Li An moved through the quiet morning light like a shadow cast by something half-remembered. His skin was pale, almost translucent, untouched by the sun, as if the world had forgotten him. Black hair fell over high cheekbones and a sharp jaw, soft and silky, brushing the nape of his neck. His eyes were storm-gray flecked with gold, his voice alluring as sirens, whenever he spoke it felt mesmerizing, calm yet holding the weight of things he didn't dare speak aloud. He had been called beautiful all his life, but for him, it had always been a curse. People saw a blessing; he felt exposed, fragile, a target for eyes that didn't understand him.
He moved with a quiet grace, careful not to disturb the apartment's silence. Animals always approached him, sensing the gentleness in him that humans rarely noticed. Birds perched at windows, cats brushed against his ankles, and he spoke to them softly, almost in whispers. His life had been shaped by running... from a home too wealthy, a family too loud, a past too heavy... but here, in Linhai, he was Li An, and for the first time in years, he could breathe without the constant weight of expectation.
Across the small apartment, Zhao Liren stirred. Broad-shouldered and tall, his presence filled the modest space effortlessly. His hair, dark and tousled, fell slightly over a square, handsome face. Amber eyes held mischief and warmth, and his muscular frame hinted at a man used to control. He was loud, playful, and untouchably confident, the kind of person who laughed easily and loved freely, for whom the world seemed smaller than it actually was. But he reserved his softness for Li An alone, the boy who carried shadows in his eyes.
The small apartment smelled faintly of porridge and morning air. Two beds shared one room, a tiny hall led to the kitchenette, and the living space, though modest, felt lived-in. It was warm, safe, and theirs.
"Li An! Get up! Breakfast's almost cold!" Liren called, voice teasing but threaded with care.
Li An stirred, eyelids fluttering open, dark lashes brushing pale cheeks. He pushed himself upright, stretching slightly. His lips lifted in a small, reluctant smile, the kind that could soften hearts without trying.
"Do I have to?" he murmured softly.
"Do you want me to throw it away?" Liren replied, smirking. "Brush your teeth first, or no porridge for you."
Li An moved quietly to the bathroom, letting cold water chase away the remnants of sleep. When he returned, he found the table set, bowls steaming in the morning light.
"Any luck with the job hunt?" Liren asked casually, leaning against the counter. His gaze was sharp, as if assessing every subtle shift in Li An's expression.
Li An shook his head, hands folded over the bowl.
"No one wants a graduate who looks like he might break in the wind," he said, voice low, almost resigned, a shadow crossing his delicate features.
Liren frowned, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"They just don't know what they're missing. You're stronger than you think."
Li An looked at him, eyes flickering with a fragile warmth.
"You always say that," he whispered.
"Because it's true," Liren said, amber eyes steady. "My dad's construction company could use someone like you. I can put in a word."
Li An's gaze dropped.
"No. You've done enough for me already. I can't…"
He left the sentence hanging, swallowed by the quiet. Liren exhaled, letting his hand remain on Li An's shoulder, grounding him with silent reassurance.
They ate slowly, the quiet punctuated only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the clink of spoons. Then the TV drew their attention.
"Breaking news! another young man has been found murdered in Linhai City," the anchor said, voice trembling. "Police confirm a series of killings with the same disturbing signature: a single word written in blood beside each victim."
Liren leaned forward, frowning.
"What word?"
The screen flickered, showing a blurred alley. Red smeared across the walls. And there it was...thick strokes, uneven, unmistakable.
QIN.
Li An froze. His spoon slipped, clattering against the table. His chest tightened, heart hammering like a drum in his ears.
Liren's frown deepened, voice low, wary:
"That… can't be a coincidence, right?"
Li An's lips parted slightly, eyes wide, voice barely audible:
"I… I don't know."
Sirens wailed faintly in the distance, sharp and urgent, threading into the apartment like a warning. The small, cozy world they had built suddenly felt fragile and thin, as if someone, or something...was waiting for a crack to slip through.
End of Chapter One.