Chen Yue walked slowly along the stone pathway, dragging her feet.
She had left Wei Ran alone on the terrace, yet her heart remained unsettled by what had just happened.
Her hands were clasped behind her back, her fingers brushing against the bandage he had wrapped around her wound only minutes earlier.
The memory sent warmth blooming through her chest.
His hands…
so gentle…
so careful…
Reaching the foot of the staircase, she abruptly shook her head and smacked her forehead with her palm.
“No, no, no…
get a grip, Chen Yue!” She inhaled deeply, trying to chase away the confusion clouding her thoughts.
Falling in love was the last thing she should do.
Especially with him.
Her only goal was to return home.
To Manchester.
To Madame Chang.
To her real life.
I can’t stay here.
I can’t…
Yet her heart was beating differently now.
And that was something she could no longer deny.
Determined not to return to her room, she changed direction.
If I go back there, I’ll only think about him.
No.
I need to find a way home.
Eventually, her wandering steps led her to a large corridor where a beautifully carved wooden door stood.
Above it were engraved characters: Library.
According to Madame Yang, every ancient manuscript belonging to the estate was kept there.
Perhaps somewhere among those scrolls lay a spell capable of sending her home.
There has to be something.
Something that explains how I ended up here.
She pushed the door open.
The hinges groaned softly.
The scent of dried ink, aged paper, and polished wood immediately filled the air.
It smells like a library from another era…
As she stepped inside, she noticed the room was divided into two sections.
On the left stood towering bookshelves packed with scrolls and ancient books stretching all the way to the ceiling.
On the right…
A bedroom.
A large silk-covered bed.
A lacquered folding screen painted with breathtaking landscapes.
A polished copper bathtub.
Chen Yue frowned.
“Why is there a bedroom here?” Who would live inside a library?
Curiosity tugged at her as she wandered toward the shelves, running her fingertips along the rows of manuscripts.
Sunlight streamed softly through the windows, illuminating ancient characters inked onto faded scrolls.
Treatise of the Elements.
Chronicles of the Crimson Sky.
Rituals of the Wind.
None of them mentioned portals.
She unrolled scroll after scroll, desperately searching for a clue.
A symbol.
A spell.
Anything.
The ancient characters blurred together before her eyes.
Some were difficult to decipher.
Yet no matter how hard she searched— Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
There has to be something!
Suddenly— CRACK.
The door opened.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Someone’s coming!
Instinctively, she ducked behind a bookshelf and held her breath.
Her trembling fingers gripped the wood tightly.
Her heart pounded so loudly she feared it might give her away.
She failed to notice that the hem of her robe was still sticking out from behind the shelf.
The white fabric lay openly visible.
Idiot…
hide properly.
Steady footsteps echoed across the floor.
She recognized them instantly.
That calm rhythm.
That overwhelming presence.
Him.
No!
Not him!
Not now!
Wei Ran entered without a word.
“Madame Yang,” he said calmly, “prepare the bath.” “Right away, Young Master,” came the gentle reply.
Chen Yue felt her blood freeze.
His bath?
Here?!
He’s going to bathe in this room?!
Panicking, she crawled behind several large trunks, desperately trying to stay hidden.
Her heart hammered against her ribs.
Please don’t see me.
Please don’t see me.
From her hiding place, she heard water being poured into the tub.
SPLASH.
SPLASH.
SPLASH.
Steam soon filled the room, wrapping everything in warm fragrant mist.
A rich floral scent spread through the air.
“Young Master, your bath is ready.” “You may leave.” Footsteps retreated.
The door closed.
Chen Yue carefully peeked between the trunks.
Madame Yang had left.
And Wei Ran was slowly removing his robe.
No!
Don’t look!
Don’t look!
The fabric slid from his shoulders and pooled silently on the floor.
Under the soft light, his body looked as though it had been carved from marble.
Long black hair cascaded down his muscular back.
Chen Yue immediately turned her head away, pressing both hands over her eyes.
Her ears burned scarlet.
Why am I still looking?!
Pull yourself together!
Then something caught her attention.
A sheet of paper had slipped from one of the manuscripts he had moved earlier.
A red symbol was marked in the corner.
And beneath it, barely visible— Portal Incantation.
Her breath caught.
That’s it!
That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
Maybe…
Just maybe…
This was the key to returning home.
Slowly, she crawled toward the scroll.
Careful.
Quiet.
The floor beneath her was wet and slippery.
Water from the overflowing bath had spread across the floorboards.
Her fingers stretched toward the precious paper.
Almost…
Almost…
She grabbed the scroll.
Then a voice spoke.
“What exactly are you looking for?” Chen Yue nearly jumped out of her skin.
Fear clenched around her chest.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
A pair of wet, bare feet stood directly in front of her.
Her eyes traveled upward.
A hastily fastened dark robe.
Water droplets sliding down exposed skin.
And finally— His face.
Wei Ran stared down at her expressionlessly.
His wet hair dripped onto his shoulders.
Chen Yue sprang to her feet, clutching the scroll against her chest.
“I—I—I can explain everything!” Can you?
How exactly do you explain spying on someone during their bath?!
Wei Ran stepped closer.
His robe hung loosely, exposing part of his chest.
Water glistened against his skin beneath the lantern light.
His damp hair framed his flawless face.
Chen Yue took one step back.
Then another.
Until her back struck something.
The edge of the bathtub.
“Ah!” Her hand plunged into the warm water.
Her robe became soaked instantly.
She lost her balance.
I’m going to fall!
Before she could collapse, strong arms wrapped around her waist.
Wei Ran caught her effortlessly.
Their bodies collided.
Their breaths mingled.
Without realizing it, her palms had landed against his bare chest.
She could feel his heartbeat.
Steady.
Powerful.
Warm.
He’s so warm…
Her cheeks erupted into flames.
Between them, the golden thread linking their souls suddenly brightened.
But this time…
The glow seemed stronger on her side.
What…?
Why is it shining brighter?
She immediately pulled her hands away as though burned.
Avoiding his gaze, she stared at the floor.
Why am I shaking?!
Why is my heart beating so fast?!
Wei Ran leaned closer.
His voice brushed against her ear like a dangerous whisper.
“Perhaps…” “Would you like to see more?” The words froze her completely.
His damp hair brushed against her skin.
The scent of warm water and sandalwood surrounded her.
A shiver raced from head to toe.
No…
no, no, no…
Summoning strength she never knew she possessed, she shoved him away.
“Have you completely lost your mind?!” Without waiting for a response, she bolted out the door.
The scroll remained tightly clutched against her chest.
Her footsteps echoed wildly through the corridor.
Run!
Faster!
She burst into her room and slammed the door shut behind her.
Her heart felt ready to explode.
Throwing herself onto the bed, she buried her face in her hands.
“No…
stop…” Yet the image of Wei Ran— Bare-chested.
Hair dripping wet.
Standing impossibly close— Refused to leave her mind.
Stop thinking about it!
Stop!
Gradually, her breathing slowed.
Silence settled around her.
Then something strange happened.
A gentle warmth rose from deep inside her chest.
Like a heartbeat that wasn’t entirely her own.
Moments later, a colorful mist began drifting through the room.
Chen Yue lifted her head.
Her eyes widened.
What…
what is this?
Tiny glowing butterflies appeared in the air.
One.
Then dozens.
Then hundreds.
They danced through the room, filling it with magical light.
A butterfly landed delicately on her bandaged hand.
Its wings shifted colors constantly.
Blue.
Red.
Gold.
Violet.
Pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.
They…
react to my emotions?
She stared in wonder.
“It…
it’s reacting to me?” The butterfly fluttered its wings softly, almost as if answering her.
More butterflies landed in her hair and upon her shoulders.
A living constellation surrounded her.
Warmth filled her chest.
A feeling she stubbornly refused to name.
Because naming it would mean accepting it.
And accepting it would mean…
She closed her eyes.
Wei Ran…
Outside, Madame Yang stood quietly beneath the open window.
The magical butterflies shone through the paper screens, visible from the garden like a constellation of earthly stars.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
She lifted her eyes toward the sky.
“Madam,” she whispered softly, folding her hands before her chest.
“I believe she has fallen in love with the Young Master.” Her voice trembled slightly.
“She is a good girl.” “A brave girl.” “I’m certain of it.” For a long moment she remained there, watching the butterflies continue their silent dance.
“You may rest peacefully now, Madam.” “The Young Master will no longer be alone.” Far above, a faint light seemed to shimmer in response.
Like a benevolent wink from the heavens.
Then it slowly faded away.
Back in her room, Chen Yue watched the butterflies swirl around her.
They spiraled gracefully through the air, glowing with countless colors.
She extended her hand.
One butterfly landed softly upon her finger.
Light as a breath.
Her heart already knew.
Even if her mind still refused to admit it.
Even if she continued telling herself she had to return home.
To Manchester.
To Madame Chang.
To her former life.
Her heart already knew the truth.
Closing her eyes, she allowed the butterflies to dance behind her eyelids.
And in a whisper so soft it was almost inaudible, she murmured: “Wei Ran…” The butterflies glowed brighter.
As though they approved.
Then, one by one, they began fading away.
Returning to the invisible world from which they had come.
Until only silence remained.
And the steady beating of a heart that could no longer lie.