The night was eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind against Shang's bedroom window. The dim glow of her bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room as she lay curled up in bed, clutching the book My Perfect Prince to her chest. It had been a long day, filled with unexpected encounters and the usual chaos of starting at a new school.
Her eyelids grew heavy, the words on the pages blurring together. Slowly, she drifted into sleep.
Then, the nightmare began.
Shang found herself in a grand ballroom, the air thick with an unfamiliar yet strangely nostalgic scent of roses and candle wax. The chandeliers above glowed like stars, illuminating the sea of elegantly dressed people twirling in dance. But something was off. The faces of the guests were blurred, distorted—like smudged ink on an old manuscript.
Her heart pounded. She knew this place. She had read about it in her book.
"This isn't real," she whispered, taking a step back.
A sudden chill ran down her spine as a deep, velvety voice called out behind her.
"Princess, why are you running away from me?"
She turned sharply, and there he was—Prince Dylan, the perfect, chivalrous character from her book. He stood tall, his piercing blue eyes filled with something dark… something wrong. His face was as flawless as she had imagined, but his smile—his smile sent an unexplainable dread creeping through her veins.
"You… You're not real," Shang murmured.
Dylan chuckled, stepping closer. "Aren't I? But you've always known, haven't you? This isn't just a story."
Shang staggered back, her breathing ragged. The ballroom started to warp, the walls twisting like melting wax. The blurred guests turned to look at her, their hollow, eyeless faces stretching into eerie grins.
"No… this is just a dream," Shang told herself. "Just a dream."
Dylan reached for her wrist, his grip ice-cold.
"It's not a dream, Shang. This is your past."
A flood of images flashed before her eyes—memories that weren't her own. A girl running in the dark. A man's voice whispering promises. A betrayal. Blood staining the ballroom floor.
Her breath hitched. She knew these scenes. They were in the book.
But why did they feel so painfully real?
Suddenly, the world tilted. The chandeliers shattered. The music became a deafening screech. Dylan's face twisted into something monstrous as he yanked her closer.
"Wake up, Shang," a voice—familiar yet distant—echoed in her mind.
She gasped as everything around her shattered like glass.
Then, she woke up.
Shang bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat, her breath uneven. The book lay open beside her, its pages glowing under the moonlight. Her hands trembled as she reached for it.
Was it really just a dream?
Or was it a forgotten reality buried within the words of My Perfect Prince?
POV: Shawn's Nightmare
Shawn stood in the middle of a vast, empty ballroom. The walls were cracked, the chandeliers above swayed even though there was no wind. A cold, suffocating stillness filled the air, making it hard to breathe.
Something felt… wrong.
Shattered glass littered the floor, reflecting the dim, flickering light from the dying candles along the walls. The scent of aged wood and something faintly metallic lingered.
Then, he noticed her.
A girl.
Standing at the far end of the ballroom, her back to him.
Her long hair cascaded down her back, slightly swaying as if an unseen force moved it. She wore a flowing dress—once elegant but now torn, the fabric darkened at the edges, as if stained by something.
A strange pressure built in his chest.
"Who are you?" Shawn asked, but his voice barely echoed in the empty space.
The girl didn't answer. She remained still, unmoving.
Then—slowly—she turned.
Shawn's breath caught in his throat.
Her face was unfamiliar. And yet—
Why did his heart feel like it was breaking?
He didn't know her. He was sure of it. But something deep inside him twisted painfully, like a memory trying to surface but failing to reach him.
The girl tilted her head, her eyes full of something unreadable.
"You forgot me."
Shawn's fingers curled into fists. A chill ran down his spine.
"What…? I don't even know you." His voice wavered, uncertain.
The girl just smiled—sadly.
Then the chandeliers above began to flicker wildly. The walls trembled. The cracked mirrors shattered further, the sound deafening.
Shawn took a step back. The girl, however, remained unfazed.
She lifted a hand toward him, as if reaching out—
But before he could react—
Everything went black.
Shawn shot up from his bed.
His heart pounded violently against his chest. His breath came in harsh gasps. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
It was just a dream.
But why did it feel so real?
And why…
Why did it feel like he had truly lost something?
Someone?
Shang walked to school sluggishly, her mind still stuck in the strange dream she had last night.
The morning buzz around her—the honking cars, the chattering students outside the school gates, the laughter and greetings—felt distant, like she was in a haze.
That dream… Why did it feel so real? Who was that man? And why did she wake up with an unshakable sadness in her chest, as if she had lost something important?
She was so deep in thought that she didn't even notice someone calling her name.
"Shang! Hey! Why are you walking?!"
She turned to her right and saw Bryan leaning against the school wall, one eyebrow raised as he studied her curiously.
He walked up to her, looking her up and down.
"What happened? Did your sister's car break down? Or did she just forget about you?" he joked, but his smirk faded when he noticed the gloom in her eyes.
"Nothing… I just felt like walking," she replied quietly, avoiding his gaze.
Bryan wasn't convinced.
"You? Choosing to walk? In this heat?" He scoffed and started walking beside her. "Come on, tell me the truth. What's wrong?"
Shang let out a deep sigh. She knew Bryan wouldn't drop it until she gave him an answer.
"I just… didn't feel like talking to my sister this morning. I had something on my mind."
"And what exactly is on your mind?"
She hesitated for a moment. Should she tell Bryan about her dream?
"Nothing. Just a bad dream." That was all she said.
Bryan narrowed his eyes at her. "Just a bad dream? You look like someone just died, Shang."
She couldn't explain it. Even she didn't understand why the dream affected her this much.
Bryan sighed, noticing the tired look in her eyes.
"You look serious about it," he commented. He then stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Shang looked at her best friend. Bryan might be playful and a little annoying at times, but she knew he genuinely cared about her.
For a split second, she wanted to tell him everything—about the dream, the strange sadness in her heart, and the unsettling feeling that she had forgotten something important but couldn't figure out what.
But instead, she forced a small smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Come on, or we'll be late," she said before walking past him into the school gates.
Bryan watched her go, still unconvinced. But he decided not to push it.
Instead, he sighed and followed her inside.
"Whatever you say," he muttered. "But if something's bothering you, just remember—you don't have to deal with it alone."
The canteen was packed with students, their voices blending into a constant hum of chatter and laughter. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, but Shang barely noticed it. Her mind was still stuck in the uneasiness left by her dream.
Elise waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Earth to Shang?"
Shang blinked and turned to her friend, who was holding a tray of food while eyeing her suspiciously. "Huh?"
Elise let out an exaggerated sigh. "You've been spacing out since this morning. What's up with you?"
Shang forced a small smile as she picked up her tray and followed Elise to an empty table. "Nothing. Just… tired."
Elise gave her a doubtful look. "Liar. You look like someone who just discovered their whole life was a lie or something."Shang hesitated, poking at her food. Should she tell Elise? Would she even understand?
Elise laughed. "Okay, okay, but seriously—what happened?"
Shang sighed, lowering her voice. "I had a dream… but it felt real. And it's weird because it wasn't just a normal dream. It felt like… like a memory."
Elise's playful expression faded, replaced with curiosity. "A memory? Like déjà vu?"
Shang nodded slowly. "Something like that. But I don't recognize the people in it. There was this guy… and he felt so familiar, but I couldn't see his face."
Elise frowned. "That is weird."
Shang stared at her plate, frustration bubbling inside her. "I know, right? And now I can't stop thinking about it. What if it means something? What if—"
Before she could finish, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Princess, are you seriously daydreaming about me during lunch?"
Shang's whole body tensed. She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.
Shawn.
She clenched her jaw before finally looking up at him, standing there with his usual annoying smirk, a drink in hand.
"Don't flatter yourself," she muttered.
Shawn chuckled, setting his tray down at the table next to theirs. "Too late. You're acting all distracted and mysterious. Let me guess—you were thinking about me?"
Shang rolled her eyes. "You wish."
Elise smirked, looking between the two of them. "Wow, Shawn, you sure are persistent. Maybe Shang really is thinking about you."
Shang shot Elise a glare, but her friend only giggled.
Shawn leaned against the table, tilting his head. "Well, if it's not me, then what's got you looking all lost in thought?"
Shang hesitated for a second. Should she say it? But why would she tell Shawn of all people?
Instead, she crossed her arms. "Nothing that concerns you."
Shawn raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Ouch. That hurts, Princess."
"Stop calling me that."
"Why? It suits you."
Elise nudged Shang playfully. "Come on, Shang, maybe Shawn can help. He might know something about dreams."
Shawn smirked. "Yeah, I'm an expert in girls dreaming about me."
Shang groaned, dropping her head onto the table. "I give up."
Shawn laughed, taking a sip of his drink. "Whatever it is, Princess, just don't overthink it too much. Dreams are just dreams."
Shang lifted her head, meeting his gaze.
But what if they're not?
She didn't say it out loud, but for some reason, she had a strange feeling… as if Shawn was more connected to this dream than she realized.
The Return of Yuan Wei
Inside the classroom, the excitement among the students was palpable. Last subject for the day! Some sighed in relief, while others yawned, and a few were joking around, eager to wrap up the class.
"Thank God! Last subject!" one student shouted, giving a high-five to their seatmate.
Shang, who was leaning against her chair, was quiet, but deep inside, she too just wanted the day to end. She was tired, not just from the classes but also from overthinking the dream she had.
But before she could completely drift off into her thoughts, the door suddenly opened.
Pak!
A tall, fair-skinned, and chinito guy entered. He was chewing gum while walking in as if he owned the classroom. His sharp eyes gave off a serious and almost strict vibe.
But despite his tough aura…
He was handsome.
"HEY, YUAN BOY!!" one of their classmates suddenly shouted, standing up from their seat.
Elise, shocked, almost dropped her pen. "Oh my god… Yuan?!"
The entire class exchanged surprised glances and whispered in unison.
"Isn't that Yuan Wei?"
"Oh my gosh! I thought he was still in China?"
"He's been gone for so long! Why is he only back now?"
Shang just raised an eyebrow. Who's this?
She didn't know why, but there was something heavy in the presence of the newcomer. It was like something was different about him, something she couldn't explain.
Meanwhile, Shawn, who was sitting at the back of the room, wasn't surprised. Instead, a mischievous smile slowly spread across his face.
"Shit, Yuan, finally, you're back."
Yuan stopped in front and looked at Shawn. They stared at each other for a few seconds, almost like having a silent conversation.
Then Yuan smiled and nodded. "Long time no see, bro."
Shawn stood up and walked toward him, giving him a loud bro handshake and a pat on the shoulder.
"I thought you left me hanging, you jerk," Shawn teased, laughing.
"Why would I do that? We still had plenty of fun here," Yuan replied, smiling slightly.
The whole class went wild. Almost everyone was jumping with joy, especially their friends.
"Back to the duo! The legendary Shawn and Yuan!" one classmate yelled.
"Who's gonna be the next victim of these two troublemakers?" another student said while laughing.
Shang remained quiet, her arms crossed as she watched the scene unfold.
She didn't know why, but while looking at Yuan Wei, she felt like… she had seen him before.
I feel like I've known him…
But that's impossible. This was the first time she'd ever seen him.
Without realizing it, their eyes met. In an instant, her world stopped.
And for some unexplainable reason…
She felt like she knew him.
Shang and Yuan's eyes locked. One second. Two. Three.
Yuan was silent, staring at her. It was as if he was thinking something, remembering something—or maybe just analyzing who she was.
Shang, meanwhile, couldn't look away. There was a strange feeling enveloping her. She couldn't understand it, but the longer Yuan stared at her, the heavier her heart felt.
"Hmm… so there's a new girl here, Shawn?" Yuan asked, not breaking his gaze from Shang.
The classmates laughed.
"Right, you don't know her yet, bro," Shawn answered, leaning on the desk with a grin. "Meet our new transfer student—Shang."
Yuan's gaze sharpened, but it didn't seem angry. It was more like he was uncertain, as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.
"Shang, huh?" Yuan repeated, slowly smiling. "yǒuqù" (interesting)
Shang furrowed her brows. What did he say?
Elise, giggling beside her, spoke up. "Oh my god, it's like he's only noticing you, Shang."
Shang elbowed her. "Stop it."
But she couldn't explain what she was feeling. Why was Yuan looking at her like that?
And why did it feel like… they'd known each other for a long time?
"Well, Shang?" Yuan broke her thoughts again, tilting his head slightly. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
She exchanged glances with Shawn, who was smiling, as if he enjoyed what was happening.
Shang inhaled sharply and stood straight. "Shang Jane Cruz. And you?"
Yuan raised one corner of his lip, clearly pleased with her response.
"Yuan Wei." He briefly looked at Shawn before returning his gaze to Shang. "And I feel like this school year is going to be interesting."
Shang didn't know why…
But she had a feeling Yuan was right.
In the hallway, heading toward the school exit gate, Shang walked silently, following Elise. Her mind was still occupied with thoughts of Yuan Wei. Everything that happened in class earlier left her with a lot of questions.
"Elise," Shang called, tapping her friend on the shoulder.
"Hmm?" Elise replied, walking quickly.
"Yuan… who is he? I have a lot of questions about him," Shang asked, a bit concerned about the confusion she was feeling.
Elise pursed her lips, clearly intrigued. "Ah, Yuan. Well, first things first, he's one of the richest people in China. His family is extremely wealthy, and they own a lot of businesses there."
"Wow…" Shang exhaled deeply. "So, he's rich… it's hard to believe because he looks so simple."
Elise laughed. "Yeah, right? You'd think he's all strict and serious, but actually, he's really kind. He's not just rich, he's also very helpful to people."
Shang furrowed her brows. "He's kind, yeah. But why does it feel like there's something hidden about him? Like… I don't know. There's a different vibe about him that I can't quite figure out."
Elise gave her a side glance. "Well, he's not very approachable at first, a bit aloof sometimes, but once you get to know him, he's a really good person. And speaking of, he had an ex named Unice. She used to be famous. If you've been here long enough, you might have heard of her."
"His ex is Unice?" Shang asked, staying quiet as she processed all the information she was gathering.
Elise nodded. "Yeah, Unice. She was the prettiest in their school back then. But their relationship got complicated. I don't know what happened, but people say they fought a lot over certain things. I'm not sure, but maybe Yuan has some trauma from their relationship."
Shang blinked. "So, he's got a past… interesting."
"Yep," Elise replied. "And it's not just that. A lot of people look up to Yuan, but he just doesn't care. He lives in his own world, which is probably why he and Unice broke up. But I really respect him. Even though he's rich, he's not arrogant."
Shang thought for a moment, absorbing everything Elise had told her. "Seems like he's got his own mystery. But… why did he look at me like that earlier? It felt… different."
Elise raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so you noticed it too? Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe he's just really observant, but the way he stared at you earlier, it did seem… unusual."
Shang couldn't shake the feeling. "Yeah, something was off. But why me?"
Elise smiled teasingly. "Who knows? Maybe there's more to you than meets the eye, Shang."
Shang sighed, letting her thoughts swirl in her head. "Maybe you're right. But for now, I just want to get out of here and clear my head."
The two of them reached the school gate, and as they stepped outside, Shang couldn't help but glance back at the school building. There was something about Yuan Wei that left her wondering… something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Late Night at the Convenience Store
The night air was cool as Shang walked into the brightly lit convenience store. The soft hum of the refrigerators and the quiet background music filled the space. She let out a small sigh, rubbing her stomach. She was starving.
After everything that happened today—her strange dream, Yuan Wei's sudden return, and Shawn's endless teasing—she barely had the energy to eat earlier. Now, her hunger was catching up to her.
She walked over to the food section, scanning the shelves for something quick but satisfying. As she reached for a cup of instant ramen, she heard familiar voices nearby.
Turning her head slightly, she spotted two of her classmates—Astrid and Kimberly—standing by the snack aisle, choosing between different flavors of chips.
"Astrid? Kimberly?" Shang called out, surprised to see them.
The two girls looked up, equally surprised.
"Oh, hey, Shang!" Astrid greeted with a smile. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Kimberly grinned as she grabbed a bottle of iced tea. "Late-night cravings too?"
"Yeah," Shang chuckled. "Didn't eat much earlier, so now I'm starving."
Astrid nodded knowingly. "Same. I was too lazy to cook at home, so here I am."
Kimberly laughed. "Honestly, same. Good thing this store is nearby."
Shang smiled as she picked up her ramen and a cold drink, then walked toward the counter with them. As they waited in line, the three of them casually chatted about school, their teachers, and funny moments from class.
But as they stepped out of the store, Shang felt that strange feeling again—like something was about to change, like she was standing at the edge of something unknown.
Maybe it was just the exhaustion from the long day.
Or maybe… it was something more.
Late Night Encounter
With a plastic bag in one hand and a cold drink in the other, Shang walked along the quiet road leading to her house. The streetlights cast a soft glow on the pavement, and the cool night breeze brushed against her skin. She took a sip of her drink, still thinking about everything that had happened today.
Her strange dream.
Yuan Wei's sudden return.
Shawn's teasing.
She sighed. What a day.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the low hum of an approaching engine caught her attention. She glanced to the side and saw a sleek, black Porsche smoothly cruising down the road.
The car slowed as it neared her, and the tinted window rolled down—revealing Yuan Wei in the driver's seat. His sharp, unreadable gaze met hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the soft purring of the car's engine.
Then, Yuan smirked. "Walking alone this late at night? Dangerous."
Shang raised an eyebrow. "I can handle myself."
Yuan chuckled lightly, resting one arm on the steering wheel. "I don't doubt that." His gaze flickered to the plastic bag in her hand. "Late-night snack?"
"Yeah," she admitted. "Didn't eat much earlier."
Yuan hummed in amusement. "You should take better care of yourself, xiao jie."
Shang frowned slightly. "What does that mean?"
Yuan's smirk deepened. "It means Miss," he explained. "A term of respect."
Shang narrowed her eyes slightly. "You don't seem like the respectful type."
Yuan laughed softly, shaking his head. "You might be right." Then, he tilted his head toward the passenger seat. "Want a ride?"
Shang hesitated.
She didn't really know him. Sure, he was Shawn's best friend, but that didn't mean she trusted him.
Yuan seemed to sense her thoughts. "I'm not a kidnapper, if that's what you're thinking."
Shang crossed her arms. "That's exactly what a kidnapper would say."
Yuan let out an amused sigh. "Fair point."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, with a shrug, Yuan reached for the gear shift. "Suit yourself. Just don't blame me if some creep follows you home."
Shang rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine."
Yuan didn't argue. Instead, he simply nodded and started to roll up the window.
But just as the glass began to rise, Shang sighed in defeat.
"Fine," she muttered, stepping toward the car. "But no weird questions."
Yuan smirked. "No promises."
Shang groaned but got into the passenger seat anyway.
As the Porsche smoothly pulled back onto the road, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.
The Drive Home
The interior of Yuan's Porsche smelled like leather and something faintly minty—probably from the gum he always chewed. The car was eerily silent, except for the faint hum of the engine and the occasional sound of Yuan shifting gears.
Shang sat stiffly in the passenger seat, gripping her bag of snacks. The drive was smooth, but the atmosphere inside the car was thick with unspoken words.
Yuan glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "You look tense."
Shang scoffed. "I'm in a car with someone I barely know. Should I be relaxed?"
Yuan chuckled, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "Fair point. But you trust Shawn, don't you?"
Shang hesitated before answering, "No!! and .. That's… different."
"Hmm." Yuan made a noncommittal sound and focused back on the road. "So, tell me, Shan Jane Cruz," he said, his voice carrying a teasing edge, "why did you transfer to our school?"
Shang shot him a side glance. "Why do you care?"
Yuan smirked. "Curiosity."
She sighed, leaning back against the seat. "It's a long story."
"I've got time."
Shang looked out the window. The city lights flickered past them, reflecting off the car's sleek exterior. She wasn't sure why, but something about Yuan's presence felt… different. Like he wasn't just making small talk—he was actually observing her, trying to piece something together.
Instead of answering, she changed the topic. "What about you? You disappeared for a while. Everyone was surprised when you came back."
Yuan exhaled, a slow, deliberate breath. "Business," he answered vaguely. "Family matters."
Shang frowned at his vague response. "That's all?"
"That's all you need to know."
Shang narrowed her eyes but didn't push further. He was being secretive—but then again, she was, too.
The silence returned, stretching between them like an invisible thread neither wanted to cut.
Then, Yuan suddenly asked, "Have we met before?"
Shang's heart skipped a beat.
She turned her head sharply to look at him. "What?"
Yuan didn't take his eyes off the road. "I don't know. You just seem… familiar."
Shang swallowed hard. That dream. The feeling of déjà vu.
Could it be…?
Before she could answer, Yuan slowed the car and pulled up in front of her house.
"We're here."
Shang blinked, shaking off her thoughts. She reached for the door handle but paused.
There was something in Yuan's gaze now—something searching, unreadable.
"Goodnight, xiao jie," he said smoothly.
Shang hesitated before finally stepping out. She shut the door, still feeling his gaze on her, then turned toward her house.
But just as she reached the front steps, she heard the Porsche's window roll down.
"One more thing," Yuan called out.
Shang turned, waiting.
Yuan leaned against the steering wheel, his usual smirk back in place. "You're interesting. I think I'll be seeing more of you, Shan Jane Cruz."
Shang's breath hitched for a second.
Then, without another word, Yuan drove off, disappearing into the night.
And Shang?
She stood there, staring after him, feeling like she had just walked into something far more complicated than she ever expected.