The street stretched out before them. Soft lights glowed beneath the pavement, running in quiet lines like something flowing beneath the surface. The entire street felt as silent as the ocean—only the faint sounds of insects and distant birds broke the stillness. It was well past midnight.
Yuexin glanced around as they walked.
The buildings were familiar in shape, but the displays covering them were different—dates, years, fragments of events scrolling across their surfaces.
"…You walk like you're being followed," Yuexin said suddenly.
The woman didn't slow down. "And you talk like you're not afraid of anything."
"I—I am," Yuexin admitted after a pause. "…I just don't like showing it."
That earned her a brief glance—not judgmental, just curious.
"Good," the woman said. "You shouldn't show your feelings too easily. It makes you easier to deceive."
The road widened as they moved forward, opening into a main street that led to a towering building at the edge of the district—Winter Cherry Hotel. It stood quietly, its pale glass reflecting the dim city lights.
Yuexin slowed. "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe. Somewhere we won't be chased."
"That's not very specific."
They walked a few more steps in silence before Yuexin spoke again, more carefully this time.
"…Those people," she said, her voice quieter, "…they weren't chasing us for no reason. Right?"
"No."
"And you knew how to deal with them."
"Yes."
"…So you're part of something."
This time, the woman didn't avoid it. "An organization," she said simply. "…We handle irregular incidents."
Yuexin frowned. "…Irregular… like what just happened?"
"Yes."
The answer came too easily. Yuexin's fingers curled slightly at her side.
"Then this isn't rare."
"No."
That single word settled deeper than she expected. For a moment, she said nothing. Then—
"…Earlier," she said slowly, "…there was something on the street."
"What?"
"…A screen."
The woman exhaled softly. "So?"
"…It showed a headline," Yuexin continued, choosing her words carefully, "…about a singer."
"…A singer?"
"Yeah. Lian."
This time—there was a pause.
"…I don't recognize that name," the woman said.
Yuexin blinked. "…You don't?"
"No."
"…That's strange." The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Because it was strange. Lian wasn't unknown. Even people who didn't follow music had heard his name. For seven years, he had been everywhere—posters, screens, magazines, every variety show. Until he disappeared five years ago.
Yuexin slowed slightly.
"…Maybe you just don't pay attention to that kind of thing," she added.
"Maybe."
But something in the woman's tone had shifted. Slightly.
"What did it say?"
Yuexin hesitated. "…That he was going on hiatus."
"…And you found that unusual?"
"…Not exactly," Yuexin said slowly. "…It's just… I thought I saw something different earlier."
"Different how?"
"…Like he was coming back."
The words lingered. The woman didn't respond.
They stopped in front of the building.
"That's where you'll be staying for a while," the woman said.
Yuexin stared at her. "Then why didn't you just say so earlier? You could see this place from miles away."
The woman smirked. "What's the fun in telling you everything? Besides… what if you ran away?"
Yuexin's eyes twitched with irritation, but she held it back. "First of all, why would I stay here? My parents will be worried. And who are you? Just because you saved me doesn't mean you're not dangerous."
The woman tilted her head slightly. "You want all your answers right here?"
She glanced around. "What if the people chasing us see us?"
Yuexin narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Let's go."
The woman laughed softly and walked ahead.
The hotel rose above them—thirty-something floors of pale glass and soft light, modern without trying too hard to impress. The city shimmered faintly across its surface, as if the building existed just slightly apart from everything else.
Inside, the lobby was warm, polished, and carefully designed. Soft lighting reflected off smooth floors, and quiet seating areas were arranged with precision. A few people were present, but they felt distant—muted, almost unreal.
Yuexin noticed it immediately. It was too quiet.
Her gaze shifted to the reception desk. A man stood behind it, posture straight, expression neutral. Ordinary—until his eyes lifted and paused on her, as if trying to read something beyond her appearance.
"…Good evening," he said smoothly.
The woman stepped forward. "A room for her."
The receptionist turned to Yuexin. "Do you have a reservation?"
"No."
"Your name, contact number, and ID, please."
Yuexin hesitated. "…Chen Xian. 8676243ed. I… forgot my ID. And I don't have any Fei."
(Fei — the currency of Zhenhai. A country where Yuexin is from.)
"Don't worry," the woman cut in. "I'll cover it."
**Yuexin glanced at her, a thought flashing through her mind—Wait… when did I agree to this? **
The receptionist was already working at the console.
"…Room 1806."
He slid the keycard across the desk, his gaze flickering back to Yuexin.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
The elevator ride was silent. Yuexin leaned lightly against the glass wall, watching the numbers climb.
10… 11… 12… 13…
A soft chime. The doors opened.
The hallway was quiet, thick carpet swallowing their footsteps. Cameras watched from every corner—Yuexin noticed immediately.
"Go in."
The woman unlocked the door and stepped aside.
Yuexin hesitated for a second—then entered. There was no point hesitating now.
The room was spacious. A wide window stretched across one wall, overlooking the city below. Lights shimmered in the distance, making everything seem smaller, quieter.
Inside, everything was neat—too neat. A bed, a seating area, a table, a wall-mounted panel. Perfectly arranged.
Yuexin turned immediately and her mouth started moving like a bullet train.
"Now tell me," she said. "Who are you? What do you want from me? Who were those people—and why did it seem like they knew you?"
The woman poured a glass of water and handed it to her before sitting down.
"Drink first."
Then, calmly— "My name is Xu Minye. I work for the government."
She paused briefly.
"As for the people chasing you… I don't know. Maybe they found something unusual."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Now you tell me. What were you doing there?"
Yuexin moved to the sofa and sat down beside her. She reached for the glass, fingers tightening faintly before she spoke. "I was… on my way home when I felt someone following me. I turned to confront them, but they said nothing. I panicked and ran. That's when I met you."
But in her heart, she stayed cautious. Trust didn't come easily—and while her words weren't false, they were far from complete. Some truths were safer left unspoken.
Minye studied her, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. It was clear Yuexin wasn't being entirely honest.
"Mm… I see. You must have been startled," Minye said gently, her voice soft with reassurance. "You're safe here."
Her eyes flicked to the wrist-watch on her left hand. "It's getting late. I'll come back tomorrow morning and take you home."
She turned to leave, but Yuexin called out, stopping her. "What should I call you? Miss Xu, or…"
"Just Minye," she replied.
Yuexin hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "...Minye-jie. You look a little older than me, so—Minye-jie… does that mean I can leave tomorrow?"
Minye paused, her hand resting lightly on the door. She glanced back at her, her expression unreadable.
"Yes. If everything looks fine."
With that, she left, the door closing behind her before Yuexin could say anything more.
... ... ...
"When—when everything looks fine? Fine?… What does she even mean by 'fine'?"
Yuexin couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. Her brows knit together as she muttered a curse under her breath. "So that means I'll be stuck here until she gets everything out of me."
She grabbed the glass and drained it in one go, then brushed her fingers across the digital panel on the wall. The screen flickered to life.
And in the next instant, every thought in her mind vanished.
The glass slipped from her hand, shattering into a thousand pieces across the floor.