Days flew by, life returned to normal.
Han Chen noticed a distinct change in Hye Won's mindset after that day. She no longer blamed herself and, as time passed, even joked about it, as if they had done society a favor. Her once-timid approach to intimacy transformed into confidence—she took charge, set her own pace, and initiated without hesitation. The warmth in her personality is still there, but now it carried a sharper and assertive edge. She became more in tune with Han Chen's moods, subtly seeking his approval and skillfully matching his energy in conversation.
Determined to become stronger, she immersed herself in training—martial arts, combat tactics, evasion, and even counter-surveillance from him. Under the powerful radiance convergence array Han Chen had set up, her progress was nothing short of remarkable. In just a month, she achieved a breakthrough to the innate realm—something that would typically take years. It had been less than a year since she first began training, yet her growth was astonishing.
Han Chen loved her for all that she was—human, imperfect, and relentless.
Now, both of them carried an almost ethereal presence. Upon reaching the innate realm, Yue Lan's features subtly shifted, making her appear even younger and more luminous. She too, had shed years in appearance ~ her sharp beauty now bordering on ethereal. With her strength enhanced by spiritual martial arts and the influence of the heaven and earth aura, she could now rival mid-stage martial masters.
At college, they stood as equals—exceptionally intelligent, admired by many, and the kind of couple that seemed almost untouchable.
The illusion of normalcy shattered during a mundane afternoon.
Hye Won had just sent a particularly creative mental image of them through their private link—a joke to Han Chen when their intimate place sounded a voice, in their minds from Yue Lan. < I am outside the campus. You can come. I am waiting>
And again, as if fearing not heard.
Yue Lan's psychic imprint was unmistakable ~ and currently ruining the mood.
Han Chen suppressed his annoyance in interruption. (
The luxury limousine idled at the curb like a sleek black panther—polished menace. A security swung the door open, revealing Yue Lan perched inside, legs folded, sipping tea with the poise of a queen holding court.
Hye Won clamped her mouth shut, suddenly uncertain—which persona is supposed to talk to Yue Lan? The spirit? The real one? Han Chen yawned and stretching, ruining the buildup.
"So. What's the occasion?"
Yue Lan's gaze lingered on him ~ this absurdly handsome, impossibly dangerous boy who'd rewritten her fate. The same boy who, she now suspected, was behind the international firestorm that had toppled entire power structures just a month ago.
"...Three months have passed," she said at last. "My original destiny's been severed. I came to thank you." A pause. "And invite you to dinner. On a yacht. It's been arranged for the night. A surprise invitation. If you can, otherwise we can schedule later."
Hye Won's eyes lit up. "Okay."
Yue Lan cleared her throat as the two locked eyes, grinning like conspirators.
Hye Won stuck her tongue out. "Couple's privilege. Don't butt in."
"Ah." Yue Lan's smile turned feline. "So I'm speaking to the spirit version today. Not the serious intern Hye Won I first met."
Hye Won froze.
The rest of the ride passed in comfortable silence for a while—three extraordinary beings lost in their own thoughts, the hum of the engine the only sound between them until Yue Lan noticed how Hye Won changed in mere months. The bubbly law student she'd first met months ago was gone.
This version sat with relaxed poise and mature feeling, her once-soft eyes now sharpened and lost their innocence by something Yue Lan couldn't name. Yet the warmth between her and Han Chen remained. Only thing constant was Han Chen.
Yue Lan set down her teacup, the clink breaking the quiet. "What… skincare do you use?" She gestured vaguely at Hye Won's luminous complexion, the question, poorly veiled probe into the girl's transformation.
Hye Won smirked. "Natural."
"Sunlight? Meditation? Or—"
"Martial arts," Hye Won interrupted, flexing her hand. Calluses marred her knuckles, a stark contrast to Yue Lan's manicured nails. "Turns out punching things until your bones crack does wonders for circulation."
Yue Lan's lips twitched. The answer was absurd, but the girl's calm unnerved her. She turned to Han Chen, who watched the city blur past the window. "And you approve of this… regimen?"
He shrugged. "She chose it. Its only been a month and look whose boasting."
Yue Lan hesitated. The Hye Won she'd thought would've flustered at such bluntness. This one just leaned back, fingers interlaced with Han Chen's showing him a dangerous look at that joke. The limousine slowed, nearing the marina. Yue Lan fidgeted with her bracelet—a rare show of nerves.
The car pulled to a stop. Outside, the marina stretched out before them, a parade of sleek vessels bobbing gently under the evening sky. Yue Lan stepped out first, her security detail flanking her like shadows. Hye Won and Han Chen followed, the scent of salt and engine oil thick in the air.
The yacht waiting for them was a masterpiece—sleek, towering, and polished to a mirror sheen. Not the biggest yet it has its own elegance. A discreet crew stood at attention, their gazes lowered in deference.
Before entering the yacht, they paused on the railing. The harbor, with boats drifting quietly, offered a view of the distant city. The skyline was modest, but there was something calming about the twinkling lights and gentle ripple of water. Hye Won pulled out her phone and snapped a few photos of the view, casually composing a message to her mom about how late she might be. "Don't worry, mom—I'm just taking in the view for a bit," she mused aloud, a relaxed smile crossing her face.
Yue Lan led them up the ramp without a word. Time passed a bit in small talk. Han Chen stood near the edge of the railing, one hand resting against the cool metal, the other tucked into his pocket. The sea breeze ruffled his hair, carrying the faint scent of salt and engine oil. He wasn't lost in thought—just present, letting the quiet movement of the waves settle something in him after the rush and bloodshed few days prior.
A few steps behind, Hye Won and Yue Lan stood side by side, gazing at the city in front of them. The skyline stretched out in the distance, a pattern of steady lights and occasional flickers from passing cars. It wasn't the most dramatic view, but it had its own charm—the way the buildings lined up against the dark sky, the way the water reflected the glow in broken, shifting patterns.
"You know," Hye Won mused, tilting her head slightly, "it looks different from here. Less overwhelming. Almost... peaceful."
Yue Lan exhaled "It's the distance. When you're in the middle of it, everything feels urgent. Step back, and it's just lights."
Hye Won hummed in agreement, snapping another picture before tucking her phone away. "Sometimes I forget to just look. I mean, I walk through this city every day, but I don't really see it."
Yue Lan glanced at her, then back at the skyline. "Most people don't. We're always moving too fast."
Han Chen let the conversation drift around him, eyes fixed on the horizon. The wind shifted slightly, brushing against his face, and he inhaled deeply. "You two going to stand there philosophizing all night?"
Hye Won rolled her eyes. "Sorry, didn't realize appreciating a view was illegal."
Yue Lan smirked. "Some of us enjoy quiet moments."
Han Chen glanced back at them in amusement. "Then enjoy it a little longer. The night's still young."
They didn't rush to talk. It was the kind of quiet that didn't demand to be filled, the kind that came when there was nothing urgent to say, no immediate decision to be made.
And then, finally, Yue Lan suggested. "Alright," she said, exhaling as she straightened. "Shall we?"
Yue Lan led the way inside. The moment they stepped through the doors, the atmosphere shifted ~ soft lighting washed the interior in a warm golden hue, and a subtle instrumental track played somewhere in the background, barely audible over the gentle hum of the sea outside.
The dining area wasn't ostentatious, but it was curated. Thoughtfully lit, minimally adorned, and centered around a long glass table that shimmered like black ice. Across it, dishes were laid out in a spread that spoke more of intention than extravagance—small servings, artfully plated, diverse in origin.
There was butter-poached lobster tail beside a bowl of steaming jjambbong, a delicate plate of tamagoyaki next to slices of aged Parmigiano with honeycomb. A tray of Mediterranean mezze—stuffed grape leaves, smoky baba ghanoush, paper-thin lavash—sat across from glistening cuts of wagyu beef seared just to rare. Small wooden boxes held neat servings of Sichuan cold noodles. Even the bread basket was eclectic: sourdough, roti, and Japanese milk buns nestled in linen.
"I didn't know what either of you liked," Yue Lan said as she took her seat at the head of the table, "so I just asked the chef to cover most of the globe."
Han Chen raised an eyebrow. "That's one way to play it safe."
"Or to show off," Hye Won added, eyes darting between a dish of Persian saffron rice and a Thai mango salad. Hye Won slid into her seat with a grin. "You don't have to impress us, you know."
A server stepped in silently to pour tea for Hye Won, topping off the wine for Yue Lan. No introductions, no spoken service. Everything moved smoothly, almost invisible.
The three of them began to eat ~ not ravenous, not formal. Just a quiet meal shared between people who, in one way or another, had influenced each other's lives off course.
As Hye Won reached for a second helping of the tamagoyaki, she muttered, "Okay… fine. I'm impressed."
Then Yue Lan set down her fork and leaned back slightly, eyes steady on Hye Won.
"Tell me honestly… you are the spirits themselves, right?"