The cold message haunted Qin Lan all morning. Her fingers trembled as she held her phone, replaying the cryptic text in her mind. The words, "Stop pretending. You'll never replace her," echoed ominously. Who would send such a message, and why now? Was it connected to Ji Yi's lingering presence in Lu Yan's life, or had someone from the shadows decided to taunt her?
Qin Lan had deleted the message the moment she received it, but the damage had been done. It planted a seed of fear that had already taken root, tightening around her chest like a vice. It wasn't just the message itself—it was the implication that someone, somewhere, was watching her, knew her secrets, and was taunting her for daring to play a role she was never meant to fill.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She knew she should talk to Lu Yan, confront him about the message, but what would that even achieve? He barely acknowledged her existence most days, and she wasn't sure if he'd even care. After all, their marriage was a contract, not a love story.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced out the window. The early morning sun was just starting to filter through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. But even the warmth of the sun couldn't melt the chill that had settled in her bones.
Her phone buzzed again, and Qin Lan's heart leapt into her throat. Was it another message from the unknown sender?
But when she glanced down, she realized it was only a reminder for her meeting with Xia Rui. She had promised to meet her friend for lunch today, and maybe, just maybe, getting out of the house for a few hours would help clear her mind.
---
Later that afternoon
Qin Lan arrived at the trendy café where she was meeting Xia Rui. The atmosphere was bustling, filled with the sound of clinking coffee cups, soft conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries enveloped her as she walked inside, but her nerves were too frayed to fully appreciate the pleasant setting.
She spotted Xia Rui at a corner table, waving enthusiastically in her direction. Dressed in a chic, tailored blazer and oversized sunglasses, Xia Rui always looked like she had just stepped off a runway. Her bubbly personality was infectious, and in many ways, she was the opposite of Qin Lan—carefree, outspoken, and utterly unburdened by the weight of responsibility.
"Lan Lan!" Xia Rui called out, standing to give her a tight hug. "You look amazing, as always. But girl, you look tired. Marriage taking its toll already?"
Qin Lan forced a smile as they sat down, her mind still buzzing with the morning's events. "Yeah, you could say that," she muttered, trying to keep her tone light.
Xia Rui arched an eyebrow as she took a sip of her iced coffee. "You know, you've been way too quiet since the wedding. I mean, I get that you're married to a cold-as-ice CEO, but that doesn't mean you should disappear from the face of the earth!"
"I'm not disappearing," Qin Lan replied with a weak laugh. "Just... adjusting."
Xia Rui studied her closely, her playful demeanor softening. "Is everything okay? I mean, I know you didn't marry for love or anything, but you still deserve to be happy. I hope Lu Yan isn't making life too difficult for you."
Qin Lan hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. The last thing she wanted was to drag her friend into the complicated mess that was her marriage, but she also couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The mysterious message, Lu Yan's coldness, the constant shadow of Ji Yi hanging over her—it was all becoming too much to handle on her own.
"Rui, have you ever felt like someone's watching you?" Qin Lan blurted out before she could stop herself.
Xia Rui's eyebrows shot up. "Whoa, that's not where I thought this conversation was going. Watching you? Like a stalker?"
Qin Lan bit her lip, unsure of how to explain without sounding paranoid. "I don't know. It's probably nothing. Just... strange things have been happening lately. I got this message this morning from an unknown number. It said something like, 'Stop pretending. You'll never replace her.'"
Xia Rui's expression shifted from playful to concerned in an instant. "That's seriously creepy. Who do you think sent it?"
"I don't know," Qin Lan admitted, her voice quiet. "But I have this awful feeling it has something to do with Ji Yi. You know, Lu Yan's..."
"His white moonlight," Xia Rui finished for her, her voice laced with understanding. "I've heard about her. He was obsessed, right? Some great love that never worked out."
Qin Lan nodded, her chest tightening. "Yeah. He never talks about her, but it's like she's always there, in the background. I'm starting to feel like I'm just a placeholder in this marriage. And now, with this message... I don't know what to think."
Xia Rui leaned forward, her expression serious. "Lan, you can't just ignore this. If someone's trying to mess with you, you need to find out who it is. And if it's connected to Ji Yi, then maybe it's time you had a real conversation with Lu Yan."
Qin Lan's heart sank at the thought. The idea of confronting Lu Yan about Ji Yi, about his lingering feelings, terrified her. She wasn't sure she was ready to face the truth. But what other choice did she have?
"I'll think about it," she murmured, not entirely convinced.
Xia Rui reached across the table, squeezing her hand. "Just promise me you won't let this slide. You deserve more than to be someone's substitute."
Qin Lan nodded, grateful for her friend's support. But deep down, the doubt still gnawed at her. Did she really deserve more? Or had she sealed her fate the moment she signed that marriage contract?
---
That night
Qin Lan returned home to an empty mansion, her footsteps echoing through the long hallways as she made her way upstairs. She felt uneasy, her nerves on edge after her conversation with Xia Rui. The shadows in the house seemed darker tonight, the silence heavier. Every creak of the floorboards made her heart race.
She tried to shake off the fear, telling herself it was just paranoia. But when she stepped into the master bedroom, her blood ran cold.
On her pillow, lying perfectly in the center, was a single white envelope.
Her hands shook as she picked it up, the edges of the paper smooth beneath her fingertips. She didn't need to open it to know it was bad news. The weight of dread settled over her like a suffocating blanket.
With trembling hands, she tore the envelope open and pulled out the note inside. The message was short, but it was enough to send a chill down her spine.
"You'll never escape her shadow. Give up now."
Qin Lan's breath caught in her throat. Someone had been in the house. Someone had left this note on her bed, knowing she would find it. She felt a surge of panic rise in her chest, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.
Who was doing this? Was it Ji Yi herself? Or someone else entirely?
She couldn't take it anymore. She needed answers.
Her decision made, Qin Lan grabbed her phone and dialed Lu Yan's number, her fingers trembling as she pressed the buttons. The phone rang twice before he picked up, his voice calm and distant as always.
"Yes?"
"Lu Yan," Qin Lan began, her voice shaking, "we need to talk."
---
End of Chapter 4
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