The next day, sunlight filtered through the cracks in the curtains, casting a soft glow into the room, but it still couldn't calm the turbulence within Chen Shanyi's heart. She rubbed her heavy eyes; the dreams that had troubled her the night before were still vivid, as if an invisible hand was tightly squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.
She sat at the edge of her bed, slowly walking toward the mirror. Staring at her tired face in the glass, dark circles had formed under her eyes. She hadn't slept well last night; instead, her mind was filled with thoughts of the man named Siska. Every time she closed her eyes, that deep gaze and low voice would resurface, lingering in her mind. Her emotions were complicated and hard to express, and the inexplicable sense of tension inside her grew even stronger.
"Could it really be fate's arrangement?" she whispered to herself, forcing a faint smile at the corners of her mouth.
However, she knew that this was not just fate's joke. Siska—this man—was not just a passerby in her life. He seemed to be connected to her past in ways that were difficult to unravel. She had never imagined that her ordinary life would be shattered at some point, pulling her into a whirlpool she could not control.
After hastily washing up, she stood on the balcony, gazing at the scene outside. The glass windows of the tall buildings reflected the morning light, and the bustling crowd of people seemed to be immersed in their usual daily routine. However, for her, everything no longer felt that simple. It was as though a part of her inner world had been quietly torn open. Everything that once seemed peaceful had been disrupted since the arrival of that man.
"I need to figure out what's going on," she clenched her fists, her gaze resolute.
The Unexpected Call
At that moment, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Wang Kai calling. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone.
"Shanyi, are you okay after yesterday?" Wang Kai's voice came through the phone, filled with concern.
Leaning against the balcony railing, Chen Shanyi took a deep breath. "I'm fine, just… there are some things bothering me."
Wang Kai paused for a moment, clearly waiting for her to continue. Chen Shanyi let out a weak smile but still chose to speak. "Wang Kai, have you ever heard of someone named Siska?"
On the other end of the line, Wang Kai seemed taken aback, then softly asked, "Siska? Who is that?"
"I don't know… It's just…" She paused, recalling the cold yet warm gaze of that man last night. "He appeared last night, and I… I don't quite understand." Her voice held uncertainty, as though she were trapped in a fog.
"What happened?" Wang Kai's tone grew more serious. "Shanyi, don't make things more complicated for yourself. Remember, no matter what happens, I'm always here for you."
"Thank you, Wang Kai," she answered quietly.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Wang Kai spoke again, his voice tinged with helplessness. "Shanyi, maybe you really need to sort out your thoughts. Right now, the most important thing is to live your life well. You know you don't need a stranger to mess with your emotions."
Chen Shanyi was slightly stunned. Wang Kai's words left her confused but also warmed her heart. She knew he genuinely cared for her, but at the same time, she understood that Wang Kai didn't fully comprehend the turmoil inside her. She didn't want him to know that her connection with that man had gone beyond just being "a stranger."
"I understand, Wang Kai. I'll try to stay calm," she replied softly, forcing down the unease inside her.
After hanging up, Chen Shanyi stood on the balcony, looking at the distant horizon. Her mood grew heavier. She couldn't escape her memories of Siska, nor could she explain the feelings and confusion she had about him. It felt as though her life had been torn apart at some point, and the desire to return to peace now seemed so distant.
The Call of the Nightfall
As night fell, the streets were still busy with people coming and going. Yet, Chen Shanyi felt a sense of distance between herself and the city, as if the world she was in no longer aligned with everything around her.
She returned to the narrow alley, standing under the dim streetlight. The air was damp and cold, and the surroundings seemed to be waiting for something. Her heartbeat quickened, and each step felt particularly heavy. Everything that had happened yesterday seemed like a dream, yet it was so real, clearly imprinted in her mind.
Just as she hesitated whether to continue walking, a cold wind blew from behind, carrying a familiar scent. Her body froze involuntarily, and she turned around.
The man, Siska, stood before her, still carrying that cold yet mysterious aura, as though he were a nobleman from some ancient era. His gaze was deep, and his eyes locked onto hers as if penetrating her very soul.
"Shanyi," he called softly, his voice still low, but now carrying an undeniable magnetism.
Her heartbeat nearly stopped. Her lips trembled, and an indescribable emotion surged within her. "You… how did you find this place?"
Siska did not answer. Instead, he slightly curled the corner of his mouth. "This is the place I should be."
"Why?" Chen Shanyi asked in a low voice, the question she could no longer suppress. She knew he shouldn't be here, but she couldn't help but ask, wanting to know the truth behind the man who seemed to be inextricably connected to her fate.
Siska didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly walked closer, and she could feel the immense pressure emanating from him. It wasn't the aura of an ordinary person, but a powerful force that seemed to transcend time, as though he were the master of time, destined to appear in her life.
"Shanyi," he finally spoke again, his eyes firm. "You don't need to be afraid. The arrangement of fate has already begun. I will lead you down the path you are meant to walk."