Morning light slipped through the gauzy white curtains of the Moon Pavilion's master bedroom, scattering soft gold across the bed.
Xu Meilin opened her eyes slowly.
And froze.
His arm was around her waist.
Li Zeyan.
Fast asleep, breathing steady, brows relaxed, so unlike the CEO the world feared. His hand rested lightly against her stomach, fingers curled protectively, possessively.
She didn't move.
Didn't dare.
It wasn't the first time they'd woken up in the same bed, but it felt different now.
Something had shifted.
Not because of a kiss.
Not because of a touch.
But because, for the first time... she was no longer running in her heart.
She tilted her head just a little, studying the sharp line of his jaw, the mess of dark hair, the way the morning sunlight made his lashes glow gold.
She swallowed.
And thought quietly to herself:
> Maybe... maybe I can learn to love you. Even if I'm scared. Even if it takes time. No matter what... I'll try.
Then...
"Keep looking at me like that," his deep, sleepy voice rumbled, "and I might start thinking you've fallen for me."
Meilin nearly jumped out of her skin.
She smacked his shoulder. "Y-you were awake?!"
He cracked one eye open, the corners of his lips twitching up. "Not at first. But your stare was a little too intense. I thought I was under attack."
"Y-you're ridiculous!"
She bolted upright, cheeks glowing a furious red.
"I...I need to get ready for work!" she stammered, already half off the bed.
But before her feet could even touch the floor, his arm moved fast...
And she gasped.
She was on her back, pinned.
His hands gripped hers, locking them gently above her head, body hovering just above hers.
Her breath caught.
"Zeyan...!"
His eyes weren't cold.
They weren't teasing.
They were... burning.
And they were on her lips.
The air grew thick. Charged.
Neither moved.
Neither breathed.
His voice came out low, rough. "You blush so easily."
Her cheeks deepened to crimson.
"L-Li Zeyan..."
"Should I stop?" he murmured.
She couldn't think.
She couldn't even blink.
He leaned in,slowly, gently,until their noses almost touched.
Their lips were...
"W-we need to go to the office!" she blurted, face flaming.
He blinked.
And then,slowly,he smiled.
Not smirked.
Smiled.
Like she was the most amusing thing he'd ever seen.
As soon as he loosened his grip, Meilin scrambled out from beneath him and raced toward the bathroom, nearly tripping over the rug.
SLAM!
The bathroom door shut behind her like a retreating army.
From the bed, Li Zeyan ran a hand through his hair, still grinning.
He shook his head and whispered to no one in particular, "That woman's going to drive me mad."
He didn't know why he felt that way but he knew...
It was going to be dangerous
Then he chuckled.
A low, quiet, genuine laugh.
And in the stillness of that golden morning, it was the first time the walls of the Moon Pavilion echoed with something that sounded dangerously close to… happiness.