"Haoran… we already broke up." Her gaze held his without wavering. "What's the point in explaining now?"
Si Haoran's gaze trembled, the confidence he had been holding onto slowly crumbling. His fingers curled at his sides as he stumbled back a few steps, at a loss for words. For a moment, only the rustle of leaves filled the silence, stirred by the cold breeze slipping between them.
Then he snapped, grabbing her shoulders and leaning closer. "Meiqi… I only love you. I already proposed to you—I swore to love only you in this life." Tears welled in his eyes. "So… we don't have to end it like this."
Song Meiqi's brows furrowed as she felt his fingers tighten around her shoulders, but her eyes never left his—clear and steady, no longer moved by his words.
"Haoran… I don't have those feelings for you anymore. "Her words echoed in the stillness of the night, just enough for him to hear.
Si Haoran's lips quivered as he searched her eyes, as if hoping what she said was a lie. But Meiqi's gaze remained unchanged.
He shook his head. "No… no, you're lying." His voice rose. "Meiqi… how could you not love me? After everything we've been through… how can you just throw it all away? I don't believe it—I don't believe that you don't love me anymore."
His fingers dug into the fabric of her clothes, gripping so tightly that Meiqi gritted her teeth in pain. She struggled to break free, but it only made him pull her closer. Her breath shook. The warmth and safety she once felt was gone, replaced by nothing but utter disgust.
"Let go… let go," Song Meiqi said, pushing him with all her strength. But he was much stronger than her.
"Meiqi… it was just one mistake… it would never happen again…" Si Haoran continued.
Unable to take it any longer, Song Meiqi slipped her hand into the small opening of her shoulder bag. Her fingers fumbled until they closed around the pepper spray—but before she could pull it out, she saw Si Haoran stumbling backward.
…
A while earlier…
Wang Zi Rui leaned back in the backseat of his BMW, eyes half-lidded as Si Qi drove him toward his penthouse.
Fatigue softened his expression, but it did nothing to dull the sharpness of his features. Outside, lamplights slid across the window in fleeting glimmers, briefly illuminating his already striking face.
"Ey… isn't that… Idol Song Meiqi?" Si Qi narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly over the steering wheel for a better look.
At his words, Zi Rui's gaze flicked forward from the backseat. Two figures stood in the distance, their closeness hard to read. The man's back obscured most of the woman, leaving only a fleeting glimpse. It was hard to tell if it was truly Song Meiqi.
Si Qi frowned. From what he knew, his idol had been living just a floor below his boss—yet Zi Rui had never mentioned it, nor had he had the chance to see her.
And now, someone was there… holding her.
"She looks like she's trying to push him away…" he muttered as the car drew closer. "Don't tell me—it's a stalker fan trying to assault her."
The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
"Stop the car." Zi Rui's voice came from the backseat—low and sharp, leaving no room for hesitation.
Si Qi tightened his grip on the wheel as he slowed, pulling over near the entrance of Block 3.
He watched as Wang Zi Rui stepped out, his face unreadable in the dark. He didn't rush, moving instead with his usual composed stride—calm and unhurried, yet intimidating.
Si Qi blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "What is he going to do…?"
A few moments later, his eyes widened. Wang Zi Rui had already reached them. With a swift motion, he caught Si Haoran's wrist, twisting it just enough to force him back from Song Meiqi.
Si Haoran's face contorted as a scream tore from his throat. Pain shot through his wrist, forcing him to stagger back.
Song Meiqi's brows furrowed in confusion, her gaze dropping to the hand gripping him, then shifting to the shadow beside her. She turned—and froze.
Wang Zi Rui stood there in a fine black suit, curls brushing the rim of his glasses, glinting under the lamplight. Calm and composed, he still held Si Haoran's wrist effortlessly.
"She said… let go." His voice was low and raspy.
For a moment, Meiqi only looked at him. He was strikingly beautiful—and strangely familiar, like someone she had seen before.
Si Haoran's expression darkened. "Who are you?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Wang Zi Rui didn't answer. Instead, he released his grip and casually wiped his hand against his trousers, as if brushing off something unclean.
"I am… her neighbour."
Si Haoran, rubbing his wrist, glared at him before shifting to Meiqi.
"Meiqi… I didn't know you had such an ill-mannered neighbour… and a man at that." His voice darkened. "You, breaking up with me… it couldn't be because of him, right?"
Meiqi looked at him in disbelief, about to speak—but Zi Rui cut in first.
"You misunderstand. The one being unreasonable… is you" He stepped slightly forward. "You were told to let go, but you refused."
Si Haoran smirked, anger flashing in his eyes. "She's my girlfriend. How I treat her is none of your business."
Wang Zi Rui's expression remained unchanged, not a trace of regret in his gaze. He didn't seem to think he had overstepped at all. Instead, he turned slightly toward Meiqi.
"Ms. Song… are you his girlfriend?"
Song Meiqi tightened her fingers. "No."
A faint curve touched Zi Rui's lips before fading. He turned back to Si Haoran.
"She said she isn't your girlfriend." His voice remained calm, but heavier now. "If you continue to harass her, I will call the police."
He glanced at Meiqi.
For a brief moment, their eyes met and no words were needed. She turned and walked into the building without hesitation, leaving them behind.
Wang Zi Rui stood in front of Si Haoran, his height easily overshadowing him as he blocked the entrance. Even at 183 cm, Haoran still fell short.
He could only glance at Meiqi's retreating figure, then back at Zi Rui. His gaze darkened, committing Zi Rui's face to memory before he turned and left.
Wang Zi Rui watched him leave before heading inside. As he passed the night guards, a single sharp glance was enough for them to understand—he was not to be allowed near again.
Then he pressed the elevator button. The doors opened with a soft chime, and Song Meiqi stood inside, as if she had been waiting for him.