Dinner was held in a spacious banquet hall at the resort, long tables laden with dishes and the soft murmur of colleague conversations. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow that felt festive and intimate. Xinyi slipped into a sleek dress—the midnight‑blue one Zhiyuan had once chosen for her—and felt the familiar flutter of anticipation.
As they shifted from dinner to the drinks corner, Zhiyuan stayed close at her side, subtly protective. He poured her a glass of wine, and when she raised it in a toast, she caught his gaze. "To a night of fun," she said, voice light.
After a few rounds, the group moved out onto the street market‑style festival that had been set up nearby for the Mid‑Autumn Lantern Festival: lanterns swaying overhead, food stalls steaming with aroma, performers and crowds weaving through the lights. Xinyi's cheeks were flushed with warmth—some from wine, some from the atmosphere.
Zhiyuan wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked side‑by‑side. At a stall selling lanterns she stopped to browse; the soft music and flickering lights made her feel buoyant. She took another sip of her drink, laughter flowing easier than usual.
"Zhiyuan…" she murmured later, leaning closer. Her voice dropped, just for him. "Hubby…"
The word slipped out smooth and unguarded, and time felt to freeze around them. Lanterns shook overhead, a stall owner nearby glanced up, a passing colleague smirked. Zhiyuan's eyes widened just a fraction. He tightened his arm around her and offered a calm, practiced smile.
"Miss Lin needs a break," he said, voice low but audible. "I'll take her over here to this lantern‑making booth, if that's okay."
He guided her gently away from curious eyes, whispering in her ear, "Easy… you're safe with me."
Xinyi's cheeks burned, but she laughed softly, looking up at him with a mixture of embarrassment and delight. Their colleagues exchanged glances—Assistant Zhou among them—with subtle smiles and curious eyes.
As they moved deeper into the festival, Zhiyuan purchased a small lantern for Xinyi, handing it to her. "Light one for us," he said quietly. She lit the lantern, the glow reflecting in her eyes.
"Make a wish," he murmured. "For dinner not to end… for me to keep you close."
She smiled, pressing her hand against his. The festival's noise faded into the background as they shared a moment in the lantern‑lit street, the closeness between them tangible and quiet.
Behind them, Assistant Zhou scribbled notes in his pad. He watched the way Zhiyuan steered Xinyi through the crowd, the soft way she leaned into him when the street got narrow. He frowned, suspicion finally blossoming into something like certainty.
Zhiyuan escorted Xinyi back to the resort lobby, expertly masking their closeness as though they were simply enjoying the evening together. But the warmth in his eyes spoke of something beyond casual partnership.
When they finally returned to their room, Xinyi rested against the door, laughing softly. "You saved me again," she teased.
He hugged her from behind, chin resting on her shoulder. "Always," he whispered. "And next time… try not to call me hubby in front of everyone."
She turned in his arms, grinning. "No promises."
The lanterns outside already dimmed, the night narrowed to just them, the glow of the festival still lingering in the air—and so did the quiet thrill of being together, visible to all yet hidden in plain sight.