Xiang Liu is sitting in his living room, flipping through a newspaper while drinking coffee. Suddenly, a headline on the front page catches his attention. It reads: 'The Daughter of the Great Shipping Industry Tycoon Reappears.' Beneath the headline is a photo of XY, smiling and surrounded by her family.
XL (Staring at the photo in disbelief): _ It can't be… Xiao Yao…
XL feels a mix of betrayal and confusion. He stands up abruptly, letting the newspaper fall to the floor. He paces nervously around the room, trying to process the information.
XL:(Whispering to himself)_ She lied to me… all this time. Why didn't she tell me?
Determined, XL goes to his computer and begins searching for information about the family. He finds the address where XY lives.
XL:(With determination.)_I need answers.
XY walks alone through the garden, surrounded by flowers under the moonlight. Her face reflects nostalgia and worry, clearly thinking about XL. She stops to gaze at the moon, lost in thought.
XY:(Whispering to herself.)_ Where are you, XL? Are you thinking about me?
Suddenly, a shadow moves among the nearby trees. XY startles and turns around, trying to see who it is.
XL:(Emerging from the shadows.)_ Xiaoyao… or rather, Jiao Yao.
XY freezes upon hearing his voice. She recognizes him instantly.
XY:(With a trembling voice.)_ XL… what are you doing here? You shouldn't be here. There are guards everywhere—they could hurt you.
XL:(With a firm voice and a piercing gaze.)_ I'm not worried about that. I came to settle something with you. Why did you lie to me?
XY feels a knot form in her stomach. She knows this moment was inevitable.
XY:(Looking at him sadly.)_ XL, it wasn't a lie… everything I told you is true.
XL:(Taking a step toward her, pain in his eyes.)_Then why didn't you tell me who you really were? Why hide something so important?
XY:(Lowering her gaze.)_ I didn't know how… I just wanted to forget my past.
XL:(Sighing, his anger softening.)_ Xiaoyao… why didn't you trust me?
XY:(Tears in her eyes.)_ Everything I told you—my dreams, my fears… all of that is real. It's just that my life is more complicated than it seems.
XL:(Looking at her intently, his expression softening.)_I don't know what to think.
They both sit down on the grass, still tense, but the atmosphere grows calmer. The moon illuminates the garden, creating an almost magical scene.
XY:(Looking at the moon.)_I've felt so trapped in this life.
XL:(Softly.)_I understand you more than you think. I've felt trapped too.
There is a silence between them, full of unspoken emotions. XL slowly leans toward XY, his face just inches from hers, about to kiss her.
XY:(Turning her face away just before their lips touch.)_No… don't.
XL:(Confused and hurt.)_Why, Xiaoyao?
XY:(With a trembling voice.)_I'm afraid you'll get into my thoughts, that you'll become part of me… and that terrifies me.
XL:(Stepping back, sadly.)_Why does that scare you so much? Is it because I'm not enough for you?
XY:(Shaking her head quickly.)_No, XL. It's not that… I'm just not ready for something like this.
XL:(With a mix of sadness and resignation.)_I understand… doctor.
XL slowly stands up, looks at XY one last time with pain in his eyes, and walks away.
XY:(Shouting.)_Xiang Liu! Xiang Liu! Wait!
XL disappears into the darkness of the garden. XY watches him leave, feeling pain in her chest and the sense that she has lost something precious.
Suddenly, soft footsteps are heard on the gravel path. Cang Xuan approaches XY, stopping a few meters away and observing her silently for a moment before speaking.
Cang Xuan:(Softly, but worried.)_XY, what are you doing here alone?
XY slowly turns, pulled from her thoughts by his voice. She looks at him with sadness and anxiety she cannot hide.
XY:(Sighing.)_I just needed a moment to think…
Cang Xuan:(Stepping closer, his gaze full of understanding.)_Are you thinking about our last conversation?
XY:(Nodding, lowering her gaze.)_Yes… I can't stop thinking about what you told me about my kidnapping and how my uncles are involved. It's… it's too much to process.
Cang Xuan:(With a serious expression, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.)_I know it's hard, but you have to be strong, XY. What we discovered isn't something you can ignore. Our uncles have connections—people everywhere—and they won't stop at anything.
XY:(Her voice trembling, eyes full of fear.)_Can they hurt a lot of people?
Cang Xuan:(Firmly, trying to calm her.)_Don't worry. They know how to hide their true intentions. But now that we know, we must be more alert than ever.
XY steps aside, walking toward the edge of a fountain, her mind overwhelmed by dark thoughts.
XY:(Looking at the water, her voice filled with worry.)_It's not just me who's in danger, Cang Xuan… the people close to me could be too. If they're capable of something like this, what's stopping them from hurting others to get to me?
Cang Xuan:(Following her, his voice low and serious.)_That's exactly what worries me, XY. They have the resources and underworld connections to do whatever they want. You need to stay very alert. We can't underestimate what they're capable of.
XY:(Biting her lower lip, frightened.)_But… how do I protect the people I care about?
Cang Xuan:(Placing a hand on her cheek, forcing her to look into his eyes.)_You're not alone in this, XY. I'm here to help you. We'll face this together, step by step. But first, you need to trust me.
XY:(Taking a deep breath, feeling the warmth of his hand.)_I trust you, Cang Xuan… it's just that all of this overwhelms me. But you're right—I can't face this alone.
Cang Xuan:(Nodding with a slight smile.)_I know. And you don't have to. We'll find a way to stop whatever they're planning.
They remain silent for a moment, listening to the gentle murmur of the fountain. The tension and fear ease slightly as they draw strength from each other's presence.
Cang Xuan:(Looking at the moon, his voice calm.)_The moon is full tonight… it always seems to appear when we need it most, reminding us that even in darkness, there is always light.
XY:(Following his gaze, finding comfort in his words.)_You're right, cousin. It's a good reminder… no matter how dark things get, there's always a way forward.
Cang Xuan nods, gently squeezing XY's hand. Although the threat remains, a shared sense of hope lingers between them.