Li Wei

Li Wei always felt a little different from his peers. From the age of 12, he realized his heart belonged to boys, a discovery that was both joyful and painful. Girls never aroused his interest or affection, but the smile of Lim, his best friend, made his heart beat faster. Lim was more than just a friend to Li Wei—he was the person with whom he shared his dreams and fears.

However, their friendship was threatened by Lim's beliefs. Although he never insulted people of different sexual orientations, his homophobic views were clear. Every time the conversation turned to LGBT issues, Lim became tense and expressed his hostility. This caused an internal struggle in Li Wei: on the one hand, he wanted to remain true to himself and his feelings, but on the other, he feared losing the friend who meant everything to him.

Li Wei understood that his love for Lim was unconditional. He was a one-woman man, and the words "you'll soon forget" didn't work for him. Every time Lim laughed or shared his thoughts, Li Wei felt his feelings grow stronger. But along with this, his anxiety grew: would he ever be able to open up to Lim? Could their friendship survive such openness?

Every day became a challenge for Li Wei. He dreamed of one day telling Lim how he felt, but the fear of losing his friend paralyzed him. He knew that opening up could change everything—for both him and Lim. But remaining in the shadow of his feelings was even harder.