brought warmth and life back to the home.

The aroma from the kitchen gradually grew stronger. I leaned back on the sofa, chewing on the dry toast, absentmindedly scrolling through my phone.

My supervisor messaged, "I've reviewed the contract, and it's fine.

You don't need to come to the office tomorrow.

Take a good rest."

I replied with "Got it," then continued lazily playing with my phone.

The outside world, celebrity gossip, all these messages passed by without leaving a trace in my mind.

Many nights before, Vance and I would sit like this, each absorbed in our phones, with zero interaction until bedtime.

This routine had gone on for years, even I found it dull.

But at this moment, with Cayden humming a tune while cooking in the kitchen and the aroma of food filling the air, something seemed different.

I was lost in thought when the young boy came out of the kitchen with two white porcelain plates, "Dinner's ready!"

Tomato shrimp pasta, sprinkled with cheese, glistened under the light, looking particularly enticing.

"You eat first," he said, placing the plate on the dining table and pinching his earlobe, "There's soup in the pot, almost done.

I'll keep an eye on it."

Soon, he brought out a small pot of loofah clam soup.

Cayden was only eighteen, yet he had such culinary skills, which truly surprised me.

During dinner, I asked him about it. He sipped his soup, a childlike pride in his smile, "My parents are busy with work, so sometimes I have to fend for myself. I learned to cook by following recipes, and practice makes perfect."

I nodded, and he added, "I could make you lunchboxes to take to work every day."

Does that mean...

I raised an eyebrow, "So, you want to move in with me?"

Cayden looked at me, his ears turning slightly red, as if shy, but his gaze was sincere, "I want to take care of you."

-Take care of me.

I neither agreed nor disagreed, but after dinner, while Cayden was washing the dishes, I went to the bedroom, found a spare key, and handed it to him.

In the young boy's suddenly delighted eyes, I smiled and said, "You can come over anytime you want."

This was probably the most impulsive decision I, usually so cautious, had ever made.

In fact, Cayden and I had only known each other for a month and didn't know each other very well.

Before bed, after taking a shower, I found Cayden leaning against the bed, chin in hand, eyes bright as he watched me.

I tugged at my camisole nightgown, smiling innocently under his suddenly intense gaze, "I'm too tired tonight, I just want to sleep."

"I..."

"Or should I help you move your things to the living room?

The sofa bed is quite comfortable."

Cayden shook his head vigorously, "No, I want to hold you while I sleep."

The air conditioning was set low, but the young boy's body was warm as he held me.

The heat made my heart race, and sleepiness vanished. On a whim, I reached out to him.

Cayden, eyes red, called out, "Lili!"

He didn't dare move, only asking me with a hint of grievance, "Didn't you say you just wanted to sleep?"

I kissed his lips, murmuring, "...I changed my mind."