Xu Chen didn't give Aum the chance to explain.
Aum had just begun, his voice calm as ever, ready to lay out where he had gone and why, when Xu Chen interrupted him mid-sentence.
"Did you eat?"
The question came out abruptly. It didn't match the tension that still lingered between them. It didn't match the worry that had been sitting in Xu Chen's chest since afternoon.
But it came anyway.
Aum paused.
The shift in topic was unexpected.
"…No."
Xu Chen exhaled quietly, as if that answer mattered more than anything else Aum could have said.
"Come."
He didn't wait for further explanation. He picked up the room key from the table and reached for Aum's wrist, his fingers wrapping around it naturally, without hesitation.
Aum looked at him for a brief second.
There was something different in that touch.
Not forceful.
Not hesitant.
Certain.
Xu Chen was already moving.
They stepped out again into the night.
The Restaurant
The place Xu Chen chose wasn't loud or crowded. It carried a soft warmth—low lighting, wooden interiors, quiet conversations blending into the background.
A place meant for lingering.
Xu Chen pulled a chair back for Aum.
Aum stopped for a moment.
He noticed it.
This was new.
Xu Chen didn't explain. He didn't look at him either. He just adjusted the chair slightly, making sure it was comfortable, then moved to sit across him.
The silence between them was no longer awkward.
It was aware.
Xu Chen picked up the menu, his eyes scanning quickly—not searching, but deciding.
"I'll order."
Aum nodded.
He didn't question it.
When the food arrived, it came in layers.
First, the Salt & Pepper Prawns.
Golden, crisp, lightly coated, the aroma of garlic and pepper rising warm into the air.
Xu Chen didn't speak.
He picked one up.
Carefully peeled the shell.
Removed the tail.
Then placed the clean prawn on Aum's plate.
Aum's hand stilled slightly.
He looked up.
Xu Chen was already peeling the next one.
Not looking at him.
Not acknowledging it.
Just… doing it.
The silence grew deeper.
Aum picked up the prawn.
A small pause.
Then ate it.
His eyes remained on Xu Chen for a second longer than usual.
Xu Chen didn't look up.
But his chest felt tighter.
Next came the Xiaolongbao.
Delicate dumplings, thin skin holding steaming broth within.
Aum reached for one.
"Wait."
Xu Chen leaned forward slightly.
"Not like that."
His hand hovered near Aum's.
Close enough to guide.
"Bite the top first. Let the steam out."
His voice had softened.
Aum watched him carefully.
Followed the instruction.
A small amount of steam escaped.
Xu Chen nodded slightly.
"Now eat."
Their hands were still close.
Closer than necessary.
Aum noticed.
Xu Chen noticed too.
But neither moved immediately.
The moment stretched.
Then Xu Chen leaned back.
The next dish arrived.
Mapo Tofu.
The aroma was rich, deep—but mild.
Aum looked at it, then at Xu Chen.
"You asked them to reduce the spice."
Xu Chen didn't look up.
"You don't handle it well."
Aum's gaze lingered.
"I never told you that."
Xu Chen paused for a fraction of a second.
Then continued eating.
"I noticed."
That was all.
But it stayed.
The Braised Beef Brisket Noodles followed.
Thick broth, slow-cooked meat, the warmth of it filling the space between them.
Xu Chen served some into Aum's bowl.
Without asking.
Without explaining.
Aum accepted it.
Something about this felt… familiar.
Not in memory.
But in feeling.
The stir-fried pea shoots were simple, clean.
Placed between them.
A balance.
Xu Chen pushed the plate slightly toward Aum.
"You should have something light."
Aum didn't respond immediately.
He simply looked at him.
Long enough for Xu Chen to feel it.
They ate.
Slowly.
Not because of the food.
But because neither of them wanted the moment to end.
The final dish came.
Mango Pomelo Sago.
One bowl.
Two spoons.
Xu Chen placed it in the center.
No comment.
No explanation.
Aum picked up one spoon.
Xu Chen picked the other.
They ate from the same bowl.
Quietly.
Naturally.
No one said anything.
But everything had already been said.
The Drive Back - The road was quieter now.
Streetlights stretched ahead in long lines, the city settling into night.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Xu Chen broke the silence.
"Where did you go?"
The question was calmer this time.
Aum turned slightly toward him.
"I wanted to assess whether I could function independently."
Xu Chen's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"And?"
"I realized I could not. Not yet."
A pause.
"I attempted to return. But I could not locate the restaurant."
Xu Chen's jaw tightened. "I looked for you."
"I know."
The response was simple.
Xu Chen glanced at him briefly. "How?"
"You were not there when I returned. That indicated movement."
Xu Chen exhaled slowly.
Aum continued.
"A vehicle nearly struck me due to negligence."
Xu Chen's grip tightened further.
"But that person assisted me."
Aum reached into his pocket and took out a card.
"He provided this."
"He was… comparable to you."
Xu Chen's eyes flicked toward him.
"In what way?"
"Calm. Capable. He ensured my safety."
A pause.
"He was kind."
The words landed. Xu Chen took the card.
His eyes scanned the name.
Li Wei.
Something about it lingered for a second.
A faint familiarity.
Then it passed.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He slowed the car.
Then pulled over to the side.
Aum looked at him.
"What are you doing?"
Xu Chen didn't respond.
He stepped out.
Walked to the nearby dustbin.
And dropped the card inside.
Aum watched, confused.
Xu Chen returned, sat down, started the engine.
"That was unnecessary."
Xu Chen shrugged lightly.
"It's just paper."
Aum tilted his head slightly.
Silence followed.
Aum didn't argue.
But something about that answer stayed with him.
Back at the Room - Xu Chen dropped the keys on the table.
"Go shower. Later I need to talk to you"
Aum nodded and walked toward his room.
Xu Chen stood still for a moment before moving toward his own.
The water ran.
Time passed.
When Aum stepped out, his hair still slightly damp, the soft fabric of Xu Chen's clothes resting naturally against him—
Xu Chen was already in the living area. Scrolling through his phone.
He looked up and paused, for a moment longer than necessary.
Aum stood there, unaware.
Xu Chen's chest tightened again.
But this time—
it wasn't pain.
It was something else.
Something heavier.
Warmer.
"Xu Chen." - Aum
No response.
"Xu Chen." - Aum
Xu Chen blinked. "Yes?"
Xu Chen looked away quickly.
"Your phone."
He handed it over.
"Don't leave it behind again."
Aum took it. "I understand."
"And don't go anywhere without telling me."
His tone was firm.
"Even for a short duration."
Aum nodded. "I will inform you."
A pause.
"Good night." Aum turned toward his room.
Xu Chen watched him go.
Then followed.
Aum stopped at the doorway.
"You require something?"
Xu Chen leaned casually against the doorframe.
"It's inefficient to use two rooms."
Aum blinked. "I disagree."
Xu Chen crossed his arms. "Energy consumption. Space usage. Unnecessary separation."
Aum narrowed his eyes slightly. "You are being too logical."
Xu Chen exhaled. "Fine."
A pause.
"I'll move to the couch after you sleep."
Aum narrowed his eyes slightly. "That is unnecessary."
Xu Chen shrugged. "It's efficient."
Aum studied him. Then nodded. "Acceptable."
Aum lay down.
Sleep came quickly.
The exhaustion of the day catching up to him.
Xu Chen remained beside him.
Watching.
There was no distraction now.
No denial.
He noticed everything.
The softness of Aum's expression.
The steady rhythm of his breathing.
The quiet stillness that surrounded him.
Xu Chen reached out.
Moved a strand of hair away from Aum's forehead.
His fingers lingered.
His chest tightened.
He leaned closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The distance between them faded.
His breath slowed.
His thoughts blurred.
He wanted—
He stopped.
The realization hit him at the same time.
This was not something he could take.
Not like this.
He pulled back.
Sat there for a second longer.
Then stood.
Moved to the couch.
Lay down.
His eyes remained open.
His chest still heavy.
But no longer confused.
For the first time—
he understood exactly what he was holding back.
And why.