šššššššš
After the explosion's blinding light faded, the air turned heavy and cold āļø.
Yibo and Han collapsed to the ground, exhausted, their breaths sharp and unsteady.
Xiao Zhan was still half-covered in the swirling black smoke.
His eyes were lowered, unfocusedā
as if he had slipped into a trance.
Suddenly, a whisper brushed against his earsā
Lian (soft, haunting voice):
"Zhanā¦ do you really think Yibo can protect you forever?"
Xiao Zhan jerked his head in denial.
Xiao Zhan (weakly):
"Noā¦ he would never leave me."
But the voice came closer, sinking deeper into his heart.
Lian:
"He said the same to meā¦
And look where I am now."
Xiao Zhan's breath caught in his chest.
Before him, a vision appearedā
Yibo and Lian laughing together,
their closeness,
their love.
So real
that tears slipped down his cheeks. š¢
Xiao Zhan (breaking):
"Thisā¦ this isn't realā¦"
Lian's silhouette formed in front of him.
She gently touched his cheek.
Lian (seductive yet terrifying):
"Why lie to your own heart?
Do you think Yibo is only yours?
He was mine onceā¦
and maybe he still is."
Xiao Zhan's heartbeat thundered painfully.
His trembling eyes shifted toward Yiboā
lying unconscious on the ground.
Xiao Zhan (thinking, terrified):
"What ifā¦ he leaves me too?
What if I'm just another story in his life?" š
Lian leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear.
Lian:
"Don't fear me, Zhan.
I will never betray you.
Accept meā¦
and this pain will disappear forever."
Xiao Zhan's eyes began to darken.
His hand, almost unconsciously, reached out toward Lianā¦
šššššššš