The door clicked shut softly behind Xianglu as he exited, leaving Tianwu alone with Yuren. The room felt unnaturally quiet now, with the space between them thick with unspoken words. Tianwu's heart fluttered as he met Yuren's gaze—those warm, knowing eyes that had seen parts of him he'd never shown anyone else. The kindness Yuren had extended to him since their first meeting had not been lost on Tianwu, but now, standing here, he couldn't deny that everything had changed. The way his feelings for Yuren had deepened over time, the way the bond between them had grown in subtle, unexpected ways, had led him to a place he wasn't ready to face.Yuren stepped closer, his hands tucked behind his back as if unsure of how to approach the subject. The calm demeanor that Tianwu had always admired now felt distant, as if there was something troubling Yuren—something he hadn't yet been able to put into words."I never expected Nian to show up again," Yuren said quietly, his tone more somber than usual. He didn't meet Tianwu's eyes, instead focusing on a point just beyond Tianwu's shoulder. "I know how complicated your past with him is. I didn't want to be the one to bring him up, but..."Tianwu swallowed hard, his mind whirling with all the emotions that Nian's return had stirred. "He's here, now. And he won't just walk away because I tell him to."Yuren nodded, his gaze shifting toward Tianwu's face, the weight of his words lingering in the air. "I know," he said softly. "But I also know you. And I know how hard this must be for you."Tianwu took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but he couldn't shake the restlessness that had taken root in his chest. Nian had left, but his presence still hung over him, pulling him in different directions. He had built a life, a future, with people who cared for him—Yuren, Xianglu. And yet, when Nian had stood in front of him, the past resurfaced in an overwhelming wave. The feelings, long buried, had returned with a force he couldn't deny."I don't know what to do, Yuren," Tianwu confessed, his voice low, betraying the uncertainty he'd been hiding. "I've spent so much time convincing myself that the past was over, but Nian... he's still there. In my head. In my heart."Yuren stepped closer, his presence comforting but also unsettling. "I'm not asking you to forget your past. No one could. But you need to decide what you want moving forward."Tianwu could feel the weight of his gaze, and for the first time, he allowed himself to truly look at Yuren. The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable, but there was something more—something deeper. It was as if Yuren had been waiting for this moment, waiting for Tianwu to admit the truth to himself."Yuren..." Tianwu began, but the words stuck in his throat. He didn't know how to say what he was feeling, didn't know how to put his jumbled emotions into words. There was a part of him that had been pulling away, telling himself that he couldn't be drawn into anything with Yuren. But another part—an aching part—longed for something more. The closeness, the quiet moments shared between them, the way Yuren had always been there when Tianwu needed him most—it was impossible to ignore.Yuren reached out slowly, placing his hand on Tianwu's arm. The contact was gentle, tentative, as if testing the waters between them. "You don't have to say anything," Yuren said softly. "I just need you to know that I'm here. No matter what you decide. No matter who you choose."The words hit Tianwu like a physical blow. He had never been one to show vulnerability, never one to rely on others the way he had with Yuren. But in this moment, with everything weighing on him, he could feel the walls he had so carefully constructed around his heart beginning to crumble.His eyes flickered to Yuren's face, taking in the earnestness in his expression, the subtle ache of something unspoken between them. Tianwu had been so focused on what Nian represented—his past, his darkness—that he hadn't allowed himself to truly see what was right in front of him. Yuren was steady, constant. He didn't demand anything from Tianwu. He simply offered himself.Tianwu's heart twisted with a new realization—one he wasn't sure how to process. He had spent so much time hiding from his feelings, but now, with Yuren standing before him, the truth was undeniable.Before Tianwu could say anything, the door to the study creaked open again, and this time it was Xianglu who entered, his posture stiff, his face unreadable. His eyes flickered between Tianwu and Yuren before he spoke, his voice controlled but filled with something like an undercurrent of tension."Master Tianwu," Xianglu said quietly, "there's something you need to know about Nian. He's not just here for old memories. His presence here could be far more dangerous than we thought."Yuren's gaze flickered to Xianglu, his lips pressing into a thin line. "What do you mean?"Xianglu's eyes darkened. "Nian's return is not an accident. He's been watching the family for weeks. There are rumors that he's planning something—something that could threaten everything we've worked for. He's always been good at hiding his intentions."Tianwu felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He had always known that Nian's return wasn't as simple as a reunion. There was something far more dangerous at play, and Tianwu wasn't sure if he was ready to face it."Do you think he's working with someone?" Tianwu asked, his voice sharp with the realization that Nian's return was far more than just personal. It was a threat. A weapon.Xianglu nodded, his eyes darkening. "I do. And I fear that whatever his plans are, they'll involve you."The weight of his words settled over Tianwu like a storm cloud, and for the first time, he felt truly helpless. He had no idea what Nian was capable of now, nor what game he was playing. But one thing was certain—he wouldn't be able to navigate it alone."I won't let him hurt you," Yuren said, his voice steady. He reached out, his hand brushing Tianwu's arm in a silent promise.Tianwu's gaze flickered to Yuren's hand, then back to Xianglu. The tension between them all was palpable, each person caught in a web of unspoken desires and fears.The moment stretched, the air thick with the weight of the choices ahead of them. Tianwu realized he was standing at a crossroads, torn between the past that still haunted him and the future that was uncertain, fragile, and full of potential danger."You're not alone in this," Xianglu said, his voice firm, but there was something else there, something Tianwu hadn't expected—an understanding, a solidarity that hadn't been present before.Tianwu looked between the two of them, and for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel so lost.But just as he opened his mouth to speak, the door burst open once again, and this time, it was someone Tianwu had never expected to see.A man cloaked in shadows stood in the doorway, his eyes gleaming with a mix of malice and determination."You're not alone," the figure said with a chilling grin. "But you'll soon wish you were."---To be continued...---