His fingers twitched faintly against the sheets, a quiet furrow creasing his brows as a single thought broke through the fog:
…Brother…
Outside, dusk melted slowly into night, the cicadas' cries fading into the cool evening as the Lu household settled into its silent, vigilant peace.
But within that quiet, shadows remained, secrets too heavy for daylight, waiting to awaken with the coming dawn.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Wan Ruyi awoke to the soft clinking of teacups being set on the low table nearby.
The sun had shifted westward, casting warm amber light across the polished floors of the master suite.
She blinked sleepily, turning her head to see Lu Zhi Hao pouring tea from a delicate porcelain pot into two small cups.
His movements were fluid and unhurried, every action imbued with quiet elegance.
"Awake?" he asked without looking up, his deep voice carrying over to her like a gentle tide.
