Spring Brings New Beginnings

By the third spring, the sun shone warmly, a gentle breeze carrying the essence of the season.

The earth awakened, life began anew.

In the botanical garden, vitality abounded. Trees sensed spring’s arrival, bursting with life.

Their buds peeked from branches, like curious little heads, cautiously exploring the hopeful world.

As Kyoto’s famous cherry blossoms bloomed, people flocked to capture the pink romance with their cameras.

A popular author’s book signing was in full swing.

Two high ponytailed schoolgirls, still in uniform, clutched the author’s latest work, eagerly eyeing the line ahead.

Their turn approached, excitement evident as they clenched their fists, murmuring.

“So lucky! I bought Sister Zhiyin’s new book the day it released, and now we’re here for her autograph!”

“I heard she spent a year on this book, with some real-life experiences woven in.”

“Hahaha! I love this story; it’s different from her usual happy style, with a touch of melancholy that really hits home!”

As they reached Zhang Zhiyin, the author’s gentle smile greeted them, her autographing swift and graceful, belying the sorrowful tale she’d penned.

“Sister Zhiyin, you seem in great spirits today?”

The girls, sensitive to emotions, noticed Zhang Zhiyin’s uncontainable smile, lifting their own moods.

Zhang Zhiyin continued signing, looking up with a bright smile.

“Yes, because tomorrow, I’m finally meeting a long-lost friend.”

Her voice, like a singing bird, drew attention.

“That’s wonderful! Congrats, Sister Zhiyin! You must catch up a lot~”

“Yes, may you and your friend never part again!”

Their sincere wishes warmed Zhang Zhiyin’s heart.

“Thank you, and may your studies go well~”

After they left, a man in black, masked, approached, speaking lowly: “Don’t move, it’s a robbery.”

Zhang Zhiyin paused, then looked up, meeting his clear eyes, stunned.

“You…”

“Heh, look at you. If it were a real robbery, you’d be cleaned out.”

His playful tone and mischievous eyes revealed his jest.

Tears welled in Zhang Zhiyin’s eyes. She stood abruptly, words failing her.

Her reaction drew the line’s attention, curious about the commotion.

He whispered, “Calm down, just sign the book. I’ll wait over there.”

Dazed, she sat, mechanically signing her name, regaining composure.

“Why are you back? I was coming tomorrow.”

She whispered, their voices lost in the crowd’s chatter.

He smiled, taking the book, “I can’t hide abroad forever, silly.”

It was Fang Zhou, thought dead for two years!

His return spurred Zhang Zhiyin to unprecedented signing speed.

A two-hour event shrank to one under her effort.

As she left, her assistants were astonished.

“Wow! If Sister Zhiyin worked this fast normally, she’d publish several books a year!”

“Exactly!”

To stay discreet, Zhang Zhiyin changed clothes, donned a mask, and found Fang Zhou reading in a secluded garden pavilion.

The plum garden, deserted this season, was perfect for conversation.

She hurried over, almost calling his name, but cautious.

“When did you return?”

Fang Zhou, hearing her, removed his mask, smiling.

“Last night’s flight, arrived this morning. Knew about your signing, rushed over. Am I a good friend?”

She hadn’t seen that smile in nearly two years.

Like sunlight breaking through clouds, it brought joy and fear.

She quickly replaced his mask, warning, “Keep it on outside.”

Their plan, years in the making, couldn’t fail now.

Fang Zhou understood, knowing Zhang Zhiyin’s efforts had enabled his faked death.

“Alright, I promise.”

“Won’t take it off.”

When Han Xi took Fang Zhou to the villa, Zhang Zhiyin was informed.

Dr. Hu, her brother’s friend, recognized Fang Zhou from missing person alerts.

Realizing his illegal detainment, he alerted the Zhang family.

Zhang Zhiyin devised a plan, communicating with Fang Zhou through Dr. Hu, orchestrating his faked death.

The amnesia and hypnosis drugs were real, as was Fang Zhou’s memory loss.

But Dr. Hu adjusted the dosage, gradually restoring his memory.

His headaches signaled the drugs’ diminishing effect.

Once his memory returned, they communicated during private sessions, planning the fake death at Han’s.

Chu Xinran’s blackout inadvertently aided them.

The fire was inevitable.

With or without the blackout, the plan proceeded.

Fang Zhou anticipated Han Xi’s rescue attempt, leaving a recording and dummy.

To conceal the truth, they doused the room in gasoline, ensuring a fierce fire.

A masterstroke, freeing Fang Zhou from the Han family.

TLN : FUUUUU ITS A PLOT TWIST