"Hello." The man on the other end answered, calm and measured, as if he had been expecting the call.
A faint, sharp smile flickered across the shadowed figure's face, eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement. Every nerve thrummed with anticipation.
"Why is there no news yet?" His voice was sharp, urgent, trembling despite his attempt at control. His hand clenched into a tight fist at his side, knuckles whitening.
Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, before the man replied.
"No hurry," he said, calm and deliberate. "Echo will definitely release the news tonight."
The shadowed figure's grin widened. His eyes gleamed as he imagined the moment Song Meiqi would finally see that Haoran had never been good for her—and that he, and only he, truly cared for her. A cold thrill ran through him; it felt as if the night itself were under his control.
"But…I'm curious…How did you find out about this information? Who are you?" the man on the other end asked, voice laced with curiosity.
The shadowed figure froze, a flicker of danger in his gaze. His eyes narrowed, sharp and cold.
"We agreed you wouldn't try to find out who I am," he said, low and steady. "I'm just a fan."
The line went dead, leaving a heavy silence in the stark white room. The man blinked slowly, hand lingering on the phone.
"Master… Did he say who he was?" his junior asked, leaning forward, eyes wide.
He shook his head. "No. But… I'm certain he's just a crazy fan," he said, voice calm but firm.
…
Meanwhile, inside the North Wing Stadium, Lina stepped onto the stage in her long white gown, catching the lights. The crowd erupted instantly—screams and cheers rippled through the fans, as if the arena had come alive once more.
At this point, it was time for the solo stages, where some members performed their own songs while others covered popular hits.
Wang Yixiao swayed with the music, eyes shimmering with delight—until a sudden chill crept over her. The roar of the crowd dimmed in her ears as a cold presence seemed to loom just behind her.
She turned slowly—and froze. Wang Zi Rui stood before her, sharp in his tailored suit, glasses glinting under the stage lights, looking composed and untouchable as ever.
Her chest fluttered unexpectedly—shock, curiosity, and a quiet ache tangled together. She had wanted him to come, but now that he was only a few steps away, she didn't know what to feel. Though he was her brother, they had never truly connected—and the weight of that unspoken distance pressed down heavier than she realized.
Wang Zi Rui's eyes lingered on Yixiao, dressed entirely in black—sweater, pants, shoes. The faint gleam on her glasses caught his gaze, hiding whatever emotion lay behind them. For a moment, it felt as if an invisible wall stood between them—silent and unyielding. Neither knew what to say.
Just then, a gentle nudge drew Yixiao's gaze to the side. Standing there was her best friend, Yutong, watching her with a curious gaze.
"Yiyi…who is he?" Yutong asked.
Yixiao realized her friend had been standing beside her all along, following her gaze.
"Ah…my brother, Zi Rui," she said, the words feeling strange and stiff as they left her mouth. Brushing off the awkwardness, she added, "Brother, this is my friend, Yutong."
Zi Rui nodded, and Yutong returned the gesture, though a sudden chill settled in her chest. The lively atmosphere around them had turned cold all of a sudden.
Unfazed, Zi Rui stepped to Yixiao's side. The bright stage stretched out before them, lights cutting through the darkness. Together, they watched Xiuying perform, her presence filling every corner of the arena.
Even an hour into the concert, the Bloomis were as loud and energetic as at the start. Yixiao and Yutong were completely absorbed in every Everbloom member, and for a moment, the awkward tension beside Zi Rui faded away.
Then the lights went out, and the crowd fell silent, waiting for the final member to perform.
Suddenly, fans erupted, shouting Song Meiqi's name. Bright lights swept across the arena, shimmering over the crowd, as spotlights pierced the darkness and landed on a woman in a white halter mini dress. The neckline framed her shoulders and graceful silhouette, the fabric sparkling with every step.
Even before a note left her lips, she owned the stage—a radiant mix of elegance and youthful energy.
"Ahhh!!! Song Meiqi!!!" Yutong screamed beside Yixiao, her voice swallowed by the roar of the crowd. Yixiao's lips curved into a small, excited smile, her eyes sparkling as the arena's energy washed over her.
Wang Zi Rui watched in silence, struck by how much she had changed. The confident, radiant Meiqi in her stunning dress was nothing like the nervous, awkward girl he had met before. His brown-golden eyes flickered with curiosity, a quiet mix of surprise and intrigue, as if he were seeing someone entirely new.
Meanwhile, across the stadium, Si Haoran lingered in a VIP corner, face partially hidden under the bright lights. His gaze softened as he watched Meiqi, a small smile tugging at his lips. Slowly, he slid a hand into his pocket, fingers closing around a small jewelry box. His heart raced at the thought of proposing tonight.
After all the lies, betrayal, and months of confusion that had clouded his heart, his eyes finally settled on her with unwavering certainty—Meiqi was the only one for him.