While Xuanye and Minghao waited outside the hospital for his private car, she muttered, "Hao~ it's getting late. I can just take a bus and book a room."
Minghao looked at her and said firmly, "Wait, Ye~ my car will be here in a few seconds. Don't rush."
Xuanye widened her eyes, tapping her foot nervously as she looked around. A few minutes later, his sleek, luxurious car pulled up. Minghao smiled and said, "Ye~ look, my car's here. Let's go."
She nodded, but when she turned and got a proper look at it, she gulped. "Hao... this car is huge. I could sleep here for the night. Should I pay you a cleaning fee?" she joked, eyes still wide.
Minghao smirked. "Ye, why are you picking on me tonight, huh?" He gently grabbed her hand and guided her toward the car, opening the door for her like a gentleman.
Xuanye blinked, hesitant. She looked at him, saw his subtle nod, and stepped in with a nervous gulp. Minghao slid in after her and told the driver, "Take us home."
She gasped. "Hey! Hao, why are you bringing me to your house this late?!"
The driver coughed awkwardly while Minghao tried not to laugh. "Ye~ what are you imagining? It's just my house. Better than spending money on a hotel, right?"
Xuanye looked at him, completely flustered. She leaned in and whispered, "But what if your parents are there? I can't just crash into your place—what will they think?"
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "Relax. This is my private place. My family's back in our hometown."
Still half-pouting, Xuanye muttered, "You don't care, but I do. If my parents ever find out I stayed at your place overnight..." She shivered.
He covered his mouth to hide his laugh. "Ye~ when you stayed with our group, did you mind it this much?"
"That's different!" she said quickly. "This is just... different!"
---
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Nian noticed DK sleeping on the edge of the bed.
"Loudie, come closer. You'll fall off the bed if you stay there."
DK turned his head toward her, eyes still closed. "Nian, do you want me to hug you, huh?"
Nian muffled her laughter while Dino and Hoshi quietly squealed at the cuteness from across the room.
"Shh! They're still sleeping," she whispered.
From his side of the room, Wonwon teased, "Don't mind us! You guys can continue~"
Nian glared in their direction. DK tossed a pillow at them playfully. "Go to sleep, you kids."
She giggled and gently patted his hand. DK closed his eyes like an obedient child, letting sleep pull him in.
As she softly rubbed his forehead, he asked, "Nian, why do you always do that?"
"Loudie~ when you sleep, your brows furrow, like you're worried. So I thought I'd smooth it out."
He opened one eye. "But when did I worry? I'm always happy."
Nian shook her head with a smile. "You smile a lot, but I know you. At night, you think about everything you did that day, and you feel guilty if you think you've hurt someone."
DK was quiet for a moment before he admitted, "You're right. I do that. Even if the members laugh it off, I still wonder if I said something wrong. I usually talk to my parents about it. They say, 'DK, you're a man. It's okay to apologize. If you feel guilty, say sorry and move on.'"
Nian smiled warmly. "And if you ever feel uneasy again, just talk to me. I'll listen."
DK looked touched. "When I fell for you, Nian, I became happier than I'd ever been. Just knowing I'd get to see you made me bounce like a kid."
She chuckled. "You're not the only one. The first time I saw you at a concert, I thought your wave and eye contact were for me. I knew it was silly, but when fate put us under the same roof, I realized... love isn't about who someone is—it's about how they make you feel. And you made me feel like I could fall safely."
DK tightened his hug. "You're my happy virus, Nian. I'll always be your sunshine."
Nian blushed but held him closer. He's been carrying so much. But now he's letting me in. I'll be your safe place, Loudie. Always. She gently patted his back, soothing him to sleep like a lullaby.
DK clung to her, peaceful at last.