The hallway of Cloudpeak Residences was quiet that evening, lit with the soft hum of recessed lights. Qing Yun's steps echoed faintly as she returned from class, a small bag of groceries in one hand, her notebooks tucked beneath the other arm. She had begun to enjoy these evenings—simple, calm, a rhythm that belonged entirely to her.
She set her groceries down briefly to search for her keys. The quiet was broken by the sound of laughter at the far end of the hall.
Her head turned, and her breath caught.
Two figures walked side by side. The woman was striking even in casual clothes, her posture graceful, a bag of wine bottles swinging lightly at her side. Beside her was a man whose laughter carried a familiar warmth. He looked relaxed, his hair slightly tousled, his attention fixed entirely on the woman at his side.
For a moment, Qing Yun almost didn't recognize him.
Then her lips parted, and the name slipped out, soft but steady.
"Rainy."
The sound cut through the air like a string snapping.
Wei Ran froze mid-step. His laughter died, shoulders stiffening. Slowly, his head turned toward the source of the voice.
Her voice.
Her calling him by that name—one no one else ever used—dragged him back years in a single heartbeat.
Their eyes met across the hallway, and time seemed to fold in on itself. His expression shifted, amusement draining into shock, then into something heavier, harder to name.
They stared, the silence between them taut, charged with memories neither had spoken aloud in years.
The woman beside him blinked at the tension, then broke into a friendly smile. "Hello," she said lightly, stepping forward with easy grace. "You must be the new tenant next door. I'm Rui Zhen."
Her words shattered the suspended moment.
Qing Yun turned her gaze to the woman, inclining her head politely. "Lin Qing Yun."
But her eyes flicked back to Wei Ran. He hadn't moved, hadn't spoken. His throat worked as if forcing out the word.
Finally, he breathed it, low, unsteady.
"Qing Yun."
The sound of her name in his voice stirred something she immediately pushed back down.
It hadn't been long—they had seen each other just a month ago at Xin Yue's wedding. But that had been fleeting, surrounded by noise and eyes. This… this was different. This was face to face, private, unavoidable.
Rui Zhen's smile wavered, her eyes darting between them. She wasn't slow. She caught the undercurrent instantly, the history written in the tension of their gazes.
"Well then," she said smoothly, breaking the spell. "I'll leave you two to catch up. Goodnight."
With that, she excused herself gracefully, unlocking her door and slipping inside, the soft click of the lock leaving the hallway even quieter than before.
---
Qing Yun bent to pick up her groceries, her movements steady, as though her heart hadn't lurched in her chest. When she straightened, Wei Ran was still there, his expression caught between disbelief and something deeper, heavier.
She lifted her chin slightly. "Would you like some tea?"
He hesitated only a moment before nodding. "Alright."
Inside her apartment, the atmosphere shifted. The space was neat, serene, decorated with minimalist elegance. The faint scent of lilies lingered from the vase on the table. It was a place clearly prepared with care—not hers alone, but touched by someone else's presence.
Wei Ran's gaze lingered on the details—the quality of the furniture, the subtle luxury of the fixtures. He said nothing, but something in his eyes flickered.
They sat at the small dining table as Qing Yun brewed tea. Steam curled in the air, and silence stretched until he finally spoke, his voice quiet.
"You look… better." His eyes softened, searching her face. "Stronger. I'm relieved. Even if it's not me who could make you this way."
Her hands paused briefly on the teacup before she set it in front of him. She met his gaze, calm. "Thank you."
---
For a while, they drank in silence. The tea was warm, fragrant, steadying.
Then Qing Yun asked, her tone light but direct, "That girl. Is she your girlfriend?"
Wei Ran shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "No. She's someone I know from the film set."
Qing Yun studied him quietly. Her eyes narrowed just slightly, perceptive. "You look different, though. That look in your eyes… it's the same one Ze Yan gives me."
He faltered, blinking at her. Then a sheepish chuckle escaped. "Maybe. I don't know why I'm always drawn to people who don't feel the same."
Qing Yun smirked faintly, leaning back in her chair. "You're still the same."
His smile turned wry, but there was softness beneath it. "But I'm glad I let you go. You're exactly as I imagined you would be, once you were free."
Her gaze softened, though her voice remained steady. "And what about her? Are you going to let go too?"
He turned his face slightly, eyes dropping to the table. Silence answered her.
Qing Yun's voice was gentle but certain. "You're in love. I know that look. Don't let her slip away. If you love her, chase her. Get what you deserve."
Wei Ran looked at her then, truly looked, and a quiet laugh broke from his chest. "That's how Ze Yan won you, isn't it?"
Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes, hiding the faint smile tugging at her lips.
They both laughed softly after that, the heaviness easing for a moment.
---
When he stood to leave, Wei Ran lingered at the doorway. His eyes lingered on her face, memorizing her as though trying to fix her into memory.
"It's good to see you like this, Qing Yun." His voice was low, threaded with sincerity.
She nodded. "You too."
He gave a small smile, then stepped out into the hallway.
Qing Yun closed the door, leaning back against it with a slow exhale. The apartment was quiet again, but her heart beat steadily, not shaken, not unsettled—simply… calm.
Across the hall, Wei Ran paused before Rui Zhen's door, his expression thoughtful, conflicted. He stood there for a moment, then finally knocked, his knuckles soft against the wood.
The hallway hummed with silence once more.