The aircraft finally touched down in the capital of United States,and Lin Qingyan had spent over a dozen hours in a haze, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. Yet each time he closed his eyes, a chorus of scathing insults and haunting images crowded his mind, refusing to relent. His insomnia had worsened to the point that for a whole month, he could only manage to drift off with the aid of medication, and even then, his dreams replayed the same torturous scenes, haunting him relentlessly.
The United States sky was a clear, brilliant blue. Surrounded by blond, blue-eyed passersby, Lin Qingyan exhaled softly, removing his mask and cap to reveal a pale, delicate face framed by tousled black hair that fell gently over his forehead. His lips, thin and colorless, were pressed into a faint line, his angular jaw tense with unspoken strain. Despite the weariness etched into his features, there was an undeniable allure—an air of fragility that stirred an instinct to protect.
His striking East Asian features stood out in the foreign crowd, drawing the attention of several onlookers who raised their phones to sneak photos. The click of camera shutters pierced the ambient noise, and Lin Qingyan's face paled further. He dropped his gaze and hurried outside, eager to escape the scrutiny.
He wasted no time at the airport, hailing a taxi to his pre-booked hotel. As the car navigated the unfamiliar streets, a genuine smile finally curved his lips at the thought of the person he was about to meet, his clear, obsidian eyes brightening with quiet anticipation.The evening air was crisp, the horizon painted in strokes of sunset gold. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooming flowers as two figures strolled along the hotel's cobblestone garden path. The taller man, with a commanding yet elegant presence, walked beside a slighter youth clad in a loose white shirt and black trousers, the latter's fair face lit with a warm smile.
"The scenery here is truly lovely, and the air feels so fresh.""If you like it, we can return for a vacation someday when time allows.""Wen Ge, don't tease me like that. If we come, it should be with Yan Yan—you two are the loving couple, and I refuse to be the third wheel."Wen Yan smiled but said nothing.
An Nanyi suddenly changed the subject, his brow furrowing with concern. "You've heard about Qing Yan, right? After what happened, I wonder how he's coping. He must be devastated, even though it wasn't his fault…"
Wen Yan's smile faded. "What happened? He didn't mention anything to me.""Really? He didn't tell you? A group of fans crowded him at the airport the day before yesterday, and a pregnant woman was knocked down and sent to the hospital. I haven't heard how she's doing.""Wen Ge, did you two have a falling-out? Why else would he hide something so serious from you?"Wen Yan frowned, a flicker of displeasure crossing his otherwise gentle eyes. "He's always been like this—keeping everything to himself."His companion offered a reassuring smile. "Maybe he's just too busy. This whole mess is hard to handle, and you're the person he trusts most. He'll tell you once things settle."
Just then, Wen Yan's phone vibrated in his pocket. The caller ID read "Yan Yan."