The afternoon sun stretched lazily across the street, casting long shadows through the dumpling shop windows.
It was quieter today.
Too quiet.
Yulan noticed it immediately.
Not the kind of quiet that felt peaceful.
The kind that felt… watched.
A Presence
When he stepped outside to sweep the front, he saw him.
A man across the street.
Standing still.
Not eating.
Not talking.
Just watching.
Yulan frowned slightly.
When their eyes almost met—
The man turned and walked away.
Just like that.
"…Strange," Yulan murmured.
Jealousy, Subtle and Real
Later that day, a well-dressed girl stopped by the shop.
Elegant.
Composed.
Not from around here.
"Excuse me," she said politely, "is this where Li Wei has been visiting?"
Yulan froze for half a second.
"…Why?"
She smiled gently.
"I'm looking for him."
Before Yulan could respond—
"Then you've found the wrong place."
Li Wei's voice cut in smoothly.
Yulan turned.
Li Wei was standing in the doorway, calm as ever.
The girl looked surprised.
"…Li Wei."
He didn't step closer.
"Lin Meiyu," he acknowledged.
So this was her.
Calm, Not Dramatic
There was no shouting.
No tension that exploded.
Just quiet understanding.
"I wanted to speak with you," Lin Meiyu said.
Li Wei nodded slightly.
"Then we can speak outside."
He turned briefly toward Yulan.
"…I'll be back."
Yulan nodded.
"…Okay."
But something in his chest tightened anyway.
The Waiting
Time passed slower than usual.
Yulan tried to focus on work.
He failed.
Every small sound made him look up.
Every passing shadow felt heavier.
Chen Hao leaned against the counter, watching him.
"…You're staring at the door like it owes you money."
Yulan sighed.
"I'm not."
Chen Hao smirked.
"You are."
A pause.
Then, softer:
"You trust him, right?"
Yulan didn't hesitate.
"…I do."
Chen Hao nodded.
"Then relax."
Return
When Li Wei came back, nothing about him looked shaken.
Same calm expression.
Same steady presence.
But he walked straight to Yulan.
"…Finished?" Yulan asked quietly.
Li Wei nodded.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then Yulan asked—
"…What did she want?"
Li Wei tilted his head slightly.
"To confirm something."
"And?"
Li Wei's lips curved faintly.
"I confirmed it."
Yulan blinked.
"…What does that mean?"
Li Wei stepped closer.
"That I'm not interested."
Just like that.
Simple.
Clear.
The Moment
The shop emptied earlier than usual that evening.
Chen Hao stretched dramatically.
"I'm going out. Fresh air. Definitely not giving you two space."
Li Wei didn't even react.
"Close the door behind you."
"Of course," Chen Hao said, already halfway out.
"…And lock it."
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Small Kiss Scene
Yulan stood near the counter, pretending to organize things that were already organized.
"You didn't have to say that," he said quietly.
Li Wei walked closer.
"I did."
"…Why?"
Li Wei stopped right in front of him.
"Because I meant it."
Yulan looked up.
And for a moment—
There was no outside world.
Just the two of them.
Li Wei reached out, lightly tilting Yulan's chin up.
"Still thinking too much," he murmured.
"…Maybe."
Li Wei smiled slightly.
Then leaned in—
And pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Gentle.
Brief.
But certain.
When he pulled back, his voice was quieter now.
"Don't overthink this."
Yulan's heart was racing.
"…I'm trying not to."
Li Wei smirked.
"Good."
Unseen Eyes
Outside the shop, across the street—
The same man from earlier stood in the shadows.
Watching.
Silent.
Unmoving.