The grandfather clock in the hallway had long passed midnight by the time Ming Ye returned to the Ming mansion.
The entire house was silent, and the maids had already retired for the night, leaving the corridors dimly lit by soft golden wall lamps.
Ming Ye walked quietly through the hallway, one hand holding his crutch while the other carried the small pink plushie in a paper bag.
He did not go to his room first.
Instead, he headed directly toward Zi Han's room.
The door unlocked softly beneath his hand.
Inside, the room was dark except for the faint bedside lamp still glowing warmly near the bed. Zi Han had fallen asleep with the duvet loosely wrapped around her body, strands of dark hair spread messily against the pillow.
Ming Ye stood there silently for a moment.
His gaze softened slightly.
Even after everything, even after the fear in her eyes earlier that night, merely looking at her still made the restless chaos inside him quiet down a little.
He walked closer slowly.
