The afternoon sun spilled through the large windows of the studio, casting a warm yet chaotic glow upon the scattered remnants of their previous work. Camera equipment lay haphazardly across the flat surfaces, intermingled with prints of vibrant colors-a testament to their creative endeavors. Lu Guang stepped inside, the door creaking slightly behind him, and a palpable tension hung in the air like a thick fog as Cheng Xiaoshi started whining in the back of his head.

Cheng Xiaoshi-still inside the photograph, stood with his arms crossed over Hui's chest, his mind replaying the sensations from tumult lingering at the back of his mind like an unwanted shadow. "Did you feel it? The wave?" he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Back at the studio, Lu Guang leaned back against the cluttered desk, his brow furrowing as he tried to articulate the surging emotions. "It was... different," he admitted. "Unfamiliar yet eerily recognizable. It felt like something was tugging at my senses, but I can't quite grasp what it was."

"Creepy, right?" Xiaoshi muttered, rubbing his temples in a futile attempt to alleviate the growing headache. "What if it's connected to Hui somehow? Or worse, Bo?"

With a sharp breath, Lu Guang straightened, his resolve apparent. "Focus, Xiaoshi. We can't get lost in this mystery right now. Hui's marriage hangs in the balance. We need to address that first and worry about whatever-that-was later."

Cheng looked up to the ceiling, reluctant but aware of the truth in Lu Guang's words. "Fine. Let's focus on the couple, then," he said, suppressing a sigh. The tension melted slightly, replaced by the familiar urgency of their work.

As the shadows lengthened and night descended in the memory of the past, Cheng began to busy himself, taking on the mundane task of cleaning up Hui's home. He felt a peculiar sense of ownership over the space, as though her emotions dictated his movements; with each sweeping motion, he tried to navigate through the shreds of intimacy shared within the walls, looking through each family picture, each diary, Hui's phone-gosh, he even went through their bills!

Lu Guang flitted through his collected notes scattered across the table, a chaotic tapestry of observations on the couple's relationship. "They've lost their spark," he noted, his finger tracing the lines of a previous session. "It's like they're stuck in a cycle of bitterness and resentment."

The dark-haired boy nodded to himself, glancing at the grandfather clock that adorned the living room while sitting on the couch. "The misunderstandings might have piled up. They need to remember what brought them together in the first place... But how do we do that?" Cheng wondered out loud, running a hand through his messy hair. "We've been going in circles. What if it's too late?"

"Time is a fickle thing," Lu Guang replied calmly. "But if we can shed light on their happier memories, it might just reignite that flame. We need clues. Let's dig deeper into their past-what was it like when they first fell in love?"

As Xiaoshi scrolled through Hui's phone gallery, he came across the photo the couple had taken that same morning. Hui and her husband were kind of snuggling, staring intensely, lovingly at each other. Oh, dear. That was right before he tried to kiss me today!

"Do you think they'll ever find their way back to each other?" Cheng asked aloud, though his words were half-hearted, clinging to lingering doubts.

In the present, Lu Guang had moved from the studio to the couch in the living room, back pressed against the mattress and his arms crossed as he weighed the question. "They're both hurting, but there's hope. The most crucial element is still love; it's just buried beneath the weight of their worries."

Just like time, hope could be an elusive deafening silence, a contradiction in a world fueled by chaos. Cheng Xiaoshi sighed as he ducked into the kitchen, organizing the scattered ingredients and pots until the space felt to his liking.

Suddenly, a faint click echoed through the room-followed by a scratchy sound. The front door creaked open, and in walked Bo, who immediately captured Cheng's attention. The influx of emotions from his spirit switched gears from a mere observation to an electric shock as he took in the sight of his husband.

Bo's shoulders sagged-the weight of his day written on his weary face. Gone was the polished appearance he had maintained all day; now, his once impeccable suit was wrinkled, the tie loosened, hair tousled in such a way that only added to the boyish charm he exuded. His blue eyes blinked slowly, as if he were struggling to adjust to the familiar surroundings.

"I'm home, darling," Bo announced, a smile breaking through the exhaustion.

Cheng felt his entire body ignite at the sound of Bo's words. Heat surged to his cheeks; Hui's cheeks, and Hui's heartbeat quickened within him. It was a tidal wave of emotion blurring the lines of reality, and in that moment, he could hardly breathe. How was it possible to feel this way while inhabiting someone else's body?

"Ah, no," Lu Guang's voice echoed in Cheng's mind, both frustrated and amused, feeling the ramifications of Cheng's reaction encompassing them both. "Focus!"

Cheng mentally scolded himself, a maelstrom of thoughts flashing through his mind. 'This is just my job. Just my job,' he repeated silently, although his pulse betrayed him.

When Cheng turned to face Bo, he felt lost for words. "Hi, Bo!" he replied, his voice unnaturally high-pitched, slipping effortlessly into Hui's softer tone. "How was work?"

Bo's expression softened as he quickly dropped the plastic bag filled with groceries onto the kitchen counter. "It was exhaustive, but I couldn't help but notice you've been extra tired lately." He gazed softly at Hui, his voice warm as he continued, "So, I thought I'd make something special tonight."

Cheng raised an eyebrow, already eager. "What is it?"

"Biangbiang noodles, your favorite," Bo said, the casual warmth of his voice washing over Cheng, enveloping him like a blanket in winter. In that instant, happiness blossomed in Hui's heart, and Cheng felt it as his own.

"Oh my god!" he thought, feeling flattered and excitement bubbling within Hui's spirit. "This is... amazing."

"Just keep it together," Lu Guang's reminder echoed knowingly in his thoughts. Cheng Xiaoshi found himself smiling as he stepped closer to the counter, observing Bo's movements intently as if he were a pinned insect on a board.

Cheng Xiaoshi sat at the counter, watching Bo's every motion as he transitioned into chef mode. "Hey, um-" he stumbled, his voice (still soft with the lilt of Hui's charm) hesitating before speaking. "Could you... uh, teach me how to... knead the dough for the noodles?"

Bo paused for a moment, looking over his shoulder, surprise evident in his eyes, but the tension dissipated into a soft chuckle. "Of course, I'd love to!" He extended his hand toward Cheng, and for a second, he was aware of every detail-the warmth of Bo's palm, the comforting strength emanating from him.

Cheng took Bo's hand, feeling an unexpected thrill. Bo guided him (or her, this is so confusing) to the table, their bodies close, and Cheng couldn't help but notice how Bo towered over him in Hui's form. "She's so short," he thought, but Lu Guang simply retorted, "Shut up."

Bo leaned in, his voice lowering to a whisper as he focused on the task ahead. "It's all in the wrist-you want to be gentle but firm." As they started to knead the dough, Cheng felt an electric pulse between them, a warmth that enveloped them. The slight press of Bo's chest against Hui's back sent shivers throughout her body, eliciting a reaction that was decidedly more than physical.

"Did you feel that?" Cheng Xiaoshi mused to Lu Guang telepathically.

"I did," Lu Guang responded, masking his amused tone. "It's like you're a lovestruck wife."

Cheng's mind raced. "What? No way! That would be embarrassing!"

"Do your job, Xiaoshi," Lu Guang urged, the mental nudge undeniable and powerful.

"Fine," Cheng huffed, frustration turning inwards.

But the moment stung with an undeniable familiarity as Bo whispered a gentle melody against Hui's ear, creating an emotional bubble where all else slipped away. Time seemed to stretch, and as they kneaded the dough together, warmth unfurled across Hui's heart.

"Doesn't this feel nice?" Cheng commented, a mix of wonder and realization shimmering between them.

"Yes," Bo replied softly, glancing at Cheng with a twinkle of satisfaction that deepened the connection. "It's a lovely way to unwind together."

Cheng's breath quickened again; he was becoming more and more aware of how in love Hui was at this moment, how her heart fluttered at the comfort of these shared tasks-moments where love and affection intertwined. "This is amazing," he marveled internally.

Dinner arrived swiftly, with the two settling on the couch afterward, Cheng resting his head against Bo's shoulder as the warm glow of the lamp illuminated the pages of a worn-out book between them. Bo's strong arm draped comfortably around Hui's waist, and they both sank into the moment's serenity.

"Time's up," Lu Guang announced from the back of Cheng's mind, the gentle nudge prompting him to resurface. Cheng felt a tingle of regret as he rose from the comfort enveloping him. "You can come out of the frame now." Lu Guang prompted.

As Cheng complied, he leaned forward and kissed Bo's cheek, an instinctive gesture of affection that felt too real, too raw. Just like that, the world shifted once again.

Cheng blinked as he returned to the studio, a far cry from the warm intimacy he had just experienced. The evening sun painted their chaotic sanctuary with strokes of warmth, illuminating the piles of camera equipment and mounds of photographs that told countless stories-each scattered piece, like fragments of their lives, coalesced in an explosion of creativity.

"Don't you ever transport me into a woman's body again. Ever," Cheng managed, the dismay and exhaustion weighing heavily on his words.

Lu Guang nodded, an amused expression dancing on his lips, the smirk directed at Cheng like a dart. "C'mon, lover boy. We need to find Qiao Ling and tell her what we found."

"Easy for you to say," Cheng shot back, annoyance creeping into his voice. "You didn't just spend hours feeling everything she felt! I'm just glad I didn't fall for that guy or something-my heart would have been all over the place!"

Lu Guang couldn't contain his laughter, the sound cutting through the atmosphere. "I wish I could've seen your face in there. I could practically feel the jealousy."

"Shut up!" Cheng snapped, though his cheeks flushed at the playful banter. "There's something deeper going on here. If that presence... if it wasn't just Hui-maybe something else is colliding with her feelings."

The conversation shifted as Lu Guang steered them back to the task at hand. "Agreed. I couldn't shake the lingering sensation."

Cheng considered the thought before nodding. "Yeah, it was like there was someone else there-someone watching, guiding. It was strange."

"There was an almost palpable weight to her emotions, and then suddenly this other presence mixed with it," Lu Guang theorized. "Do you think it's related to Bo?"

"Maybe," Cheng Xiaoshi replied thoughtfully, biting his lip. "It felt surreal-like someone with a purpose, but who?"

Meanwhile, across the city:

The soft golden hue of Bo's living room lamps illuminated Liana's stacks of papers and research notes cluttering above the desk, but the warmth they provided did little to quell the ominous chill lingering within her spirit. She held her head in her hands, frustration mounting as she battled the remnants of a cold, her thoughts racing like a wild river.

She needed to step away, she needed to breathe, therefore, she exited the place and walked down the grimy steps of Bo's old apartment, ruminating over the vibrant golden wave she had felt during her last encounter-the one that whispered through her senses like echoes of a forgotten song.

"Where have I seen that vibrant golden wave before...?" she mumbled, frustration accompanied her as a balmy wind swept through, mingling with her thoughts of hazy nostalgia, longing, and wonder.

She hadn't fully recovered from the cold that had settled deep in her bones, and the exhaustion was taking its toll on her ability to focus. "I need tea." the dark-skinned girl concluded, finally deciding to escape the muffled ghosts clawing at her consciousness.

The mist creeping through the streets did little to dissuade her; rather, it felt serene as she made her way to a nearby café. "Ah, thank God I wore a sweater," she muttered, thankful for the warmth enveloping her as she passed through the entrance.

The café's atmosphere was inviting, overwhelmed by the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods. The brief line granted her the time to scroll through her phone. Liana texted Bo, providing updates on their case and expressing her frustration over the sluggish pace. Moments later, his reply sent a shiver down her spine.

"Please... You must hurry; my marriage is hanging by a thread," Bo typed, deepening the gnawing sense of urgency inside her.

"Great," she mumbled under her breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. The tension of anticipation suffocated her resolve. If she didn't recover fast, she would spiral into a chaotic frenzy, overwhelmed by the emotions seeping through her fragile walls.

As she placed her order-*a honeybush, rose, jasmine, white chocolate, and pink peppercorn tea-she forced herself to engage in small talk with the barista, though their words felt like dull echoes. "Can I have a moment?" she asked after a while, retreating to a corner of the café, ready to hide from the bustling world.

She leaned against the counter, exhausted. The café was not overly crowded, yet it buzzed with energy-a balm for tired souls seeking comfort amid the remnants of rainfall. As Liana glanced around, her eyes fell on a girl at a nearby table, dressed in a white hoodie and joggers, dark eyes fixated firmly on her.

"Why is she staring at me?" Liana pondered, swiftly redirecting her gaze when the girl didn't relent. It was unnerving, and self-consciousness nagged at her. She wore loose gray pants and a blue sweater, oversized and faded, like a ghost haunting familiar ground.

Her hair was lazily styled in a messy bun, curly strands cascading down to frame her face. "I look terrible. I'm feeling like hell," she thought, her pride sinking. The girl's interest was both troubling and oddly appealing, though Liana was too distracted to scrutinize it.

Suddenly, the sound of her order being called jolted her back to reality. "Liana Xiu Ying? This is your tea!"

"Thank you," she replied in a whisper, swiftly collecting her drink and heading nearer to the exit when a tap against her shoulder made her pause mid-stride.

Turning to find the dark-haired girl with the same scrutinizing gaze, she found herself almost breathless. "You..." Liana breathed, recognition dawning.

"Oh! Pardon me," the girl said, brimming with an apologetic charm. "I didn't mean to intrude, but there was something so familiar about you," she continued, her eyes sparkling with realization. "Though I couldn't quite figure it out until the waiter mentioned your name. You do look different, Xiu Ying."

Liana raised an eyebrow, attempting to dig through her fragmented recollections. "Do I know you?"

The girl's gaze brightened. "Oh, right! I don't even know if you remember me-Qiao Ling? We studied together in college! I was always beside that white-haired stern grandpa and that dark-haired buffoon?"

Memories flooded back, moments she thought long buried resurfacing amidst laughter and warmth. "Qiao Ling... Oh!" she exclaimed, a wide smile breaking across her face.

They hugged, an embrace that felt familiar and genuine, rekindling a bond untouched by time. "I can't believe it's you!" Qiao Ling said cheerfully. "How have you been?"

Liana shared excited snippets of her life since school, surprised at how fluid the conversation flowed despite the years passing between them. They exchanged numbers, and Qiao Ling insisted on inviting Liana over for dinner, where she would reunite with Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose," Liana protested lightly, but the teasing tone in Qiao Ling's voice soon overpowered her hesitations.

"Come on! It will be fun!" Qiao Ling replied, mischief gleaming in her dark eyes. "And besides, I have to remind you how cute Lu Guang still is. Did you ever get over that little crush?"

Liana felt her face burn, diverting her gaze in a flustered silence. "That was ages ago!" she spluttered, failing to contain the warmth creeping up her neck.

After exchanging parting hugs, Liana watched Qiao Ling disappear into the café, anticipation washing over her like waves lapping at the shore. She adjusted her sweater, feeling both excitement and fear bubbling in her chest; this was a reunion, yet it felt full of uncertainties.

Back in her apartment, Liana faced the front of the bathroom mirror, resisting the urge to obsess over how she appeared. It had been a rough day-she felt slightly under the weather, her dark skin pallid and unnaturally pale. Yet all she could think about was dinner that evening, the prospect of seeing Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi again pulling at her heartstrings.

Nerves twisted in her stomach as she rummaged through her closet, searching for something to wear. "You're being ridiculous," she muttered to herself as she combed through her options.

Ka-pow! A sudden bark rang through her room; Liana immediately looked down to see her Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, *Kuai. Her vibrant fur shone under the soft light, golden and bright, brimming with the unconditional love that radiated from every wag of her tail.

"Oh, sweet girl!" Liana exclaimed as she scooped Kuai up in her arms. They shared a moment, an unspoken understanding between them as the puppy nuzzled into her neck.

"What do you think, Kuai? Should I go for the yellow dress or something else?" Liana asked, though Kuai only barked in playful response, her sole aim was to bring joy to her owner.

"That's my girl," Liana chuckled, placing the puppy back down and turning once more to her reflection. She finally decided; she slipped into a light yellow dress adorned with small flowers that reached her mid-thigh, throwing on a silky white haori over it. She placed on a touch of light rose lip gloss, and some eyeliner barely accentuated her features.

"I'll take some light brown boots," she concluded, slipping them on before gathering her essentials-a small box of Swiss rolls to bring for dessert, her keys, phone, and a purse. With everything packed, she waved goodbye to Kuai, who sat near the door watching her with big, expectant eyes.

"Be good, alright? I'll be back soon," she promised, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

As she approached Qiao Ling's apartment, she glanced down at her phone for reassurance and straightened her dress. Anxiety clawed at her insides as she took a deep breath to steady herself, before finally pushing the door open, stepping into the inviting warmth.

"Thanks for visiting us," came Qiao Ling's sweet voice from the speaker system.

"Hello!" Liana called back, smiling as she stepped further inside and froze at the joyful sounds of bickering drifting from the adjoining room.

"Liana!" Qiao Ling exclaimed, bouncing toward her. The two embraced, and Liana felt the days of distance melting away as her friend beamed at her. "Thank you for bringing dessert! Dinner is almost ready-dragon rolls with shrimp tempura! So, come on!" Qiao Ling exclaimed, pulling Liana by the wrist to bring her into the charming living room.

As they entered, Liana caught sight of Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi seated comfortably on the couch, the laughter that erupted sending a wave of warmth through her.

"Wow," she thought momentarily as her eyes met Lu Guang's; he looked undeniably handsome in a loose-fitting dark gray T-shirt, complemented by a crisp white dress shirt, dark blue-gray slacks, and white sneakers that paired effortlessly.

"Oh gosh..." Liana felt heat rising to her cheeks. "He looks so fine!" She turned her head, biting her lower lip as she studied Cheng Xiaoshi, fitted in a cool steel blue and cream-colored letterman jacket, a striking orange hawk mirrored on each breast.

Cheng Xiaoshi greeted her with that same charming mischief, but Liana felt something was off. She sensed a strange vibration in the air, causing her brow to furrow in confusion as she stumbled briefly through her internal processing.

Understanding her aura sensitivity was a gift and a burden, she couldn't ignore the spectrums dancing around them: Qiao Ling's colors radiated between shades of pink and red, mirroring her jubilant spirit. Lu Guang's calm blues, flowing from light steel gray to deep azure, giving him an aura soothing enough to quiet any storm. But then, Cheng's presence registered in shocking detail.

His energy swelled between shades of lime green, orange, and golden-the latter dancing vibrantly, spiraling around him, a familiar echo that pierced through. The same golden wave that had mingled with Hui's essence just days ago; the realization sent her heart racing. "This guy!" she mused, taken aback by the magnitude of their revelations. "He has an ability too, and I didn't know!"

"So, there are others... But that means..." Her thoughts spiraled as she slowly lifted her hand, nervously signaling Cheng. "So it was you!" she exclaimed, pointing directly at him. "You were inside Bo's photograph! That weird golden aura... it was you all along!"

The air thickened as Lu Guang's and Cheng's eyes widened in surprise, both unable to find the words to respond. Mouths opened and closed, exchanging glances of bewilderment. After a moment of fluster, Cheng blurted out, "You were the creepy person who left the note?!"

"Wait, what do you mean by 'inside' the photograph? And a golden aura?" Lu Guang queried, his voice threading their confusion together.

At that moment, the air buzzed with a crackling energy-a blend of tension and anticipation unfurling within the room. In one fell swoop, the connections made-and the ones still shrouded in mystery-were laid bare, the intertwining fates shouting for exploration.

*The tea that Liana Xiu Ying ordered in this chapter does exist. It's called Chimera Call by Circe and "The Gilded Teafling" is the online store that produces and distributes it. This is the actual description they use in their platform for pre-orders:

"Chimera Call - a seductive and alluring blend by the witch of Aeaea, Circe. Combining honeybush, rose, jasmine, white chocolate, and pink peppercorn this tea offers an irresistible yet perilous experience that tests your will with every sip."

This is a tea flavor they came up with during their collab with EPIC The Musical.

*The Chinese word Kuài, written as it is in the attached photo means rapid, quick, 'to make haste', clever, forthright. Liana Xiu Ying's Corgi tends to be timid, or rather pusillanimous, when she feels threatened or in danger.