The night was quiet.
Too quiet.
—
Xueying stood in the courtyard, the lantern light soft around her.
Her thoughts restless.
Unsettled.
—
"You're avoiding me."
She turned.
Yichen stood there.
Closer than before.
More direct.
—
"I'm thinking," she replied.
—
"About the marriage?"
"Yes."
—
Silence.
Then—
"Do you want it?"
The question was simple.
But the answer—
Was not.
—
Xueying looked away.
"I don't know."
Honest.
Raw.
Real.
—
Yichen stepped closer.
"Then let me make it simple."
Her breath caught slightly.
—
"If it's me—"
He stopped.
Just for a second.
—
"If I'm the one they choose…"
His voice lowered.
—
"I won't treat you like they expect."
—
Her heart began to race.
—
"I won't use you."
"I won't control you."
—
He was close now.
Too close.
—
"And I won't let anyone hurt you."
—
The words wrapped around her like warmth.
Dangerous warmth.
—
"Yichen—"
—
"I'm serious."
His voice was firm.
Certain.
—
"For once," he said quietly,
"you won't have to fight alone."
—
Something inside her broke.
Softly.
—
Because this—
This was everything she had never had.
—
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.
—
A pause.
Then—
"Because I—"
—
"Lord Gu."
The voice cut sharply through the moment.
—
Both of them stepped back instantly.
—
Zhao Meilin approached slowly.
Her expression calm.
But her eyes—
Sharp.
Watching.
—
"I've been looking for you," she said.
Her gaze flicked briefly to Xueying.
Cold.
Possessive.
—
"Have you?"
Yichen's tone turned distant.
—
"Yes," Meilin smiled faintly.
"I thought we should talk."
—
The air shifted instantly.
Tense.
Uncomfortable.
—
Xueying stepped back.
"I'll leave—"
"No."
Yichen's voice stopped her.
Firm.
Immediate.
—
But Meilin spoke at the same time—
"Stay."
—
Silence.
—
Because now—
This wasn't just tension.
—
This was a confrontation waiting to explode.
—