When Xin Ying finally set her pen down, her wrist ached.
She stretched, blinking tiredly, then glanced up at the clock.
7:00 PM
"Oh no…" she muttered.
She shot up from her chair, nearly knocking it over, and hurried to her wardrobe. Clothes were pushed aside in quick succession until she settled on something simple—comfortable.
A black T-shirt.
A light jacket.
Long pants.
Good enough.
She grabbed her keys, rushed out of the apartment, and drove straight to the night market.
The parking lot buzzed with life when she arrived.
Xin Ying stepped out of her car and immediately pulled out her phone.
Xin Ying: I'm here. Where are you?
The reply came almost instantly.
Zhi Han: Look in front of you.
Xin Ying lifted her head.
And froze.
Zhi Han stood just a few steps away.
Her hair was loose, falling softly over her shoulders. She wore a green dress that moved gently with the night breeze, the color making her eyes glow beneath the lantern light.
She was smiling.
Bright. Open. Familiar in a way Xin Ying couldn't explain.
Xin Ying's heart skipped a beat.
Then—
A flash.
A woman in royal robes.
The same eyes.
The same smile—gentle, restrained, aching with longing.
Xin Ying's breath caught.
Zhi Han stepped closer and waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Earth to Xin Ying?"
Xin Ying blinked rapidly. "Oh! I—sorry. I'm so sorry I'm late."
Zhi Han laughed softly. "It's fine. Come on, let's go."
The night market was alive.
People flowed past them, laughter mixing with sizzling sounds from food stalls. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meat, spices, sugar, and smoke.
Xin Ying's eyes lit up. "It smells amazing."
Zhi Han watched her fondly.
As they walked, they passed stalls selling snacks, drinks—and jewelry. Handmade bracelets, necklaces, rings glinting beneath lantern light.
Jewelry stalls were rare.
Zhi Han suddenly stopped. "Wait here."
Xin Ying nodded, watching as Zhi Han disappeared into the crowd.
A few minutes later, she returned holding two skewers.
She handed one to Xin Ying, her fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"Here," Zhi Han said softly. "Eat this."
Hope flickered unmistakably in her eyes.
Xin Ying accepted it.
The moment her fingers closed around the skewer—
A memory surged.
Snow falling.
Two skewers held between them.
Laughter whispered beneath the eaves of a palace wall.
Her head throbbed.
Then the image vanished.
"…Thanks," Xin Ying said quietly.
Zhi Han's smile faltered, disappointment briefly crossing her face before she hid it.
They continued walking.
The crowd thickened.
Xin Ying felt Zhi Han's hand brush against hers once.
Twice.
Then Zhi Han's fingers curled around Xin Ying's hand—gentle, tentative.
Xin Ying did not pull away.
Her heart beat faster, but the touch felt… right.
When they reached the jewelry stall again, Zhi Han suddenly tugged Xin Ying sideways.
"Wait—!"
Xin Ying stumbled as Zhi Han pulled her into a narrow alley.
Her back met the wall.
"What's wrong?" Xin Ying asked, startled.
Zhi Han's breathing was uneven. "It—it's Ling Zhihao. The man who tried to hit me before."
Xin Ying stiffened.
"I thought I saw him," Zhi Han whispered, voice trembling. "I know it sounds ridiculous but—"
BANG.
Fireworks exploded overhead.
Zhi Han gasped and instinctively stepped forward, burying her face against Xin Ying's chest and wrapping her arms tightly around her.
Xin Ying froze.
Then slowly, she lifted her hands and held her back.
Her face burned.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure Zhi Han could hear it.
They pulled back just enough to look at each other.
Lantern light danced in Zhi Han's eyes.
Her gaze dropped to Xin Ying's lips.
Slowly—carefully—Zhi Han closed the distance.
Their lips met.
Xin Ying's breath caught in shock.
Then—
She kissed her back.
And the world shattered.
---
The Palace flooded her mind.
Li Hua kneeling in blood-soaked robes.
The weight of a body in her arms.
A kiss beneath plum blossoms.
A gunshot.
A scream.
A promise never broken.
Tears welled in Xin Ying's eyes as memory after memory crashed into her.
She pulled back, staring at Zhi Han as if seeing her for the first time—
And the first time all over again.
"…Li Hua?" Xin Ying whispered.
Zhi Han's eyes filled instantly.
"Yes," she breathed. "It's me."
The night market roared around them, unaware.
But in that narrow alley, beneath fireworks and lantern light, two souls finally found their way back to each other.
Across worlds.
Across fate.
Across a story that refused to end.
---
Thank you for reading my novel
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