Tides of the Hidden garden

Yin Zian sat quietly by the window, the soft glow of the moon spilling into his room. His thoughts wandered back to the bamboo grove, to Hua An's laughter and the warmth in his voice. A small, fleeting smile crossed Zian's face, but it quickly faded as he heard the sharp sound of footsteps approaching.

His stepmother entered the room, her cold eyes scanning him critically. "Wasting your time again, I see," she said sternly. "If you won't study, then at least practice your sword skills. Your father expects more from you."

Zian's chest tightened, but he kept his emotions buried. He knew better than to protest. Speaking up would only make things worse.

"I'll start now," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm of feelings he held back.

"Good," she replied curtly before turning and leaving without another word.

Zian exhaled slowly, his hands gripping the windowsill. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Crying would only invite more scolding, more disappointment. He sat in silence, forcing himself to be strong.

"Brother?"

Zian turned to see his little sister, Yin Mei, peeking into his room. Her wide eyes were filled with worry.

"What is it, Mei?" he asked softly, his tone immediately gentler.

"I just wanted to check if you're okay," she said, stepping inside and sitting beside him.

A faint smile touched Zian's lips. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry."

Mei studied him for a moment, then nodded. "If you ever need to talk, you can tell me."

"Thank you, Mei," Zian said, his voice almost breaking.

As the night deepened, Zian felt restless. His mind was heavy, and the walls of his room felt suffocating. He decided to take a walk in the garden, hoping the cool air would ease his thoughts.

The night was calm, the stars twinkling brightly in the dark sky. As Zian wandered through the garden, he heard a faint rustling sound. His heart leapt with hope. "Hua An?" he called out softly, a small smile spreading across his face.

He quickened his pace toward the sound, but as he reached the garden's edge, his steps faltered. Two shadowy figures crouched near the estate's storage shed, their movements suspicious. Zian's breath hitched as he realized they were thieves, their faces partially hidden by scarves.

For a moment, Zian froze, unsure of what to do. He thought about running back to alert someone, but the crunch of gravel under his feet gave him away.

"There's someone there!" one of the thieves hissed, pointing at him.

Before Zian could react, they rushed toward him. He tried to back away, but one of them grabbed his arm, twisting it painfully behind his back.

"Stay quiet, or else…" the thief growled, pressing a dagger to Zian's side.

Zian's mind raced. He wanted to scream for help, but fear gripped him tightly. He thought of Yin Mei, of his father, of Hua An—and the slim chance he had to escape.

The thieves dragged him deeper into the shadows, their whispers urgent and menacing. Zian struggled, his heart pounding, but he knew he was no match for them. As they pulled him further away, the garden seemed to grow darker, the stars dimming in the night sky.

Despite the terror consuming him, Zian clenched his jaw and resolved to find a way out. He wouldn't let this be the end. No matter what, he would return to the life he knew—even if it meant facing dangers he'd never imagined.