A Visitor in the Night

Isabella slipped away quietly and hurried into a washroom tucked behind the terminal.

She locked herself inside a cubicle, dropped her bag, and unzipped a large black duffel.

Inside was a full set of tools.

Without hesitation, she began.

Foundation layered over her skin, dulling its natural glow. Shadows carved depth into her features. Wrinkles appeared one by one under her steady hands, fine at first, then deeper. She added faint age spots, adjusted her brows, and even altered the contour of her jaw.

Every movement was precise.

Every detail is intentional.

When she was done, she slowly straightened, then deliberately bent her back slightly, testing the posture.

By the time she stepped out—

There was no trace of Isabella left.

Only a frail, white-haired elderly woman, leaning lightly on a cane.

Her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out and glanced at the message.

Darkknight24: Woman! I’m giving you five minutes to appear in front of me, or I’m announcing our relationship!

“Damn it…”

She checked her makeup one last time, adjusted her expression, then hurried toward the loudest part of the crowd.

The airport was in chaos.

Fans screamed, security struggled, and flashes from cameras lit up the space in bursts.

Isabella lowered her head slightly and slipped into the crowd, her movements slower now, careful, deliberate.

“Excuse me… please let me through…”

She coughed lightly, gripping her cane.

“My dears… could you let me pass? I’d like to see him up close…”

“Ah! Don’t push—there’s an elderly lady here!”

“Wait, seriously? You’re here for Jace too?”

“Oh my God, that’s actually so cute—everyone, let her through!”

“Ma’am, how old are you?”

Isabella paused, rubbing the small of her back with a faint wince.

“Oh… I’ve lived long enough,” she said softly. “That young man… he reminds me of someone very dear to me.”

Her voice trembled just enough.

“I couldn’t resist coming to see him…”

The crowd softened instantly.

“Aww…”

“Jace! Jace! Someone here really wants to meet you!”

“Please come over!”

With their encouragement, she was gradually pushed forward.

At the center, Jason ran his fingers through his messy blond hair and removed his sunglasses.

“A fan?” he asked casually.

“Yes! She came all the way just for you!”

Jason followed their gaze—

And froze.

A wrinkled old woman stood there, clutching a cane.

For a split second, his face twisted.

“The f—”

He swallowed the rest.

His eyes locked onto hers.

Recognition hit.

Hard.

“Oh… there you are…” Isabella suddenly stepped forward.

Before he could react, she threw herself at him.

“You’ve grown so much… I almost didn’t recognize you…”

Her hands went straight into his hair, messing it up completely.

The crowd gasped.

Some even teared up on the spot.

“This is so touching…”

“Look at her, she must really miss him…”

Cameras flashed non-stop.

Jason leaned slightly, his smile frozen, and whispered through gritted teeth—

“Isabella… just wait till tonight.”

Liam immediately stepped in.

“Alright everyone, please give them space! She’s a little overwhelmed—we’ll help send her home safely!”

Still smiling, he grabbed her arm—

And pinched her hard.

Inside the minivan—

The door shut.

Silence.

Then—

“My dear,” Isabella said sweetly, still in character, “you wouldn’t abandon me halfway, would you?”

Jason turned slowly.

“Say that again.”

She leaned closer.

“My dear~”

“That’s it—I’m killing you.”

“Oh please,” she shot back, instantly dropping the act. “All bark, no bite.”

The backseat exploded into movement.

Liam didn’t even turn around.

“I told you,” he muttered. “You can’t outplay her. But no, you wanted to try.”

Jason snapped, “Shut up!”

“And congratulations,” Liam added dryly, “tomorrow’s headline is changing.”

Jason: “…”

“From ‘mysterious beauty picks up Jason Cardwell’ to ‘elderly admirer storms airport for Jason Cardwell.’”

“LIAM!”

“Bella,” Liam continued calmly, “please go easy on him. He has filming, commercials, and a shoot this month.”

“I know,” she replied. “I won’t touch his face. Relax.”

Jason, however, was already losing his dignity.

Suddenly, he grabbed her and pulled her down.

She blinked, surprised—then smirked.

“What now? Using your face as a weapon?”

He leaned closer—

Paused—

Then recoiled instantly.

“…No.”

Isabella burst out laughing.

“Come on, don’t give up now!”

Jason collapsed back like his soul had left his body.

They arrived at his residence.

Liam stepped out and turned back.

“The place has been maintained, you can move in directly. Also—don’t stay up too late. Jace, you have an event tomorrow.”

“I know,” Jason waved him off.

Liam looked at them both.

“…Try not to destroy anything.”

Then he left.

Inside—

Jason immediately switched modes.

“Tonight,” he said, rolling up his sleeves, “we settle everything.”

Isabella scoffed. “You still haven’t learned?”

He grinned. “I upgraded my setup.”

She rolled her eyes.

Within minutes, the living room was a mess of wires, snacks, and game gear.

Jason moved excitedly, setting everything up.

“Go wash that off,” he said. “You’re distracting.”

“Please,” she muttered, already pulling off the wig. “I’m the one suffering.”

She headed to the bathroom.

Jason sat down, ready.

Then—

The doorbell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

Steady. Rhythmic.

Jason frowned.

“Liam, are you serious right now—” he dialed.

“What?” Liam sounded confused.

“The doorbell.”

“I’m still driving.”

Jason paused.

The bell rang again.

He didn’t go to the CCTV immediately.

Instead, he stood there for a second, frowning.

“…Who the hell…”

The bell rang again.

More insistent.

Jason walked over slowly and checked the CCTV.

The moment he saw—

He froze.

“…Oh my God…”

He stepped back.

“…Uncle?! What is he doing here?!”

He started pacing immediately, running a hand through his hair.

“Why is he here? Why now? The bell rang again.

Jason took a deep breath.

Another.

Then finally walked to the door.

The moment he opened it—

His entire demeanor changed.

“Uncle… what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” the man replied calmly.

Jason quickly stepped aside.

“Come in.”

Inside, the man’s gaze swept across the room.

Games. Snacks. Wine.

He sat.

Jason cleared his throat.

“Work’s been stressful… I was just relaxing.”

“I see.”

A pause.

“When did you arrive”? Alex asked 

“Not too long ago.” Jason rummaged about for a long while before finally finding a teabag. However, he didn’t have any hot water, so he could only pick up a bottle of mineral water from the fridge, “I don’t have any hot water at home yet, is this okay?”

“No need, I’ll just sit for a while before I go.” Alexander pointed at the few boxes he had brought over, “Your mother sent these.”

“Then you would have sent someone to bring it over to me, there’s no need to trouble you to come personally so late at night!” Jason grumbled at his own dear mother a hundred times in his heart. Why send him over! Didn’t she know that he feared this person the most? Fine, there was no need to think, his mother had definitely sent this person to check up on him while clearly knowing that…

“How long will you be staying for? “ Alex inquired, using a tone reminiscent of both an elder and a boss to address him. 

Jason sat up straight and answered honestly, “If there aren’t any issues, I should be staying in here from now on. Although the common practice is to push overseas these few years, our domestic movie industry has been developing very quickly in recent years. The market is also quite big, going overseas to learn is a must, but I believe I need to return to my roots and develop within our country instead!” 

“Mm.” The man gave a rare affirmative nod to his words. 

Jason heaved a sigh of relief, then asked with concern, “How has saviee been lately?” 

Alex: “Good.” 

“Right, I brought toys for him, and some little presents for you. I was preparing to visit you tomorrow, I didn’t think that you would come here first…” Jason quickly brought out the presents he had prepared in his luggage. 

Alex: “Thanks.” 

And then… and then they went silent. 

The sounds of the shower became even clearer…

Jason scratched his head awkwardly. 

Alex naturally came to an understanding, and stood up after passing on some words, “I’m leaving, go back and see your mother when you have the time.” 

"I’ll walk you out...”

Jason breath a heavy sigh of relief when a furious voice sounded from the room

“Jason!! What kind of clothes are these?! There’s a hole at the back—how am I supposed to wear this?!”

Silence.

Everything stopped.

Alexander was about to get up and leave, but after hearing that voice, his body stopped in mid motion. After a second, he slowly turned around, and shot a weird gaze towards the source of the voice…