Chapter 13:Fallen hard

Over the past few months, Zhou Mingrui had been reflecting on what the director of the orphanage had told him about Meng Xian.

The words weighed heavily on his mind.

The director's request for him to take care of Meng Xian lingered like an echo, a responsibility that Zhou Mingrui was determined to fulfill.

Despite his busy schedule, Zhou made a conscious effort to spend more time with her. Whether it was playing games, Mahjong, or UNO, he treasured every moment, even if their interactions were mostly confined to the apartment they shared. Yet, it had been a while since they had ventured outside together. The thought gnawed at him.

Zhou Mingrui's mind wandered as he mulled over the director's words. "Meng Xian is resolute, if you put it nicely, and extreme, if you put it bluntly. She's a child who easily falls into extremes…"

He had thought about how to take care of her without being overly intrusive or obvious. He didn't want Meng Xian to feel like he was watching over her out of some obligation. He wanted it to be natural, to simply enjoy life together.

After all, wasn't that what they had been doing? But something inside him urged him to do more.

He was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping his morning coffee, when the idea struck him. Zhou slapped his forehead lightly as if to chide himself for not thinking of it sooner.

The weekend was here, and they both had time off. He'd just ask her directly.

"Meng Xian, wanna go out?"

Zhou's voice carried through the apartment, reaching Meng Xian, who was in the living room, sitting on the sofa and absentmindedly petting Starlight, her cat.

She looked up at him, her expression puzzled.

"Why? Is there any occasion?" she asked, her fingers still lightly stroking Starlight's soft fur.

"No, no special occasion. I just want to go out with you. Let's have some fun," Zhou Mingrui replied with a warm smile.

Meng Xian blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden invitation.

Zhou noticed the faint confusion in her eyes, a hint of hesitation as she processed his words.I genuinely want to spend time with you. We've both been busy with work, and I thought it'd be nice to do something together today. It's the weekend, after all."

Meng Xian considered his words for a moment, her expression softening. She had grown accustomed to their quiet routine of playing games and talking late into the night, but the idea of going out with Zhou Mingrui was appealing. It had been a while since she last visited a bookstore, and the thought of picking up a few new novels excited her.

There was something special about buying physical books—a habit she had cherished even before her life in this world. As an author herself back then, she knew the joy of supporting other writers, and the pride of owning a tangible copy of a beloved story.

"Sure, I don't mind," Meng Xian replied, a small smile forming on her lips. "I'll just change clothes."

Zhou Mingrui nodded, a smile of his own breaking across his face. "Great. I'll go get ready too."

As Meng Xian stood, she gently set Starlight down on the sofa, patting the cat affectionately. "We'll be out for a little while, Starlight," she said softly.

Starlight meowed in response, curling up comfortably on the sofa as if to say, "I'll be fine on my own." Meng Xian smiled, knowing her feline friend was always content to be left alone for a few hours.

She made her way to her bedroom, the usual calmness she felt when getting ready to go out mixing with a subtle excitement.

Opening her wardrobe, she hesitated for a moment. What should I wear? The summer heat called for something light, but she also loved her boyish, baggy clothes. But today... today felt different. Maybe something more refreshing, more... free.

After a moment of contemplation, she reached for a dress. It was a ribbon-shoulder vintage floral shirred cami dress, with a delicate rose-blue pattern against a white background. The fabric was light and airy, perfect for the warm weather.

Meng Xian stepped into the bathroom to check her reflection, her eyes scanning her figure. Black long hair, black eyes, red lips, and a slim body with pale skin.

She had never been one to focus on her appearance; her previous life as a writer had been consumed by sleepless nights, poor health, and little time to think about anything beyond survival. But now, after months of good sleep, regular exercise, and reduced stress, she was seeing herself in a new light.

"I didn't know I'm this pretty, even without makeup," she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips as she admired the woman in the mirror. There was a quiet confidence in her now, something she hadn't had before.

Meng Xian left the bathroom, grabbing a white sling bag from her room and carefully packing her belongings. She added a pen—an unusual choice, but something she liked to keep with her, just in case she needed to defend herself. Satisfied with her preparations, she headed back to the living room.

Zhou Mingrui was already there, waiting for her while petting Starlight, who had taken up residence on his lap. He looked up as Meng Xian entered, and for a moment, his gaze lingered on her.

She noticed that he was dressed in a white t-shirt, a brown jacket with light stripes, black pants, and white shoes—an outfit that sparked a memory.

It was the official art of Zhou Mingrui from Lord of the Mysteries. Seeing him dressed like that brought a wave of warmth and nostalgia.

Meng Xian couldn't help but smile at the sight, feeling a mix of amusement and fondness.

But as she drew closer, she noticed Zhou Mingrui staring at her in silence, his expression unreadable.

"Zhou?" Meng Xian called softly, a hint of concern in her voice. "Are you okay?"

She waved a hand in front of his face, trying to snap him out of his reverie. Zhou Mingrui blinked, as if coming back to reality. He coughed lightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry…" His voice trailed off, and he hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Meng, you look… really pretty."

Meng Xian froze, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. It wasn't as though she had never been complimented before—her colleagues at work often praised her figure and called her pretty. The children at the welfare home would sometimes tell her she looked like a big sister straight out of a fairy tale. But hearing it from Zhou Mingrui, the very character she had loved and admired in the novel, felt different.

A warmth spread through her chest, and she couldn't help but smile, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Thank you, Zhou."

Zhou Mingrui, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, smiled back at her. "It's nothing. I'm just saying what's true."

Meng Xian chuckled softly in response, the sound light and genuine. It was rare for her to feel this kind of warmth from such a simple exchange, but she welcomed it.

Zhou Mingrui coughed again, perhaps to cover his own slight embarrassment, and gestured toward the door. "So, shall we go?"

Meng Xian nodded, her smile lingering as she replied, "Let's go."

—---

The sun shone brightly over the bustling city as cars zipped by and pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks, each lost in their own thoughts. Among the crowd, Zhou Mingrui and Meng Xian walked side by side, their footsteps syncing with the rhythm of the city around them.

The air was filled with the usual sounds of city life—horns blaring, people chatting, and the distant hum of traffic. Yet, despite the noise, there was a calmness between them

Zhou Mingrui considered her question for a moment, his mind sifting through possible ideas.

Finally, he smiled, a warm and genuine expression that softened his usually composed demeanor. "How about we check out the bookstore? I want to buy some manga to read."

Meng Xian's eyes widened slightly, her lips curving into a smile of her own. She was a bit surprised by his suggestion, but pleasantly so. "Sure, that's a great plan.

I was actually thinking about buying some books too." Her tone was light, but there was a hint of playfulness as she added, "Zhou, did you perhaps read my mind?"

Zhou Mingrui chuckled at that, a deep, resonant sound that made Meng Xian's heart feel lighter. "Haha, Meng, it's been months since we started living together.

Don't you think I would've noticed your habits by now? Besides, we became friends because I caught you reading novels in the office back then, remember? And don't forget about the pen I gave you for your birthday or the fact that you're learning Russian—it's pretty easy to read you in some cases."

Meng Xian felt a slight flush of embarrassment as she recalled those memories. It was true; she often got so absorbed in her own thoughts and routines that she sometimes forgot how well others could notice them, especially someone like Zhou Mingrui.

"But still, you guessed that I was thinking about a bookstore. What if I was thinking about something entirely different?" she teased, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

Zhou Mingrui smiled again, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Maybe I would've guessed right, or maybe not. But that's what makes it interesting, don't you think?"

Meng Xian nodded thoughtfully, "I suppose so…"

The conversation lapsed into silence again, but this time it was a comfortable one. There was no need to fill the air with unnecessary words; they were both content in the shared moment. The walk to the bookstore was peaceful, the noise of the city fading into the background as they focused on each other's presence.

When they finally reached their destination, Meng Xian couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. The old Chinese bookstore stood before them, its façade weathered but charming.

It was a place steeped in history, known for its vast collection of both old and new Chinese novels. Stepping inside felt like stepping into a different era, where the scent of paper and ink mingled with the quiet hum of life.

"We're here," Zhou Mingrui announced with a slight smile, holding the door open for Meng Xian.

She nodded in acknowledgment, her heart warming at his gesture, and stepped inside. The bookstore was just as she remembered it—rows upon rows of bookshelves, each filled with volumes waiting to be discovered.

Despite having been here countless times, the sight never failed to fill her with a sense of awe. Books were more than just objects to her; they were gateways to different worlds, to new experiences and emotions.

Zhou Mingrui spoke up beside her, pulling her back to the present. "Okay then, let's split up. We can text each other on WeChat if we need anything."

Meng Xian nodded in understanding, watching as Zhou headed toward the manga section. She herself wandered toward the novel section, her fingers grazing the spines of various books as she walked by.

Eventually, she found herself in the horror section, where she began her usual routine—picking up a book, reading the description, and deciding whether it was worth buying. If a book didn't have a description, she would search for information online before making her decision.

It was a routine she had perfected over the years—taking her time to choose books that intrigued her, while also making sure they were worth adding to her collection. After all, as an author herself back then, she understood the importance of supporting other writers.

As she scanned the shelves, one book caught her attention—a title in English, The Night Land by William Hope Hodgson.

Intrigued, she picked it up, but there was no description on the back cover. Curious, she pulled out her phone and began searching for details.

It took her a while to find any information. The book seemed to be an obscure English novel, not particularly popular in China.

Finally, she stumbled upon a post on Douban, titled "Wiki Translation of The Night Land," written by a user with the ID [Sun]. The post was dated August 3, 2011—four or five years ago.

The article began with a brief introduction to the author, William Hope Hodgson, before delving into the novel itself. It was described as a classic horror work published in 1912, straddling the line between fantasy and science fiction, set in a post-apocalyptic world after the sun had gone out.

As Meng Xian read, she became increasingly absorbed in the story's premise. The tale began in the seventeenth century with a gentleman grieving the loss of his lover, Mildas.

His sorrow was so profound that he fell into a trance, experiencing vivid hallucinations.

In this dreamlike state, the protagonist's consciousness—or perhaps his soul—traveled to a distant future where the sun had long since extinguished, and humanity teetered on the brink of extinction.

The last remnants of the human race huddled within a colossal pyramid, the End Fortress, their only protection against the monstrous entities lurking in the eternal night outside. The fortress was encircled by a barrier of spiritual fire, its energy drawn from a mysterious, golden "flowing spring."

As she read the final lines of the post, Meng Xian felt a thrill run through her. For thousands of years, the watchers in the darkness had waited for the spring to dry up, for the spiritual fire to fade, so they could finally overrun the fortress and snuff out the last traces of humanity.

Meng Xian smiled, feeling a thrill of excitement. She had discovered a hidden gem, a book she had never come across in her previous life. The themes of the novel resonated with her, reminding her of the intricate world-building and eerie atmosphere of Lord of the Mysteries, one of her all-time favorite novels.

In a good mood, she slipped her phone back into her sling bag and clutched the book close.

when another book caught her eye. It was plain, with a simple white cover, devoid of any text or design.

She paused, her intuition telling her that this book was worth her attention. Confused but intrigued, she picked it up. There was no title, no author, nothing to indicate what it was about.

"What is this?" she muttered to herself, pulling out her phone once more to snap a picture and search for it online. But no results came up, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Meng Xian frowned in thought. Maybe it was a new book, not yet popular enough to be widely known. That seemed like the most reasonable explanation. After all, many great books started with little to no recognition.

Still holding the plain white book, Meng Xian sighed softly and decided to trust her gut. She took both books and made her way to the cashier.

With both books in hand, Meng Xian made her way to the cashier. As she waited in line, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

When it was finally her turn, the cashier rang up her purchases, the plain book attracting a curious glance but no comment. Meng Xian paid for the books and thanked the cashier.

After purchasing her two books, Meng Xian found herself holding a modest paper bag, its weight a gentle reminder of the literary treasures inside. She made her way back to the spot where she and Zhou Mingrui had split up earlier, her thoughts already drifting to the quiet excitement she felt about her finds.

As she reached the familiar place, she pulled out her phone, intending to open WeChat to let Zhou Mingrui know she was ready to head out. But just as she was about to unlock her phone, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Meng!"

Turning towards the sound, Meng Xian's gaze landed on Zhou Mingrui. His expression was a mixture of curiosity and excitement, which quickly translated into a grin when he saw her. In his hands, he held a book that instantly drew her attention.

"Attack on Titan?" Meng Xian asked, her eyebrows rising in recognition.

Zhou Mingrui nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, you know this anime?"

Meng Xian's smile was tinged with nostalgia. "Yeah, I know it. It's been popular around the world."

"It's really good," Zhou Mingrui said. "I accidentally stumbled upon it on my Bilibili account. Have you watched the anime?"

But at that time, what impressed him most about Attack on Titan was the bad ending of the manga...

The author Hajime Isayama single-handedly challenged millions of fans around the world and drew a newspaper ending in which all the characters' personalities collapsed, the protagonist Eren was destroyed and completely reduced to the eighth fortune-teller, slamming shit in the readers' faces.

In China alone, in the month when the "Attack on Titan" manga was completed, related entries were repeatedly on the hot search list. Countless fans who once loved the manga were furious and questioned whether there was something wrong with Isayama's brain. In foreign countries, a vigorous campaign to insult Isayama was launched

Meng xian blinked.

She remembered that the comic "Attack on Titan" would be completed in April 2021. By then, even if the Old City had not been destroyed due to the initial awakening, Zhou Mingrui should have already reached the Source Castle.

It may be a blessing to not have to face the original work's deliberately disgusting ending, and let the favorite work stay in the most beautiful stage of memory....

Meng Xian considered her response carefully. She had already read the manga and knew the ending, so watching the anime felt redundant. But she appreciated Zhou Mingrui's enthusiasm. "Yeah, kinda," she replied with a smile.

Zhou Mingrui's eyes sparkled with shared excitement. Then, noticing the paper bag in Meng Xian's hand, he asked, "Is that the book you bought?"

Meng Xian nodded, her smile widening. "Yeah, it's an English novel. Not really popular in China, but I really like the theme. It suits my taste."

Zhou Mingrui's interest piqued. "I see. Let me carry it for you."

Meng Xian shook her head, a touch of stubbornness in her voice. "It's not that heavy; it's fine."

Zhou Mingrui, however, was insistent. He reached out and gently took the paper bag from Meng Xian's hand, a gesture of kindness she couldn't easily refuse. "I insist," he said, his tone firm but friendly.

Meng Xian, seeing that he wasn't going to relent, gave in with a resigned smile. "Okay, okay. Thank you."

As they left the bookstore together, the city's bustling energy surrounded them, but within their little bubble, there was a shared sense of calm.

The walk was peaceful, with only the soft sound of their footsteps and the distant murmur of the city breaking the silence.

Meng Xian savored the tranquil moment, her mind wandering between the excitement of her new books and the easy companionship she shared with Zhou Mingrui.

"So," she finally spoke, breaking the silence, "any other plans?"

Zhou Mingrui considered the question for a moment, his eyes scanning the cityscape. "How about we head to the park?"

Meng Xian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The park? Any particular reason for choosing it?"

Zhou Mingrui's gaze softened, and he offered a small, contemplative smile. "I just thought it might be nice to unwind a bit.

Parks are peaceful, and I thought it might be a good place for us to relax

The park was a haven of tranquility, a gentle respite from the city's constant hum. As Meng Xian and Zhou Mingrui arrived, the scene before them was a blend of nature's serenity and human leisure.

People were scattered across the park: some were leisurely strolling, others were engrossed in books or having quiet conversations, and a few tourists were snapping photos of the picturesque landscape.

Meng Xian took in the view with appreciation, her eyes wandering over the lush greenery and vibrant flowers. "This place is really pretty," she said, her voice soft with admiration. "The flowers are beautiful, and the whole atmosphere is just so calming."

Zhou Mingrui, walking beside her, couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, people say this park is quite popular, especially with tourists."

Meng Xian nodded in agreement. "I can't blame them. It's truly a lovely spot."

They found a quiet spot under a large oak tree and settled onto a bench. The gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the fresh scent of nature. Meng Xian closed her eyes, letting the wind wash over her, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "It's really relaxing here…"

Zhou Mingrui sat beside her, his gaze drifting across the park. He noticed the variety of people enjoying the park in their own ways—some reading, others taking photographs, and a few simply sitting in peaceful contemplation.

Despite the number of visitors, the park retained a sense of calm and order. The murmurs of conversation were kept to a minimum, enhancing the overall tranquility.

Zhou Mingrui's attention returned to Meng Xian. He watched her serene expression, noting how her lashes fluttered slightly with each gentle gust of wind.

There was something profoundly comforting about the way she was at ease here. His gaze lingered on her, and a strange, pleasant sensation filled his chest. It was a feeling he couldn't quite define, but it was becoming increasingly clear to him.

Without realizing it, Zhou Mingrui found himself smiling.

Zhou Mingrui stared at his phone screen, trying to process the conversation he'd just had with his friend Peng Deng. The feeling was familiar but hard to pin down. He had done some searching online about why he might feel this way and came across a possibility that he was in love. Initially, he had dismissed the idea, but his conversation with Peng Deng had pushed him to reconsider.

Zhou Mingrui had texted Peng Deng: "Hey, I looked up this weird feeling I've been having, and it says I'm in love with someone."

Peng Deng's response came quickly: "Hahaha, bro, you've been in love for a long time."

Confused by this Zhou Mingrui replied, "How so? Long ago? What do you mean?"

Peng Deng sent a face-palm emoji and followed up with: "Since you won't shut up about her."

As he read Peng Deng's messages, Zhou Mingrui's mind started to connect the dots.

He recalled how often he spoke about Meng Xian—how she had helped him, her kindness, their shared interests, and how he admired her efforts and perseverance. He remembered how she practiced singing despite not being the best, how she put thought into celebrating his birthday, and even how she managed to carry the burdens of her past with grace.

He had often thought about her gentle nature and how she seemed to have a heart soft enough to care for pets. Even though he knew she had secrets, he also understood that not all secrets were meant to be revealed.

Falling in love with Meng Xian felt like stepping into a time machine, hurtling back to a time when emotions were raw and all-consuming. It wasn't something Zhou Mingrui had planned on—if anything, it blindsided him, catching him in the middle of his ordinary life and turning everything upside down. Suddenly, she was everywhere in his mind, occupying his thoughts like she was the most natural thing to think about.

It started with small things, the kind that seemed insignificant at first. He noticed how her voice had a way of cutting through the noise in a crowded room, how it always seemed to reach him no matter where he was. There was a warmth in her laughter that made his chest tighten, a light in her eyes that he found himself craving more and more.

Every time she smiled, it was as if the world tilted just a little, aligning perfectly for a brief moment. It was addictive, that smile—he couldn't help but chase it, wanting to be the reason for it, needing to see it again and again.

The feeling was so intense that it scared him. He hadn't felt this way since he was a teenager, when love was all-consuming, messy, and full of hope and fear in equal measure. He was constantly on edge around her, acutely aware of her every movement, every word.

His heart would hammer in his chest whenever she was near, a mix of excitement and anxiety that left him feeling both thrilled and vulnerable. He started to care too much about what she thought of him, about how he came across. He found himself wanting to impress her, to make her laugh, to be the one she looked for in a room full of people.

But it wasn't just the rush of emotions that made him feel young again. It was the way she made him feel seen, like she understood parts of him that even he hadn't fully figured out yet.

There was a quiet reassurance in her presence, a feeling that he didn't have to hide anything from her. With Meng Xian, there was no need to put on a mask or pretend to be someone he wasn't. She accepted him—flaws, insecurities, and all—and that acceptance made him want to be better, to live up to the way she saw him.

He started to notice every little detail about her, things he had never paid attention to with anyone else. The way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she was really laughing, or how she always seemed to know exactly what to say to put him at ease.

He found himself drawn to her more and more, wanting to be around her, to soak in her presence. There were times when he would catch himself staring, completely lost in the way she moved, in the rhythm of her words.

Zhou Mingrui felt like he was living in a dream, one where he was constantly walking the line between reality and fantasy.

It was exhilarating but also terrifying because with every day that passed, his feelings grew stronger, deeper, more undeniable. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so alive, so vulnerable, so completely wrapped up in someone else. It was as if the world had shrunk down to just the two of them, and everything else was just background noise.

He didn't know where this would lead, and that uncertainty gnawed at him, but the thought of losing her—or worse, never telling her how he felt—was unbearable. He had fallen, hard and fast, and there was no turning back now.

Loving Meng Xian made him feel young and foolish in the best possible way, like he was on the cusp of something extraordinary, something that could change everything.

And though the fear of the unknown lingered, it was overshadowed by the sheer joy of being in love, of feeling this deeply, of sharing even the smallest moments with her.

For Zhou Mingrui, this love was both a revival and a revelation—a reminder that, despite everything, his heart was still capable of feeling this intensely, of beating with a rhythm that matched someone else's.

And that realization was both humbling and exhilarating, filling him with a hope he hadn't felt in years.

Damn… he thought, staring at his phone screen in disbelief. Had he really been this blind?

Peng Deng's next message popped up, confirming what was now painfully obvious: "Face it, bro, you're already in love."

Zhou Mingrui's fingers hovered over the keyboard as he typed his response. "Is this why you kept teasing me before?"

"Yeah, hahahaha. Well, at least you know now. Congrats!" Peng Deng replied, his tone light and teasing, as always. But then his next message carried a weight that Zhou Mingrui couldn't ignore: "So what's your plan? You know she's a keeper! If you don't make a move, someone else will."

The words hit Zhou Mingrui harder than he expected. The idea of someone else being with Meng Xian, of losing her to another man, sent a sharp pang of concern through his chest.

It was as if the ground had shifted beneath him, leaving him off-balance. He hadn't even confessed his feelings yet, and already the thought of her being with someone else felt like a blow he couldn't bear.

Did he really deserve her? Meng Xian was extraordinary in so many ways, and he was just... him. The doubts crept in, whispering that he wasn't good enough, that she deserved someone better, someone who could give her everything she needed.

But alongside the doubt was a fierce, protective instinct—a selfish desire to be the one who made her smile, who held her hand, who shared in her life. Was it wrong to want her for himself?

He didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear: he couldn't let this chance slip away. "I will, don't worry," he texted back to Peng Deng, determination settling into his bones.

But first, he needed to understand her better—everything about her. What she liked, what she disliked, her favorite flowers, her little quirks. It was like piecing together a puzzle, one he was determined to solve. He wanted to learn every detail, every nuance, so that when the time came, he could show her just how much she meant to him. Until then, he would act normally, watching her closely, looking for any signs that she might feel the same way.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Meng Xian turned her gaze toward him, her eyes meeting his with a warmth that seemed to radiate from her very soul.

Her smile was like a beacon, pulling him in, making the world around them fade into the background. He was captivated by her beauty—not just the way she looked, but the way she existed, with a grace and kindness that made everything else seem dull in comparison.

The way her black eyes sparkled with genuine affection, the way her smile lit up her entire face, it all felt like a dream he didn't want to wake from.

He realized he had fallen hard for her.