The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, casting a gentle gold across the silk sheets.
Li Zeyan stirred first.
His lashes fluttered open, and for a moment, he forgot where he was.
Until he felt it.
The soft weight of her back against his chest.
His hand, still resting around her waist, fingers curved protectively over her side.
She hadn't moved all night.
Neither had he.
The realization made his throat tighten.
He stared at the nape of her neck, watched her shoulders rise and fall with each breath, and felt something, something he couldn't afford to name, settle heavy in his chest.
He didn't want to move.
But reality never allowed him to linger.
Today was full. His schedule packed with board meetings and final approvals for the international branch expansion. Investors were flying in. Journalists were waiting. Eyes would be on him.
And yet...
He couldn't stop watching her sleep.
Just for a moment longer.
He gently slid his hand away from her waist, as if removing a bookmark from the most fragile page. He moved with practiced silence, sitting up without shaking the bed.
He watched her turn slightly, her lips parting faintly in her dreams.
Still asleep.
Still unaware.
Good.
He didn't want her to know.
Didn't want her to ask what it meant.
Because he didn't have an answer.
Because maybe there wasn't one yet.
He showered quickly, dressed in his tailored black suit, straightened his tie, and cast one last glance toward the bed.
She looked smaller in sleep.
More delicate than she allowed herself to be in the daylight.
He closed the door behind him quietly.
No words. No sound.
By the time Xu Meilin awoke, he was already gone.
---
The morning passed without chaos. The Moon Pavilion staff moved carefully, silently, avoiding her eyes. She had a light breakfast and planned to rest in the garden when a knock came at her door.
It was Jinli, the head housekeeper.
"There's a call for you, madam," she said quietly. "From the Xu family estate."
Meilin's fingers tightened around her teacup.
Her stomach sank.
She hadn't heard from them in weeks. No messages. No visits. Just… silence. And now, out of nowhere.
"They're sending a car," Jinli added. "It will be here in an hour."
Meilin said nothing for a long moment.
Then she stood.
---
By noon, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the Moon Pavilion.
Meilin climbed in, back straight, face calm.
She didn't ask why she was being summoned.
She already knew.
When the Xu family called, it was never out of care.
It was out of control.
Out of need.
Out of power.
The air in the car was cold, despite the summer heat. Her hands lay folded in her lap, unmoving. Her heart beat steadily, too steadily.
Somewhere behind her eyes, she doesn't want to be any where close to the xu estate.