After a while, Song Meiqi's sobs gradually faded into shaky breaths. Her vision, once blurred and unfocused, slowly sharpened… and the realization hit her—she had been crying in Wang Zi Rui's arms. Tears clung stubbornly to her lashes, and her nails dug into the fabric of his jacket as she tried, weakly, to pull herself away.
Her gaze met his, amber eyes framed by his glasses. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a hint of care—but just as quickly, it was gone, leaving only the calm, unreadable expression she knew so well.
A slow blush crept up her cheeks, heat rising with the embarrassment of having broken down in front of him. She lifted her hands to wipe the remaining tears from her eyes, her breath uneven as she fought to regain her composure.
Meanwhile, Zi Rui watched her in silence, taking in every small movement and subtle gesture, his face unreadable beneath the dim streetlight.
Meiqi lifted her gaze and noticed the damp spot slowly darkening the fine fabric of his jacket where her tears had fallen, and her mouth went agape in shock.
"Mr. Wang… I'm sorry… I–I…" She hastily wiped at it, but it wouldn't come off, her brows knitting in frustration as she struggled.
For a brief moment, a flicker of discomfort crossed Zi Rui's eyes before his expression settled. Then, almost imperceptibly, his gaze shifted to a shadow lurking at the edge of the street. Someone was watching. Without hesitation, he gently caught her hand.
The sudden warmth of his skin made Meiqi's breath hitch. Her heart thumped nervously, her thoughts spinning like a live chat feed: Have I offended him?… Is he angry?… What should I do? This man is the most powerful in Country C—nobody could afford to anger him.
Zi Rui didn't say a word. He simply guided her away from the dimly lit street. They slipped beyond the bushes and into the darkness beneath the towering trees.
Meiqi's eyes fell on their tightly clasped hands, then to the back of his head, as she followed him. Her steps were light and hesitant, yet she moved forward as if pulled by some invisible thread. Moonlight caught only fleeting glimpses of them as they disappeared deeper among the trees.
…
Meanwhile, a man dressed entirely in black looked around, eyes darting through the shadows as he searched for Meiqi and Zi Rui's disappearing silhouettes.
Earlier, he had been waiting by the main gate of Willow Park, a paper bag with a brown-and-beige staff dog inside clutched in his hand. His face was hidden beneath a cap and mask, swallowed by shadow, eyes fixed on the entrance.
He had been curious about Meiqi, wondering if she'd been struggling after Haoran and Mengyao's scandal. He wanted to cheer her up with his gift—the stuffed dog—and celebrate her birthday. But Building 3 was heavily guarded, leaving him no choice but to wait there, hoping for even a glimpse.
Then a taxi rolled up, headlights slicing through the darkness. He barely spared it a glance—until Meiqi stepped out. His chest tightened.
He had assumed she'd arrive in the usual company van. He hadn't expected this—hadn't expected to see her like this, here, now. His fingers clenched around the bag, knuckles whitening as a quiet thrill ran through him.
As Meiqi drew closer, his heart raced. When she was just inches away, he held out the paper bag—but she completely ignored him. She continued walking, arms crossed, oblivious to his presence.
The man froze, eyes wide with disbelief that she had ignored him. He stayed like that for a moment before turning his gaze back to her. She was already ahead—until, suddenly, she stumbled.
His body jerked forward, but he was too far to catch her. Another man, clad in a black jacket, appeared just in time, catching her before she fell. His face was obscured in the night.
Irritation tightened his brows. Another man, so close to Meiqi—he couldn't stand it. Hidden in the shadows, eyes locked, he watched the stranger hold her, her head against his chest. Possessiveness surged through him. After all the effort spent on that article, he couldn't let someone else take the chance that should have been his. His fingers itched to snatch her away, but he stayed rooted in the darkness, watching.
Then, suddenly, Zi Rui's eyes caught him—sharp and cold. Shocked, the man bolted, vanishing into the bushes and beneath the towering trees. Twigs snapped underfoot, leaves rustling around him, but as he struggled to hide among the shadows, he didn't notice—they were already gone.
…
Moments later, a wide, serene pond came into view, its glassy surface reflecting the surrounding trees, disturbed only by a faint whisper of wind. Zi Rui stopped, releasing her hand as he turned to face her.
"Ms. Song," he said softly, lifting the plastic bag of beer cans. "Have a drink with me."
"Huh?" Meiqi blinked, caught off guard.
"I don't intend to finish this alone," he added, his voice calm, almost casual.
He moved to a nearby bench, setting the beers carefully before him. Then, with precise, measured movements, he handed a can to Meiqi. His eyes, shielded behind his glasses, gave nothing away.
"And, in here… no one will hear you," he said, his tone even, but carrying an unspoken understanding that made her chest tighten.
Meiqi's gaze drifted from his amber eyes to the can in his hand. A part of her hesitated, unsure if she could trust him—but another part… couldn't look away.