The next day, the streets were quieter, the rain from yesterday leaving a soft mist. Li Wei had come again, this time with an umbrella, offering it to Yulan as he stepped out of the shop.
"Careful," Li Wei said, his voice low. "The tiles are slippery."
Yulan glanced at the umbrella, then at Li Wei. "…Thank you."
Their hands brushed briefly while he took it. Neither pulled away too quickly, but both felt the heat of the small contact.
Chen Hao appeared unexpectedly, grinning. "Whoa, watch out! Don't let him spoil you, Yulan. Or I'll have to step in as wingman."
Li Wei rolled his eyes, though a faint smile played at his lips. "Hao…"
Yulan's cheeks flamed, but he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips.
Later that day, a young thug tried to steal dumplings from the stall outside.
Before Yulan could react, Li Wei stepped in calmly, shadowing the thug's movements, ensuring Yulan stayed safe. Chen Hao watched, clapping mockingly. "See? Someone's got your back. Not me, though — I'm too funny to fight."
The thug fled, and Yulan exhaled shakily, heart pounding.
Li Wei leaned close, his voice quiet but teasing. "You okay?"
Yulan nodded, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the morning mist. "…Yes. Thanks to you."
As they cleaned up later, Yulan finally asked quietly, "Earlier… the gossip… you… like me?"
Li Wei looked at him, expression unreadable for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I'm here because I enjoy being here. Not because of rumors, and not because of what others think. Just… here."
Yulan's chest eased. Words unspoken were sometimes the heaviest, but Li Wei's honesty, even in its subtlety, felt like a small victory.
Chen Hao, watching from the corner, nudged Li Wei. "See? Told you, you didn't need drama to fix this."
Li Wei smirked, eyes softening toward Yulan. "Hao, your commentary is… unnecessary."
Chen Hao laughed, the sound bright in the quiet shop.