The rain beats against the taxi window, blurring the lights of Qian塘's night sky into streaks of color. My phone has been silent for days—no calls returned, no texts read. Just that handwritten letter tucked into my bag, the ink smudged in places like he hesitated over certain words. "I'm sorry," it began. Not the other way around. As if he was the one who needed forgiveness.

The taxi pulls up to a run-down apartment building, and I pay the driver, clutching my umbrella tightly as I step out into the downpour. I shouldn't be here. A woman like me doesn't chase after boys who disappear without a word. Especially not boys who drive ride-shares on the side and can't afford proper textbooks.

But here I am anyway. Standing in front of Zhuge Dan's apartment door, my heart pounding against my ribs. I've tracked him to his twin brother's place in Qian塘, and I'm not leaving without answers. Or maybe without him.

I raise my hand to knock, hesitating for only a moment before letting my knuckles hit the wood three times. The sound echoes in the quiet hallway. Somewhere inside, a voice yells something about coming, and then footsteps approach. The door swings open, and Zhuge Dan's surprised face appears—identical to his brother's, but with a wilder haircut and makeup smudged around his eyes.

"Well, well, well," he drawls, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smile. "The famous Guangling Wang herself. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Behind him, I catch a glimpse of movement. A familiar silhouette standing in the shadows of the apartment, tall and lean with shoulders that could only belong to one person. My breath catches in my throat.

He's here.