The restaurant was quiet.
Soft lights.
Calm atmosphere.
Man Ning stood at the entrance.
She checked the message again.
Private dinner.
Only her.
"…Strange," she whispered.
Inside—
Shen Yan was already there.
Waiting.
He looked up.
Their eyes met again.
That same feeling.
Unfamiliar.
Yet not.
Man Ning walked in.
Sat down.
"Thank you for coming," Shen Yan said.
"Business," she replied simply.
Cold.
Professional.
A waiter came.
Orders were placed.
Silence.
Then—
Shen Yan spoke.
"You don't usually attend dinners," he said.
Man Ning looked at him.
"I don't usually get invited alone."
A pause.
"Where is Mr. Kim?" he asked.
"Busy," she replied.
Man Ning's gaze shifted slightly.
"…What about your secretary?" she asked.
"Minji," he said.
"She's working."
Silence again.
But this time—
Less uncomfortable.
Then—
Unexpectedly—
Man Ning spoke.
"I don't have friends."
Shen Yan looked at her.
Her expression didn't change.
"I don't trust easily," she continued.
Simple.
Honest.
Shen Yan leaned back slightly.
"…You seem capable enough without them," he said.
Man Ning gave a faint smile.
"Capability doesn't replace loneliness."
That surprised him.
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
Then—
She added softly—
"I didn't even have a place to stay once."
Shen Yan's eyes narrowed slightly
"Mr. Kim helped?" he asked.
Man Ning nodded.
"He gave me work. Not sympathy."
A small pause.
"That's why I respect him."
Shen Yan didn't reply immediately.
Then said—
"…You're strong."
Man Ning looked at him.
"No," she said.
"I just didn't have a choice."
Silence.
For the first time—
The air felt… real.
Not cold.
Not distant.
Just two people—
Talking.
Without knowing why.
The dinner ended quietly.
"Good night," Shen Yan said.
Man Ning nodded.
"Good night."
They walked in opposite directions.
But both felt it.
Something had changed.
👉 Some conversations don't last long.
👉 But they stay… longer than expected.