"Actually… someone's been stalking me these past few days," Song Meiqi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
The rest of the girls froze, eyes widening with alarm. Lina's hand stilled in midair, Mengyao's fingers clenched around her spoon, Xiuying leaned forward, and Si Yu's forehead tightened in a frown.
It wasn't their first time hearing about idols being stalked—but when it happened to one of their own, it still sent a chill down their spines.
"What?… Why didn't you tell us?" Lina asked, her tone sharper than usual, edged with fear for Meiqi's safety.
Meiqi's gaze shifted toward her, a faint, apologetic smile tugging at her lips. "I just didn't want you all to worry."
"This stalker… what is he after?" Xiuying asked, her voice low and deliberate. A long silence stretched before words finally parted from Meiqi's lips.
"He thinks Haoran isn't good for me—he wants me to break up with him." Her voice trembled with each word.
Hearing her, Meng Yao's gaze flicked to Meiqi, a flicker of guilt crossing her eyes before they softened into something unreadable.
"Creep. To think he can compare himself to brother-in-law," Si Yu muttered.
Xiuying's gaze sharpened. "Your stalker knows about you and Haoran, yet he hasn't exposed it… he's playing you."
Meiqi's eyes flickered. She knew it—but the thought that he might be right sat heavy in her chest, cold and unshakable.
Mengyao's gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers twisting the bracelet on her wrist, a small, restless motion she couldn't stop.
...
In a sleek office tower in central H.City, Wang Zi Rui sat upright, his posture perfect and his expression elegantly cold as he reviewed the documents, the quiet of the room broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner.
A soft knock echoed through the silence.
"Come in," he commanded, his deep voice sharp and authoritative.
The door opened, and Si Qi stepped inside, his movements precise and controlled, order evident in every gesture.
"Boss, the meeting will begin in five minutes," he noted, his tone calm but precise.
Hearing this, Zi Rui signed one last document, straightened his suit, and stood up. Si Qi followed him closely as he walked out.
As they moved down the narrow aisles between the employees' cubicles, their every step radiated elegance and authority, quietly commanding the attention of everyone around them.
Some of the female employees couldn't help but steal glances at Si Qi, swooning over his delicate, almost feminine features, perfectly complemented by his navy-blue suit.
Then their attention shifted to Zi Rui. His black suit accentuated his tall, lean frame, and though he wore glasses, his sharp features caught the light. His golden-brown eyes were warm yet untouchable—like a cold, noble prince.
Whispers ran through the cubicles.
"Sec. Si Qi… fragile, like a damsel in distress…" one employee muttered.
"And Boss… strong, reliable… total BL lead," another giggled.
They exchanged quick glances, trying to look busy while their imaginations ran wild.
"Shh! Someone will hear!" one hissed, but the blush on her cheeks gave her away.
A few hurriedly buried their faces in files, muttering, "It's fine… we weren't staring… really."
Suddenly, Si Qi stumbled, and before he could fall, Zi Rui's hand shot out, steadying him with a firm grip.
Si Qi blinked up at him, cheeks warming, while the employees nearby gasped softly, some hiding their faces behind folders, unable to look away from the unexpected scene.
"My heart…" one whispered, clutching her chest, her cheeks burning red. She was totally rooting for them.
...
Elsewhere in H. City, inside a white-walled CEO office, Manager Li updated the stalker incident to CEO Yang of Stars Entertainment, her voice steady though a flicker of worry crossed her face.
"Boss, the stalker situation has escalated. Last time, he followed Meiqi home, and today she received the necklace that was stolen from her locker."
The CEO blinked. "He… returned it? What does that mean?" He rubbed his forehead, staring off for a moment as if hoping the answer would come to him.
"He's still watching her and growing bolder," Li said calmly. "However, security's been stepped up, devices checked, and everything documented."
The CEO leaned back. "Bodyguards, cameras… just keep her safe. Five days to the concert—we can't let anyone mess this up."
Li nodded before she left.
Hours slipped away as night crept over the city, wrapping streets and buildings in a quiet, restless darkness. The company van glided through Willow Park and, moments later, came to a gentle stop in front of Meiqi's apartment building.
Meiqi stepped out, Mengyao at her side, insisting she stay the night so Meiqi could feel safe.
A while later, after entering the code of her apartment, They both stepped inside.
The dim hallway embraced Meiqi in its familiar hush. She slipped off her white rubber shoes, tucking them neatly into the wall cabinet, and her eyes fell on a familiar pair beside them—Haoran's. A subtle warmth stirred in her chest at the thought of him.
As she moved further into the apartment, pink petals scattered across the floor caught her eye, candlelight flickering along a perfect line. The gentle glow and faint scent wrapped around her, turning the space intimate.
She froze, her gaze drawn to the round table draped in white linen—and there, beside it, stood her boyfriend. Si Haoran, clad in a crisp white shirt and tailored black slacks, smiled softly, radiating effortless charm.