Friday, 8:45 p.m.The streets outside the office were unusually quiet as Zhao Xinyi locked up, clutching her bag tightly.
Suddenly, a shadow moved near the alleyway. Her heart raced.
"Xinyi?" A familiar voice — but not Yichen's.
She turned, but the figure slipped away before she could see more.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Yichen:
"Walk you home?"
She smiled, then replied:
"Yes. Now."
Moments later, Yichen appeared, his presence a shield.
"Did something happen?" he asked, voice low.
She nodded. "I got a weird message yesterday. And someone followed me."
He frowned. "You should have told me."
"I didn't want to worry you," she said.
He took her hand. "I worry. And I'm here now."
They walked slowly, side by side. Closer than before.
Stopping outside her building, he looked down at her.
"Xinyi… I'm tired of pretending this is just work."
Her breath hitched.
He swallowed hard. "I like you. More than I should. More than I expected."
Her eyes searched his, wide and vulnerable.
"I don't know where this will go," he continued, "but I want to try."
She smiled, a tear slipping free. "Me too."