The night stretched longer than usual.
The shop had closed hours ago, but the lights upstairs were still on.
After the Meeting
Li Wei sat by the window in the small upstairs room, sleeves rolled up, collar slightly undone — a rare sign of how tired he actually was.
Yulan stood near the doorway, watching him quietly.
"…They didn't stop, did they?" Yulan asked.
Li Wei didn't look up.
"No."
A pause.
"They won't."
Yulan stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind him.
"…What happens now?"
Li Wei leaned back slightly, exhaling.
"They wait."
"For what?"
"For me to give in."
The words were calm.
But heavy.
Choosing Anyway
Yulan hesitated.
"…And will you?"
Li Wei finally looked at him.
Straight.
Honest.
"No."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just certainty.
Yulan felt something in his chest loosen.
"…Okay."
A Different Kind of Quiet
The room was small.
Simple.
A bed, a table, a window.
Nothing else.
But it felt… safe.
Yulan moved closer, stopping just in front of him.
"You should rest," he said softly.
Li Wei tilted his head.
"Are you telling me what to do?"
Yulan almost smiled.
"…Yes."
Li Wei stood.
Now they were close.
Too close.
But neither moved away.
Staying
"…Stay," Li Wei said quietly.
Not as a command.
Not as a question.
Just… a request.
Yulan's heartbeat picked up.
"…Here?"
Li Wei nodded.
"For tonight."
A pause.
Then Yulan answered:
"…Okay."
Soft Intimacy (No Rush)
Later, the room was dim.
Only the faint light from outside slipped through the window.
They lay on opposite sides of the bed at first.
Not touching.
Not speaking.
Just aware of each other.
Every small movement felt louder.
Every breath more noticeable.
Then—
Li Wei shifted slightly.
"…You're too far," he murmured.
Yulan turned his head.
"…There's not that much space."
"There is," Li Wei said softly.
Then, after a pause—
"Come here."
Yulan hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then moved closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Until their shoulders touched.
Closer Than Before
The silence changed again.
Warmer now.
Safer.
Li Wei turned slightly, his hand brushing against Yulan's arm.
Not by accident.
Not fully intentional either.
Just… natural.
Yulan didn't move away.
Instead, he let himself relax.
"…You're warm," Li Wei said quietly.
Yulan huffed softly.
"…That's a strange thing to say."
Li Wei's voice softened.
"…I don't mind it."
Yulan smiled faintly in the dark.
A Quiet Kiss
After a while, Yulan felt Li Wei shift closer again.
This time—
Closer than before.
"Yulan," Li Wei murmured.
"…Yeah?"
Li Wei didn't answer with words.
He leaned in—
And pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
Slow.
Sleepy.
Gentle.
Not intense.
Just… real.
Yulan's breath caught slightly—
But he didn't pull away.
When they separated, the space between them was gone.
Unspoken Truth
"…This won't stay simple," Yulan whispered.
Li Wei didn't deny it.
"I know."
"…Then why—"
"Because I want this anyway."
The honesty in his voice left no room for doubt.
Yulan closed his eyes.
"…Me too."
Chen Hao (Best Wingman Ever)
Outside the room, Chen Hao sat on the stairs, holding a blanket.
He looked at the closed door.
"…Yeah. They're not coming out tonight."
He stood up, stretching.
"Guess I'll guard the place."
Then he sat down again.
"…Best friend duties."
End of Chapter 22