Chapter 14 – A Name That Never Belonged

The glow of the streetlight cast long shadows outside Club Noir. The city was winding down, but Ryu Xian remained still by the club's rear exit, right where Meilin had left him moments ago. His heart still beat faster than usual—a rare thing for him.

That kiss.

Her scent. Her lips. Her fire.

He couldn't explain it. She wasn't like anyone he'd met before. She'd stirred something in him. Something reckless. Something… real.

He was still staring into the darkness when a familiar hand landed on his shoulder.

"Still dreaming about her, lover boy?"

Ryu turned sharply. His guarded look faded as soon as he recognized the voice. "Jin," he exhaled, relaxing. "You scared me."

Jin chuckled, stepping beside him. "Didn't think the great Ryu Xian got scared."

"I don't," Ryu replied with a faint smirk. "But you creeping up behind someone like that? Suspicious."

Jin's smile didn't reach his eyes this time. He shoved his hands in his pockets and tilted his head slightly toward the street. "So… the girl."

Ryu didn't reply, but his silence was answer enough.

Jin clicked his tongue. "You've got it bad already."

Ryu scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Oh, come on," Jin grinned. "You're standing here like some drama lead in a music video. Don't tell me she's not messing with your head."

Ryu narrowed his eyes. "She's… complicated."

"You could say that," Jin muttered, his tone subtly shifting.

Ryu glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

Jin's face turned thoughtful, almost serious now. "I'm saying you should be careful."

Ryu arched a brow. "Why?"

Jin didn't look at him right away. He stared out at the street instead, his jaw slightly clenched. "Because that girl... she's not someone you'll easily figure out. And she's not someone you'll easily forget."

Ryu's voice dropped. "Do you know her?"

Jin finally looked at him—his expression unreadable. Then he nodded slowly. "Better than anyone."

Ryu blinked. "Wait… what?"

Jin hesitated for a beat. Then with a sigh, he said, "She's my sister."

The words hit like a slap of cold water.

Ryu froze. "What?"

Jin nodded again, more solemn this time. "Yeah. That's Meilin."

"No…" Ryu muttered, frowning. "No, her name is Xueyin."

Jin's lips twitched. "That's what she told you?"

Ryu nodded slowly, confusion rising. "She said her name is Xueyin. She's been using that name since the day I met her."

Jin looked away. "That's because Xueyin was her twin."

Ryu's brows pulled together. "Was?"

Jin's voice lowered. "Xueyin is dead."

The words hung in the air like smoke.

Ryu took a step back, his throat suddenly dry. "You're saying the girl I've been talking to… kissing… is using her dead sister's name?"

Jin gave a single, grave nod. "Yeah."

For a long moment, Ryu couldn't speak. Memories flickered in his head—her sharp words, her carefully measured silence, her deflective answers, the way she dodged any personal question with charm or sarcasm.

It all made sense now.

Too much sense.

"She never told me," Ryu whispered.

"She wouldn't," Jin said gently. "She's got her reasons. I don't know all of them… but I know they're important."

Ryu clenched his jaw. "And you just let her do this?"

"I trust her," Jin replied. "And I protect her. Just like I always did."

Ryu stared off into the night. "She lied to me."

"She never promised you truth," Jin said carefully. "And something tells me she never expected you to stay long enough to ask for it."

Silence again.

Then Ryu muttered, "She saved my life, Jin. She fought off guys twice her size. She patched me up without blinking. She looked at me like she already knew how dangerous I was… and didn't care."

Jin's eyes softened. "That's Meilin."

Ryu's chest tightened. "Why does it feel like I've been chasing a ghost?"

Jin offered a small smile. "Maybe because you have."

"But why use Xueyin's name?" Ryu asked, frustration flaring in his voice. "What is she doing?"

Jin didn't answer.

He just said, "If Meilin is using Xueyin's name again… then whatever she's doing—it's not random. It's personal."

Ryu exhaled hard. His mind was spinning.

"So what do I do now?"

Jin gave a crooked smile. "You do what you always do—follow your gut. Just remember, Meilin's not the type to fall for sweet words or flashy cars. You want to matter to her? Earn it."

Ryu looked down the street one last time.

The girl he thought he knew… never existed.

But the one behind the mask?

He wanted to know her even more.

He wasn't sure if that made him bold—or a fool.

But he was already too deep to turn back now