Crimson Illusion

The soft melody of a wedding tune echoed through the grand hall. AnAn (Fang Wu) stepped inside, dressed in a stunning white gown that shimmered under the golden lights. Her smile bloomed like spring as her eyes found Yichen waiting for her at the altar. Every step she took toward him was filled with joy and dreams finally taking form.

As she approached, she paused just a few steps behind him, her voice tender and filled with emotion.

“Yichen... finally, the day has come. We’re really getting married now. I’ve always wondered what this moment would feel like, and now that it’s happening, it’s more beautiful than I ever imagined.

Yichen... I love you. I’ve always wanted us to be together, and now we are. Tell me, do you feel the same? Or... maybe even something more?”

She chuckled softly. “Yichen, say something… Yichen?”

With a gentle smile, AnAn reached forward and placed her hand in his, stepping in front of him—only to freeze in horror.

Yichen’s eyes… they weren’t the warm, soft gaze she had known. They were blood-red, almost lifeless. Her eyes drifted downward, and a scream caught in her throat. A deep wound bled heavily near his abdomen. His white suit was soaked in crimson.

“Yichen!? What happened?! How did you—who—?!”

Before she could finish, Yichen’s knees buckled. His body collapsed to the ground with a lifeless thud.

“Nooooo!” she screamed in anguish.

Thud!

The sound jolted Hua Wu awake. Alarmed, she rushed to her daughter’s room and flung the door open. There, she found AnAn collapsed on the floor, pale and trembling.

“AnAn! Are you alright? Did you fall? Did you hurt yourself?” her mother cried as she knelt beside her.

AnAn opened her eyes slowly, breathless and drenched in sweat. The familiar surroundings of her room came into focus. Her mother’s anxious face loomed above her. Relief swept over her like a wave.

“Mama… I’m alright. Don’t worry. I… I just had a terrible dream.”

Meng Wu studied her daughter’s pale face, concern, tightening her brows.

“What did you dream about?” she asked gently.

AnAn shook her head quickly. “Nothing important, Mama.”

But her mother knew better. She could sense something deeper troubling her daughter, something she wasn’t ready to share.

Instead of pressing further, Meng Wu simply smiled and stroked her daughter’s hair.

“It’s okay. Dreams are just dreams. Not all of them come true. Get up and freshen up, I made your favorite breakfast.”

AnAn managed a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mama.”

As she tried to stand, her legs gave way a little. Her mother quickly supported her again.

“Are you sure you're fine?”

AnAn nodded with more steadiness this time. “Yes, I’m absolutely fine now.”

She made her way to freshen up, the remnants of the dream still clinging to her heart.

At the Dining Table

The morning sun bathed the dining area in warm light. AnAn came, her voice bright and cheerful.

“Good morning!” Mama, baba.

Her parents smiled at her warmly.

“Good morning,” her mother replied. “Here, have some.” She handed AnAn a serving of her favorite beef dish.

“Thank you, Mama.”

Her father, Liang Wu, cleared his throat, setting down his newspaper.

“AnAn, have you decided which university you’re applying to?”

“Hmm… Based on my college entrance scores, and the field I am interested in, I’m thinking about Tsinghua University.”

“Good, very good,” he nodded approvingly. “Just let me know once your plans are finalized.”

“Yes, Baba,” AnAn replied sweetly.

“And if you need any help, your brother is always there. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Um, okay! No worries, Baba.”

She smiled, but somewhere deep in her mind, the image of Yichen’s bloodied eyes lingered like a shadow—one she couldn't quite shake off.

[To Be Continued...]

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