Song Meiqi slowly lifted her head. Her gaze met eyes that were impossibly familiar—golden-brown, sharp enough to see through her, as if they could read the hidden corners of her soul. But this time, the stare wasn't cold or distant. It was warm, steady, unyielding, in a way that made her chest tighten and her breath catch.
Mr. Wang? she thought, studying his face. A few damp, dark strands fell over his glasses, and the air around him carried a strange mix—sweat softened by a faint, sweet hint of citrus.
"Are you alright, Ms. Song?" His question caught her off guard. After being stalked, then discovering Haoran and Mengyao's betrayal, and added to the overwhelming pressure from the concert tour, this must be the first time someone had asked if she was alright.
Her eyes flickered at his steady gaze. It felt like he could see everything she was trying to hide. She steadied herself, lowering her head so that Zi Rui could barely see her.
She couldn't bring herself to lie anymore.
"—No… I'm not okay," she murmured, her voice quivering in the cold night air as she braced herself.
Wang Zi Rui's eyes flickered for a brief moment, too quick for anyone to catch.
"I'm so tired… really, really tired." The words tore from her, and tears she thought were gone spilled freely down her cheeks.
Zi Rui tightened his grip on the plastic bag, the cans of beer shifting inside. His gaze never left her. Then slowly, he stepped closer and slipped his other arm around her shoulders. She sank into him, her sobs spilling out uncontrollably. He held her gently, neither rushing nor speaking—simply letting her cry, letting her pain exist in the quiet of his presence.
…
As the night deepened, comments kept pouring in under Haoran and Mengyao's dating scandal, making it the top search in several platforms. Even Star Entertainment's official site was flooded with demanding messages, fans begging for a clear answer. In an industry where an idol's love life could affect their whole career, dating was never just dating— it was trouble waiting to happen.
ForeverWithEverbloom: I feel betrayed. How could this even happen…?
CuriousCat: Wait—didn't Echo post these photos before as their teaser? Does that mean it's actually true??
ForeverWithEverbloom: No… no… please no…
I Am Your Dad: SEE?? I told you all it was Haoran-ge in that photo! No one believed me!
A Beautiful Flower: Not my Haoran… someone tell me this isn't real.
StarryEyes22: Honestly? Mengyao deserves better…
A Beautiful Flower: Comment above—what do you mean by that?? Explain yourself!
BloomisForever: No way. Mengyao would never betray us like this. STAR ENT., SAY SOMETHING!
Bloomis_1314: Guys… shouldn't we respect their privacy? Idols are human too.
MelonSeed44: Can someone drop the full picture? I need to see it clearly before I believe anything.
…
Elsewhere in H.City, in a dimly lit room, a man stood quietly, his face hidden in the shadows as he scrolled through the pouring comments, the fandom divided and angry. Then a low, sinister laugh escaped him.
"My Meiqi… do you see this? Si Haoran cheated on you. In the end… I'm the only one who won't hurt you," he said between chuckles, his voice cold and unsettling.
Meanwhile, in a cozy apartment not far away, Zheng Mengyao lay in bed, the only light coming from the phone in her hand. Her eyes moved over the comments: fans arguing, some refusing to believe it, a few demanding the truth, and many leaving harsh, angry messages that seemed to fill the room.
Minutes ago, Manager Li had urged her to go home, rest, and deal with the situation tomorrow—but she didn't know how she could. How could she face her fans, her members, and most of all, Meiqi? Guilt and shame twisted in her chest, each beat sharp with pain.
Her grip on the phone tightened as she forced herself to scroll through the comments, even as each one made the pain much heavier.
…
Leaves whispered in the chill night air as Meiqi and Zi Rui sat side by side on a bench. The pond across from them reflected the stars and the moon, shimmering like liquid silver under the quiet sky. Empty beer cans lay scattered between them, their hands occasionally reaching for more as the night stretched on, the silence between sips heavy with unspoken words.
"I did love him…" Meiqi's voice cut through the quiet night. "I really thought he was the one I could trust with my heart…" She let out a soft, shaky breath and took a slow sip from her beer.
Zi Rui watched her quietly, letting her pour her heart out without interruption.
She paused, fingers tightening around the can. "But isn't that what love is? Wanting to give someone the best of yourself… wanting to make them happy… What did I do wrong?"
Turning to look at Zi Rui, her cheeks flushed from the beer, she whispered again, "What did I do wrong?"
He met her gaze, eyes lingering on the pond before flicking back to her. "The world's harsh," Zi Rui said flatly. "Finding someone you can give your heart to… someone you can fully trust… is rare. You're not wrong. That's just how it is."
Meiqi stared into his eyes, unwavering. "Then… have you ever trusted someone completely? Have you ever been in love?" Her voice carried a trace of curiosity.
Zi Rui's eyes met hers, surprise flashing across his calm expression.