As Song Meiqi moved deeper into the apartment, something unusual caught her eye. Pink petals were scattered along the floor, and soft candlelight flickered in a perfect line, guiding her forward. The gentle glow and subtle scent in the air wrapped around her like a quiet embrace, turning the space into something intimate.
She stopped in her tracks, eyes landing on the round table draped in white linen — and beside it, her boyfriend, whom she hadn't seen in almost a month. Si Haoran, in a crisp white shirt and black slacks, looked effortlessly handsome, a soft, mesmerizing smile adding quiet charm to his striking features.
"Did you miss me, Little Qi?" he asked, his voice suave and laced with charm.
Song Meiqi blushed, letting out a soft laugh and giving a small nod. Her heart fluttered—she hadn't been caught off guard like this in ages. Haoran's unexpected gesture made warmth spread through her chest, momentarily pushing everything else aside.
Haoran stepped closer, revealing a bouquet hidden behind his back. Meiqi's eyes widened, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she took it, their fingers brushing.
"Thank you," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
Haoran pulled her into a gentle hug, his head resting against her shoulder. But then his gaze shifted, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.
Her eyes followed his—and froze.
Near the counter stood a woman. His widened eyes locked onto her.
It was Zheng Meng Yao.
…
On the upper floor of Meiqi's apartment building perched Wang Zi Rui's penthouse. A quiet stillness filled the room as he ate dinner while scrolling through data on his tablet.
The sudden ring of his phone cut through the silence, sharp and insistent. Zi Rui glanced at it, hesitated, then picked up. Seconds later, he nodded. "Okay, I'll be there."
The call ended, but Zi Rui remained still, his gaze lingering on the empty room as he wondered why his grandmother wanted him at dinner tomorrow.
…
Back downstairs, as Meiqi hugged him, Haoran felt the warmth of her embrace, a comforting weight that should have eased him. Yet, a rush of memories from that night meeting Mengyao in Angel club and what happened next surged through his mind.
In a dimly lit hotel room, two bodies intertwined beneath the white sheets, their movements intimate and urgent, the quiet rustle of fabric the only sound in the stillness.
The warmth of her porcelain skin, her stunning face, and crimson lips drove Haoran wild with desire as he quickened his pace. Mengyao sighed softly, pressing closer, her body melting against his. Outside, the night stretched on, quiet and endless, as they remained wrapped in each other's arms.
Days had passed, yet the memory burned fresh, guilt twisting him—toward Mei Qi for betraying her, toward Mengyao for breaking the fragile boundary between them.
"Meng Yao."
Her name slipped from his lips like a breath he didn't mean to release.
In his arms, Song Meiqi stiffened. She had heard it too—and in that moment, she remembered. Mengyao was with her tonight.
Meiqi gently pulled away from his embrace, offering a hesitant, apologetic smile.
"Ah… sorry," she murmured, glancing down before meeting his eyes. "Yaoyao and I planned a girls' night out… I didn't expect you to be here."
Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer, a flicker of unease passing through her. Something in his expression seemed… different, though she couldn't quite place what.
Si Haoran slipped both hands into his pockets, trying to compose himself.
"It's okay. It's not a big deal," he said casually, though his voice held a slight edge.
But his eyes betrayed him. They shifted from Meiqi to Meng Yao, and for a brief second, guilt flickered in them—too quick to catch, yet too raw to hide.
Moments later, the three gathered around the table for dinner.
Mengyao reached for a dish on the table, but Haoran's hand was quicker, nudging it closer to her. His soft smile lingered, calm and gentle.
Meiqi couldn't help noticing their quiet closeness and felt a faint unease she couldn't explain. Furrowing her brows, she caught Haoran's concerned gaze. "What's wrong? Is the food not good?" he asked softly.
At his words, Mengyao's gaze shifted toward Meiqi while Meiqi's eyes darted from Mengyao to Haoran before she shook her head softly. "No… it's delicious," she said, forcing a small smile.
The three returned to their meal, but Meiqi had little appetite. She picked at her food quietly, a vague unease lingering in her chest. Every glance between Haoran and Mengyao made her pause slightly, though she couldn't quite say why.
…
In a dimly lit office, shadows stretched across the walls as two men stood side by side. The older man's gaze was sharp, his posture commanding.
"The rising actor, Si Haoran, returned to H. City today. Tomorrow, we follow him," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet.
"Si Haoran? Why, Master?" The younger man's tone wavered between confusion and curiosity, his eyes flicking nervously toward his superior.
"I received a tip," the older man replied, pausing as if savouring the moment. "He's dating someone… someone popular."
The younger man's jaw dropped. "A scoop?" His voice barely contained excitement.
The older man's lips curved into a thin, satisfied smile. "This time, we'll be the ones to expose it." Shadows shifted around them as the room seemed to close in, the thrill of the hunt already palpable.