" Mom."
The word left Yuxuan's lips quietly hut it hit like a shockwave.Nuan turned to him instantly, her brows knitting together in confusion." Your… mom?"
Yuxuan nodded once. " Yes."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then everything moved at once.Yuxuan turned away quickly."Wait here. I'll change."
" What do you mean wait here?"Nuan snapped back immediately.I need to change too.
He stopped mid-step and looked back at her.You don't,he said you're fine like that.
Nuan glanced down at herself—oversized T-shirt, denim shorts. Comfortable. Casual.
Completely inappropriate.
If your mom sees me like this,she said, already moving toward the bedroom,she'll misunderstand.Before he could respond, she disappeared inside.
Yuxuan frowned slightly.A few minutes later, Nuan walked out again.This time—
She looked completely different.Neatly dressed. Formal. Composed.Like she had built a wall around herself in record time.
Yuxuan's expression darkened.
" If you're going to change,"he said, irritation slipping into his voice,why wear that?.Nuan adjusted her sleeve calmly. "What's wrong with it?"
" You look like…"he paused, searching for the word," …an employee."
She met his gaze directly."That's the point."
The air shifted.Yuxuan's jaw tightened.
" What do you mean?"he asked.It
means,she said evenly, your mother doesn't need to know anything else.
Something in his expression hardened.but I want to introduce you as my girlfriend.His tone wasn't loud but it carried weight.Clear. Direct. Certain.Nuan didn't flinch.
"Not now."
Two simple words but they landed like a rejection. " Why not?"he pressed.
"The timing isn't right."
"That's not an answer."
" It is,"she said calmly.Just not one you like.Silence stretched between them.Then Nuan turned away first.She began clearing the table—plates, glasses, everything—moving efficiently, like none of this mattered.In their place, she set down her laptop and opened it.Placed a few documents beside it okay a perfect scene.
A perfect excuse.Then she spoke without looking at him.Go open the door,she said. "And act normally."
Yuxuan didn't move.His gaze stayed on her.
There was something in his eyes now—
Not anger not frustration but something quieter." Heavy."
But in the end…he said nothing.And walked to the door.The moment it opened—
A woman stepped inside, clearly displeased.
Where were you? she demanded.I've been standing outside for so long!
Yuxuan forced a small smile.I was working. Didn't hear the bell.She sighed, stepping further in—
Then stopped her eyes landed on Nuan.
Sharp. Curious. Assessing.
"Who is she?"
The question came instantly.Yuxuan opened his mouth but before he could speak—
Nuan stood up.Calm professional and polite.
"I'm his assistant, ma'am."
The words were smooth.
Practiced.
Effortless.
Yuxuan's fingers curled slightly at his side.
His mother looked between them.Then back at Nuan. " At this hour?"
" There was urgent work,"Nuan replied without hesitation.I apologize if it caused any misunderstanding.Her tone was respectful her posture perfect.There wasn't a single flaw and that—
Was exactly the problem.Yuxuan said nothing not a single word.He just stood there just watching.His expression unreadable.But his silence spoke louder than anything else.
Nuan picked up her bag.Then looked at him briefly." Sir,"she said, her tone shifting completely, you should spend time with your mother. I'll finish the remaining work and send it to you.
Sir.
The word cut deeper than it should have.
Still—
Yuxuan didn't respond even didn't stop her.
Didn't even try.His mother spoke instead.
"I'll drop you."
But Nuan shook her head immediately.It's alright. I've already booked a cab.She turned toward the door.
"Good night, ma'am."
And just like that she walked out.Without looking back.The door closed and the silence that followed felt suffocating.
Yuxuan stood there still.Something inside him had shifted.His mother turned to him, clearly unimpressed.You shouldn't call your assistant this late at night, she said. "People will talk."
No response.
" If you keep behaving like this,"she continued,you won't find a good girl.
Still nothing. " Are you even listening?"
"…Yes."
The answer came automatically empty.
Like he wasn't even there he walked past her slowly.Picked up his phone.His fingers moved quickly.
Message sent.
> Text me when you get home.
A second message followed.
Then another.
Then—
He stopped.
Stared at the screen then typed again.
Nuan… I don't understand what just happened.
He paused.
Deleted it.
Typed again.
Why did you act like that?
Another pause.
Then—
> If you tell me the reason, I'll understand.
His grip tightened slightly.His thoughts weren't clear but his feelings were.
> Are you not serious about me?
He stared at that line for a long time.Then sent it anyway.Because earlier… it didn't feel like that another pause.
Then why do you want to hide our relationship?.His jaw tightened slightly.If something about me bothers you… just tell me.
Message sent.
The screen went quiet.Seconds passed.
Then minutes.Each one slower than the last.
His mother was still talking in the background but he couldn't hear a single word.All his attention was locked on one thing.The phone.
Finally—
It vibrated.
One message.
He opened it immediately and read.
We only shared a kiss.His eyes didn't move.
And based on just one kiss…Something in his chest tightened.How can you think this far ahead, Yuxuan?
Silence.
That was it no explanation no emotion even no hesitation just—
Distance.
Yuxuan lowered the phone slowly.His grip loosened.His expression went still but his eyes—They told everything.The faint red in them.The way his gaze unfocused.The way his breathing slowed just slightly—
Like something inside him had been quietly… shut down not broken not shattered Just—
Pushed back.Behind him, his mother's voice continued but it's unnoticed unheard.
Because for the first time—
Yuxuan realized something.He had stepped forward and she had stepped back and the distance between them…
Was no longer small.