Above the Inkstone, Within Time
Lu Shi investigates the last place a missing person was seen: Shen Yan’s ancient-book restoration studio. Suspecting Shen Yan’s connection to the case, Lu Shi meets him for the first time, and their probing words are laced with wariness. Shen Yan realizes that Lu Shi’s investigation is closing in on the secrets of the bronze mirror. He tries to interfere behind the scenes, but Lu Shi sees through him, escalating the conflict. The Shadow Pavilion sets a trap for Shen Yan to force him to reveal the bronze mirror. While following a lead, Lu Shi happens upon the scene and helps Shen Yan escape, but also becomes a target of the Shadow Pavilion. Hunted together, the two are forced to set their differences aside for now. Shen Yan reveals part of the truth: the bronze mirror exists. To uncover the connection between the missing-person case and the Shadow Pavilion, Lu Shi agrees to work with him.
• Contrasting personalities: Calm and restrained versus rebellious and impulsive, creating plenty of tension between them.
• Mutual healing: Shen Yan learns to rely on someone, while Lu Shi moves past his guilt. They become each other’s “mirror,” revealing what the other is missing.
• Intertwined mystery and romance: The progress of the case and the growing closeness between the two influence each other, while each secret revealed brings them closer.
