Moonlight streamed through the broken glass, casting strange patterns across the room. Xiao Zhan's eyes were fixed on the glowing words on the glass—
"Tonight, one truth will be revealed."
His lips trembled.
Xiao Zhan (softly): "What truth…? What's been kept from me?"
The air grew colder ❄️. Slowly, the shadow began to take form—it was no longer vague. A woman's face appeared, sorrowful eyes and a pained smile.
Shadow (softly): "You have the right to know the truth, Zhan…"
Xiao Zhan's breath caught.
Xiao Zhan: "Wh… who are you?"
The shadow turned toward Yibo, her gaze so piercing that his expression shifted.
Shadow: "You should tell him, Yibo. Or are you still afraid… afraid that he'll leave you?"
Xiao Zhan's heart lurched. He grabbed Yibo's hand.
Xiao Zhan: "Yibo… what are you hiding from me?"
Restlessness filled Yibo's eyes. His chest rose and fell, but he stayed silent.
Han let out a quiet laugh.
Han : "So the truth finally comes out. Zhan, the spirit whose whispers you hear… she's not just a shadow. She is Lian."
Xiao Zhan's face turned pale.
Xiao Zhan (shocked): "Lian…? That name…"
Tears glimmered in the shadow's eyes.
Shadow: "Yes, Xiao Zhan… it's me. And Yibo knows exactly who I was."
Xiao Zhan's heart pounded. His trembling voice sought Yibo's eyes.
Xiao Zhan: "Yibo… tell me… who was Lian?"
It was the question Yibo had run from all this time. His eyes welled with tears, and for the first time, his voice broke—
Yibo: "Lian… she was my past. And my greatest mistake." 💔
The room fell silent.
And Xiao Zhan's entire world came crashing down.