The Game Has Begun, Far Beyond Our Control

Cynthia flipped over, picked up her phone, and saw a message from Tristan, the corners of her lips involuntarily curling upwards.

She looked at Tristan's avatar, her gaze a bit absent-minded.

She remembered that, initially, Tristan's Instagram profile picture had been a solid black screen, without any light.

But at some point, a small dot of light appeared in that blackness.

Although it was tiny and inconspicuous, it became the most eye-catching presence in the darkness.

At this moment, the phone vibrated again.

It was a message from Lily.

Seeing the brief well-wishes from Lily, Cynthia's smile faded slightly, but she replied accordingly.

Then, she opened Tristan's message and began replying leisurely, her fingers tapping the keyboard slowly.

Just as the message was sent, Tristan's phone call came through.

"Still not asleep at this hour?" the man's deep, magnetic voice slowly drifted through the phone into Cynthia's ear.