In the Shadows

Chapter 04

Haikuan returned Xiao Zhan to his room in silence, his mind consumed with puzzlement. The melodious tune that had captivated Zhan's senses was none other than Wang Yibo playing his guqin every night, attempting to communicate with his lost love, Wei Ying. Yet, the calls remained unanswered, unheard by anyone except Xiao Zhan. This revelation perplexed Haikuan, for neither he nor the rest of the wolf pack had ever been able to perceive the music's ethereal notes. The question lingered in Haikuan's mind: Why could Xiao Zhan hear it?

With a sense of urgency, Haikuan knocked on Wang Yibo's door and entered the room. He bowed respectfully before his master, who had ceased playing the guqin. "Master, Xiao Zhan is back in bed," Haikuan reported, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. Wang Yibo remained motionless, refusing to turn and face Haikuan. In his angered state, all he managed to utter was, "Tomorrow, you can release him."

Haikuan was taken aback by Wang Yibo's response. The abrupt decision to release Xiao Zhan surprised him, raising questions about the vampire's intentions and motives. However, Haikuan understood that Wang Yibo's emotions were tangled and complex, driven by the pain of his past and the uncertainty of the present. He bowed once again, his voice filled with respect, as he acknowledged his master's command. "As you wish, Master," Haikuan replied determined in leaving Wang Yibo alone with his thoughts and the haunting melody that echoed through his heart.

As Haikuan turned to leave the room, he hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to divulge the information he had discovered. The weight of his master's confusion and despair compelled him to share the revelation, even though it could potentially disrupt the plans that had just been made. Haikuan took a deep breath and turned back to face Wang Yibo, determined to reveal the truth.

"Master," Haikuan began cautiously, his voice tinged with unease, "There is something you should know. Xiao Zhan... he heard your melody. Despite his blindness and the unfamiliarity with the castle's layout, he was drawn to it, almost finding his way here just by following your melody."

Wang Yibo's eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and uncertainty. He stared at Haikuan, his brows furrowed, searching for answers in the depths of his subordinate's eyes. "What do you mean? How is that possible?" Yibo's voice quivered with a hint of desperation, his hope rekindling against all odds.

Haikuan sighed heavily, his gaze fixed upon the troubled countenance of his master. "I cannot explain it, Master, but somehow, Xiao Zhan has a connection to your melody. It reaches him, resonates with him. I witnessed it with my own eyes."

Wang Yibo's mind raced, the realization sinking in that there was something extraordinary about Xiao Zhan, something beyond their comprehension. He clenched his fists, torn between hope and apprehension. "What does this mean, Haikuan? How can he hear what only Wei Ying was meant to hear?"

Haikuan shook his head, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I do not know, Master."

Wang Yibo's gaze fell to the ground, his thoughts swirling in a whirlwind of emotions. The unexpected revelation had thrown his carefully constructed plans into disarray, but it also presented an opportunity, a glimmer of hope he thought he had lost forever. He raised his head, determination flickering in his eyes. "Bring Wen Qing. I need her here as soon as possible."

Wang Yibo's gaze hardened as he made the decision to involve Wen Qing, the one person he held a deep-seated resentment towards. He knew that she possessed knowledge and secrets that could hold the answers he desperately sought. He turned to Haikuan, his voice firm with resolve. "Bring her here," Wang Yibo commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "Tell the wolf pack to retrieve her, unharmed."

Haikuan hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing with concern. "Master, she will not come willingly. She despises you, and the past between you is riddled with pain and anger."

A hint of bitterness flickered across Wang Yibo's face as he acknowledged the truth in Haikuan's words. However, he refused to let the enmity between them hinder his pursuit of the truth. He gritted his teeth and issued a demand to Haikuan. "Tell her... Tell her that he's back," Wang Yibo stated, his voice laced with a mix of determination and vulnerability. The mention of Xiao Zhan's presence, reminiscent of his lost love, was intended to lure Wen Qing into cooperation, hoping that she would be compelled to uncover the secrets that bound them all.

Haikuan nodded, understanding the significance of Wang Yibo's words. He knew the weight of the past that hung over them, the wounds that hadn't healed. Yet, in this moment, their shared need for answers surpassed the animosity. With a solemn nod, Haikuan turned to fulfill his master's command.

Leaving his study, Wang Yibo stood outside Xiao Zhan's door, his hand hovering uncertainly over the the latch. Conflicting emotions tugged at his heart, causing him to hesitate. He knew he should probably head back to his study, but he needed to see him.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Yibo pulled the latch and entered the room. The sight of Xiao Zhan peacefully asleep in bed brought a mix of relief and anguish. The elegant robes and ribbon lay neatly folded on the table, a silent testament to Zhan's rejection of Yibo's misguided attempts to recreate a lost connection.

Gently, Wang Yibo approached the bedside, his fingers trembling with a mixture of tenderness and regret. He couldn't help but caress Xiao Zhan's cheek, savoring the touch that brought both comfort and pain. A subtle smile graced Zhan's face, as if his slumbering self could sense the presence of the one who longed for his forgiveness.

In that quiet moment, Wang Yibo's heart swelled with memories of the past, the stolen kisses at dawn when he had to awake at 5 am to start his daily routine that always put a little smile on Wei Ying's slumbering face, the shared laughter, and the unbreakable bond they once shared. The realization that he couldn't replace his lost love with a mere resemblance struck him like a lightning bolt, shattering his illusions and paving the way for a deeper understanding.

Wang Yibo approached the slumbering Xiao Zhan, his voice a whisper in the quiet room. "Who are you, truly?" he murmured, his words filled with a desperate longing. His eyes searched Xiao Zhan's face, hoping to find some semblance of his lost love, Wei Ying. "Why do you resemble him so much? Wei Ying, can you hear me? Please, give me a sign."

Tears welled in Wang Yibo's eyes, silently streaming down his face as he poured his heart out to the sleeping figure before him. The pain of their separation, the ache of a love unfulfilled, weighed heavily on his shoulders. He yearned for some connection, some proof that this young man held the spirit of his beloved within him.

As the room remained enveloped in hushed sorrow, Xiao Zhan stirred restlessly in his sleep, his face contorted with anguish. A hardened expression settled upon his features, as if he were trapped in the clutches of a haunting nightmare. Wang Yibo's heart tightened, filled with both worry and a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhan's eyes flew open, wide with fear, and he let out a piercing scream. "Lan Zhan... it hurts," he cried, his voice laced with torment and confusion. The raw pain in his words struck Wang Yibo like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the silence, and stirring emotions he had long suppressed.

Gently, Wang Yibo reached out, his hand hovering above Xiao Zhan's trembling form and then pulling him into his arms. He whispered words of comfort, and then hummed the tender melody, meant for his beloved, to soothe the troubled soul before him.