As soon as they reached home, the silence of the mansion felt heavier than ever. Zain walked straight to the living room and collapsed onto the sofa. He closed his eyes and rested one hand on his forehead, as if trying to calm the storm raging inside his mind.
Without saying a word, Aanya went inside and returned with the first-aid box. She sat down very close to him. Zain felt someone gently touching his wounds. Aanya carefully wiped the dried drop of blood from the corner of his lip.
Zain (in a low, exhausted voice):
"It's not that bad, Aanya… leave it."
Aanya did not reply. Her silence pierced him more than any words could. He noticed the worry and pain in her eyes for him. Guilt began to rise inside him.
I am dragging this innocent girl into the fire of my revenge… and she's still tending to my wounds.
When she applied the medicine to his lip, Zain winced slightly.
Aanya:
"You'll never change, will you? What did Ruan Jian say that you had to prove your strength? Fighting wasn't necessary."
Zain opened his eyes and looked deep into hers. Her words were bitter—but true.
Zain:
"Some things are better left as secrets, Aanya. Not every truth brings peace."
She didn't understand what he meant. Trying to lighten the mood, she adopted a playful tone.
Aanya:
"What secret? Don't tell me you're some K-drama villain. I've watched enough of those."
A faint smile touched Zain's lips. He slipped his arm around her waist, trying to pull her closer—as if he wanted to reclaim that unfinished kiss. The old intensity returned to his eyes.
But Aanya didn't give him the chance.
Just as he was about to pull her in, she quickly stood up. Leaning down, she ruffled his hair like a little child and patted him gently.
Aanya (smirking playfully):
"Now sit here like a good boy. I'll go make you some hot soup."
Zain could only watch. His arms remained empty as she winked at him and walked toward the kitchen. He took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the sofa. He realized that with Aanya, he couldn't maintain his "stone-hearted" image for long.
After packing up the first-aid box, Aanya looked into his eyes and said with authority,
"Now stop being stubborn and go take a hot shower. It'll ease your exhaustion. I'll cook in the meantime."
Without arguing, Zain obeyed and headed upstairs.
Aanya removed her glasses and placed them on the table. A soft domestic warmth filled her eyes. She gathered her hair falling over her shoulders and tied it tightly with a rubber band so it wouldn't disturb her while cooking.
Entering the kitchen, she rolled up her sleeves. She knew the quickest way to fix Zain's mood was through his stomach.
She began preparing his favorite Chinese dinner:
Szechuan Chicken — its spicy aroma soon filling the entire kitchen.
Vegetable Chow Mein — tossed with fresh vegetables.
Dim Sums — which she prepared with delicate precision.
While chopping vegetables, her mind kept circling back to his words about "secrets." Her hands slowed slightly as the knife moved, but she shook her head and focused again.
Muttering to herself, she said,
"Whatever it is, tonight I'll feed him so well that he'll spill all his secrets himself."
Scene: Zain's Shower and Shifting Mood
Upstairs, Zain stood under the shower. The hot water slowly washed away the pain in his body and the tension in his mind. He punched the wall—not in anger this time, but out of helplessness.
He remembered Aanya's innocent gesture when she had ruffled his hair.
"She truly is a puzzle," he murmured to himself.
After showering, he wore loose white pajamas and a black T-shirt. As he came downstairs, the scent of garlic, ginger, and spices filled the house.
He stood at the kitchen doorway and watched her. Steam had turned her cheeks slightly pink as she stirred the sauce with full concentration. A peace settled on Zain's face—a peace he hadn't felt in years.
When he sat at the dining table, his heart warmed at the sight of the beautifully arranged dishes. Just as he was about to taste the food she had made, Aanya's phone began ringing loudly.
It was a video call from her brother, Lu Wei.
As she answered, three faces appeared on the screen—her mother Lu Feng, her brother Lu Wei, and Zain's cheerful younger sister, Fengning.
Scene: A Big Surprise
They all looked unusually excited. Suddenly, Lu Wei and Fengning held each other's hands up in front of the camera.
Lu Wei & Fengning (shouting together):
"Surprise! We're in a relationship!"
Aanya's eyes widened. She knew Lu Wei liked Fengning, but she had never imagined things had progressed this far.
Fengning (laughing):
"So, Aanya? Am I your sister-in-law, or are you mine?"
Aanya (wrinkling her nose teasingly):
"Listen, Fengning. I'm your sister first, sister-in-law later! You trapped my brother, so you'll have to serve me now."
Zain (interrupting, looking at Aanya):
"No! You're my wife first—which makes you her sister-in-law. And a sister-in-law outranks a sister."
Aanya slapped her forehead and glared at him.
"You always need to win, don't you?"
Scene: Fengning's Hard-Earned Love
Aanya turned back to the screen.
"But Fengning, how did this even happen? My brother is as rigid as a rock. How did you win him over?"
Fengning proudly explained,
"Bhabi, you have no idea how hard I worked! I got a job at his café just to stay near him. I even became his neighbor so he couldn't ignore me!"
Lu Feng laughed from behind,
"Poor girl worked so hard for Lu Wei."
Zain smiled softly. Seeing his sister happy gave him relief. But then Lu Wei looked at him seriously.
"Zain, I've held your sister's hand… I hope you're taking good care of mine."
A brief silence fell over the dining area.
Zain looked at Aanya and gently took her hand.
"Lu Wei, your sister is my life now. Before a scratch touches her, my life will be gone."
Yet deep inside him, fear stirred—What if Lu Wei ever learns the truth?
Aanya's heart melted at his words.
After saying goodbye, the call ended. The lively voices faded, replaced by a heavy silence.
Zain and Aanya looked at each other awkwardly. Both feared the same thing—their own relationship had begun with hatred and revenge. What if their complicated bond harmed Lu Wei and Fengning's innocent love?
Scene: A Slip of the Tongue
Zain pushed his plate aside, feeling uncomfortable. To hide his emotions, he stood abruptly.
"I… I'm going to sleep. I'm tired."
Aanya, chewing, replied casually,
"Yeah, go ahead. Good night."
As he reached the stairs, lost in thoughts of Lu Wei's warning and Fengning's happiness, he suddenly turned back—and without thinking, blurted:
"And listen… you… you come to my bed!"
Aanya froze mid-motion. Her cheeks turned crimson. She stared at him as if he had committed a crime.
"What! What did you say? You… you wolf! You're crossing your limits!"
Zain realized his mistake instantly.
"That's not what I meant, you foolish girl! I meant go to your room and sleep. Don't sit here all night watching TV, or you'll doze off like a cat at work tomorrow!"
Aanya exhaled in relief, though her heart was still racing.
"Then say it properly! What does 'come to my bed' even mean? You're seriously strange."
Zain muttered something under his breath and rushed upstairs before she could see his reddening face.
Aanya stood there smiling. She knew that no matter how hard Zain tried to act tough, inside he was far more tangled than he showed.
Scene: Midnight Revelation
It was 2 a.m. The penthouse lay wrapped in silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock.
Aanya couldn't sleep. Hunger finally forced her out of bed. She tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took some spicy salad, eating it while standing.
Her eyes drifted toward the large glass balcony door—it was slightly open, and cold air was seeping inside.
Curious, she stepped outside.
On the garden bench, under the pale moonlight, sat a shadow.
It was Zain.
He was holding an old, faded family photograph. In it, a little Zain stood smiling beside his elder sister Jia, his father, and his mother Zhao Qi.
His fingers lingered over his mother's face.
Zain (in a trembling whisper):
"Mother… I found a new family. My adoptive father Zhenyu and his wife Xuyan… they, and Fengning, treated me like their own son. But I still miss you."
He inhaled deeply. A fire of vengeance flickered in his eyes.
"I introduced my wife to you… but I still haven't found your killer. Where is he hiding? I searched everywhere, yet there's no trace of him."
Behind him, unnoticed in the shadows—
Aanya stood silently.
Had she heard everything?
Or not?