By the time Yeh returned, dusk had fallen.
She unlocked the door to find the living room lamp lit, and Lin sitting on the sofa, with phone in her hand, she was relaxed and at ease. Lin looked up as Yeh entered.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The warmth of earlier meetings had softened into something quieter, deeper, unspoken.
"Why you are back late today?" Lin asked gently.
"Apologies—several brand partners arrived to discuss talent collaborations." Yeh put down her bag and sat beside Lin. "Did you rest well?"
"Very well." Lin smiled. "Though I am getting hungry."
Yeh reached for her phone at once. "Shall we order something? It's too late to go out. What would you like?"
"Anything you choose," Lin said, leaning back comfortably.
Yeh browsed, ordering spicy basil rice, boat noodles, and mango sticky rice. She held the screen toward Lin. "Anything else?"
Lin glanced over and shook her head. "This is perfect." She recognised every dish, and smiled.
While waiting for delivery, they sat together, talking easily.
"The finale screening went beautifully," Yeh said.
"I saw from internet," Lin nodded. "The venue was twice the size of the premiere."
"And the streaming platform was very satisfied."
"The ending was lovely," Lin said, watching her. "That scene by the sea—was so romantic."
Yeh smiled. "Do you like sea?"
"Very much."
Conversation paused there, hanging gently between them—half speaking of the show, half of something far more real.
Food arrived shortly. Yeh put them out upon the table. They sat opposite one another, light was falling softly between them, they were eating and talking of the finale, upcoming projects, Lin's series while eating.
"I watched every episode of your reality show," Yeh said. "Only hoped there were more episodes."
Lin looked up, surprised. "You kept up with it all?"
"Of course." Yeh's answer was simple, unadorned, and far more powerful than any elaborate explanation.
"Only—promise me something," Yeh said softly. "Try not to work through the night, will you?"
Lin fell quiet. She knew Yeh had seen the behind‑the‑scenes footage of the reality show, where she memtioned that she always working until midnight with her team. She nodded solemnly.
The room became quieter, warmer, drawing them closer.
Then the door opened.
Fiona stepped in, glancing between them,.with her smile knowing and amused. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Aren't you dining out this evening?" Yeh asked.
"Just changing clothes before heading for a bar." Fiona winked, heading toward her room. "Don't worry—I'll be late. You two will have a lovely time."
The door clicked shut, leaving a charged, sweet silence in its wake.
After clearing away, Yeh asked softly, "Are you sleepy?"
Lin nodded. "I am."
They lay side by side in the bed, leaving a respectful, careful space between them—close enough to feel warmth, far enough to preserve propriety. Neither of them moved at first.
Soft light filtered in from the street outside.
Then Yeh turned toward Lin.
"Lin."
"Mm?" Her voice was soft, close in the dark.
Yeh hesitated only a moment, then reached out and drew Lin gently toward her. No hesitation, no uncertainty—simply pulling her nearer.
Lin stiffened for an instant, not pulling away, only startled. Then slowly, she melted into the embrace, breathing steady and calm. She rested her hand gently upon Yeh's waist.
They held one another. Nothing more. Yet everything between them had shifted.
After a quiet while, Lin whispered:
"Goodnight."
Yeh held her close, murmuring:
"Goodnight."
The night was still, and peaceful.