Summer City Airport.
Eleanor stood by the large terminal window, feeling the morning sun's warmth on her face, yet her heart was filled with unease. It felt as if something terrible was about to happen. This beautiful scene, like the calm before a storm, only made her more afraid.
Buzz. Her phone screen lit up, displaying the familiar contact: "Mother." A knot tightened in Eleanor's stomach, but she answered the call.
Before she could speak, her mother's voice came through, "Eleanor, when are you coming home? Your sister's wedding is next week. She was hoping you could help her look at the wedding dresses." Patricia's tone was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable urgency.
"Boarding in half an hour," Eleanor replied, not in the mood for any prolonged conversation.
"Good, good. Just... call us when you land in the Capital, let us know you arrived safely." Patricia's own anxiety seemed to ease slightly upon hearing this. She hung up shortly after.
Eleanor stared at the ended call screen, the sense of foreboding growing stronger, her face visibly paling.
Skyler, who had just bought coffee, walked over and saw Eleanor's ashen face. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.
"It's nothing. Patricia just called again," Eleanor said flatly, taking the coffee and pretending everything was fine.
"I'll come find you as soon as I finish things here. And you can't refuse me," Skyler stated, her tone worried yet leaving no room for argument.
Eleanor knew she couldn't win an argument with Skyler. She also knew a tough battle awaited her back home. She simply nodded. Seeing Skyler looking even more tense than she felt, Eleanor couldn't help but tease her with a soft smile, "Alright, Sky, relax. I'm the one going back. I'll be back after I handle things."
Skyler's expression softened a little. "You still have the energy to laugh at me at a time like this."
Just then, the announcement echoed through the terminal: "Flight AX128 to the Capital is now boarding. Passengers, please proceed to Gate 5." Eleanor took one last look at the Summer City skyline, knowing it might be a long time before she saw its dawn again. She closed her eyes briefly, "Alright, I'm off. Bye."
"Take care in the Capital. Call me if anything happens," Skyler said.
Eleanor didn't reply, just waved casually with her hand holding her backpack and headed towards the gate.
Elsewhere in the same airport, Lucien and Ethan were also preparing to board their flight to the Capital.
Upon hearing the announcement, the ever-perceptive assistant, Leo, stepped forward to handle the boarding process for his boss and Ethan. Lucien remained gazing out the window, his thoughts still occupied by the mysterious "Y." "Ethan, once we're back, keep a close eye on any major news about 'Y.' Make sure my grandfather doesn't find out," he instructed. Hearing no response, he turned, "Ethan?"
Ethan snapped out of his thoughts. "Ah, got it."
Lucien followed Ethan's previous line of sight and spotted two young women. One of them was someone they knew quite well—Skyler Mu. Lucien looked meaningfully at Ethan for a moment, "Thinking about revisiting the past?"
Ethan didn't answer, simply lowering his head.
The plane flew smoothly at cruising altitude, a vast sea of clouds stretching endlessly outside the windows. Lucien flipped through a business magazine, his eyes pausing on an article about marriage alliances. The weighing of family interests against personal happiness irritated him. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the tray table as his thoughts drifted back to distant Summer City and the mysterious designer "Y."
A few rows back, Ethan took off his headphones, leaned his head back against the seat, and closed his eyes. The image of his ex-girlfriend at the airport had stirred his usually calm heart, memories flooding back like a tide.
Eleanor gazed at the cloud sea outside, hugging her arms tightly as if seeking some semblance of security. She had no idea what kind of thorny path lay ahead.
The Capital.
Stepping out of the airport, the cool night air greeted her. Eleanor tightened her coat and looked up at the neon-lit night sky. After seven years, she was back.
Her phone rang; it was Skyler. "Elle, you landed?"
"Yeah, I'm here." Eleanor's heart felt suddenly warmed by Skyler's voice. Skyler was always like a little sun, able to precisely warm Eleanor's heart every time.
"I sent my brother to pick you up. He just texted me he's arrived. Check your messages; I sent him your new contact info," Skyler said with a light laugh.
"Okay," Eleanor smiled. She was fairly familiar with Skyler's brother, Liam. Back when she lived in the Capital, Skyler often dragged both Eleanor and Liam out together.
After hanging up, Eleanor began scanning the arrival hall for Liam.
Walking further, she spotted Liam standing near a coffee shop. She was about to call out, "Li—" when she noticed the two men standing with him: Ethan and Lucien. The three seemed to be deep in conversation.
"Elle, over here!" Liam called out, spotting her. Eleanor's already striking, slightly upturned eyes crinkled into a warm smile. Liam's heart momentarily skipped a beat. He recovered as she reached them and quickly introduced her to his companions, "Mr. Lucien, Mr. Ethan, let me introduce you. This is Eleanor Sullivan, the second daughter of the Sullivan family."
Eleanor was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered, offering a polite smile, "Mr. Lucien, Mr. Ethan, nice to meet you."
"You know, it's quite a coincidence," Ethan teased, "Same flight, and in less than a month, we'll practically be family."
Eleanor's smile remained perfectly polite, a mask firmly in place.
Liam noticed her slight discomfort and leaned closer, asking quietly, "What's wrong? Tired from the 15-hour flight?"
Having no desire to engage further with the other two men, Eleanor simply went along with it, "Mm."
Beside them, Lucien watched Eleanor standing next to Liam, a faint sense of recognition tugging at him. Haven't I seen her somewhere before? He dismissed the thought almost immediately. A face like Eleanor's, one you wouldn't forget if you'd seen it before. If he had truly seen her, he would remember.
Seeing Eleanor's apparent lack of interest in further conversation, Liam exchanged a few more pleasantries before leading her away.
After Liam and Eleanor left, Lucien remained standing there, his gaze fixed on the direction they had disappeared.
"Well, well, Lucien, interested in that girl?" Ethan quipped, noticing his friend's unusual attention. After all, this particular young master known for his indifference to women, never stared at anyone like that.
Lucien ignored him, turning away. "Let's go."
Ethan, not getting an answer, naturally started forming his own theories. "Lucien, that girl is practically your fiancée. Why be so stubborn about it?"
Lucien shot a glance at Ethan's expectant face and coolly uttered two words, "Shut up."
Inside Liam's Car.
An awkward silence filled the car, broken only by the soft background music. Although Liam and Eleanor had known each other since childhood, seven years without contact had inevitably created a distance, even between once-close friends.
Eleanor attempted to break the ice, "Liam, how have you been these years?"
Liam smiled, "Same as ever. Nothing but work, day in and day out." He then looked at her, "And you? Skyler mentioned you've been really busy lately. I couldn't even manage to see you both when I was in Summer City on business last time."
"We have been quite busy lately," Eleanor said evasively. She and Skyler never discussed their specific work in Summer City with their families, Liam included. Liam never pried, only ever reminding them they could come to him if they needed anything.
The awkward silence threatened to descend again...
Liam spoke up, changing the subject, "Elle, where are you staying tonight? Your apartment at Yuan Lu? Or the Sullivan residence?"
"The Sullivan residence," Eleanor replied flatly.
"Alright. Skyler asked me to keep an eye on you. If anything comes up, just call me. Anytime," Liam said, his gaze warm, wanting to offer her some comfort.
The Sullivan Residence.
"Liam, I'll head in now. I'll treat you to a meal another time," Eleanor said, turning back with a smile.
"Sure. Let me know once you're settled, so I can report back to Skyler," Liam replied, his tone warm yet carrying a hint of helplessness.
Eleanor smiled at him, "Okay, got it, Liam."
Liam didn't drive away immediately. He watched her retreating back for a long moment. "She's changed," he murmured to himself, shaking his head slowly, a look of profound regret in his eyes. "Everything has changed."