The sun shines brightly over a bustling market. XY accompanies 17. The two of them talk, smile, and walk among the fruit and vegetable stalls.
XY: (smiling) Look at those fruits, they look so fresh! Would you like to buy some for dessert?
17: (nodding, but distracted) Sure, that sounds good.
While XY stops to look around, 17 notices a woman who works at his house, waiting discreetly in a corner. He approaches her quietly.
Woman: (smiling) Is everything alright, my lord?
17: (looking around and lowering his voice) Yes…
On the other side of the stall, XY notices that 17 seems to be speaking secretly with the woman. Her gaze becomes inquisitive as she wonders what is happening.
XY: (calling out) Hey, come here!
17 quickly says goodbye to the woman and returns to XY.
XY and 17 arrive at the apartment. XY seems a bit thoughtful, while 17 tries to maintain a carefree attitude.
XY: (casually) So… do you know that woman from the market?
17 remains silent, staring out the window, avoiding XY's gaze. After a few seconds, he finally turns around, but his expression is hard to read.
17: (out of breath) No, just… someone who works there.
XY: Is that so…
17 shrugs, still quiet. The tension grows in the air.
At that moment, XY receives a phone call.
XY: Yes, I'll go.
17: What's going on? Is it from the hospital?
XY: No, I have something to do. I'll see you tonight.
17 remains confused and worried. From a window overlooking the street, he watches XY leave with a man dressed in black on a motorcycle, and sadness fills his eyes.
XY arrives with XL at a rather modest house. XL asks XY to treat one of his men who was injured. After treating him…
XL: I'll take you out to dinner, doctor, to thank you for your work today.
XY: It's my duty.
XL: (smiling) And it's my duty to feed you.
They head to a small food stand run by an elderly man.
XL: You're going to try the best meat there is.
XY: If you say so.
XY wants to ask XL many questions, but she is afraid of his reaction. Then she takes a deep breath and gathers her courage.
XY: XL, how did you become what you are?
XL: And what am I, doctor?
XY: You know better than I do…
XL: I don't know. You tell me.
XY: Well… a man who moves in the underworld.
XL: (smiling ironically) The underworld…
XY: I don't want to offend you.
XL: Let me tell you a story, doctor. Once upon a time there was a boy who became an orphan at a very young age, living on the streets. He saw death pass close to him many times and had to learn to survive by any means necessary. You know how hard the streets are.
XL grew very thoughtful. XY felt moved and gently placed her hand over his. They looked at each other, understanding what the other felt. They remained silent until they finished eating.
When they stop in front of the building where XY lives—
XY: Thank you for dinner.
XL: Thank you, doctor, for today.
Just as XL is about to take XY's hand, 17 approaches.
17: It's good you're back, XY!
XY: (looking at 17, surprised) What are you doing here at this hour?
17: Waiting for you. I was worried about you.
XY doesn't know what to say. She looks at XL and simply nods slightly.
XY: (to XL) This is 17.
XL: 17… a very peculiar name.
17: (smiling at XY) That's right…
XY: Well, goodbye, XL. I hope you have a good night.
XL: Likewise, doctor.
XL watches XY walk away with that man. A sharp pain pierces his heart. He places a hand on his chest and tries to breathe deeply, then leaves.
17: (walking beside XY) Who is that man?
XY: Someone I know.
17: How did you meet him?
XY: At the hospital. I treated a man who worked for him.
17: You should be careful, XY. He doesn't seem like a good person.
XY: (thoughtful) I'll keep that in mind. Don't worry.
The next day, XY arrives at the apartment earlier than expected from the hospital, looking exhausted. She takes off her coat and begins to hear a murmur coming from 17's room.
XY: (whispering to herself) What is he doing?
She peeks through the door and sees 17 speaking softly on the phone.
17: (softly) Yes, I'm fine. I'll be back soon… Don't worry.
XY feels intrigued and upset. She hides behind the door and listens more.
17: I can't talk about that now. Just a little more time.
XY realizes that 17 has recovered his memory. The tension rises and her heart begins to race. She decides to confront him. XY abruptly enters the room, startling 17, who quickly hangs up the phone.
XY: (angrily) What are you doing?!
17 looks cornered and slowly stands up, trying to remain calm.
17: XY, I—
XY: (interrupting) Since when did you recover your memory? Who are you really? I can't believe you've been hiding this from me.
17: (taking a deep breath) I am the son of a powerful family, XY. They own companies all over the country.
XY stands frozen, processing the information.
XY: (in shock) A powerful family? Why didn't you tell me?
17: (sincerely) I didn't know how. My life has been chaos. I lost my memory and… you treated me so well that I didn't want to lose that.
XY feels betrayed, yet confused.
XY: (lowering her voice) You deceived me. You took advantage of my sincerity.
17 steps closer, trying to touch her, but XY steps away.
17: (pleading) What we lived means so much to me, XY.
XY looks at him intensely, struggling with her feelings.
XY: I don't want to talk anymore. I need time to think. This is too much.
XY leaves the room, leaving 17 alone under the weight of his new reality.
The next morning, with a cold expression, XY asks 17 to explain everything.
17: (sadly) My older brother has always been jealous of me since we were children. My mother always mistreated him. When we were young, we didn't understand why she behaved that way. But on her deathbed, she told my brother that he was not her son—he was the son of a woman who worked in the house with my father. My father forced her to raise him as her own, but she could never love him because he was a constant reminder of the betrayal she had suffered. My brother filled himself with hatred. Since he couldn't release it on my mother after her death, he directed it toward me. He decided to have me kidnapped and beaten. And that was when you found me…
XY felt compassion for 17, though at the same time she felt pain because of his betrayal.
XY: I'm very sorry for what you've been through. What is your real name?
17: Tushang Jing.
XY: I've heard how prominent your family is. And what will you do about your brother?
17: Forgive him.
XY: (surprised by his kindness) Will you really forgive him?
17: Forgiveness sets you free, XY.
XY: I wish I could be like you… but I don't think I can.
17: XY, I know I broke your trust. I truly wish you would forgive me. I want you to know that I will always be grateful to you—you were my refuge during my darkest moments. You can count on me whenever you need anything.
XY: Take care of yourself, 17.
17 leaves the apartment, deeply saddened. XY feels heavy-hearted and begins to remember the moments she shared with him.
XY: (thoughtful) You are no longer 17… now you are Jing.