Inside the first-class cabin of the last flight heading back to H.City, Wang Zi Rui leaned back against his leather seat, the soft lighting glinting off the rim of his glasses as the plane ascended, the night sky stretching endlessly.
Zi Rui turned to the window on his right, watching Province A fade into the distance, his mind slowly drifting back to the day Si Qi had handed him the file containing Song Meiqi's background information.
That Night…
The lamp's shade cast a dim glow across the room as Zi Rui quietly flipped the folder open.
Song Meiqi, twenty-three years old. Her mother was deceased, and her father, Chen Feng, had overseen her early life. She had attended A. Primary School, but in seventh grade, she had dropped out. There was no record at all for an entire year.
Zi Rui tilted his head and frowned, staring at the gap in her records.
Then he continued reading. After that missing year, Song Meiqi had gone to Country E to live with her uncle, Han Yichen, spending the rest of her middle school years there.
A class photo of her in ninth grade was clipped to the end of the page, and Zi Rui's heart skipped a beat. His fingers were slowly tightening around the edge of the paper as he narrowed his eyes on Meiqi's face.
Back then, her face still had soft features—her round eyes reflecting the awkwardness of a teenager, her naturally plump cheeks still holding a youth yet to blossom.
My guess was right
Everything stilled. His gaze lingered on her until his lips curved almost imperceptibly. After all these years of searching, he had finally found the girl who had saved him ten years ago.
Zi Rui shifted in his seat, the memory of their encounter at the hospital earlier pressing against him. It had been so sudden, so unanticipated, that his mind had gone blank for a second.
Thoughts racing, nerves taut, all he could manage was a whisper that escaped before he could think twice,
"Then… I need to go."
A sigh escaped Zi Rui's lips, perhaps coming back to H.City… wasn't so bad after all.
…
The next morning, sunlight spilled across Meiqi's bedroom, painting the walls in soft gold. She stirred beneath the sheets, her lashes fluttering against the brightness.
A sharp throb pulsed at her temples.
She winced and slowly pushed herself upright, one hand pressing against her head. Her gaze swept the room; familiar cream-colored walls and framed photos came into view, and she frowned.
Moments later, she stepped out of her room, tilting her head in confusion when she found her uncle sprawled comfortably on the couch, the morning news murmuring from the television.
"How did I get home last night?" she asked, her voice still hoarse from sleep.
Han Yichen turned to look at her. "You don't remember?"
Meiqi frowned. All she remembered was drinking with Wang Zi Rui under the beautiful night sky.
Seeing her troubled expression, Yichen chuckled softly. "A guy brought you home last night," he said, leaning back with amusement dancing in his eyes. "Care to tell me who he was?"
Meiqi's confusion deepened.
"Young Miss, Master told me you were drunk last night, so I brewed you some hangover soup," Auntie Mei's voice called from the dining room as she slid the bowl onto the table.
Then, as she stood frozen, trying to piece it together, a fragment of last night's memory flashed through her mind—she had been standing by the entrance, her fingers tightly gripping Zi Rui's arm, trying to pull him inside the Han Residence.
Meanwhile, Zi Rui's face had remained expressionless as he stood rooted to the ground, unmoving, his eyes never leaving her.
"Ms. Song… what are you doing?" he had asked.
Meiqi paused, then shifted her gaze to Zi Rui. "One more round," she said, a playful curve to her mouth, before her expression softened.
"There are older members in the group, but no one compares to you," she confessed, eyes sparkling with admiration.
"You may have a cold face, but actually… you're thoughtful and humble and… and…" Her eyes widened, and a shy smile tugged at her lips. "And I really… look up to you."
Then, leaning closer as if to make herself clearer, she added, "Can I call you big sister?"
Zi Rui's eyebrows slowly arched, puzzled at the half-sober Meiqi in front of him.
Meiqi then raised her index finger to her lips. "Shhhh," she whispered. "Big Sister, don't worry… I'll protect your secret to my grave." She blinked solemnly, as if sealing a sacred vow not to tell anyone he was into men—unless he chose to say it himself.
She shook her head, mortified by the memory.
"So, what's his name?" A hint of mischief laced Yichen's voice as it cut through her thoughts.
Meiqi stiffened and glanced away, buying herself a second. "He's… gay," she said flatly.
Inwardly, she apologized to Zi Rui. It was the quickest way to stop her uncle from asking more questions.
Yichen let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Hai… I was really hoping you'd be sneaking around with someone."
Meiqi let out a small laugh. "You haven't given up on the idea yet."
Yichen shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Hai… I guess I'm hopeless. So, what's your flight today?"
"My flight back to H.City is at 3:00 PM," Meiqi replied.