The echoes from the Everbloom concert lingered in his mind as Wang Zi Rui stepped into his fourteenth-floor penthouse. Chandelier light shimmered across sleek surfaces, the city sprawling silent and luminous below.
He shrugged off his blazer, letting it slide from his shoulders, then reached up to unfasten his tie. The silk slipped through his fingers before he set it aside on the couch. Sinking into the cushions, he leaned back, gaze tracing the ceiling above.
And then—her image flashed into his mind. Song Meiqi, beneath the glow of the stage lights, her voice soft yet powerful, commanding every emotion in the stadium. His eyes fluttered, and her silhouette melted away, replaced by a memory of a young girl, vivid and fleeting, like a dream he almost couldn't remember.
Her smile lit up her face, black hair dancing with the tune as she played her guitar. She was lost in the music, so completely happy that nothing else mattered.
Once again, his eyes flickered, leaving only the silence of the room. His gaze fell on the glass window, the night sky stretching endlessly above, the city lights glittering like distant stars below.
He stayed still for a long moment, letting the silence settle around him, before stepping into the bathroom and turning on the shower. Minutes later, Zi Rui lay in bed, twisting and turning, the sheets rustling softly beneath him.
His eyes shot open, sweat slipping down his forehead. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths as he stared at the ceiling, the remnants of his dream fading into the dark.
With a sigh, Zi Rui gave up on sleep. Nights like this weren't new—insomnia had been his constant companion since returning to H. City. He changed into running clothes, hoping the cool night air might still his restless mind.
…
Lights flickered in the quiet hallway as the other Everbloom members froze, watching Mengyao step toward Haoran, wrapping him in an embrace.
"Yaoyao…" Si Yu's voice trembled, her hand clutching her phone, still glowing with the latest Hot Search.
Mengyao and Haoran froze, eyes locking on Lina, Si Yu, and Xiuying.
In an instant, they pulled apart, as if caught in the act.
"Si Yu…" Zheng Mengyao's gaze flickered with guilt as she faced her fellow members. For a moment, the words caught in her throat.
"What are you two doing?" Lina's voice cut through the silence like a blade, each word breaking through Mengyao's composure. She rubbed the back of her arm, her gaze flicking to Lina before darting away. "Ah… I was just trying to… comfort Brother Haoran. It seems… he and Meiqi had a little misunderstanding."
"Comfort? Then explain this!" Si Yu stepped forward, thrusting her phone toward them. "What is this ridiculous article?"
Mengyao and Haoran's eyes widened as they read, shock freezing them in place. Their bodies stiffened, as if the air around them had grown heavy.
Haoran's gaze lingered on the phone, then shifted to Si Yu. "It's… ridiculous," he said, his voice trembling despite his calm exterior.
"So it's not true?" Xiuying's eyes pinned him, cold and steady.
Haoran's eyes flickered. "It's not true."
"Then… Why did Meiqi want to break up with you?" Xiuying pressed, her words sharp, like a knife slicing through the quiet.
"Th-That…" he faltered, unable to find the words. Just as Haoran struggled, Mengyao's guilt overcame her hesitation. "It's true," she admitted, eyes flickering with shame.
Si Yu blinked, speechless. Lina's shoulders slumped, heartbreak written across her face. Xiuying, however, remained calm—she had expected this, recalling the strange behavior over the past few days.
"How could you do this to Meiqi?" Si Yu exclaimed.
Mengyao stayed silent, a tear sliding down her cheek. Her hand clenched into a fist, trying to contain the storm of emotions inside her.
"She's not at fault," Haoran said, stepping protectively in front of Mengyao.
"Right. It's both of you… Meiqi is the one who's hurt here… she—" Before Si Yu could finish, Xiuying spoke up.
"Explain it to the managers instead," Xiuying said, her voice calm but firm. "By now, your dating news is probably known by thousands. You need to understand the weight of your actions."
…
After thirty minutes of jogging around Willow Park, Zi Rui slowed and stopped outside a convenience store. He stepped inside, the overhead lights glinting off the polished floors, aisles of snacks and essentials stretching before him.
He moved toward the beverage aisle, reaching for water, when a bottle of beer caught his eye. It was the same beer Meiqi hit him with before.
He couldn't sleep anyway—might as well enjoy a beer, he thought.
He stepped out of the store, the cold breeze brushing against his skin, when his eyes landed on a familiar figure, Song Meiqi. Though she wore a mask, he recognized her immediately—her dark hair falling over her shoulders, the way she hugged herself against the chill, and the subtle tilt of her head downward.
He walked a few steps behind her, keeping his distance. A faint unease tugged at him as he followed silently. Then he saw her stumble, and before he even realized it, his body moved on instinct, catching her in his arms.
His eyes met hers—round and bright, reflecting a trace of sadness.
"Are you alright, Ms. Song?" His voice was low and raspy, even and calm, carrying a subtle edge of concern.
"—No… I'm not okay," she murmured, her voice quivering in the cold night air as she braced herself.