As they approached Mei Lin's home, Zhìxué's eyes widened in awe. Her "house" was nothing short of a grand mansion, complete with towering gates, lush grounds, and an elegant facade that seemed to stretch endlessly. He hadn't realized the extent of her family's wealth until now. Everything from the sweeping driveway to the intricate stonework hinted at prestige and luxury.
"Is this… all your home?" Zhìxué asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Mei Lin laughed, catching his reaction. "Yes, it's a little… grand," she admitted, squeezing his hand. "But it's just home to me. Let me show you around."
As they moved forward, the gates opened automatically, the security cameras recognizing Mei Lin's presence. Guards stationed nearby gave a respectful bow as she passed, and several maids greeted her with smiles and nods. Zhìxué, still processing the scale of it all, followed closely, both impressed and slightly overwhelmed.
Mei Lin led him toward the garden, her tone brightening as they walked along a pathway lined with flowering bushes and carefully pruned trees. "This garden is special to me," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Most of these flowers, I planted myself. I wanted a place that felt like my own."
Zhìxué looked around, taking in the vivid colors and the quiet beauty of the space she had cultivated. The ivy-draped arches, the old stone fountain surrounded by roses, and the koi pond—everything felt thoughtfully arranged and filled with care.
"You have a beautiful sanctuary here," Zhìxué said, his admiration clear. "I can see why you love it. It's peaceful."
She smiled shyly, her gaze soft. "Thank you. I've always wanted a place to feel like mine in a house this big. I'm glad you like it."
With each step, Zhìxué felt a bit more at ease, seeing the warmth Mei Lin had poured into her home. As they reached the grand entrance, he took a deep breath, bracing himself to meet her family inside.
They reached the grand entrance, where Mei Lin's parents waited in the spacious living room. Two older maids stood nearby, overseeing the younger staff with an air of authority. As Zhìxué stepped in, both maids glanced at him, noting his sharp, handsome appearance in the tailored suit.
One of the maids leaned in to the other, whispering, "Is this the young man our lady is always talking about? He's so handsome!"
The other maid chuckled softly, nodding. "Look how close they are. Holding hands like that… he must be very special to her."
The two exchanged glances, smiles of pride and joy lighting their faces. "What an honor it is to finally see him," one murmured.
As Zhìxué and Mei Lin approached, her mother looked up, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise and admiration. She clapped her hands together with a delighted smile. "Zhìxué! My goodness, you look absolutely wonderful. Mei Lin told us you were handsome, but seeing you like this… well, you look even better than I imagined!"
She extended a hand in welcome, her smile warm and genuine. "You're very welcome here, Zhìxué. I can see why our daughter is so fond of you."
Zhìxué bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Mrs. Mei. It's an honor to be here, and I'm truly grateful for the invitation."
Her father, smiling subtly, gave a small nod of approval. "Well," he said, looking between his wife and daughter with a soft chuckle, "let's not get carried away with the compliments. He'll have plenty of chances to impress us." He turned to Zhìxué and gestured toward the dining room. "Shall we have dinner? The food is ready, and we don't want it to get cold."
The two older maids quickly moved to the dining room, arranging the dishes with care and efficiency, their expressions showing that they, too, were eager to make Zhìxué feel welcome.
As they moved toward the dining room, Zhìxué glanced over at Mei Lin, feeling a rare sense of gratitude and belonging. For the first time in a long while, he felt as if he was part of something warm and welcoming. He took a deep breath, his heart filled with both happiness and hope, and silently promised himself to cherish this moment.
As the dinner progressed, Zhìxué hesitated, his gaze dropping slightly as he gathered the courage to speak. With a soft sigh, he finally looked up at Mei Lin's parents, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Mr. and Mrs. Mei," he began, his voice steady but somber. "I wanted to apologize for earlier… for not being able to get into the car with you today. I didn't mean to worry anyone."
He paused, glancing at Mei Lin, who watched him with a mixture of understanding and concern. "The truth is," he continued, his voice quiet, "every time someone asks me to ride in a car… it brings me back to the accident that took my parents."
Mei Lin's parents exchanged a shocked glance, their faces softening with sympathy. Her mother placed a gentle hand over her heart, while her father looked at Zhìxué with deepened respect and sadness.
"I didn't mean to bring sadness to tonight's dinner," Zhìxué continued, "but I feel it's only right to share this with you. Mei Lin… she knows I don't have my parents anymore, but I don't think she—or anyone—realizes how much I still struggle. Losing them, and in that way…" His voice trembled slightly, and he paused to regain his composure. "It's like I'm reliving it whenever I see a car like that."
Mei Lin's mother reached across the table, her expression filled with warmth and sympathy. "Zhìxué… we had no idea," she said softly. "Mei Lin told us you'd lost your family, but to know it happened like that…" She trailed off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Her father nodded, his voice gentle but firm. "You've been through so much, Zhìxué. Yet here you are, sitting with us, resilient and strong." He looked at him with admiration. "I can't imagine the pain you carry, but you've managed to face it with such grace. It takes a strong heart to keep going after something like that."
Even the two older maids, who had been listening quietly in the background, had tears in their eyes. One of them dabbed her cheek with a napkin, whispering, "Such a tragic story… and such a strong young man."
Mei Lin, deeply moved, reached out to hold Zhìxué's hand, her voice choked with emotion. "Zhìxué… I knew you'd gone through a lot, but I never realized it was this hard for you. I'm so sorry… I wish I could've been there for you sooner."
After a moment of quiet, Mei Lin's mother spoke again, her tone warm and reassuring. "Zhìxué, you don't have to carry this alone. You've been through the worst, and I admire your courage, but please remember that you're not alone now. You have us. You have Mei Lin, who cares deeply about you."
Her father nodded, his expression serious yet compassionate. "You've come a long way, Zhìxué. And while those memories may never disappear, it's time to consider building new ones—ones filled with warmth and love, surrounded by people who care about you." He leaned forward, looking him in the eye. "From today on, consider yourself part of this family. We see a young man who is strong, reliable, and worthy of our trust. We would be honored to be here for you."
Mei Lin's mother added, "I know you've been through unspeakable pain, but you don't have to keep carrying it alone. Let us share in your joy, your struggles, your life. You have a home here with us."
Zhìxué felt a warmth he hadn't expected, the compassion and acceptance from Mei Lin's family filling a part of him he thought would remain empty forever. He managed a grateful smile, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "Thank you… truly. I don't know how to put it into words, but this means more to me than you know. I promise I won't let you down."
Mei Lin squeezed his hand, smiling at him with tear-filled eyes, and her parents nodded with pride. For the first time in a long while, Zhìxué felt like he wasn't just surviving—he was starting to live.
Outside Mei Lin's mansion, the air was thick and still. The shadowy figure who had appeared at Zhìxué's graduation ceremony now moved stealthily toward the entrance. The cameras blinked out one by one, leaving the area in total blackout.
As the cameras around the mansion gate blinked out, one of the security guards furrowed his brow, turning to his partner. "Did you see that? Camera four just went offline," he said, his tone filled with suspicion. "That doesn't happen around here. I'm going to check it out. You cover the east side."
Another guard nearby frowned, holding his radio close. "All units, report. We've got cameras going down one by one. Is anyone else seeing this?"
A third guard joined in, his voice tense. "Yeah, something's not right. The dogs aren't reacting either—they should've picked up any movement by now. Everyone, stay alert."
As they moved carefully through the grounds, one of the guards muttered, "It's too quiet. Where are the usual sounds? Not even a whisper from the dogs. I don't like this… everyone, stay close."
The lead security guard glanced around nervously, signaling for his team to spread out. "Alright, split into groups and check each sector. Whatever this is, we're handling it fast and clean. Report any suspicious activity immediately. We're not taking chances."
One by one, they moved into the darkness, but their voices soon faded as the silent threat advanced, eliminating each team without a sound.
With swift, silent strikes, he eliminated nearly ten groups of guards, leaving a grim trail of bodies in his wake. The dogs, typically fierce, didn't even have time to bark before they were taken down. Shadows shifted, and in the quiet, the intruder reached the mansion's living room undetected.
The doors to the living room swung open, and the dark figure stepped inside. Cloaked in flowing, black robes, he carried an air of malice, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Zhìxué with cold intent. His very presence seemed to cast a shadow over the room, silencing everyone.
"Well, well, well…" he sneered, his voice a low, mocking drawl. "Here you are, little boy. I've been searching for you, and it seems you were right under my nose the whole time."
Mei Lin's parents gasped, instinctively stepping closer to their daughter. Her father, protective and defiant, moved in front of everyone, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "Who are you? And what do you want with our family?"
The man ignored him, keeping his gaze locked on Zhìxué. "You," he said with a twisted smile, "you're the one my master-patriarch has been watching. But you're weaker than I expected. Is this all you have to offer?" He laughed, the disdain clear in his voice.
Mei Lin's mother, panicked, called out, "Security! Guards!" But silence met her plea. She glanced toward the windows and gasped, horrified to see bodies strewn across the lawn, some motionless in pools of blood. No one was coming.
The two elder maids huddled together, trembling as the dark figure's gaze swept over them, rendering them silent with fear and then they ran away.
Zhìxué took a deep breath, summoning his courage. His mind raced, but he knew he needed answers. "I… I saw you before," he began, his brow furrowing as he recalled the figure's presence at his graduation. "You were watching me from the shadows. Why are you here? Who are you?"
The man's cold smile widened, his eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. "So, you did notice me. Impressive," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "But little boys don't need to know my name."
Zhìxué didn't back down, his gaze steady. "You mentioned a 'patriarch' looking for me. What does that mean? And your voice… it's not modern. You don't sound like you're from here." He looked the man over, suspicion deepening. "Where are you from?"
The man chuckled, an eerie sound that filled the room, sending chills down everyone's spine. "Ah… perceptive, aren't you? But where I'm from is no concern of yours. My master—the patriarch—has taken a personal interest in you."
Zhìxué's eyes narrowed. "Your 'patriarch'? Why would he care about me? I don't know anyone like that." The intruder laughed, the sound cold and unsettling. "Oh, you'll know soon enough. But for now…" he sneered, stepping closer, "I have a message to deliver."
Mei Lin's mother gasped, clutching her husband's arm, her face pale. Zhìxué's mind raced as he quickly connected with his AI ring, Xing Xing, activating an emergency response. He wouldn't let this threat harm the people he cared about. With a steadying breath, he whispered the command, ready to defend them all.
Zhìxué took a deep breath, his mind racing as he connected with his AI ring. In a low, steady voice, he commanded, "Xing Xing, emergency response mode. Call the police and activate Illusion Image. Set the environment to volcanic with full sensory effects."
The ring responded with a soft hum, and Xing Xing's calm, precise voice replied in his mind, "Understood, Master Zhìxué. Police contacted. Illusion Image activated. Volcanic scene initiated with full sensory enhancements."
Suddenly, the living room dissolved around them, giving way to a terrifying volcanic landscape. Magma bubbled and surged around the floor, thick waves of heat radiated through the air, and jagged rocks replaced the walls, casting ominous shadows.
Mei Lin's mother gasped, gripping her husband tightly, her voice trembling. "W-what is this? Where are we?" she cried, her eyes wide with terror as she tried to comprehend the sudden fiery scene surrounding them.
Mei Lin's father looked around, his face pale with shock. "Are we… are we in a volcano?" he stammered, shielding his face as if the intense heat was real.
Mei Lin clung to Zhìxué's arm, her own voice filled with fear. "Zhìxué, what's happening? This… this doesn't make any sense!" Her eyes darted around, unable to comprehend how the room had transformed so suddenly and dangerously. "Are we… are we going to die here?"
Zhìxué gave her a firm squeeze, his voice calm but urgent. "Stay close. I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered, his heart racing.
The dark figure, initially filled with disdain, stopped dead in his tracks, his gaze snapping to the rivers of molten lava surrounding him. "What… what is this madness?!" he shouted, his voice wavering as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. He took a step back, his eyes darting around, his confidence shaken.
"This… this can't be!" The figure's sneer had vanished, replaced by a look of disbelief and fear. "You… what kind of trickery is this? You think you can trap me?"
"Xing Xing," Zhìxué whispered again, "increase sensory intensity. Keep him trapped within the illusion."
The AI responded promptly, its tone smooth and focused. "Intensity increased, Master Zhìxué. Illusion barrier reinforced. Target immobilized."
The dark figure flinched as if he could feel the heat pressing in closer. "You… I don't know how you're doing this, but you'll pay for this!" he snarled, his voice faltering as he shielded himself from the illusory lava flows.
"Everyone, let's go!" Zhìxué urged, pulling Mei Lin and her terrified parents toward the door, all of them too frightened by the inferno to question what was happening.
As they escaped, Mei Lin and her family still looked back in horror, convinced they had narrowly escaped a deadly trap. Zhìxué led them forward, his resolve unshaken, knowing that Xing Xing had done exactly what he'd needed
Once they were outside and safely away from the intruder, Zhìxué took a steady breath, his heart still racing. He glanced down at his AI ring, his voice low but focused. "Xing Xing, initiate vehicle transformation. Change the scooter to a car—right now."
A soft hum sounded from his ring as Xing Xing responded promptly, "Understood, Master Zhìxué. Transformation to vehicle mode initiated. Please stand clear."
Mei Lin and her parents stood back, watching in shock and amazement as the small scooter began to shift. Metal panels unfolded and extended, sleek parts aligning with mechanical precision. Wheels rotated and expanded, doors emerged from the frame, and the handlebars retracted, transforming effortlessly into a steering wheel. Within moments, the simple scooter had morphed into a full-sized, futuristic car, equipped with enough seats for everyone.
Mei Lin's father's jaw dropped, his astonishment clear. "Zhìxué… what in the world is this? How… how did you manage this?" he stammered, eyes wide as he took in the seamless transformation.
Even Mei Lin stared, her hand covering her mouth in awe. "Is this… your invention? I knew you were brilliant, but this…"
Zhìxué nodded, though he didn't have time to explain. "Please, get in. I'll answer everything, but we need to leave, now."
As he turned toward the driver's side, a familiar dread washed over him, and his hand froze on the door handle. Memories of the accident surged back, the trauma of that night hitting him hard. For a moment, his breathing quickened, and he could feel the fear gripping him, keeping him from stepping inside.
Sensing his hesitation, Mei Lin reached out and held his hand gently, her gaze soft but steady. "Zhìxué," she whispered, "you can do this. We're here with you."
Her parents joined her, each placing a hand on his shoulders, their expressions filled with warmth and encouragement. Mei Lin's father's words were calm and reassuring. "Remember, son, let the past stay in the past. It's time to live forward. Don't let this hold you back."
Zhìxué took a deep breath, letting their words sink in. Summoning his resolve, he opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, this time feeling a sense of control.
As he sat down, the car's interior came to life. Panels lit up, screens activated, and Xing Xing's voice welcomed them smoothly, "Welcome, Master Zhìxué and passengers. All systems are online."
Mei Lin and her parents looked around in awe at the ultra-modern interior. The dashboard was fitted with a series of intricate buttons, displays, and advanced features. The seats were sleek and comfortable, enveloping them in a quiet luxury.
"Zhìxué… this is incredible," Mei Lin's mother said, running her hand over the seat in astonishment. "It's like something out of a science fiction film."
Mei Lin looked at him, her pride and relief clear. "You did it," she whispered, giving him an encouraging smile.
With newfound determination, Zhìxué gripped the steering wheel and pressed down on the accelerator. As the car sped off into the night, he felt a sense of relief and strength, knowing he had moved one step closer to letting go of the past.