The moon hung high, casting its pale light over the Lin estate as Tianwu sat in the stillness of his courtyard, his thoughts tangled in the wake of the stranger's visit. The haunting melody of the flute had not left him—it echoed in his mind like a specter, weaving through his fragmented memories and stoking the embers of questions he had long buried.It was as if the stranger had unlocked something within him, a door he hadn't known was there, one that led to forgotten corners of his soul. But there was no denying the unease that followed the stranger's cryptic words. "Not all thorns are meant to protect." The warning hung heavy in the air, impossible to ignore.Tianwu exhaled slowly, his mind returning to the moment when he had felt that strange warmth—when Yuren had spoken with such sincerity, offering his unwavering support. He had been surprised by it, and even more surprised by how it had made him feel. For all his calculated detachment, he couldn't deny that a part of him yearned for the connection Yuren seemed so effortlessly to offer.But he quickly dismissed the thought. Emotions were weaknesses—especially in a world so rife with manipulation and rivalry. The storm inside him was far from over, and trusting anyone too much was a luxury he couldn't afford.Yet, as the night deepened, Tianwu couldn't shake the feeling that his carefully constructed world was beginning to crack. The questions, the warning, the hidden messages—it was all pointing toward something, something far bigger than the Moonlight Festival or the petty squabbles of noble houses.---The next morning, the Lin estate stirred with the usual bustle, but Tianwu felt an unusual stillness in the air, as if the calm before a storm had settled over the grounds. He wandered through the estate, his steps unhurried, his mind preoccupied with the stranger's words. He knew he couldn't ignore it any longer—the past was reaching out to him, and it would not be denied.His thoughts were interrupted when Haoran approached, his face tight with concern. "Tianming," he began, his voice laced with barely concealed frustration, "Father has called a family meeting. He wants to discuss your future—again."Tianwu's gaze sharpened, his mouth twitching with the beginnings of a smile. "Is that so?"Haoran's eyes narrowed. "You're not taking this seriously. Do you even care what Father thinks?"Tianwu remained silent for a moment, letting the words hang in the air. "I'll be there," he said simply, his tone devoid of emotion.Haoran's jaw tightened, but he said no more. He turned, his footsteps heavy as he walked away. Tianwu watched him go, his expression impassive. The tension between them had always been palpable, but lately, it had felt more like a storm building on the horizon. Haoran's impatience, his desire to control—it was all becoming too much to ignore.---When Tianwu entered the family meeting later that day, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. His father, Lin Jingxian, sat at the head of the long table, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Tianwu as he took his seat. Beside him, his younger siblings were already seated, their expressions a mix of curiosity and impatience."You've been conspicuously absent from your duties lately, Tianming," Lin Jingxian began, his voice low and commanding. "The family needs you, especially in these uncertain times. The Moonlight Festival was a reminder of that."Tianwu met his father's gaze, his expression neutral. "I was there," he replied, his voice calm but unwavering.Jingxian's lips thinned, and a flicker of irritation crossed his face. "Your presence was noted, but your participation was not. You're the eldest son, Tianming. You are expected to carry the weight of this family on your shoulders."Tianwu remained silent, his mind already drifting to the stranger's words and the growing sense that there was something more pressing than his father's expectations."Father, perhaps Tianming should focus on his strengths," Haoran interjected, his voice a little too sharp. "He's been training more with the sword lately, and perhaps it's time he stops hiding behind his books."The subtle jab was not lost on Tianwu. Haoran had always been quick to undermine him, eager to remind him of the difference in their paths. Haoran was the shining star in their father's eyes, the one who could do no wrong. Tianwu, however, was the disappointment, the failure.Tianwu's gaze flicked toward Yuren, who had silently entered the room and now stood beside the window, his expression unreadable. The subtle tension between the two men had not gone unnoticed. Tianwu felt a flicker of unease—Yuren's presence in the family meeting was not coincidental. But then again, nothing about this family ever felt coincidental."Father," Tianwu finally said, his voice cutting through the tense air, "perhaps it's time we discussed what I want."The words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, the room fell silent. His father's eyes hardened."You will do what is best for the family," Lin Jingxian replied, his tone final. "That is all that matters."Tianwu's expression didn't change, but a slow, calculating smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Of course, Father. But perhaps I will choose how I contribute."Jingxian stared at him, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed was thick, pregnant with unspoken words. Tianwu could feel the weight of his father's gaze, but it didn't faze him.He had been living under the shadow of his family for far too long. Now, it was time to step into the light—on his terms.---Later that evening, as the last remnants of the Moonlight Festival faded away and the estate returned to a semblance of quiet, Tianwu found himself once again beneath the cherry blossom tree. The petals fluttered in the breeze, the soft rustle of leaves mingling with the distant murmur of the estate's servants finishing their duties.He hadn't expected to see him again so soon."You're still here," Tianwu said, his voice soft but steady.The young man in pale green robes appeared from the shadows, the same calm expression on his face. "I've been waiting for you."Tianwu's gaze sharpened, his earlier unease returning in full force. "Why?"The young man tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Because you're about to begin a journey—a journey I'm sure you don't yet understand. But you will."Tianwu took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"The stranger's smile faded, and his eyes darkened with an unreadable sorrow. "Someone who has seen many things... and someone who has been waiting for you to remember."Before Tianwu could speak, the young man turned and walked away, vanishing into the shadows like a wisp of smoke. And just like that, Tianwu was alone once more, his heart racing and his mind spinning with questions that seemed to only multiply with every passing moment.Not all thorns are meant to protect.Tianwu didn't know what it meant, but he was starting to believe that finding the answer would be the key to unlocking the mysteries of his past—and the future that awaited him.And somewhere, in the darkness beyond the estate, eyes watched him once again.