A Day Later…
The morning sun spilled over H. City, casting a soft glow on the bustling grounds of GL Mall. It was the weekend, and the place was already alive with people—some out shopping early, others just enjoying a slow start to their day.
Zheng Mengyao, dressed in a black crop top and ripped white jeans, her face half-hidden beneath a matching cap and mask, stood beside Song Meiqi, who wore a similar look—except her black tank top clung neatly to her slim waist.
Without a word, Mengyao slipped her arm through Meiqi's and offered a soft smile.
"Let's go," she said, nodding toward the mall entrance.
Meiqi gave a small nod in return, and together, they stepped inside GL Mall.
With the other members busy with their own plans, the two decided to spend the day together—a quiet escape before flying to Country J for the next part of their world tour.
They wandered through malls, laughing over impulse buys and trying on clothes they didn't need but couldn't resist. At a tucked-away boutique far from the crowd, they flipped through vintage racks, holding up retro outfits and teasing each other with mock runway poses.
By noon, they found themselves at a cozy steakhouse—just the two of them, trading stories between bites, their laughter echoing softly in the sunlit space. Later, they slipped into a spa, letting silence and warmth settle in as they closed their eyes and finally let themselves breathe.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they made their way to a quiet grocery store, picking out snacks and essentials to pack for their flight the next day.
Zheng Mengyao glanced at Meiqi's cart, eyebrows raised at the growing pile of ingredients.
"Aren't you buying too much?" she asked, her tone light but curious. Her gaze lingered on the fresh vegetables and meat.
"We'll be gone for like a week. Most of these will spoil before we get back."
Song Meiqi glanced at her cart, then looked up at Mengyao with a soft smile.
"These aren't for me," she said lightly. "They're for Haoran. I thought I'd cook and leave him some meals before we leave."
Her voice held a quiet warmth, eyes softening as she spoke his name.
Zheng Mengyao was taken aback when she heard Haoran's name. Her eyes flickered—just for a second—with something too quick to catch.
She forced a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Right… that's thoughtful of you," she said, keeping her tone light, though her grip on the cart tightened slightly.
Then, as if brushing the moment off, she added with a half-laugh, "He's lucky. If someone left me food like that, I'd fall in love all over again."
Meiqi smiled bashfully, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.
"Haoran and I… we've been together for a little over a year now," she said, her voice turning wistful as her thoughts wandered to the early days of their relationship—sweet, quiet moments she still held close.
"But with the world tour and his packed schedule, we barely get to see each other," she added, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I'm lucky too to be with someone so patient and kind… someone like him."
As Meng Yao listened, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Mei Qi's words hit deeper than she expected, each one a quiet reminder of the line she had crossed.
Mengyao's thoughts slipped away, drawn back to that night two weeks ago—the quiet hum of the city outside her window, the warmth of shared drinks, and then… that kiss.
The kiss that happened between her and Haoran.
It had come like a dream—unexpected, heated, and far too real to forget.
"Yaoyao… Yaoyao…"
Meiqi's voice cut through the haze, gently tugging on Mengyao's arm.
Mengyao blinked, startled back to the present.
"What's wrong?" Meiqi asked, eyes laced with confusion and quiet concern.
Mengyao gave a small shake of her head, forcing a smile.
"Nothing," she said softly, though the guilt still flickered in her gaze—brief, but there.
They continue on shopping after that, their laughter echoing softly through the aisles. And as Meiqi reached for another item, chatting about what Haoran might like, Mengyao did what she always did best—slipped back into the rhythm.
Smiling, laughing, pretending.
Just like before.
Later that night, Song Meiqi was still awake, moving around the kitchen of her apartment. The soft sizzle of food frying and the rhythmic sound of chopping filled the air, blending with the low murmur of a news report playing from the TV in the background.
"This morning, the CEO of GL Holdings was discharged from the hospital following last week's accident on Green Mountain. With his son's return yesterday, speculation grows about a possible leadership change at the company…"
On the other hand, at a dimly lit bar…
Zheng Mengyao slid onto a stool at the counter, the low hum of music pulsing through the room. She barely glanced around before her eyes landed on the man beside her—Si Haoran.
He looked up, eyes meeting hers. For a brief moment, something unreadable passed between them—familiar, quiet, and far too complicated.
She didn't speak.
Neither did he.
But neither looked away.