As everyone sat down, Mingyu heated the oil, and it began to bubble invitingly. Nian and Xuanye watched with wide eyes.
"Even we didn't prepare this much when we cooked for you," Nian said in surprise.
"Yeah, you guys even cut fruits," Xuanye added.
Minghao smiled like a proud boyfriend. "Jun and I did that for you."
Xuanye chuckled. "My Hao is really good at cooking."
Everyone burst into laughter as they started eating.
The girls were moved after the first bite. "It's really good!" they said in unison. "You made it even better than we did."
Xuanye gave a thumbs up, and the boys grinned.
"At least you said it's good," Mingyu admitted while eating. "We were scared we'd mess it up."
"Thank you for preparing this for us," Nian and Xuanye said warmly.
As they ate, the boys kept glancing at each other with silent exchanges. Nian narrowed her eyes. "Why do you all look like you're hiding a secret?"
Xuanye leaned in playfully. "We know what you're going to say. Just spit it out—we won't eat you."
The boys glared at Scoups, who finally cleared his throat. "Girls, you must've heard—we're leaving for our world tour. We'll be departing this Saturday at 7 AM."
Nian and Xuanye nodded. "Yeah, we saw the news. But how long will it be?" Nian asked.
Woozi answered quietly, "It's for two months."
Nian's smile faltered. Her eyes froze for a second before she laughed softly—though her voice trembled.
Xuanye gently placed her hand over hers. "Nian… don't be sad."
"You knew already?" Nian asked, eyes narrowing.
Xuanye nodded slowly. "I didn't want to upset you."
Nian sighed. "I would be sad, but I understand. It's their work." She turned to the boys. "We'll be there to send you off."
The boys were touched.
"But girls," Boo said hesitantly, "there'll be paparazzi and media everywhere…"
Nian smirked. "Don't worry. We'll go as part of them. Just treat us like reporters."
Xuanye added, "Exactly. Pretend you don't know us."
The boys were stunned. Jeonghan blinked. "That's… genius. We'll wave like we're looking at the camera. No one will suspect a thing."
Joshua whispered to Vernon, "I didn't know Jeonghan had this much strategy in him. If he keeps this up, they'll never be caught in a dating scandal."
As dinner wrapped up, the girls gathered the bowls and plates, placing them in the kitchen. They came back to the living room, only to find the boys already yawning.
"We're off to bed now," DK said sleepily, rubbing his eyes. One by one, the boys trudged to their rooms.
"I'm exhausted too," Xuanye told Nian. "Come sleep soon, okay?"
"I'll be there in a bit," Nian said, and Xuanye nodded and left.
Nian grabbed her headphones and stepped outside. She needed air. With music in her ears and the moon above, she stood quietly, letting the breeze pass over her.
Meanwhile, DK, stepping out with his phone, noticed the door light was still on. Curious, he opened the door and saw Nian by herself, standing in the moonlight.
He smiled—heart full—and walked toward her silently, like a soft breeze. Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug.
Nian flinched, startled, but relaxed when she realized it was him.
He gently removed her headphones. "Couldn't sleep?"
She nodded shyly. "Mm. I just needed some air."
He held her tightly from behind. "Are you sad we won't see each other for two months?"
She nodded. "Of course, Loudie. But I'll wait. This is your dream, and I'll support it."
"I'll miss you more than anything," DK murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder. "But I'll message you, call you whenever I can. We'll get through this together."
She turned and cupped his cheek. "Just make sure you smile and shine out there. I'll be watching your videos, waiting for you to come back to me."
He smiled, pampered her head, and whispered, "When we return, I'll let you know right away."
"All the best for your world tour," she said softly. "Be a good boy. And don't forget I'm always checking on you."
He laughed and hugged her tighter. "Then I'll act like the best boyfriend on camera just for you."
Nian giggled. "Like before, huh?"
"Exactly," he grinned.
Then her tone softened. "Let's grow stronger in these two months… and when you return, it'll be like our reunion."
DK clung tighter. "Oh—Nian, I forgot to show you something."
He took her hand and led her to the garden.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
He pointed toward the flower bed. "Look. The chamomilla flower you gave me… it's blooming. I meant to send a photo, but I forgot."
Nian gasped. "Loudie, it's beautiful!" She traced the petals gently. "I'm so happy I picked this for you. It really is your twin."
DK chuckled. "I'm not a flower!"
"But for me, you are. Remember why I chose it?" she asked sweetly.
DK nodded with a soft smile. "You said the white petals looked like my soft face, and the yellow center like my bright smile."
"You remembered," she whispered, touched.
"You're the only one who compares me to a flower," he said proudly.
They both laughed, then Nian noticed the sunflower beside it had bloomed too.
"I didn't expect you guys to care for them so well," she said, smiling.
DK scratched his neck. "Honestly… we forgot to water them on some days. But somehow, they still grew."
Nian looked at him, eyes sparkling. "Maybe… it grew because our love is strong."
DK stood frozen, moved by her words. He softly patted her head. "When did you start talking like this?"
Nian pouted and kicked his foot playfully. "I'm being serious!"
"Aww~ I know, Nian. It really did grow because of our love," DK replied warmly.
"Can you really see it?"
He pointed at himself dramatically. "Of course! I'm the living proof—I'm full of love for you!"
Nian was stunned—and blushing.
"You don't believe me?" he teased.
"No—I do!" she said, still flustered.
DK smirked. "Then let me prove it."
Before Nian could respond, he leaned in and kissed her under the moonlight.
Her eyes widened. Heart pounding. For a moment, the world froze.
And then… she kissed him back.
It was soft. Sincere. Like a missing puzzle piece slipping into place.
As the breeze danced around them, the chamomilla and sunflower swayed gently—as if smiling at the couple.
DK leaned back, face flushed. "Now do you believe me, Nian?"
She buried her face in his chest, cheeks blazing. "I believe you, Loudie…"
He hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her head. "I love you, Nian."
She sighed with a bashful smile. "Loudie, give me time to process—you're attacking me with love here!"
"I'll keep attacking then," he grinned. "Love you. Love you. Love you."
She laughed softly as the flowers swayed in the moonlight—witnesses to a love blooming quietly but deeply.