At the hiking spot, the morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine.
Two boys were already waiting.
Xie Zihan stood slightly apart from Xu Feng, hands in the pockets of his jacket. He was dressed simply—black hoodie layered over a white T-shirt, dark cargo pants hugging his long legs, and hiking boots dusted faintly with soil. His hair was still a little damp, falling loosely over his forehead, giving him a restrained, cold aura that made people hesitate before approaching. His expression was calm, but anyone who knew him well could sense the restlessness beneath.
Xu Feng, in contrast, looked relaxed as ever, stretching his arms and scanning the road. "They should be here any minute."
Almost on cue, the low hum of an engine broke the quiet.
A black SUV appeared at the bend of the road, sleek and imposing, moving steadily toward them. A second vehicle followed at a careful distance behind—Commander Yan's car, unobtrusive but alert, like a shadow that never strayed too far.
The SUV stopped.
The door opened.
Meilin stepped down first, dressed in light hiking wear, her posture composed, her expression serene. Tang Yuze followed her, tall and striking even in casual clothes. He wore a cap pulled low, a mask covering half his face, and dark sunglasses that hid his eyes completely.
The moment Zihan's gaze landed on him, his heart sank slightly.
That silhouette.
That build.
For a brief second, the image from the old photograph flashed in his mind—the man he had seen before, the one who felt strangely… familiar.
His mood dipped, subtle but unmistakable.
Meilin noticed at once.
She walked forward, naturally closing the distance between them, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"Xu Feng, Zihan," she said softly, turning to Yuze,,introduced them
Tang Yuze removed his sunglasses.
His eyes were sharp yet warm, carrying the quiet authority of someone used to being listened to. He extended his hand first to Xu Feng, then to Zihan.
"Nice to meet you," he said calmly. "Tang Yuze."
Zihan blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the straightforwardness. He accepted the handshake, nodding politely. "Xie Zihan."
Meilin glanced at Zihan again, catching the faint tension in his eyes.
As if sensing his confusion, she added gently, "Zihan—this is my second brother."
The words landed heavier than expected.
Second… brother?
Zihan froze for a fraction of a second, surprise flickering across his face before he quickly masked it. He nodded again, this time more firmly, as if acknowledging something unspoken.
"I see."
Tang Yuze slipped his sunglasses back on, the moment passing as naturally as it had come.
Just then, light footsteps approached from behind.
Shen Rui and Jiang Ran arrived together, both dressed brightly for the hike. Shen Rui's eyes lingered on Zihan the moment she reached the group, while Jiang Ran glanced curiously between Meilin and Yuze.
Introductions were brief, the group finally complete.
With the sun climbing higher and the trail stretching invitingly ahead, Xu Feng clapped his hands together. "Alright, shall we?"
They set off along the mountain path, footsteps crunching softly against gravel and fallen leaves.
At the front, Meilin walked beside Zihan, her presence quiet but grounding.
Behind them, eyes observed, thoughts stirred, and beneath the calm surface of a simple hike, invisible threads of fate began to tighten—slowly, inevitably.