It had been days since Leng Yue last stepped into Mei's room, leaving her lost in a storm of confusion and pain. Sleep had become a stranger to her; every night she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy with questions that had no answers.
The worst part was his silence. He moved around the house like a ghost, unseen, unheard and untouchable. Each time she tried to find him, he seemed to fade further away, as if he were deliberately avoiding her.
"Why is he doing this to me?" she whispered into the darkness, her voice trembling. "Why is he playing with my heart?"
Her chest ached as a small sob escaped her lips. She pressed her face into the pillow, the scent of him still lingering there, and the ache only deepened.
After what felt like forever, exhaustion finally pulled her into a restless sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, the sunlight was already spilling through the curtains, it was almost noon. Her body felt heavy, drained. She dragged herself into the bathroom, washed her face, and forced down a few bites of food.
But even as she ate, her thoughts refused to settle. The silence between her and Leng Yue had grown too wide, too frightening. His words from before still echoed in her mind, his soul leaves his body when he sleeps.
"What am I supposed to do?" she murmured, setting the spoon down with trembling fingers. "How can I live with this distance between us?" Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks.
She thought of Yuyan, her only friend and the one person who might understand. For days, she had been debating whether to tell her. Yuyan was wise, kind, but also close to Leng Yue in a way that makes them look more of a friend than siblings. Mei could never quite explain. Would sharing this burden make things worse?
Her heart battled between fear and trust. She didn't want to sound foolish. She didn't want Yuyan to think she was weak. But she also couldn't bear the weight of confusion any longer.
Finally, as the sunlight dimmed slightly behind passing clouds, Mei stood. "I'll go," she whispered to herself. "I need to see her… I can't keep this inside anymore."
Without another though she pulled her cloak over her shoulders and stepped outside. The sun was bright, yet the world around her felt dull and heavy. A small carriage waited by the gate, its driver bowing slightly when he saw her.
She climbed in quietly, and soon the wheels began to roll. The soft sound of the horses' hooves filled the silence. Trees and houses passed by, but Mei hardly noticed any of them. Her thoughts were louder than everything else.
Why does it hurt so much? she asked herself, pressing a hand to her chest. Why is Leng Yue acting this way?
She remembered his face, the way he looked at her before he disappeared from her life. Each memory made her heart ache more. "Why are you avoiding me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Tears filled her eyes, but she wiped them quickly. "No… I can't cry now. I need to be strong."
As the carriage moved, she kept thinking about Yuyan, her only friend, her sister in heart. Should she tell her everything? Would Yuyan understand, or think she was foolish for worrying too much?
She sighed deeply, frustration building inside her. "I don't even know what to believe anymore," she murmured.
The road seemed longer than usual, as if the world itself was testing her courage. When the tall gates of Yuyan's palace finally came into view, Mei's hands were shaking.
The carriage stopped. For a moment, she sat still, staring at the palace in silence. Then, she took a slow breath and whispered, "I have to do this."
With that, she opened the door, stepped down, and walked toward the entrance, her heart heavy but determined to find the truth.
It was noon, and sunlight poured softly into Yuyan's chamber. She had just woken from a short nap when a sudden knock echoed through the room. Still half-drowsy, she rose to open the door, only to find Mei standing there, a faint, weary smile on her lips.
"Come in," Yuyan said gently, stepping aside to let her enter.
As Mei walked in, Yuyan immediately sensed something different. The lively spark that always surrounded her friend was gone, replaced by a quiet heaviness.
"What happened, Mei?" Yuyan asked softly, studying her pale face.
"Yuyan…" Mei whispered, and before she could say more, tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Please, don't cry," Yuyan said, startled, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "Tell me, what happened? Did Leng Yue do something to you?" she asked quickly, her voice full of worry.
Mei shook her head, still sobbing.
"Calm down," Yuyan murmured, guiding her gently to a chair and helping her sit. She knelt beside her. "Now breathe… and tell me everything."
Mei took a trembling breath, her voice breaking. "I… I don't understand what Leng Yue means anymore," she stammered. "He said… his soul leaves his body whenever he sleeps. What does that even mean, Yuyan? Is it a dream? Or something else?" She wiped her eyes, her hands shaking. "He sees things no one else can see… and I, I'm scared. I love him, but I don't want to lose him."
Yuyan took her cold hands and squeezed them gently. "Listen, Mei," she said softly, "you already know Leng Yue isn't like everyone else, right?"
Mei nodded quickly, like a chick pecking at grain. "Yes."
"And your father," Yuyan continued, "you know he possesses the strength of ten men?"
"Yes," Mei replied honestly.
Yuyan inhaled deeply. "Then… I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone before. Something that might shock you. Are you ready?"
Mei's eyes widened with curiosity and fear.
"Have you ever heard of witches and vampires?" Yuyan asked, her gaze fixed and unwavering.
"Yes…" Mei answered in a near whisper, as if afraid of what would come next.
"What if I tell you that Leng Yue and I… are both witches?" Yuyan said softly. "Would you hate us? Would you run away from him?"
Mei blinked rapidly. "No! Leng Yue is… he's human. Handsome, kind. Witches and vampires are just stories from old books…" she said, her voice trembling.
Yuyan smiled faintly. Without a word, she lifted her hand, and a small flame bloomed in her palm, dancing gently in the air.
Mei froze, her breath catching in her throat, eyes widening in disbelief.
The firelight flickered between them, silent proof that Yuyan's words were true.