The Tushang mansion, an imposing building that blends modern and classical architecture, glows with warm, elegant lights. The grand hall is decorated with crystal chandeliers, tables draped in silk tablecloths, and centerpieces adorned with exotic flowers. The guests—powerful business figures and influential elites—chat in small groups, champagne glasses in hand.
Cang Xuan, a man with an elegant presence and natural confidence, is engaged in lively conversation with other businessmen. At his side, Xiao Yao, dressed in a dark green silk gown that highlights her elegance, surveys the room with a restrained smile, though her thoughts are clearly elsewhere.
Cang Xuan (smiling at XY):
This charity dinner is the perfect opportunity to make important connections.
XY (nodding distractedly):
Yes… it's an impressive evening.
Suddenly, the doors of the hall open, and a murmur ripples through the room. All eyes turn toward the entrance, where Fang Feng Bei, the second son of the powerful Fang Feng family, appears. He wears an immaculate white suit with a perfectly tailored white shirt. His steps are confident, his presence commanding.
The crowd falls silent for a moment, stunned by the figure who has just entered. Fang Feng Bei walks forward, ignoring the stares, his expression calm and controlled. But when his eyes meet XY's, his gaze sharpens.
XY (her eyes widening, her breath catching):
No… it can't be…
She sways slightly, steadying herself against a nearby table. A flood of memories overwhelms her.
XY (thinking, her mind in chaos):
Xiang Liu… How can he be here? What is happening?
Cang Xuan (noticing her reaction, leaning closer in concern):
XY, are you alright? You look pale.
XY (still staring at Fang Feng Bei, barely a whisper):
No… it's nothing. I just feel a little dizzy. I need a moment.
Cang Xuan:
Maybe we should step outside for some air.
XY (shaking her head without looking away):
No… I'm fine. Just give me a minute.
As Fang Feng Bei continues across the room, whispers rise again among the guests, wondering why such an influential member of the Fang family is present. He greets a group of businessmen with smiles and handshakes, but out of the corner of his eye, he keeps watching XY.
Feeling the intensity of his gaze, XY finally looks away, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
XY (to herself, trembling):
This can't be happening… What does this mean? Is it really him… or am I losing my mind?
Fang Feng Bei excuses himself politely and slowly approaches XY and Cang Xuan. With each step, XY's heart pounds harder.
Cang Xuan (sensing the tension):
Do you know Fang Feng?
XY (struggling to remain calm):
I… I'm not sure.
Fang Feng Bei stops in front of them, serene yet intense. He inclines his head politely.
Fang Feng Bei:
Good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Cang Xuan (smiling courteously, extending his hand):
The pleasure is ours, Mr. Fang Feng. This is XY, my cousin.
Fang Feng Bei (taking XY's hand gently, eyes fixed on hers):
The pleasure is mine, Miss XY.
A shiver runs through XY as she hears his voice.
XY (forcing a smile):
Likewise, Mr. Fang Feng.
He holds her hand a second longer than necessary before releasing it. Unaware of the tension, Cang Xuan continues speaking.
CX:
Mr. Fang Feng, we were just saying how Tushang always manages to gather the very best at these events.
FFB (nodding, still watching XY):
Indeed. But some encounters are more interesting than others.
Unable to bear the intensity, XY steps back.
XY (to Cang Xuan, controlled):
Excuse me for a moment. I need… some air.
CX:
Of course, I'll go with you—
XY (quickly):
No, it's fine. Just a moment. I'll be right back.
She leaves the hall and heads toward the garden. Outside, she breathes deeply, trying to steady herself.
The garden is quiet, lit by soft lanterns and moonlight. XY leans against a marble column, closing her eyes as the night breeze brushes her face—but the unease remains.
Footsteps approach. She opens her eyes. Fang Feng Bei stands a few meters away, watching her silently.
XY (her voice trembling):
Is it… you?
FFB (with an enigmatic smile, stepping closer):
I thought you recognized me immediately, Xiaoyao.
Her heart lurches at the sound of her name.
XY (stepping back):
Xiang Liu? How—
FFB (intensely):
At this moment, I am not Xiang Liu.
XY (firmly):
Don't play games with me, Fang Feng—whoever you are. Tell me the truth.
FFB (with irony):
Very well, Doctor.
He begins to explain:
"I was following a lead on a dangerous group operating in the area when I heard a weak groan from a nearby alley. I approached and found him—lying among trash and debris, gravely injured. His face was partially burned, his wounds deep, his clothes torn and soaked in blood. Barely conscious, he muttered incoherently, clinging to life. I knelt beside him. There was no time to lose."
XL:
Hold on. I'll get you out of here.
But the dying man—Fang Feng Bei—shook his head weakly.
Fang Feng Bei:
No… there's no time for me…
With his remaining strength, he grabbed XL's arm.
Fang Feng Bei:
Please… protect my mother. She has no one else. If you do, I'll give you everything—money, influence. Take my identity… use it. Just… take care of her.
XL hesitated, then made a life-changing decision.
XL:
I will. I'll protect her as if she were my own mother.
Moments later, Fang Feng Bei passed away. XL took his documents and assumed his identity.
For years, XL kept his promise, caring for Fang Feng Bei's mother until she died. Then he disappeared—until the marine contamination case brought him back.
XY listens in silence.
XY:
So you took care of his mother.
XL:
I'm an orphan, XY. I just wanted, for a moment, to know what it felt like to have a mother.
XY:
Why didn't you disappear after she died?
XL:
I did. But the contamination incident drew me back. I need to uncover the truth—even if it means facing my past again.
FFB:
I'm not here to play games, Xiaoyao.
He leaves her standing there, knowing this night will change everything.
Later, Tushang Jin approaches.
TJ:
XY, we need to talk. It's important.
He warns her to stay away from Fang Feng Bei. She counters, mentioning his fiancée.
TJ (sincerely):
It was an arranged engagement. There was never love. The only one I care about is you.
XY:
You have a life to resolve, Jin. Until then, there is no "us."
TJ:
I understand. But I promise I'll fix everything.
He walks away, leaving XY alone in the garden—her heart torn between duty and desire.