"Here," he said softly, completely unbothered by the watching eyes. "This is the best part. Try it."
When she hesitated, suddenly self-conscious, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to an intimate murmur meant only for her. "Eat, Fei'er. I didn't bring you to my restaurant so you could perform for strangers. I brought you here so you could enjoy yourself."
They were here to have fun, not to kill. If he killed, he would end up with a world with only the two of them.
He picked up his napkin and gently wiped her lips, cleaning away a small smear of sauce with tender care, as natural as breathing.
"You and Minghao are just the same," he observed with a fond smile, continuing to crack open another crab for her. "Both of you eat with such joy, such complete presence in the moment. It's refreshing."
