Starlit Reverie: Love Beyond the Limelight

Chapter 13: Shadows of the Past

As the night waned and the gala drew to a close, Xuyen found himself lost in the depths of Zhang Yifan's gaze, his heart racing with a heady mix of anticipation and trepidation. But amidst the intoxicating allure of newfound love, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at the edges of Xuyen's consciousness—a reminder of the shadows that lurked in the corners of his past.

With a heavy heart, Xuyen bid farewell to Zhang Yifan and returned home with Liang, his thoughts consumed by the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Though he longed to lose himself in the warmth of Zhang Yifan's embrace, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that hung over their burgeoning romance like a dark cloud.

But as he entered the familiar confines of his apartment, Xuyen's fears were realized in the most unexpected of ways—a message waiting for him on his phone, its contents sending a chill down his spine.

It was Jianxuo, his former best friend and the source of so much heartache and pain. "I know what you're up to, Xuyen," the message read, its words dripping with malice. "You think you can just waltz back into my life and steal everything that's mine? Think again."

With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Xuyen realized that the shadows of his past had come back to haunt him, threatening to unravel the fragile tapestry of his newfound happiness. And though he knew that confronting Jianxuo would only lead to more heartache and turmoil, he couldn't ignore the gnawing sense of guilt that weighed heavily on his conscience.

But amidst the chaos and confusion, there was one beacon of hope—a flicker of light in the darkness that threatened to consume him whole. And as Xuyen drifted off into an uneasy sleep, he clung to the promise of tomorrow, knowing that as long as he had Liang and Zhang Yifan by his side, he could face whatever trials lay ahead with courage and resilience.