"If that's really the case, then I'm sorry."
Zane lowered his hand. His first instinct after guessing what Zhu Yuan was about to say was to stop her from going any further.
And with those words, his stance was clear.
Zhu Yuan, hearing this, felt somewhat relieved. If Zane had actually agreed, that would've been a nightmare.
She couldn't keep pretending forever—pretending to be lovers, pretending to be married...
But even so, she was still a bit curious.
Why had Zane turned her down?
Sensing Zhu Yuan's curiosity, Zane spoke softly.
"Love is a profound connection. It can link two people who were once strangers into something that transcends everything."
"Something that sacred... I can't treat it lightly."
Seeing that Zhu Yuan still looked a little puzzled, Zane gave a faint smile and started walking ahead. She quickly caught up.
His voice echoed beside her.
"We're friends. And I know very clearly that I don't have those kinds of feelings for you. So if I said yes, I'd be doing you a disservice, and myself as well. It would be a betrayal of what that feeling really means."
"And..."
Zane lowered his eyes. When he noticed Zhu Yuan's curious gaze, he didn't continue. He simply smiled again.
"Nothing."
He didn't believe he could ever fall in love.
No matter the type, no matter the person.
Maybe he had a faint sense of familial affection toward Panta—but that was it.
"Still, I really appreciate what you feel. I'm honored, and I'm genuinely happy."
"I think that happiness will stay with me for a long time."
He said it gently. Zhu Yuan stood there, lost in thought, her mind replaying everything he'd said.
"Well, now that it's all settled, it's time to say goodbye."
"The food was great—thank you. Next time, my treat."
Zane came to a stop. Zhu Yuan stopped too, instinctively, and glanced at the now-empty bag in his hand, a bit confused.
When did he finish?
"Enjoy your time off, Zhu Yuan."
Zane gave a small wave and smiled. After everything that had just happened, it was only natural they'd need a little space.
Zhu Yuan nodded and watched him leave.
She stood silently, her eyes thoughtful as the breeze stirred her hair.
Zane's outlook... was actually quite close to hers.
If her senior hadn't made it sound so dire, she never would've gone this far—even if it was all just pretend.
But now...
Just then, a hand rested on her shoulder. She turned and saw Qingyi standing there.
Qingyi had been the one who messaged her earlier. After that, Zhu Yuan had sent her the location.
"Senior, how did it go?"
"Did I help?"
Zhu Yuan asked with a serious look.
Qingyi's expression was complicated. She wasn't sure how to answer. Remembering the orb of light that had appeared in her hand earlier, she sighed quietly.
"Half a success, I guess."
"Huh? What do you mean, half?"
Qingyi replied softly.
"We got the result, but... instead of shock, it was joy. Honestly..."
Zane was too sharp. Given his perceptiveness, it was nearly impossible to provoke the kind of sudden emotional reaction they needed.
Hearing that, Zhu Yuan didn't know all the details, but she understood at least the basic goal.
"Senior, I actually have an idea."
"What is it?"
"If Seth confessed, it might work."
Qingyi fell silent.
That... did sound kind of perfect?
Too bad it was too late.
"It's alright, Zhu Yuan. This outcome isn't bad. As for the rest... I'll figure something out."
She gave Zhu Yuan a reassuring smile, then rested her chin on one hand, deep in thought.
What could strike Zane suddenly enough to shock him, yet evolve into a more complex feeling afterward?
The way he looked at her...
Suddenly, an idea struck Qingyi. The quiet courtyard, her current state—it all pointed to a plan that might just work.
As Qingyi thought, Zhu Yuan, still nearby, tried to ask about the details.
But Qingyi just waved a hand and said gently,
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, Zhu Yuan. I just can't."
"But don't worry. Leave it to me."
Having assessed the situation, Qingyi was ready to go. She looked at Zhu Yuan, saw the lingering worry on her face, and smiled.
"You've got to trust your senior."
Hearing that, Zhu Yuan could only nod and temporarily push her doubts aside, watching as Qingyi left.
...
Meanwhile, Zane hadn't completely put it out of mind either.
He was still puzzled about Zhu Yuan.
By all accounts, she was someone who took feelings seriously. Based on how they'd interacted, a sudden confession just didn't make sense.
And after being rejected, her first reaction was... curiosity?
That was even weirder.
Something about it all felt abrupt—off.
And there was Qingyi, always so mysterious. Who knew what she was planning?
The more he thought about it, the less he understood. Qingyi's voice echoed in his ears again. He shook his head slightly.
"Just let it happen naturally, huh…"
"That's easier said than done..."
...
Time passed quietly in the courtyard.
"This should do it..."
Inside the room, Qingyi gently placed the glowing orb in her hand onto the white flower. As the flower swayed slightly, the orb quickly faded away.
Once it disappeared, the flower seemed to perk up a little. One of its petals looked smoother and softer, no longer as wilted as before.
Qingyi smiled with relief.
But the feeling didn't last long. Tension returned—after all, what she'd done so far was just the beginning.
"Emotions... they're really complicated."
She sat on the bed, gazing at the white flower by the window. Helping it bloom fully and avoid wilting wasn't going to be easy.
But that wasn't even her biggest concern right now.
"Why is this happening…?"
Qingyi frowned deeply, completely stumped.
"Divinity, of all things... how could that be? With Zane's consciousness, logically…"
She thought back to that fleeting glimpse she'd caught when she arrived here—of that full form, slumbering among the stars.
That divine form, the part Zane had accepted into himself, looked so small.
But Qingyi was sure she hadn't misjudged it. Her theory wasn't wrong.
With that level of power, there was no way divinity could control Zane. It was questionable whether it could even influence him at all. As a part of his consciousness, it seemed more like... a support.