Flashback...
The door clicked softly as it opened.
Li Yanshu stepped into the apartment.
The space was small but warm.
A one-room apartment, neatly kept. The sofa sat close to the window, a low table beside it with a few scattered items—nothing out of place, nothing excessive. Just enough to feel lived in.
His gaze shifted—
And landed on her.
An Yonghui lay on the sofa, relaxed, one arm resting loosely as she held a book up in front of her face. The cover of the book faced outward, hiding her expression completely.
"Yonghui."
The book slipped down slightly.
Just enough for her eyes to be seen over the top edge.
She glanced at him.
"…You're back."
Her voice was calm.
Li Yanshu stepped fully inside, closing the door behind him before moving toward the sofa. Without asking, he lowered himself onto the armrest beside her, crossing one leg over the other, resting his elbow lightly as if he belonged there.
His gaze dropped to the book.
"What are you reading this time?"
Yonghui adjusted the book slightly, finally lowering it enough for her face to be seen.
Her expression was steady.
"I'm reading about Wu Zetian."
A pause.
Li Yanshu's brow lifted slightly.
"…The female emperor?"
"Mm."
He leaned back a little, more interested now.
"Why her?"
Yonghui turned a page slowly before answering.
"Strategy and maybe, wanting to be like her."
Her voice remained even, but there was something sharper beneath it.
She closed the book slightly, holding it loosely now.
"She carved her way through everything. Politics, war, power structures… and became the first female emperor of China."
Her gaze lifted to him.
Then she continued.
"I wanna be like her. After all, to others, I'm just a black woman who's only saving grace was getting adopted into a rich elite family. I wanna prove those fools wrong. So I'm trying to collect strategies from icons like her, I guess."
For a moment, the room was quiet.
Li Yanshu didn't speak immediately.
Then— a small smile appeared on his face.
" Well that's a change." he said softly.
"I've thought about it and getting physically violent won't get me anywhere. It would of course solve some problems if need be but in this world, one must also be strategically violent too." She replied looking at her fist.
Li Yanshu gave a look that screamed "scary". He leaned back slightly, one hand resting loosely as his gaze stayed on her.
"…So," he said casually, "how do you plan to get to that goal?"
Silence before she stood. Her gaze shifted to him."There's no need to explain that to you because you're not part of it."
His eyes widened slightly.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to register it.
The book slipped from her hand onto the sofa.
A stack of cash followed, placed neatly beside it.
She didn't look at either.
"What is this?" He asked.
"It's for your troubles. If it's not enough," she said calmly, " you can call me."
A pause.
"Why?"
"Because I have no need for you anymore. It would be one thing if you were at least someone in a family of high status but... you're not. And I don't want to waste time anymore than I have." She answered casually.
He scoffed."Is this what you mean by strategically violent? More like verbally."
"In the world I am building, usefulness is the only measure of presence."
"Very Wu Zutien coded. So it means that the feelings I have for you doesn't have any effect on you." He said it not as a question but a statement, which Yonghui noticed.
Yonghui nodded. "You're smart. You've already figured out that it would never work."
Li Yanshu looked down at the money. "So this is how it ends. It's been a good three years. Fine, usefulness huhn. As long as I bring meaning, you'll accept me, right?"
She didn't answer, just walked towards the door.
He called out after her. "Then I'll come back for you so wait for me."
The door slammed shut, and so did their history.
---
It had been 5 years since then. They were only 15 and here they were again. Li Yanshu looked at An Yonghui, who had grown very beautiful and bold. He didn't smile but his gaze held more words.
An Yonghui stood in her gown.
Still. Composed.
Her gaze fixed ahead at Li Yanshu and the doorway between them.
But for a fraction of a second—
something unseen flickered behind her eyes.
"Oh my gosh. It's you." Yining gasped, as she scanned Li Yanshu from head to toe.
Yonghui's voice came through next, directed at Yining . It changed coldly, like as if something bitter had touched her tongue. "How exactly do you know him?"
Her eyes never left Yanshu as she spoke.
"What? You didn't know? This is Li Yanshu, he's my junior at work and a famous actor. He's even registered under Zhenyu's company."
Yonghui said. "I'm not really one to follow celebrity gossips. That kind of brainrot has no place in my priorities."
Li Yanshu mouth twitched but he forced down a smile. Lin Shen looked at Yonghui. "That's cold. I'm a celebrity too, you know."
She didn't answer so he continued. "Anyway, Grandma An invited him herself. So you should be nice to him. In other words, he's your partner for tonight."
"I see." With that, she walked forward, towards him.
"Yong...." Yanshu was about to say but she cleanly ignored him as she walked out of the house.
Lin Shen gave Li Yanshu an apologetic look.
Yining tried to ease what Yonghui did. "D.. don't have a bad idea of Yonghui. She's just shy so she does somethings that may look disrespectful sometimes."
Li Yanshu just gave them an understanding smile. "No worries. We should get going."
The others came outside to see Yonghui standing by one of the cars, looking down at a book.
Lin Shen turns to Yanshu. "Well, we'll be going first. You come with Yonghui."
Yanshu nodded as he signed Yining's purse to which she hugged lovingly. As they left, Yanshu walked over to Yonghui, who still ignored him.
"I thought you left as soon as you got out of the house. That's a relief." He said as she closed her book.
Her hand reached for the car door but it never got there.
Yanshu caught it midway and stepped in, closing the distance in one smooth motion. Her front met the door, his arm braced just beside her, his presence pressing in from behind—close enough to trap.
"Yonghui…" His voice lowered near her ear. "Stop ignoring me. I came all this way to see you. Or did the An family stop teaching manners along the way?"
Silence settled. Then she exhaled softly.
"You've changed," she said. "From five years ago."
"Your presence. Your looks… I'll admit that much."
She turned her head slightly to look back at him.
"But that's all there is to it. Just because you have a little fame doesn't make you any special. Think Lin Shen for example, he's even more famous than you."
"That doesn't count. He was a child actor, you can't expect....."
"But think of the family he's from though. The woman who'll marry into his family will get a lot of benefits." She continued, interrupted him.
Yanshu laughed lowly. "So this is still on the topic of five years ago. You're so cruel."
He stepped away from Yonghui just as the moon came into full view. With his hands in his pocket, he looked up at it. "The moon is lovely tonight."
"Too bad there's no time to bask in its glory." She replied smoothing out her gown before finally getting into the car.
Do you really want to play this game?
Li Yanshu thought as he followed An Yonghui into the car. As soon as the car began to move, Li Yanshu suddenly pounced on An Yonghui. .
"You...." She said before her voice was cut off.
——————
The grand hall opened like a stage set for power.
Crystal chandeliers spilled light across polished marble floors, catching on glass, silk, and jewels as guests moved in quiet clusters. Conversations overlapped in low tones, measured and careful, each word carrying weight. These weren't just attendees—they were names that shaped industries, families that held influence, people who didn't need introductions.
At the far end, the raised platform drew attention.
An Yonghui's father stood at the center, composed and authoritative, his presence alone enough to quiet the room. His voice carried cleanly as he addressed the guests, offering thanks before turning the focus where it belonged—on his son.
An Mingde.
His words were not overly emotional, but the pride was unmistakable. Achievements were listed with precision, each one landing like proof rather than praise.
Among the gathered family, Yonghui stood beside her mother.
Her mother stood poised, elegance woven into every detail, while her brothers remained slightly behind them, forming a silent, solid presence.
From a distance, they looked untouchable.
Complete.
Then Yonghui's gaze drifted. Just briefly.
To the side, a little farther from where they stood.
And there—Li Yanshu.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, just as quickly— she looked away.
Applause followed the speech, smooth and measured, rising just enough before settling back into controlled conversation.
The room loosened.
Guests began to move.
Some stepped toward the stage, others turned to familiar faces, but the flow was deliberate—everyone knowing exactly where they belonged.
An Mingde was quickly surrounded.
Congratulations came first. Firm handshakes. Polished smiles. Words chosen carefully, each one carrying weight beyond politeness.
Yonghui remained where she was for a moment longer, beside her mother, watching the pattern unfold.
Then—
"Mom, I'll go meet third brother. " she said quietly.
"Ok. " Her mother gave a small nod, already turning to greet someone else.
Yonghui stepped forward. As she moved, eyes followed her quietly. Of course, she ignored them. To her, it was ridiculous they still acted like she was some wonder as the only dark skinned girl among them.
Some were judging, others were mocking. It was something she had to endure her whole life. There were sometimes she just wanted to beat the hell out of them but of course she controlled herself.
After all, these are people that she needed to grow.
Connections.
Hard work was good but everyone knew that in order for things to move, connections are needed. Elite families like hers were the key.
I don't like going along with people like them but...
She thought as she sighed.
By the time she reached Mingde, he had already noticed her. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
A few of the guests turned their attention to her now.
Introductions followed.
Names, families, affiliations—each one exchanged with ease. Yonghui responded smoothly, her tone measured, her expressions controlled. Nothing excessive, nothing lacking.
Perfect.
After a few minutes, she stepped back.
"Excuse me."
She didn't return to the crowd.
Instead, Yonghui moved toward the side staircase, her steps unhurried, deliberate. The noise softened the higher she went, voices blending into a distant hum.
The upper floor opened into a quieter space.
From there, the entire hall stretched below her.
A sea of movement.
Directly beneath the balcony edge where she stood, massive arrangements of roses filled the space.
Layers upon layers of them.
Deep red, soft blush, and pale ivory clustered together in controlled abundance. They were deliberate, overwhelming in a way that softened the entire lower hall with color and scent. From above, it looked almost unreal, like the floor itself was blooming.
Yonghui stepped closer to the railing.Her gaze lowered over the entire hall. From here, people looked smaller.
Voices became motion instead of sound.
She could see the flow of guests, the shifting groups, the movement of her family and best friends below.
"It's strange. I thought for sure you would begin to berate me for poking into your business." A familiar voice spoke.
Yonghui didn't need to turn to her side to know her grandmother stood beside her.
"Shouldn't you be glad then?" Yonghui replied.
"Hmm. I feel uneasy though." Grandma An smiled as she stroked her chin.
On her finger sat a jade ring—deep green, polished smooth with age. It caught the faint light from the chandeliers behind them, subtle but unmistakable. It matched her attire, a traditional yet refined outfit in muted tones, elegant without excess, the kind of clothing that didn't demand attention but naturally held it.
Her gaze remained fixed on the hall below, observing the movement like she was reading a strategy board.
She glanced over to Yonghui who was also looking down. "Yonghui, Grandpa's memorial is coming up in a few days."
"I know." Yonghui replied flatly.
"It makes sense that you remind me of him. You always idolized him after all." Grandma An said as she smiled.
This time Yonghui turned to her. "That's wrong." This caught Grandma An's attention. " I have always idolized each and everyone of you. That is why my study is filled with different types of books. That is why I always read myself to illness. Because I don't want to be left behind, I want to prove that I can also contribute to the An family despite the fact I am just an adopted member. "
A pause then she bowed. "Thank you for adopting me that day you found me and for creating a home for me."
" You say that but you still have doubts, don't you? You don't need to worry about your stand. Our family will still stand by you and support you." Grandma An assured her.
"I know all about your desire to be seen and successful. Your grandpa told me all about it in his final moment and I decided that I will also help you achieve your goal."
"Marriage is not helping." Yonghui told her.
Grandma An chuckled. "Yes. But Li Yanshu isn't someone you should ignore. He will help you out even more than our family."
She looked directly at Yonghui, into her eyes. "That's just how amazing he is. Trust me." She said finally before she turned away to leave.
Yonghui just stared at where her grandmother had stood.
The air beside her still carried the weight of the conversation that had just ended.
Then she looked down again.
Searching. And found him.
Li Yanshu.
He was below, standing easily within the crowd, speaking with her best friends and her brothers as if he had always been part of their world. There was no stiffness around him. No distance. Just smooth, effortless familiarity.
Yining noticed her first.
She looked up and smiled, pointing toward the balcony.
One by one, the others followed her gaze.
Yining waved, gesturing for her to come down.
But Yonghui didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Her eyes stayed on him.
The memory returned first.
She remembered what happened after they had gotten in the car and he had held her down. The same thing her grandmother said corresponded with what he told her in the car at that moment.
Ever since then, she wondered who Li Yanshu was truly. Was he truly someone worth considering?
At that moment, it begun.
Her grip on the railing tightened.
The hall below shifted.
At first, it was subtle.
The sound dulled, like someone lowering the volume of the world.
Then the lights changed.
The crystal chandeliers flickered—not physically, but in her perception—warping between warm gold and a colder, older glow.
Yanshu moved below.
And the space around him changed with him.
The modern hall began to distort.
The glass and marble softened, edges blurring.
For a split second, the polished floor looked like worn stone.
The chandeliers became hanging lanterns.
The Western suits around him turned into flowing robes, silhouettes of another time moving through him like echoes.
Yanshu himself shifted. A traditional silhouette appeared over him.
Flowing fabric. Older design. Unfamiliar presence.
Not fully real.
Not fully imagined.
Yonghui blinked.
Once.Hard.
The image snapped back—but not fully.
It happened again. The room kept shifting — from modern to ancient.
The edges still trembled.
Her breath caught.
A faint instability flickered through her stance.
Below, Yanshu tilted his head slightly—as if sensing something was wrong.
Yonghui's breathing started to feel off.
Not dramatic. Just unstable, like her focus couldn't hold the room together properly anymore.
Below, the hall was still moving, but everything felt slightly delayed, slightly distorted. Light flickered in her vision. Sound came in uneven pieces.
"The hallucinations are coming back again."
She felt dizzy. She took a step back from the railing.
Then another.
She knew it wasn't safe to stay there.
She turned to leave.
And stopped.
Right in front of her was herself.Wearing traditional hanfu. Standing too close.
Looking at her. Yonghui was startled.
Then her balance gave out immediately after.
No recovery. No second thought.
Her foot slipped.
The railing was gone from her reach.
And with a final gasp, she fell.
Guests barely registered it at first.
A few heads turned.
Then the realization hit all at once.
Gasps broke through the hall.
Someone shouted her name.
Movement surged toward the balcony as people rushed forward, voices overlapping in confusion and alarm.
But Yonghui didn't hear any of it clearly anymore.
Her body hit something soft first.
Roses.
Thousands of them arranged beneath the balcony.
They broke her fall, but not the shock.
Petals burst upward on impact, scattering into the air like a sudden red storm.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
Even her thoughts.
Then it changed.
She wasn't on the roses anymore.
She was falling again.
But not through space.
Through something deeper.
An abyss with no sound, no edges.
Only darkness stretching endlessly downward.
Rose petals appeared around her.
Floating.
Spinning slowly as she fell.
And then— the figure.
The same one she saw earlier.
Exact face. Exact eyes.
Standing in the void like it belonged there.
It reached out.
Yonghui didn't move. Couldn't.
The figure caught her hands.
Firm. Steady.
Then smiled.
Not comforting. Not strange.
Just… certain.
Like it had been waiting.
And then— both of them disappeared.