After midnight

When did Zhao Yunqi first meet An Yan? It was probably when An Yan was six years old.

It was a sunny Saturday, and he went to the Song Mansion as usual to visit Song Hongda, who was Song Hongtian's biological elder brother and uncle. But their relationship was more like friends than relatives.

That day, he suddenly received an order from Song Hongtian, who wanted him to be a private tutor every Tuesday.

Who are the students? Where is the location? What will be taught? He didn't know any of these.

In the early morning of Tuesday, when it was still dark, he was fully armed. He could not see or hear, let alone ask questions. It was a very painful thing to seal his five senses, but those people could not wait for him to slowly adapt and took him away. When Zhao Yunqi returned home, it was already another dark night.

This continued every Tuesday for six years.

On the first Tuesday, he met his student, An Yan.

Fear, helplessness, and then...excitement. Zhao Yunqi knew that from now on he was also a person in the secret, and he could only be trusted by Song Hongtian more.

Zhao Yunqi was still too naive at that time.

When he first met An Yan, his condition was not good at all, very bad. Zhao Yunqi finally understood why Song Hongtian chose him to be An Yan's teacher.

Abilities similar to water, such as ice and snow, rarely exist, but Zhao Yunqi's ability is ice. As far as he knows, there are no more than three people with ice abilities, including him.

However, there are natural differences between these similar abilities and water. Simply put, water can be transformed into any form, but other forms cannot change its own state. This is why abilities such as ice and snow cannot compare to water abilities.

But after all, it is an ability of the same nature, and Zhao Yunqi understands what he wants to teach him.

The first second after Zhao Yunqi saw him, he was told that An Yan's ability had been severely damaged and almost destroyed. As for the reason, Zhao Yunqi didn't know, and he wouldn't know.

For a long time afterwards, every time Zhao Yunqi went there, he could sense that his abilities and body were slowly recovering. Apart from the time he occupied that day, Zhao Yunqi had no idea what An Yan was doing or what he was being done to during the rest of the time.

So he decided to teach An Yan the most basic theories first, just like other teachers did. An Yan never spoke, but was silent, and it was unknown whether he was listening or not.

This day was like usual, Zhao Yunqi talked to himself, waiting to go home after he finished.

"You don't have to teach me these." An Yan sat there quietly and interrupted his lecture.

This was the first time Zhao Yunqi heard him speak. An Yan's voice was flat but surprisingly pleasant to the ear. The way he spoke didn't even sound like a child at all.

He was stunned for a moment and nodded. In this case, he would prepare for the next stage of work. He had no desire to learn from An Yan's words. At this time, An Yan was more like his task than his student. Zhao Yunqi didn't care about An Yan's situation.

"Can you bring me a book when you come every week?" Anyan said again.

He looked at Zhao Yunqi, with no expectation in his eyes, as if he just wanted to say something. But if he really didn't expect anything, how could he say it? At this time, An Yan had already learned to pretend, or to test.

"Okay." Zhao Yunqi remembered that his sister also liked reading, so he didn't hesitate any more.

An Yan seemed very surprised, his eyes fluctuated a little, he nodded and said thank you, then turned his head and sat there quietly.

Before leaving that day, Zhao Yunqi glanced at him. An Yan sat at the desk with his eyes downcast. He was thin and small, giving people a very cold feeling. But this feeling was sharp, not lifeless. He knew that An Yan's thin body had begun to gain strength. This was the second time Zhao Yunqi carefully observed him. The first time was the day they met.

An Yan didn't say another word until Zhao Yunqi left.

Later, Zhao Yunqi learned that An Yan's body and abilities had completely recovered to normal, and that it had been nearly a year.

After that, Zhao Yunqi began his real career as a teacher. He fulfilled his promise to An Yan and went to bring him a book every Tuesday, anything.

Slowly, a year passed, and their relationship became more relaxed from the initial indifference. An Yan was not an active person, and neither was Zhao Yunqi. But Zhao Yunqi knew that he was a very smart child, very spiritual and hardworking, so he also fulfilled his duties as a teacher conscientiously.

But Zhao Yunqi didn't treat him as his student. He didn't allow himself to have feelings for An Yan, that was dangerous. Song Hongtian also wanted this result.

But anyway, two years was enough to ease their relationship, but that was all. An Yan occasionally asked Zhao Yunqi questions about his abilities, and Zhao Yunqi would answer him. An Yan never asked personal questions like asking for books again. Their relationship was lukewarm.

Zhao Yunqi later thought that if that incident had not happened, their relationship would have remained the same. Even if they met on the battlefield, both sides would be ruthless to each other as if they had never met before. Originally, their relationship was very simple, just using each other. An Yan used him to be strong, and he used An Yan to gain more power.

But that incident happened, and their relationship made Zhao Yunqi no longer able to turn around without hesitation. Strictly speaking, that incident was not related to An Yan, but after that incident, Zhao Yunqi's state of mind changed a lot. Who can completely control his emotions?

That is his sister's business. His sister is Zhao Yunqi's life.

Not long after his sister was born, his mother died, leaving only him and his sister.

He named his sister Yunshuang. Shuang means two people, and they depend on each other in this world.

Their lives were not as hard as they had imagined. Zhao Yunqi's powerful ability won them a living space. Although Zhao Yunqi was still a half-grown child at that time, he was full of vigor and showed his talents. He did not understand what it meant to hide one's shortcomings, what it meant to covet, and what it meant to be jealous.

So later, Zhao Yunqi thought that all the retribution was on his sister.

Yun Shuang had always been healthy, but everything changed on the night her ability appeared. Zhao Yunqi still didn't dare to tell Yun Shuang that it was not that she had no ability, but that she disappeared mysteriously after her ability went out of control and destroyed her body that night.

There are examples like this, but he can't understand why it happened to his only sister Yun Shuang, so this is retribution.

Soon after this, Zhao Yunqi and his sister were adopted by Song Hongtian. Song Hongtian saw his ability and agreed to treat Yun Shuang, which was great. Zhao Yunqi thought that with Song Hongtian's protection, he would save himself a lot of trouble.

Zhao Yunqi readily accepted Song Hongtian's order not to call him adoptive father. He didn't care.

Over the years, Zhao Yunshuang's condition has been well controlled, but she is usually weak and will catch a cold if she is not careful. Zhao Yunqi never thought that her life would be in danger again.

It was an accident. The good medicine for Zhao Yunshuang's illness turned into poison because of the wrong medicine. The instigator was abolished, but Zhao Yunqi's anger was not eliminated.

He couldn't face the possible fact that Yun Shuang might leave him at any time if he wasn't careful. She had already experienced so much torture at such a young age, and Zhao Yunqi believed that she was like this because of him, so guilt, reluctance, and pity also tortured him all the time.

Even Zhao Yunqi did not expect that Yun Shuang's accident would unexpectedly change the relationship between him and Anyan.

Zhao Yunqi was not in a good mood when he went there on Tuesday. When the obstruction on his eyes was removed, the look of pity in his eyes had not yet faded.

After removing the blindfold, he saw An Yan's thin body. An Yan had his back to him, staring at the window in a daze, staring at the scenery outside the window. Zhao Yunqi knew that the only window in the room was not enough for him to see outside, and there was no scenery outside the window. This window was only used for ventilation. But An Yan's posture of stopping and staring made Zhao Yunqi deeply feel his yearning.

Perhaps because of empathy, Zhao Yunqi felt that An Yan was very pitiful, and he actually felt a little distressed. After all, he was younger than Yun Shuang.

An Yan noticed Zhao Yunqi's arrival, he turned his head and immediately restrained the expression on his face.

Has he been so patient at such a young age? This scene kept rolling in Zhao Yunqi's mind. Until An Yan met his eyes and asked him again for the first time, "Are you sad today?"

Zhao Yunqi forced himself to cheer up and control his emotions, "No, I have to go to class."

The day's classes were over, but Zhao Yunqi could not ignore the changes in his heart. Although it was subtle, it was real. The seeds were planted, sprouted, and grew stronger day by day.

When An Yan's ability improved, Zhao Yunqi was delighted. He easily felt the pride and honor of being a teacher. This feeling was strange and new, but it made him feel at ease and satisfied, which was very attractive. And An Yan also noticed this change and began to try to get closer to him little by little. The most obvious thing was that during the break, he was no longer a few meters away from Zhao Yunqi, but stood beside him. He didn't speak, but looked at him expectantly with his clear eyes.

Zhao Yunqi couldn't help but read on, and he would take the initiative to tell An Yan all kinds of stories that happened outside. Of course, the agreement to bring books on Tuesday continued.

An Yan is a sensitive child, kind and lonely. Zhao Yunqi softens his heart even more, and the relationship between the two gradually improves.

Gradually, An Yan began to call the teacher and smiled occasionally. Although he was still very quiet and didn't talk much, he seemed a little childish even when he was quiet.

Zhao Yunqi was also very happy because he realized that An Yan would be his only student in this life, and no one else would give him this sense of accomplishment. Although he acted more restrained.

But everything has its limits, and everything is broken too quickly.

Yun Shuang did not come back for a week after being called to the Song Mansion. Zhao Yunqi realized later that this was a warning from Song Hongtian. Yun Shuang would occasionally go to the Song Mansion to play with Song Yu's sister for two days, so he did not take it seriously at first.

Zhao Yunqi went to the Song Mansion with a calm mind.

"Yunqi, how is he doing recently?"

"My abilities are improving very quickly." Zhao Yunqi told the truth.

"Yun Shuang seems to be in good health recently."

"...Thank you for your concern, uncle."

"You know, Xin'er likes Yun Shuang very much."

"I know that Song Xin treats Yun Shuang very well."

Song Hongtian smiled slightly, "But Second Uncle also knows that the best sibling relationship in the world is between you and Yun Shuang. So let Yun Shuang go back tonight."

"Thank you, Uncle." He bowed deeply to Song Hongtian.

Zhao Yunqi sat in his room, while Yun Shuang was safe and sound in the room separated from him by a wall. This was the first time he deeply felt Song Hongtian's control over him. He was afraid that he would disappoint the child. Zhao Yunqi knew how cruel this was for him who had lived in darkness for a long time, but this was a fact that he was powerless to control, and it was a lesson for him to overestimate his own abilities.

Zhao Yunqi had brought hope to An Yan without authorization and now he was going to push him out with his own hands.

Zhao Yunqi was completely sleepless in the late night.

Tuesday came quickly, even though Zhao Yunqi was still not ready to face him.

On this day, he chose to quietly talk to Anyan, chat with Anyan, tell Anyan some life lessons and his inner thoughts that he would never tell anyone else, including his family Yun Shuang.

But no matter how much we wish, farewell will always come.

An Yan was confused at first, but he realized something later. Zhao Yunqi could easily sense the unhappiness he conveyed.

An Yan lowered his head and listened obediently. He listened to everything Zhao Yunqi said, but he would never respond like smiling or nodding. An Yan's stiff face made Zhao Yunqi extremely sad.

The day ended quickly.

Zhao Yunqi said the coldest voice in his life, "I will still be your teacher, but our relationship will remain the same as before, and we will not have any interactions in private."

"I understand." An Yan tried his best to suppress himself and act as if he didn't care.

Zhao Yunqi's heart suddenly felt sour.

"I'm sorry, I can't disobey that man's order." Zhao Yunqi admitted that he was very selfish. He really didn't want An Yan to resent him, so he deliberately said this sentence.

When An Yan heard this, his face suddenly turned pale. He trembled all over, clenched his fists tightly, and gritted his teeth to hold back the tears in his eyes.

Zhao Yunqi knew that he had successfully diverted his resentment. This was the most emotional time for An Yan. Zhao Yunqi turned and left. He could not bear it and could not be cruel enough to pretend to be indifferent. At that moment, Zhao Yunqi could not suppress the resentment towards Song Hongtian in his heart.

After that, the days passed by uneventfully. Whenever Zhao Yunqi thought about the past, it seemed like a lifetime ago.

Zhao Yunqi remembered that one night, the sky was dark and the moon was bright. He had just returned home from a mission, and Yun Shuang was waiting for him. Yun Shuang said to him, "Brother, do you know what I want most?"

"As for me, I want to find a quiet little place and live with you, my brother. Then we can do something, farm work or something, as long as we can make a living and live an ordinary life. You don't have to work hard and do dangerous things every day, and I don't know when you will be home, which always makes me worry. In the future, I will marry a gentle and virtuous woman, live a more stable life, and have two lovely babies. In this way, our home will be more lively." Her face was full of longing.

"However, I am too weak and may not be able to start a family." The bitterness on her face flashed across her face. "But it's good this way. I can have a brother who loves me all my life. You and sister-in-law are not allowed to look down on me. I can help take care of the baby."

"Brother, what's wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?" She put away her pretended cheerful tone and looked at the dazed Zhao Yunqi.

"Nothing." Yun Shuang, do you know that your dream is too beautiful?

"Brother, actually I know everything." Yun Shuang seemed to be planning something, and this time she was finally going to say it out loud.

"I was originally going to come back that time, but Song Xin always found various reasons to keep me. Finally, I pretended to be angry and she told me the truth out of guilt. It was his father Song Hongtian who didn't want me to come back, but she said she didn't know what happened. But in fact, it was all my stupidity. I should have seen the clues when she found strange excuses to keep me the first two times. Brother, tell me honestly, what is going on? What does Song Hongtian want to do to you?"

Zhao Yunqi realized that she was talking about that time, which happened not long ago, but seemed to have happened a long time ago. But how could Zhao Yunqi tell her about that time?

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. I haven't behaved well recently, so Song Hongtian just gave me a warning."

"Really? Then where do you go every Tuesday?" Yun Shuang obviously didn't believe it.

When did she find out? Zhao Yunqi looked at Zhao Yunshuang's face, which was only ten years old, and was a little dazed. He couldn't answer this question.

"Forget it, at least you're okay. But brother, you must not abandon me."

"Brother." She sighed and yelled at him despite her young age. "I don't want Song Hongtian to use me or you. I just want to live freely with you."

Zhao Yunqi's heart ached for a moment, and he hugged her and answered her in the most solemn voice. "I promise you, one day we will live freely together."

This was the lifelong promise Zhao Yunqi made to the most important person. After that night, he realized how unqualified he was as a brother. He had always been worried about her body but ignored the most desired needs of her heart. He also finally realized how naive he was. He tied them to that position with his own hands, and bound the souls that should have been free.

Freedom, freedom.