The night is dark, and the car's headlights illuminate the cobblestone road leading to a grand mansion. XY sits in the back seat of CX's car, her mind filled with memories and confusion. The vehicle stops in front of the imposing mansion, and XY feels a knot in her stomach as she recognizes the place where she spent her childhood. CX opens the car door, and XY steps out, trembling slightly.
CX (in a soft but firm voice):
Come on, XY. It's time for you to remember who you are.
With hesitant steps, XY enters the mansion, with 17 walking beside her. The décor is luxurious and painfully familiar; every corner awakens memories she had tried to bury. When they reach the main hall, a mature man with a kind face marked by sadness approaches quickly. His expression shifts to a mixture of relief and joy when he sees XY.
Zheng Guolin (emotional, opening his arms):
My daughter! You're back!
Before XY can react, Zheng Guolin wraps her in a warm embrace. XY freezes, unsure how to respond. Finally, she gently pushes him away and steps back.
XY (nervous, shaking her head):
Sir, you're mistaken… I'm not who you think I am.
Zheng Guolin (looking at her sadly, yet still smiling):
Why won't you admit who you are, Jiuyao?
At that moment, Ah Nian enters the room. When she sees XY and Zheng Guolin together, her expression hardens. She quickly steps forward and forcefully separates them.
Ah Nian (cold and authoritative):
Father! What are you doing? Why are you hugging this woman?
Turning to XY, Ah Nian shoots her a look of contempt.
ZG (harshly):
Ah Nian… leave.
Without saying a word, XY turns around and walks alone toward the mansion's garden. 17 follows at a distance, keeping his space. Memories chase XY as she walks. The cool breeze and the scent of flowers surround her, but they do nothing to calm her mind.
As XY moves deeper into the garden, CX and ZG remain in the hall. CX looks frustrated and finally breaks the silence.
CX (worried, confused):
Master, I don't understand… Why doesn't Xiaoyao recognize who she is? It's as if… she doesn't want to remember.
ZG (sighing deeply, with a melancholic gaze):
Sometimes, CX, people suffer so much that they choose to forget. It's their way of protecting themselves from pain. Xiaoyao has been through more than you can imagine.
CX's eyes fill with concern as he watches XY's lonely silhouette through the window. Moonlight softly illuminates the scene, accentuating the sadness that envelops the mansion. Both men remain silent, knowing that the path to truth and acceptance will be long and painful.
In the garden, XY stops in front of an old stone fountain. Her reflection in the trembling water looks back at her with the same eyes full of uncertainty. Memories of her childhood blend with her confusing present, and a single tear falls into the water, breaking the reflection. 17 approaches and hugs her to comfort her.
XY (whispering, her voice breaking):
I don't want to be her…
XY tells him her entire story. 17 feels compassion for her and promises to always stay by her side.
Hours later, the mansion is silent, except for the soft murmur of the night breeze drifting through the open windows. XY has been in the garden, but she finally decides it is time to face the truth. With steady steps—though still nervous—she heads toward the study where CX and ZG have been talking. When she opens the door, the crackling of a fireplace lights the room, casting dancing shadows over walls filled with books and relics.
Before she can speak, however, a gentle female voice catches her attention. XY stops abruptly and slowly turns her head toward the sound. Standing by a bookshelf is a woman who looks painfully familiar. XY's heart races when she sees her face—so similar to her mother's—that confusion and fear overwhelm her.
XY (desperately, trembling):
Mother! Is it really you?!
The woman, visibly startled, steps back and raises a hand to calm her.
Woman (frightened, but gentle and firm):
You're mistaken, young lady… I'm not who you think I am.
XY's panic intensifies. Her mind teeters on the edge between reality and memory. Her legs weaken, and the world around her begins to spin. Realizing what's happening, CX rushes toward her, holding her by the shoulders to steady her.
CX (calmly, trying to reassure her):
XY, listen to me… she's not your mother. She's Master Zheng Guolin's new wife. She looks very much like your mother, but she isn't her.
XY desperately searches CX's face for confirmation, for an explanation that can quiet the storm inside her. CX looks at her with compassion, feeling her pain and confusion. With a choked sob, XY collapses into CX's arms, clinging to him tightly, as if afraid reality might completely fall apart.
XY (sobbing, her voice drowned by anguish):
I can't… I can't bear this…
CX holds her firmly, gently stroking her back in an attempt to comfort her.
CX (softly, whispering in her ear):
I'm here, XY. You're not alone.
While XY continues to cry in CX's arms, ZG watches in silence, his face marked by sadness and concern. The woman, seeing the scene, quietly withdraws. 17 remains in a corner, not intervening.
After a while, XY's crying subsides and her breathing becomes steadier. CX continues to hold her gently as ZG waits patiently for her to be ready to speak. With her face still damp with tears, XY slowly pulls away from CX and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. A look of determination forms on her face as she looks at ZG and CX.
XY (her voice broken but resolute):
I need to tell you what really happened… what they did to me…
The atmosphere grows tense, heavy with anticipation. CX and ZG exchange a brief look, then nod, signaling her to continue. XY takes a deep breath, gathering the courage to relive the painful memories she has tried to repress.
XY (her voice low and trembling at first):
I was kidnapped… I don't know exactly when or by whom, but those men kept me captive for a long time. I remember being terrified, trying to escape, but it was impossible…
ZG's eyes darken, and CX clenches his jaw, his brow furrowing in helpless anger as he listens. XY continues, her voice filled with fear and sorrow.
XY (remembering, darker now):
I heard them talking… they said my family didn't care about what happened to me, that they had forgotten me. They said that… you weren't my real father. That I had no value to you…
As she speaks, XY feels vulnerable once more, her voice breaking. ZG looks at her with deep pain, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
ZG (his voice trembling, embracing XY):
Xiaoyao… you have no idea how sorry I am. We searched for you, we waited for you… we never forgot you. What those men told you were lies meant to hurt you, to break your spirit. I am your father. I have always loved you and waited for you, and I always will.
The sincerity in ZG's voice pierces XY's heart. CX takes her hand, squeezing it gently to support her in that painful moment.
CX (firm yet compassionate):
What you went through was terrible, XY. But you're not alone anymore. I promise we'll do everything in our power to help you find peace and the truth. We'll face everything together.
CX's and ZG's words begin to calm the storm inside XY. Though the pain remains, she starts to feel a slight sense of relief knowing she is not alone on this difficult path.
XY (softly, looking at both men):
Thank you… but I still feel so lost. I need time to process all of this, to understand who I really am.
Both men nod in understanding.
Seeing everything that has happened, 17 quietly leaves. He understands that XY needs time alone with her family.
Meanwhile, XL gazes at the moon, thinking of XY. He remembers her last words. All he can do is hope that she is safe—and that 17 keeps his promise.
XL (thoughtful and worried):
Xiaoyao… Xiaoyao…