"Miss, miss... wake up, wake up, miss." The voice grew clearer, and she slowly opened her eyes. "Miss, you’ve reached your destination," the old man said with a gentle smile. "Oh—thank you, sir," the young woman replied, glancing out the window. She had indeed arrived. The rain was still falling, heavy and relentless. With a sigh, she gathered her belongings, took out her umbrella, and bowed politely to the old man before stepping off the bus. The dream lingered in her chest like a shadow—unsettling, as if she were forgetting something important. "Miss..." the old man called out just as she was about to descend the steps. "Yes?" "Thank you for always guarding our city. Knowing you're here for us helps me sleep peacefully at night," he said, his voice full of warmth. "It's my pleasure to protect you, sir," Yu Bin answered, smiling softly. She bowed once more and stepped into the rain. But the dream stayed with her. “Resentment is born of inflicted pain. Love can tu

“Congratulations, boss,” Moon said, offering his hand with a half-smile. “Congratulations! Come on, we have to celebrate this properly!” Xian Chen grinned broadly, already half out the door in excitement. Yu Bin chuckled softly. “We should… I suppose.” “Hey, hey, don’t sound so hesitant. You just got promoted again. Drinks are mandatory,” Xian Chen teased. Moon narrowed his eyes. “Xian Chen, have some decency. Show our boss some respect.” “But I am respectful,” Xian Chen said, throwing his arm lightly around Yu Bin’s shoulder. “Aren’t I, boss?” “Hm… right,” Yu Bin replied dryly, swatting him away. She didn’t push him too hard, though. “Come on then, both of you. Let’s take a break from all this formality and breathe a little.” Moon raised a brow. “Boss, try not to get drunk again.” “When have I ever gotten drunk?” Yu Bin asked, lifting her chin. Xian Chen immediately burst out laughing. “Always.” “Xian Chen,” Moon groaned, “for once in your life, shut up.” At the Restauran

Yu Bin stirred beneath her blanket as dawn's pale light crept through the slats of her blinds. Her head throbbed, dull and heavy, as if her dreams had been fighting wars behind her eyes. She blinked slowly, sitting up in bed and pressing her fingers against her temples. Another dreamless night—or so it seemed. But there was a heaviness in her chest, a lingering ache, as if she had cried in her sleep. Something tugged at her, just out of reach. A whisper. A face. A feeling. "I'm sorry... it's my fault." Her chest tightened. That phrase again. Why did it haunt her? She shook her head and dragged herself into the bathroom. Cold water splashed across her face, and the mirror showed her a woman looking slightly worse for wear—dark circles under her eyes and a weariness etched into her expression. I’ve really got to stop drinking, she thought. The wine last night had come with too many memories she didn’t have. Or maybe she did. It was hard to explain. She barely remembered getting hom

"Yu Bin! Wake up already! How long do you plan on sleeping?" a young girl's voice pierced through the still air of the room, accompanied by the sound of heavy curtains being flung open. Sunlight flooded the chamber, drenching everything in golden light. Beneath a tangle of silken blankets, a groggy voice mumbled, "Just a little longer, please." "No chance. His Highness sent me to get you up. Word is, you're starting your training today," the girl announced with a mischievous smile. That changed everything. The sleeping figure shot upright so quickly that the other girl flinched. Yu Bin emerged—petite, with long, flowing black hair and mischievous brown eyes, her lips curling into an excited grin. "Today’s the day? Really? My mother told me I’d be trained by the most skilled and wise person in the kingdom," she exclaimed, bouncing to her feet and racing to the window. She took in the sun-drenched landscape with wide, eager eyes. The girl with her—Ming Fang, Yu Bin’s closest friend—

The morning began with the golden hush of sunrise spilling across the rooftops of the Water Palace. Dew clung to every blossom on the cherry trees, catching the light and scattering it in glittering bursts across the training yard. A pair of birds chirped from a rooftop as if commenting on the serenity of the world below. But the calm had no effect on Yu Bin. She stood alone at the center of the courtyard, arms crossed, expression tight with growing frustration. Her long hair, half-bound in silken blue ribbons, fluttered in the breeze, and the silver embroidery on her training robes shimmered like moving water. “Master Bao Fang is late. Again.” Her voice broke the silence like a dropped coin in a quiet hall. She turned sharply, pacing, boots brushing against the stone tiles. It had been just over a week since her formal training began—an endeavor her mother deemed ‘essential’ for her future. So far, all it had taught her was how to endure endless hours of repetitive motion, how to c