The sleek black SUV glided through the bustling streets of Shanghai, the streetlights casting their glow through the windows, illuminating Hoàng Khánh's calm face. Inside the car, the silence was just enough to hear Kim's soft breath. After everything that had happened recently, today was the first time she allowed herself to be vulnerable. But it was enough to make his heart skip a beat, as if someone had gently knocked on the door of his heart, which he had tried to bury.
The car stopped in front of a striking white villa, nestled in a quiet neighborhood. Khánh unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped out of the car, and gently opened the door on the other side.
"We’re home," he smiled softly, his voice low like the breeze of early autumn—cool yet gentle.
The iron gate creaked open. The butler, who had been waiting, bowed politely upon seeing Khánh:
“Mr. Khánh, it’s been a while since you last visited. Miss Kim seems tired today.”
Khánh nodded, responding courteously:
“Yes, I was passing by, so I brought Kim home.”
The sound of high heels clicking echoed from the grand hall. Kim’s mother—graceful and gentle in a pastel qipao—and her father—stern yet with eyes full of love—came out, their faces lighting up when they saw their daughter.
“Seems like my daughter’s home late today,” her mother smiled warmly, stepping forward to hug Kim.
“Did Khánh bring you home?” Kim’s father turned to Khánh, smiling with a hint of surprise but also familiarity. “Come inside and stay for a while. Have dinner with us, it’ll warm you up.”
“Of course,” Khánh replied, briefly glancing at Kim as if waiting for her decision. Kim didn’t say anything, just gave a small nod—an unspoken agreement.
In the dining room, a sumptuous meal was quickly served. The whole family gathered around, and the warm atmosphere filled the space.
“Everything going well at the company?” Kim’s father asked Khánh while serving fish, his voice carrying the distinct accent of southern-central China, something he’d kept since his days in Chongqing.
“Yes, it’s going well,” Khánh smiled, skillfully hiding the half-hidden life he led between two worlds.
Kim’s mother glanced at Kim, her voice gentle, like threading a needle:
“You seem tired today. I wonder if something’s bothering you?”
Kim simply smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing, Mom. I think I’m just a bit tired from getting back to school.”
Khánh kept his gentle gaze, but he didn’t intervene. He knew... some things had to be left for her to open up about in her own time.
After dinner, Khánh excused himself to leave.
“Goodbye, Uncle and Aunt. I’ll visit again when I have some free time.”
“Whenever you have time, don’t hesitate to come by, son. Don’t be shy,” Kim’s father smiled, patting Khánh on the shoulder.
Her mother also called out as he left, “Be careful on the way home!”
Up in her room, Kim collapsed onto the bed. The room smelled of familiar lavender, and the curtains fluttered gently in the breeze. She took out her phone and tapped into her contacts. The familiar name appeared on the screen: Tư Hạ.
The call connected after a few rings.
“I knew you’d call,” came the clear voice from the other end. “What’s up? Feeling stressed?”
Kim smiled lightly and turned to lie on her side:
“I’m not stressed... just told Khánh about the past today.”
On the other end, Hạ’s voice grew serious:
“So… what did Khánh say?”
Kim turned over, her eyes staring at the ceiling as her voice softened like the autumn breeze:
“He didn’t say much. But I could see in his eyes, it was like he was hurting for me.”
“So... how did you feel?” Hạ asked quietly.
Kim smiled and closed her eyes.
“I felt peaceful.”
There was a pause on the other end, then Hạ’s voice came softly:
“Because you trust him.”
Kim stayed silent for a moment before softly murmuring, “Yeah.”
Outside, Shanghai was moving into autumn, but in her heart, every season felt the same.