Late at night.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The knocking sounded especially piercing in the silent room.
Zhu Zhuqing curled up on the bed, her tears long since dried. The scene from earlier kept replaying in her mind—Dai Mubai holding two women of the wind and dust, laughing wantonly, while she had foolishly traveled thousands of miles to find him.
The door knocked again, more urgently this time.
"Who is it?" Her voice was hoarse.
"It's me." Lin Fan's voice came from outside. "I made some ginger tea. Do you want some?"
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "...Come in."
The door opened gently. Lin Fan carried in a steaming cup of ginger tea and set it beside her bed.
"Are you... okay?" he asked softly.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the ceiling, her voice cold. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."
Lin Fan said nothing. He simply sat quietly beside her, and the only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock.
"I always thought... he at least still remembered me." Zhu Zhuqing gave a bitter smile. "But he didn't even care that I escaped."
"He isn't worth it." Lin Fan's tone was firm. "You deserve better."
Lin Fan knew this was the best time to win Zhu Zhuqing over.
He sat quietly by the bed, his gaze gentle and focused, as though she were the only person left in the world. Zhu Zhuqing's voice was low and hoarse, filled with pain she had suppressed for years. Bit by bit, she spoke of everything she had endured—the cruel competition of the Star Luo Empire, Zhu Zhuyun's pursuit, the despair of fleeing alone, and... the last shred of hope she had once placed in Dai Mubai.
"I thought... as long as I found him, everything would get