The next morning felt lighter.
Not because the air had changed.
But because they had.
Shi Mu arrived early to the cafeteria.
Not to eat.
Just to sit.
To think.
To remind herself that reconciliation didn't mean resolution—but it was still a start.
She stirred her tea slowly, letting the scent calm her nerves. The warmth of the mug against her palms reminded her of last night's conversation—how close they'd come to saying things that had waited far too long.
She wasn't ready to say them yet.
But maybe… soon.
"Mind if I sit here?"
She looked up.
Fu Yunshen stood beside the table, holding a tray with two cups and nothing else.
Her eyebrows rose slightly. "Two drinks?"
"One's for you."
She blinked.
"You remembered my order?" she asked, surprised.
"You drink the same thing every Thursday."
Shi Mu took the cup with a quiet thank you.
He sat across from her, watching her reactions like they meant something.
She didn't hide.
She sipped.
Silence fell between them, but it wasn't empty.
It was comfortable.
Gentle.
Like a space they had carved out and finally remembered how to fill.
Then Fu Yunshen said, "Can I ask you something?"
She nodded.
"Are you still keeping secrets from me?"
Shi Mu paused.
Put down her cup.
"Yes."
He didn't flinch.
"Will you ever tell me?"
"When I know you're ready."
"And if I'm already ready?"
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"Then you'll have to wait until I am."
He nodded slowly.
And smiled.
It wasn't disappointment.
It was something else.
Something quieter.
Like patience.
[System Notification]
Emotional Progression – Conditional Trust Established
Brotherhood Value +70 (Direct Honesty + Respect for Timing)
Current Total: 2,330 / 1,000,000
They sat a little longer.
Two cups.
One question answered.
Dozens still waiting in silence between them.
But for now, this was enough.
And sometimes, enough was everything.