Afternoon sun dipped behind the roof of the Zhao mansion, spilling soft amber light through the tall windows. The grand living room carried a strange hush, though moments ago laughter and conversation had filled it.
The hush came with a name.
Xu Wei Ran.
Qing Yun's lashes trembled for the briefest instant, a pause almost invisible. Then, with practiced grace, her lips curved into a smile again. The hesitation vanished as though it had never existed.
"He's maybe filming something," she said lightly, her tone smooth, warm. "I don't know.. We haven't spoken in years."
Xin Yue's eyes widened in delight. She clapped her hands together. "He's on every billboard in Liangcheng right now!" She leaned teasingly toward her brother, laughter bubbling like silver bells. "…you'd have to fight a superstar for Qing Yun, they use to be inseparable."
The teasing rippled through the air, laughter breaking the hush. Even Ming Liang chuckled, shaking his head.
Only Ze Yan's hand, resting on his knee, curled tighter against his palm.
Qing Yun, calm as ever, steered the topic away before the ripple deepened. "Xin Yue, what about you? I heard you've been busy these days."
Immediately, the girl brightened. "My own cosmetics line! Skincare and makeup. It's still small batch, but I've already partnered with two labs. Papa promised I could try one of Zhao Corp's channels when I'm ready to launch."
"That's wonderful." Qing Yun's smile was genuine, eyes shining. "Your designs must be beautiful. When you launch, send me your products—I'll be your first loyal customer."
Xin Yue beamed. "Then it's settled! You has to be my brand ambassador."
Laughter softened the edges of the room once again. Ming Liang raised his glass, satisfaction deepening his smile as he watched Qing Yun blend seamlessly with the family.
But at Ze Yan's side, something still stirred—like smoke caught beneath glass.
Ze Yan's Thoughts
Outwardly, he was composed. Inwardly, the name gnawed.
Xu Wei Ran.
He wasn't just a childhood friend, wasn't just some shadow in the past. He was everywhere—on screens, in songs, in magazines. A man admired, untouchable, beloved by millions.
And yet, Qing Yun had once looked at him with familiarity. Perhaps even affection.
Why does it sting, hearing her speak his name?
The question coiled sharp and restless in Ze Yan's chest. He lifted his wine to his lips, but even the vintage's warmth couldn't wash away the bitterness.
--
The luncheon ended on a note of cheer. Ming Liang and Mei Lian personally walked them to the grand foyer, praising Qing Yun again and again, inviting her back. Zhao Rui and the two elder stepbrothers stood stiff and cold, but subdued—still defeated by Qing Yun's earlier sharp wit.
At the steps, just before stepping into the car, Qing Yun paused.
"Wait."
She turned toward Ze Yan. Her slim fingers smoothed the lapel of his beige suit, then brushed away a faint shadow near his cheek—perhaps dust, perhaps wine.
"Perfect," she murmured softly.
The gesture was nothing to outsiders. But to Ze Yan, it was a touch pressed straight into the deepest part of his heart.
When Ming Liang saw the scene, his smile carried rare satisfaction.
In the Car
Traffic streamed like rivers of light along the expressway. At first, silence hung inside the car.
Ze Yan broke it with a teasing tone. "You worked hard today. Especially when you put my brothers in their place. Ten stars."
Qing Yun laughed lightly, her smile like the curve of sunlight on water.
"But," he continued, eyes glinting, "didn't you tell me to be nice? Why weren't you?"
She shook her head gently. "Because you need long-term stability. With your company rising, enemies only weigh you down. Losing a battle doesn't mean losing the war."
Her words landed deeper than intended. Ze Yan's chest tightened—tenderness threading with admiration. He turned, studying her profile: calm, steady, luminous.
And then, unable to stop himself, he spoke. "…Xu Wei Ran."
Qing Yun didn't flinch. Instead, a small laugh slipped out. "I thought you'd ask sooner."
Her voice was even, tinged with nostalgia but not longing.
"He was my childhood friend. My academic rival. We grew up side by side—every exam, every competition, every project, we were always paired together. Teachers used to call us the 'golden duo.'"
A faint smile tugged her lips.
"People thought we were dating. But really, it was just endless debates and late-night study sessions. He never let me win, not even once. Even if it meant arguing over a single equation until dawn."
Her gaze softened with memory.
"After high school, he shocked everyone. He gave up a perfect scholarship track and chose to chase his dream. Acting. Singing. Everyone said he was foolish."
Her smile lingered faintly. "But he made it. He's Xu Wei Ran now. A star the whole country knows."
Ze Yan's jaw tightened. "…Do you miss him?"
"Sometimes," she admitted softly. Then she turned her eyes to the window, watching the lights blur past. "But he belongs to another world now. Not mine."
Private Reflections
Later that night, Liangcheng glowed with thousands of lights. One city. Two hearts apart.
Ze Yan sat in his high-rise apartment, a glass of wine untouched on the table. He stared at the darkened window, Xu Wei Ran's name echoing in his mind. The world saw Xu Wei Ran as flawless, untouchable. But what did Qing Yun see, when she thought of him?
I don't want to be another name in her story.
I want to be the one she remembers now.
Meanwhile, in a modest apartment across the city, Qing Yun lay on her narrow bed. The hum of traffic seeped faintly through the walls. She unlocked her phone.
WeChat opened.
Unread messages glowed in a long line. Every one from Xu Wei Ran.
"Qing Yun, I found our old photo. You still had your hair in a braid."
"Do you still drink lemon tea when you're tired?
I miss our study sessions."
"Qing Yun, I miss you."
Her thumb hovered over the latest message, sent just last week:
" I want to see you"
The words pressed against her chest like a weight she hadn't asked for.
Qing Yun locked her phone quickly, pressing it to her heart as if to steady its beat.
But sleep evaded her.
And across the city, Gu Ze Yan lay restless in his own silence—unaware that the past he feared was not just memory, but a man whose name lit up screens, already making his way back to Liangcheng.