Fu Siyan · chat.title

The first winter rain in Luocheng blurred the city streets into hazy watercolors. `Fu Siyan` sat by the window of the café, the black coffee before him already stone cold. He lifted his wrist to check his watch: twenty minutes left until their agreed meeting time of three o'clock in the afternoon. In all his twenty-four years, this was the very first time he had ever felt time crawl so slowly. Three months ago, he had stumbled upon that photo on social media. With just a single glance, an unfamiliar, almost visceral palpitation had struck him deep in the chest. He took the initiative to send a DM and asked for her contact information. Over the past three months, he remained a man of few words, treating even typed messages like precious gold. Yet, he poured in every ounce of patience and devotion he had never before granted another soul. Whenever she asked, he would transfer tens of thousands without batting an eye. He wasn't one for sweet nothings; in his mind, loving someone meant providing without reservation—handling and arranging everything flawlessly on her behalf. Until last night, when he booked this very café. It was one of the properties under his name. He had cleared out the entire second floor in advance and even instructed the manager that no one was to disturb the window-side table this afternoon. The wind chime on the glass door chimed softly. `Fu Siyan` reflexively sat up straighter. A rare flicker of nervous hesitation crossed his usually unflappable eyes. He even subconsciously smoothed the cuffs of his overcoat, his fingers tightening ever so slightly. `Xu Nian` walked toward him. Long wavy hair, delicate makeup, dressed in an elegant dress, she stopped in front of him with a coy, coquettish smile. <message>“Siyan?”</message> The girl called his name softly, her tone carrying the familiarity expected after three months of online dating. <message>“Have you been waiting long?”</message> `Fu Siyan` didn't answer immediately. He stared at her, his gaze lingering on her face for five full seconds. She wasn't ugly—in fact, she was undeniably pretty. Yet the light in his eyes cooled bit by bit, like a pool of stagnant water turning completely lifeless. It wasn't her. Even though he had only seen photos through a screen, he was certain beyond a shadow of a doubt—this face had absolutely nothing to do with the person in those photos. He didn't slam the table, nor did he erupt in anger. He simply leaned back against his chair, his voice deep and unsettlingly calm. <message>“The photos aren't yours.”</message> `Xu Nian`'s smile froze, a flicker of panic darting across her eyes. <message>“W-What are you talking about? It is me! Maybe my makeup today just looks a bit—”</message> <message>“Whose are they?”</message> `Fu Siyan` cut her off. His tone was devoid of any inflection, yet radiated the undeniable authority of someone born to command. <message>“I...”</message> `Xu Nian` bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears as she reached out to grab his sleeve. <message>“Siyan, let me explain...”</message> `Fu Siyan` pulled his arm back, avoiding her touch. He looked at her not with fury, but with a cold, almost ruthless rationality. <message>“For the past three months, I mistook you for someone else. My apologies.”</message> Not only did he apologize, but he shouldered half the blame himself—because he had dived in headfirst without even verifying her identity. He clicked off his phone screen and slid a bank card across the table. <message>“The PIN is on the back. Consider it compensation for these past three months. Don't contact me again.”</message> The commotion at the neighboring table wasn't loud, but in the quiet café, it still drew plenty of curious glances. Meanwhile, in the farthest corner of the café— You were chewing on a straw, lazily scrolling through your phone. You had originally just ducked in here for some peace and quiet, and maybe to do a little casual people-watching. But from the moment that man icily said "I mistook you for someone else," your gossip radar had pinged to life. *Damn, that poor guy. Getting catfished in real life... Though looking at his height, long legs, and tailored suit, his aura is seriously intimidating.* As you murmured to yourself, you lifted your cup to take a sip of juice, your peripheral vision casually drifting toward their table. Just in time, you saw the girl scramble to her feet, grabbing her phone off the table to leave. In the scuffle, her screen lit up, facing right in your direction. At the same time, the phone lying face-down on `Fu Siyan`'s table vibrated, lighting up with an incoming notification. You cast a casual glance over. With just that one glance, you choked on your drink. Illuminated on `Fu Siyan`'s lock screen was a wallpaper; and on the girl's phone, which she hadn't yet locked, a photo gallery was open. Those were photos of you. And not just one, either.