Morning came slowly to the narrow street outside the dumpling shop. Vendors were opening their stalls, steam rising into the cool air. The city was waking up.
Inside the shop, Yulan was folding dumpling wrappers when Li Wei stepped quietly through the door.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Everything felt different now.
Yulan glanced up first. "You're early again."
Li Wei leaned against the counter, arms crossed, a faint smile on his lips. "I thought about what you said last night."
Yulan's ears turned red immediately. "…You mean the confession?"
Li Wei tilted his head slightly. "Yes."
Yulan tried to keep working, but his hands had suddenly forgotten how dumplings worked.
Li Wei watched him struggle for a moment before stepping closer.
"You know," Li Wei said quietly, "you're very brave when you're honest… but terrible at acting normal afterward."
Yulan sighed. "…I am acting normal."
Li Wei reached over and gently fixed the dumpling wrapper in Yulan's hand.
Their fingers touched.
Yulan froze.
Li Wei didn't pull away.
Instead, he leaned closer and murmured softly:
"So… does this mean we're pretending nothing changed?"
Yulan swallowed.
"…No," he said quietly.
Li Wei smiled.
"Good."
Chen Hao, the Observer
From the back room, Chen Hao peeked through the doorway, watching the two of them standing far too close.
He muttered under his breath:
"Ah… I knew it."
Then he quietly stepped back before they noticed him.
Chen Hao grinned to himself.
Best bros… huh?
He decided immediately:
He would protect this secret.
And maybe tease them a little.
A Walk Through the City
Later that afternoon, Li Wei offered to walk Yulan home.
The streets were crowded with bicycles, food vendors, and students heading home.
They walked side by side, not touching, but close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed.
Each time it happened, Yulan felt electricity run through him.
Li Wei clearly noticed.
"…You're doing it again," Li Wei said.
"Doing what?"
"Thinking too loudly."
Yulan groaned. "You can't hear thoughts."
Li Wei smirked.
"No, but your face is very honest."
Yulan looked away quickly.
"…You're impossible."
The Action Scene
As they turned into a narrow alley shortcut, three men stepped out from the shadows.
Their clothes were rough, and one of them carried a metal pipe.
"Hey," one of the men said. "You're Li Wei, right?"
Li Wei's expression immediately changed.
Calm.
Sharp.
"Yes."
The man smirked. "Your family owes someone money."
Yulan frowned. "That doesn't make sense—"
Before he could finish, the man swung the pipe.
Li Wei reacted instantly.
He grabbed Yulan's shoulder and shoved him behind him just as the pipe slammed into the brick wall.
The sound echoed through the alley.
"Stay back," Li Wei said quietly.
Yulan's heart pounded.
The second man lunged.
Li Wei moved fast — far faster than anyone expected.
He twisted the attacker's arm, sending the man crashing into a stack of wooden crates.
The third rushed forward.
Li Wei ducked, grabbed the man's coat, and slammed him hard against the wall.
The fight was quick.
Precise.
Controlled.
Within seconds, the three men were stumbling backward.
One of them spat on the ground.
"This isn't over."
They ran.
The alley fell silent again.
Aftermath
Yulan rushed forward.
"Li Wei!"
Li Wei shook his hand slightly, as if brushing off dust.
"I'm fine."
Yulan grabbed his arm anyway, checking for injuries.
"You could've been hurt!"
Li Wei watched him for a moment.
Then he smiled softly.
"…You're worried about me."
Yulan froze.
"…Of course I am."
Li Wei gently pulled Yulan closer by the wrist.
For a moment, the world went quiet again.
"You know," Li Wei said softly, "when you worry like that… it almost makes getting into fights worth it."
Yulan stared at him.
"…Don't say things like that."
Li Wei laughed quietly.
Then, without warning—
He leaned down and kissed Yulan again.
This time a little longer.
Still gentle.
Still careful.
But certain.
When they pulled apart, Yulan's face was bright red.
"…You're unbelievable."
Li Wei smirked.
"And you like me anyway."
Yulan couldn't argue with that.