The bar closed later than usual.
Not because there were customers—but because Tian Rong kept finding excuses not to turn off the lights.
Xiao Lan noticed.
She sat at the counter, coat still on, fingers wrapped around a glass of water that had long since gone untouched. Tian Rong moved behind the bar, wiping an already-clean surface, humming softly, glancing over far too often.
"You're stalling," Xiao Lan said calmly.
Tian Rong froze mid-wipe. Then laughed. "Am I?"
"Yes."
Tian Rong leaned against the counter, chin in her palm. "Maybe I just like it when you're here."
Xiao Lan didn't respond immediately.
She'd been spending more nights here lately. Not intentionally. It just… happened. The bar felt less noisy when Tian Rong was in this particular mood—uncharacteristically soft, eyes bright, movements careless in a way that felt almost childlike.
A little dog, Xiao Lan thought.
One that refused to stay.
"Do you need something?" Xiao Lan asked.
Tian Rong tilted her head. "Do you?"
That was new.
Xiao Lan met her gaze. "You're being bold."
"I'm tired of backing away," Tian Rong said simply.
The honesty disarmed her.
Xiao Lan stood. "You're tired every day. That doesn't mean you act on impulse."
Tian Rong smiled, unbothered. "But I want to."
She walked around the bar, stopping close enough that Xiao Lan could smell citrus and something sweet.
Too close.
Xiao Lan didn't move.
"You always let me stay," Tian Rong murmured. "You always come back. But you never cross the line."
"Because lines exist for a reason," Xiao Lan replied.
"And who drew this one?" Tian Rong asked softly.
Silence.
Then Tian Rong reached out—not touching yet—hovering near Xiao Lan's wrist.
"If you tell me to stop," Tian Rong said, voice suddenly quiet, "I will."
Xiao Lan looked at that hand.
Then at Tian Rong's face.
Earnest. Hopeful. Far too open for someone who claimed to be fearless.
Xiao Lan exhaled slowly.
"You're persistent," she said.
Tian Rong brightened immediately. "I can be worse."
Xiao Lan shook her head. "That wasn't encouragement."
Tian Rong leaned in anyway.
Just enough.
Not touching.
Waiting.
Xiao Lan could feel her heartbeat in her throat.
"Just once," Tian Rong said. "If you hate it, I'll behave."
Xiao Lan should have stepped back.
Instead, she lifted her hand and gripped Tian Rong's sleeve—firm, grounding.
The kiss was brief.
Soft.
And entirely disruptive.
Tian Rong froze for half a second before responding instinctively, lips warm, eager but not rushing. She smiled into it, like she'd just been given permission to exist louder.
When they parted, Tian Rong looked stunned.
Then delighted.
Xiao Lan let go first. "Don't misunderstand."
"I absolutely will," Tian Rong said immediately.
Xiao Lan sighed. "You're impossible."
"But you kissed me," Tian Rong said proudly.
"That doesn't mean—"
Tian Rong stepped closer again. "You didn't leave."
That shut her up.
Xiao Lan turned away slightly. "I'm not leaving yet."
Tian Rong grinned like she'd just won everything.
"Sit," Tian Rong said, gently pushing a stool toward her. "I'll make you something warm."
Xiao Lan allowed it.
Tian Rong moved quickly, energy buzzing, glancing back every few seconds like she was afraid Xiao Lan might disappear.
Definitely a dog, Xiao Lan thought.
An affectionate, stubborn one.
They sat together in companionable quiet, knees brushing. Tian Rong's leg bounced restlessly.
"You're thinking too much," Tian Rong said.
"That's what I do."
Tian Rong leaned her head lightly against Xiao Lan's shoulder.
Xiao Lan stiffened.
Then… relaxed.
"I won't back away," Tian Rong said quietly. "Even if you don't move forward yet."
Xiao Lan looked down at her. "You should."
Tian Rong smiled. "No."
Xiao Lan closed her eyes.
She didn't push Tian Rong away.
She stayed.
Outside, the city kept moving—but inside the bar, something had shifted.
Not rushed.
Not resolved.
Just… acknowledged.
And Tian Rong, impossibly pleased, stayed exactly where she was.
Thank you for reading my novel
Stay tune for more