The afternoon sun was softer that day, filtered through thin clouds that gave the city a muted, almost quiet feeling.
Inside the dumpling shop, things were calm for once.
Yulan sat at the small table near the window, flipping through the book Li Wei had given him days ago. His fingers rested lightly on the page, but he hadn't turned it in a while.
He was thinking.
Again.
The door opened.
He didn't need to look up.
"…You're late," Yulan said softly.
Li Wei stepped inside, loosening his collar slightly.
"Business," he replied.
But there was something different in his tone.
Yulan noticed immediately.
He closed the book.
"…Something happened."
Li Wei didn't answer right away.
Instead, he walked over and sat across from him.
"They know," he said finally.
Yulan's chest tightened.
"…Know what?"
Li Wei met his eyes.
"That I've been coming here. Frequently."
Pressure Begins
Yulan looked down at his hands.
"…And?"
"My father asked questions," Li Wei said calmly. "So did others."
Yulan forced a small smile.
"That's normal, right? You're… you."
Li Wei studied him.
"…It's not just that."
A pause.
Then, more quietly:
"They think it's inappropriate."
The word hung in the air.
Yulan's fingers curled slightly.
"…Oh."
Li Wei leaned back slightly, watching him carefully.
"That doesn't change anything."
Yulan nodded.
"…Of course."
But his voice was softer now.
Chen Hao Knows Everything (Of Course)
From the doorway, Chen Hao leaned against the frame, eating something he definitely didn't pay for.
"So," he said casually, "rich family problems?"
Yulan nearly jumped.
"Chen Hao—"
Li Wei sighed.
"…You were listening."
Chen Hao shrugged.
"You were talking out loud."
"You were standing outside the door."
"Same thing."
Yulan couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him.
Chen Hao grinned.
Then, more seriously — but still light:
"Hey… whatever happens, just don't let people who don't understand you decide things for you."
Li Wei glanced at him.
"…Since when did you become wise?"
Chen Hao pointed at himself proudly.
"Always have been. You just never listened."
A Deeper Moment
That evening, after the shop closed, the air outside felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Li Wei and Yulan stood near the back entrance, where the alley was dim but peaceful.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Then—
"You don't have to keep coming," Yulan said suddenly.
Li Wei frowned.
"…What?"
Yulan looked away.
"I mean… if it causes trouble. For you."
Li Wei stepped closer.
"Look at me."
Yulan hesitated.
Then he did.
Li Wei's voice was calm, but firm.
"I choose where I go."
A pause.
"And who I see."
Yulan's breath caught slightly.
"…Even if it's difficult?"
Li Wei nodded.
"Especially then."
Closeness Without Words
The silence between them shifted.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… full.
Yulan took a small step closer.
This time, it was him.
"…You're stubborn."
Li Wei smirked slightly.
"I've been told."
Yulan shook his head, but there was a softness in his eyes now.
"…Good."
Li Wei's expression changed — just slightly.
Something quieter.
Something real.
He reached out and gently pulled Yulan closer.
Not rushed.
Not playful this time.
Just steady.
Their foreheads almost touched.
"You worry too much," Li Wei murmured.
Yulan's voice was barely a whisper.
"…Only about you."
That was all it took.
Li Wei closed the distance and kissed him.
Slow.
Gentle.
No teasing this time.
Just certainty.
When they pulled apart, neither moved away immediately.
Unspoken Promise
From the corner of the alley, Chen Hao peeked for exactly two seconds—
Then immediately turned around.
"Yep. Not my business," he muttered, walking away with a grin.
Back in the quiet, Li Wei rested his forehead lightly against Yulan's.
"Let them talk," he said softly.
Yulan nodded.
"…Okay."
For the first time, the word didn't carry fear.
Just trust.
End of Chapter 15