The Earth Tiger slowly stood up, stretched, and glanced at the darkening sky before looking at the glowing portal not far away. He let out a long yawn.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back toward the building behind him, descending the stairs.
Qi Xia was already asleep, slumped over the table.
The candle on the table had nearly burned out, its dim light suggesting he might finally get some proper rest.
The Earth Tiger looked at Qi Xia, shook his head slightly, then took off his oversized suit jacket and laid it on the floor nearby. He walked over and called softly, “Brother Sheep?”
Qi Xia was deep in sleep, clearly exhausted.
“Brother Sheep?”
The Earth Tiger called again, but Qi Xia still didn’t stir, his brows furrowed as if weighed down by immense pressure.
Giving up, the Earth Tiger gently lifted Qi Xia’s arm over his shoulder, hoisted him up, and laid him down on the jacket he had spread out.
“Ah… Brother Sheep…” The Earth Tiger sighed after standing up, murmuring under his breath, “Why push yourself so hard? When it’s time to rest, just rest.”
He knew no one would disturb Qi Xia tonight. Whatever burdens he carried, the Earth Tiger only wished for him to find some peace in his own space.
Watching Qi Xia’s furrowed brow gradually relax, the Earth Tiger felt reassured and turned to climb the stairs.
He didn’t notice that, under the flickering candlelight, Qi Xia’s expression was growing uneasy in his slumber.
Nor did he see the faint black thread that had somehow wound itself around Qi Xia’s wrist, its other end tied to the base of the burning candle.
……
Qi Xia opened his eyes to find himself lying on the hard floor of his home, the unyielding surface pressing painfully into his back.
He rubbed his head, his thoughts a tangled mess.
The ceiling above him was cracked, cobwebs clinging to every corner. Slowly sitting up, he tried to piece together what had happened.
“This is…?” He squinted, struggling to think, but his mind felt completely blocked, every train of thought severed.
Qi Xia stood up unsteadily, scanning the room—a bedroom without a bed—before his gaze settled on the desk.
A photo frame sat atop it.
He picked it up. Inside was a picture of him and Yu Nian’an.
“An…?”
He traced a finger over the image in the frame, a strange unease creeping in.
“I’m home?”
The thought brought him an instant wave of relief.
No matter how many troubles a person carried, returning home could make them all vanish like mist.
“An…?”
Pushing the door open, he stepped into the living room—empty, devoid of life.
Yu Nian’an wasn’t here. Where could she be?
He checked the kitchen and bathroom, but the apartment was deserted. Only broken furniture, a dust-covered armchair, and cracked floorboards remained.
Turning to the window, he saw a blood-red sky and an ochre sun.
Qi Xia frowned, then quickly dismissed his worries. If Yu Nian’an wasn’t home, she was probably out buying groceries.
But the moment that thought surfaced, dizziness overwhelmed him. His mind spiraled into chaos. He could only see the present, unable to recall the past or guess the future.
Approaching the front door, he reached to open it—but a sudden, inexplicable dread froze him in place.
An instinctive fear whispered that something horrifying lay beyond. After a few seconds, he numbly withdrew his hand.
What was outside?
His heartbeat quickened. Slowly turning around, he saw Yu Nian’an standing behind him, staring straight at him.
She wore a pristine white dress, her long hair cascading down her back—flawless in every way.
“An…?” Qi Xia blinked, then managed a faint smile. “You’re home?”
“I am,” she replied with a gentle nod.
“But… I didn’t see you earlier.” His head throbbed again.
“Because I was always behind you,” she said, smiling. “So you couldn’t see me.”
“Behind me…?” He nodded absently. “Right… right…”
“Xia, are you hungry?” Yu Nian’an asked. “Should I make you something to eat?”
The question eased his expression slightly, though confusion lingered.
Somehow, in his fragmented memory, it felt like Yu Nian’an was always cooking for him.
“An, I’m not hungry. Can we just talk?” The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
“Talk…?”
Yu Nian’an paused, then replied flatly, “No, no, Xia. I need to make you something to eat.”
Qi Xia’s brow furrowed as his mind sharpened. “Why…? I don’t want to eat right now.”
“No.” Her smile vanished. “Xia, I’m going to cook. Guess what I’ll make for you?”
“What the hell…”
His expression darkened. Something was deeply wrong.
Why did every encounter with Yu Nian’an involve her making food?
Why was the apartment so dilapidated?
Why was everything covered in dust—except her?
Shreds of clarity were slowly returning.
“This isn’t my home. You’re not Yu Nian’an…” His eyes flashed with realization. “Where is this?”
“Xia, what are you saying?”
“Who are you?” he demanded coldly. “Why are you pretending to be her?”
Before his eyes, Yu Nian’an’s features began to blur, her face losing definition until nothing remained.
Now, standing before him, was a figure with no face.
Yet it still spoke.
From that smooth, featureless surface, a voice emerged.
“Xia, did you know?” it said. “There are many paths in this world, and each person must walk their own.”
“Monster…” Qi Xia snarled. “You really think these cheap tricks will keep fooling me? That sealing my thoughts means I can’t think for myself?!”
*Knock, knock, knock.*
A soft rapping at the door behind him sent a chill down his spine.
Before him stood a faceless Yu Nian’an. Behind him, the old wooden door—one that, in his memory, had never been knocked on before.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
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