Gu Jihu and Long Yifan exchanged stunned glances.
Gu Jin's whisper, "I… am Gu Jin," still echoed in their minds, leaving a trail of confusion and unease.
Before either man could probe further, Gu Jin raised her hand, silencing them with a slight motion. Her emerald eyes softened for the first time, betraying a hint of vulnerability.
"I am… a part of her," she began, her voice low yet resonant. "I have always been with her, but I was dormant… separated. Circumstances beyond my control drew me out." Her gaze turned distant as though peering into a world only she could see. "The true Gu Jin remains within this body. But now, I exist alongside her."
Long Yifan's brows furrowed deeply, and Gu Jihu's fists clenched at his sides. This cryptic explanation raised more questions than it answered.
"What do you mean by 'separated'? And why now?" Long Yifan demanded, his voice carrying both desperation and frustration.
