Alex knocked lightly on the office door.
"Come in."
Chen Ruyan's voice was calm as always, but for some reason, it carried a faint sense of anticipation.
Pushing the door open, Alex stepped inside. The curtains were half-drawn, leaving the room in a dim, ambiguous light. Chen Ruyan stood by the desk, fingers lightly tapping the surface, her expression thoughtful.
"You were looking for me?" Alex asked.
Chen Ruyan turned around slowly, her sharp eyes locking onto his.
"Yes. Sit."
Her tone left no room for refusal.
Alex shrugged and sat down casually, crossing one leg over the other. "What is it? Planning another 'experiment'?"
Chen Ruyan didn't answer immediately. Instead, she walked toward him, stopping just close enough that he could feel her presence, but not close enough to touch.
"Alex," she said softly, "or should I call you… Chen Longtao?"
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "Does it matter?"
"It does," she replied. "Because names represent identity. And in this world… identity is unstable."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing.
"When you told Yuqian your real name, she couldn't hear it. That means this dream rejects anything that doesn't belong to its framework."
Alex's expression finally became serious.
"So?"
"So you are an anomaly."
Silence filled the room.
Chen Ruyan continued, her voice low and steady, "You are not a projection of Chen Luoqiu. You are not part of this dream. Yet you can influence it… even change us."
She paused, then added:
"And more importantly, you can awaken us."
Alex leaned back, letting out a soft chuckle. "You're giving me too much credit."
"No," Chen Ruyan shook her head. "Not enough."
She turned and walked to the window, pulling the curtain open slightly. Sunlight spilled in, cutting across the room like a blade.
"Chen Nuo regained memories after being with you. The same happened—partially—with Chen Liping. Even Yueling is showing signs of deviation."
She turned back.
"That's not coincidence."
Alex remained silent.
Chen Ruyan stepped closer again, this time placing a hand on his shoulder. Her touch was light, but deliberate.
"So tonight," she said, "we push further."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "How far is 'further'?"
Chen Ruyan smiled faintly.
"You'll find out."
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