Qiao Zijin who was secretly observing from afar, felt envious. She had sneaked glances towards Sial throughout the game, but he always remained indifferent. And when they made eye contact, She was scared off by his gaze
His expression remained indifferent towards everyone who approached him tonight. She was then convinced that was how he was towards everyone until she saw this scene.
It was not that he treated everyone in that way, but rather he didn't want to make an effort.
Qiao Zijin was pissed, but her fear of Sial would not allow her to make an outburst. Moreover, it was time for her performance before the reunion ended.
Qiao Zijin took a deep breath to calm herself down and walked to the stage
"Ahh this white-eyed snake still has to perform" Amelia who was prepared to leave, impatient to make a deposit and spend the thousand dollars was irritated.
She sat back down annoyingly and dragged a tray of fruits over.
….
As the night drew to a close, the MC took to the stage one final time. "Ladies and gentlemen, this has been an unforgettable night. We've relived our past, caught up with old friends, and made some new memories. Thank you all for making this reunion a success. But before we call it a night, let's give a final round of applause to our special guest, Qiao Zijin"
The crowd cheered, And Qiao Zijin's mood was slightly lifted.
"Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, We've come to the most important part of the night. Let's all drop our donations to the school and thank them for taking good care of us and the teachers for handling our misfits"
The night concluded with a heartwarming moment. Everyone in attendance donated to the school, and the teachers, especially the math teacher who had just received a revision slip from Zetian earlier, were overwhelmed by the incredible amount of money collected.
The reunion had not only brought together old friends but also supported the institution that had been integral to their journey.
As the donations continued to pour in, the math teacher's eyes filled with tears. They couldn't help but feel grateful and humbled by the generosity of the alumni. The evening had proven to be more than just a reunion; it was a testament to the enduring bonds formed in the school.
The reunion came to an end with a sense of satisfaction and warmth. As the crowd began to disperse, conversations echoed with the memories of shared experiences and the bonds that had been strengthened. And somewhere, a math teacher was left utterly grateful, knowing that their efforts in teaching had not gone unnoticed.
"Ah What a night" Amelia Sighed, Satisfied as she got into the car
"Come on, let's head home" Amelia waved her hands and hurried Zetian over to drive.
Zetian stood there unmoving, and Sial spoke up instead, "Han Jie, take them home…safely," he said the last word with a hint of warning in his tone to make sure he was Vigilant and today's event should not happen again
The car sped off into the Night, Han Jie dropped the girls home safe and sound
….
The two men walked far away from the building seemingly having a casual stroll
"What do you want to know?" Zetian spoke up going straight to the point.
"You're not human, are you?" he asked, looking into Zetian's cold, expressionless face.
Zetian paused briefly before answering. "No, I'm not," he replied matter-of-factly, his gaze still fixed on the night sky.
Although Sial had guessed it during their encounter with those creatures and Zetian's familiarity towards them,he was still slightly stunned.
Zetian watched him and a sinister-like smile crept up his lip, "We're not so different, you and I. We're both meant for destruction"
Sial gritted his teeth, his jaws tightened, "What do you mean?"
Zetian continued ignoring his question, his voice cold and unfeeling. "The creatures that attacked tonight, they were from the Fae Realm, Your world. They're without a leader, and they're fearless."
"What do you mean my world, I'm no monster" Sial's gaze darkened
Zetian had on an indifferent expression, his eyes similar to those creatures earlier turned green. Suddenly, there seemed to be mist everywhere and a strong gust of wind sent Sial flying to the wall with a loud thud
"You seemed to be against the truth all the time, time is precious, so listen attentively"
Sial coughed up a mouthful of blood and weakly leaned on the wall
Zetian stared unwaveringly at the dark red blood on the floor, "Ah, Seems you're still powerless"
He smirked, the expression giving a sinister vibe in the night. "Nevertheless, You were so close to the truth all this time, but you were too afraid to accept it," he said. "Those creatures were just a warning, a glimpse into the greater destruction that will come if you don't take the throne."
Sial's heart felt like it was being squeezed, for the first time in the past 12 years of his life, he was yet rendered powerless again just like before. He despised it, he despised the feeling of helplessness. But he didn't have time to muddle on it as Zetian's next sentence made his expression darkened.
Zetian's voice dropped, his tone taking on a menacing edge. "if you come with me now, Evelyn will have a chance of living."
Sial's eyes turned bloodshot, "Dont touch her"
"Touch her?" Zetian chuckled, "Trust me I don't think I have such ability. Her cause of death would be you"
"I can't even bear to watch her be in pain why the heck will I kill her" Sial yelled in rage
Zetian shrugged, his green eyes becoming normal, "You're doing it again,"
Sial inhaled seemingly trying to calm himself, "I am not against the truth, but then why can't you rule the Fae Realm? I do not possess a single knowledge of such a place…"
How was he supposed to, when he did not even know about those creatures heck he could not even take down one of them
Zetian spoke up, "Rule the Realm? That's your story, After all…. I'm just a side character" The mist slowly started clearing up and the dark blue sky was slowly seen.
Zetian continued, his voice remaining cold and unwavering. "You have a choice. You can come with me now to Lianhua Town and make things easier, or you can refuse and take up the consequences."
Sial's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He lived in Lianhua town so he was well aware of the strange phenomenon happening there. His initial goal was to seek justice for his family but turn out it was a brutal chase, he did not even have a family to begin with. Now… his loss of a goal, his only thought was to protect the only precious thing he had, which was Evelyn.
Zetian saw the internal struggle in Sial's expression and continued, his tone even more icy. "Every second you waste is a second closer to Evelyn's demise," he said, the words like a punch in the gut to Sial
Sial felt like he was being cornered, caught between the choice of what was right and what was necessary to save the one he loved. He looked up at Zetian, seemingly lost.
"Why would I trust you?" Sial asked, his voice strained.
Zetian let out a humourless chuckle, his gaze locking with Sial's. "You don't have to trust me," he replied, the indifference in his tone only serving to unsettle Sial more. "But can you risk Evelyn's life on your doubts?"
Sial's face hardened, "And if I go with you, what guarantees do I have that you won't harm her?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Zetian's lips curled into an almost amused smirk. He took a step closer to Sial, the distance between them now almost non-existent.
"As said earlier, I do not possess such powers only you do," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Moreover, she won't remember….they all won't"
Sial's expression changed, "You-"
"What? Should we risk the exposure of the existence of the realm for another greater danger? Hanjie, Evelyn… Amy, they all won't remember."
Suddenly, Zetian lets out a chuckle, "It would be like you and I never existed"
Sial met Zetian's gaze, But Zetian's stare was cold and unfeeling, betraying nothing.
"And what if I don't cooperate?" Sial asked his voice tight with tension.
Zetian shrugged indifferently, his shoulders rising and falling in a careless gesture. "Then you'll just have to live with the consequences," he said.
Sial felt a sinister vibe coming from Zetian, he sighed, "I'll go with you," he said finally, his voice barely a whisper.
"Wise choice"
With that, Zetian turned and set off into the darkness
Sial slumped against the wall and let out a sigh, the scar that ran diagonally to his face which he hides seemed to be exposed. He frustratingly kicked a trash bin and it fell with a loud thud.
With a hint of irritation he stood up and made his way back to the mansion, the mist all gone with Zetian's disappearance.