Chapter 13: Morning After the Storm
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, landing on Lin Xiao Yan's face. She stirred, frowned slightly, then opened her eyes. For a brief moment, she forgot where she was—and then everything came back at once.
The jade.
The DNA result.
Her father.
She sat up slowly.
Hua Yichen was asleep in the chair beside the bed, head tilted uncomfortably, dark circles under her eyes. On the other side of the room, Liang Zhiwei stood by the window, phone in hand, speaking in a low voice.
"…Yes. Handle it quietly. I don't want her disturbed."
A pause.
"No, I'll deal with the rest personally."
He turned around—and froze when he saw Xiao Yan awake.
"You're up," he said softly, ending the call.
Xiao Yan looked at him for a long second, then nodded. "Good morning."
Something eased in Liang Zhiwei's chest. He walked over, crouching slightly so he wouldn't tower over her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," she answered honestly. "The noise in my head stopped."
He didn't fully understand what she meant, but he nodded anyway.
Hua Yichen woke shortly after, startled when she realized Liang Zhiwei was still there. The awkwardness returned immediately, thick but no longer suffocating.
The studio officially suspended filming that day. The reason given to the public was "schedule adjustments," but everyone knew something big had happened. Online speculation grew louder by the hour.
Chen Zehao had been taken in for questioning. Evidence continued to surface—financial manipulation, coercion, falsified contracts. He tried to deny it, but the net Xiao Yan had woven left him little room to escape.
In the quiet of the room, Xiao Yan climbed down from the bed and stood between the two adults.
"Mommy," she said, "Daddy."
Both of them looked at her.
"We need rules," she continued seriously. "Otherwise, things will be messy."
Liang Zhiwei almost smiled. "Rules?"
"Yes," Xiao Yan said, counting on her fingers. "First, Mommy decides everything about me. Second, Daddy doesn't disappear again. Third—no shouting."
Hua Yichen stared at her, stunned. "…You sound like an adult."
Xiao Yan shrugged. "Someone has to be responsible."
Liang Zhiwei let out a short laugh before catching himself. "All right. I agree."
Hua Yichen hesitated, then nodded slowly. "So do I."
That afternoon, Liang Zhiwei arranged a private apartment near the studio—not to force anything, but to give them space. Hua Yichen accepted, wary but practical. Xiao Yan approved immediately.
"It's quieter," she said. "And safer."
As they left the studio together, cameras hidden but present, Xiao Yan held Hua Yichen's hand with one hand—and, after a brief pause, reached out with the other.
Liang Zhiwei took it.
The grip was small, warm, and steady.
For the first time since she woke in this body, Lin Xiao Yan felt something settle deep inside her.
The past had been confronted.
The present was fragile.
But the future—
The future was finally moving forward.