The sunlight outside was just right.  

A summer breeze rustled through the lush leaves of a large poplar tree, creating a symphony of white noise.  

The moment the cicadas began to sing—  

Ruan Qingzhi’s damp, long lashes fluttered slightly. A tear welled up at the corner of her eye, trembling precariously, pitiful enough to stir anyone’s heart.  

She stared at the man on the hospital bed.  

One second, two seconds…  

Greed surged wildly within her, rampaging through her body like a marauding storm.  

She loved stars.  

But she never expected a man’s eyes to be even more captivating than the stars.  

And unlike the distant stars light-years away—  

He was right before her.  

Bright, flickering, and deadly.  

It made her want to reach out, cup his face in her hands, and feel his radiance, that scorching warmth searing her palms.  

Ruan Qingzhi’s dry throat moved with difficulty.  

Shen Zhanwu…

I bet no one has ever told you.

You—

Are mine now.

A fallen star, caught in my embrace…

Her dark lashes lowered softly, her teeth biting her lip as the corners of her mouth curled in a secretive, almost imperceptible smile.  

She looked as fragile as her tears—  

Trembling on the brink, pitiful enough to break hearts.  

The girl was drowning in an oversized gray coat, patched and tattered, its sleeves rolled up several times to reveal a pair of slender wrists.  

Her frame was too small, too thin, her delicate face still carrying the unmistakable softness of youth.  

Standing there, she looked like a discarded doll.  

Lin Ruzhen took one look at her and let out a cold, mocking laugh.  

The woman slowly rose to her feet, arms crossed, her beautiful face twisted in disgust. “Ruan Qingzhi, you’re quite the actress, aren’t you? Who are those tears for? Did you really think this pathetic act could drive a wedge between me and Zhanwu? Don’t be ridiculous!”

Ruan Qingzhi’s face paled. “Sister Lin…”

Before she could finish, Lin Ruzhen lunged forward, shoving the girl’s frail shoulders as she raged, “Ugh! Who the hell are you calling ‘sister’? Cut the fake niceties—you make me sick!”

Ruan Qingzhi stumbled back two steps.  

Her back slammed into the wooden door behind her with a loud thud.  

Clutching her shoulder, she let out a soft whimper of pain.  

On the hospital bed, Shen Zhanwu’s brows suddenly furrowed, a cold, dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.  

Shen Zhanwu: “Li Kanshan.”

His voice was icy.  

Li Kanshan, a soldier trained under Shen Zhanwu, didn’t need further instruction. His expression stern, he strode over, gripped Lin Ruzhen’s arm, and began dragging her out. “Dr. Lin, you seem worked up. Let me treat you to a soda downstairs.”

“Li Kanshan! Let go of me!… Let go!”

Lin Ruzhen struggled violently, twisting her head to glare at Shen Zhanwu. “Zhanwu, don’t believe her! She’s a liar! This little brat was nothing like this just a minute ago—!”

The woman was hauled out of the room.  

Her shrill voice echoed down the empty hallway—  

“Zhanwu, you have to believe me! She tied my hands to the doorknob, she jabbed a needle into you, she was trying to kill you—! Don’t listen to her!”

“Li Kanshan, if you don’t let go right now, I’ll report you to the higher-ups for harassment—!”

The noise gradually faded into the distance.  

Ruan Qingzhi’s eyes were red-rimmed. She glanced at the man timidly before lowering her gaze again, silent.  

Shen Zhanwu noticed her gaze, his expression softened a little, and he said in a deep voice, “Come here.”