After confession, the world did not suddenly change.
But they did.
And that was enough to make everything around them feel slightly unfamiliar.
Not distant.
Just… redefined.
[ Hospital Entrance | Anxin POV]
Anxin was at the hospital earlier than usual.
She wasn't tired.
Not exactly.
But she was aware of something she couldn't ignore anymore—
the way her thoughts kept drifting to one person even when she had nothing to think about.
And as expected—
he was already there.
Wang Hedi.
Waiting.
Not impatient.
Not formal.
Just there like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She stopped in front of him.
"…you're early again," she said softly.
"I was on time," he replied.
She smiled slightly.
"You're redefining time now?"
"I am redefining priority."
That made her pause briefly.
Before she could respond, he reached for her hand.
No hesitation.
No checking surroundings.
Just took it.
Anxin blinked.
"…you're very bold now."
"I stopped hiding what is already true."
That sentence made her look at him longer than usual.
They walked through the hospital corridor together.
A few people noticed.
Of course they did.
But Hedi didn't release her hand.
Not once.
A nurse passed by, glancing slightly longer than necessary.
Anxin noticed.
Hedi noticed too.
But instead of reacting coldly—
he simply stepped slightly closer to Anxin.
Subtle.
Protective.
Open.
Anxin tilted her head.
"…jealous?" she teased softly.
"I am aware," he replied.
"That's not what I asked."
A pause.
"…yes."
That single word made her smile.
Later, in the corridor, Anxin slowed down deliberately.
Hedi matched her pace immediately.
She glanced at him.
"…you follow me too easily now."
"I always did."
"You just admit it now."
That made him look at her for a moment longer.
Then she lightly tapped his arm.
"You're getting softer."
"I am getting honest."
"That sounds like the same thing."
"It is not."
She smiled faintly.
"I like it though."
That made him pause slightly.
Later that day, a senior staff member approached Anxin again.
His tone was calm.
But intentional.
"You've changed recently," he said.
Anxin didn't look up immediately.
"…have I?"
"People are talking."
"That sounds like a people problem."
Not emotional.
Just clean.
He smirked slightly.
"Or a favoritism problem."
Before Anxin could respond—
a voice came from behind.
Calm.
Cold.
Final.
"Say it again."
Wang Hedi.
Standing behind her.
Not aggressive.
But absolute.
The staff member hesitated.
"…Mr. Wang, I was just—"
Hedi stepped forward.
Close enough that the tone changed instantly.
"She does not require explanation to you."
Pause.
Then added:
"She is mine."
Silence.
The corridor froze.
Anxin turned slightly toward him.
Not surprised this time.
Just watching.
When the staff left quickly, she looked at him.
"…you didn't hesitate at all."
"I had no reason to."
"That was very public."
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"…you're really done hiding."
"I stopped seeing a reason to."
Later, when things calmed, Anxin gathered her things to leave.
Hedi stood near her.
Watching.
Quiet.
Then—
"…stay a little longer," he said.
Anxin paused.
Looked at him.
"…you're saying that now?"
"Yes."
A beat.
"…why?"
His voice lowered slightly.
"Because when you leave too soon… I notice."
That made her pause.
Not dramatically.
Just softly.
Then she smiled.
"…you're becoming dependent."
"I am becoming aware."
"That's worse."
"It is honest."
And instead of leaving immediately—
she stayed.
Just a little longer.
Outside the hospital, night had settled gently.
The air was quieter now.
Less structured.
More real.
They stood near the car.
Not speaking.
Just existing in the same space.
Anxin looked at him.
"…you've been looking at me differently today."
"I have been looking at you correctly," he replied.
She smiled.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is not."
A pause.
"…it is unavoidable."
She stepped slightly closer.
Not teasing this time.
Not joking.
Just closer.
"…what if I leave tomorrow?" she asked softly.
That question changed the air instantly.
Hedi didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…you will not."
"That's confidence."
"That is observation."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…you're annoying when you're sure."
"And you are quiet when you are not."
That made her pause.
Then she smiled.
"…I'm not quiet now."
"No."
A beat.
"…you are here."
That was the moment.
No rush.
No force.
Just inevitability.
His graze dropped on her pink lips,licking his own.
barely controlling himself.
Hedi stepped closer.
Not sudden.
Not hesitant.
Just certain.
And gently—
he kissed her.
Soft.
Unrushed.
Warm.
A moment that didn't need explanation.
Anxin didn't move away.
Not even slightly.
Kissed him back.
When they pulled back, she blinked once.
"…you're very bold," she said softly.
"Yes."
"…no hesitation at all?"
"No."
That made her smile slightly.
"…good."
She leaned slightly closer again.
"…you should ask next time."
"I just did not want distance."
"That sounds like an excuse."
"It is truth."
She smiled.
"…then I might let you do it again."
That made him pause.
And made him kiss her again more aggressively, pining her against the car.
not caring about the surroundings but only caring about loving her.
The kiss deepened.
He finally moved back kissing her forehead trying to control himself,
"That was..."
"Awesome..., are u going to say that princess." he said a smirk on his face making her hug him hiding in his hard chest.
He just smiled at her cuteness.
Later, before she got into the car, Hedi spoke again.
Calm.
Direct.
"…come to my home."
Anxin blinked slightly.
"…again?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"…stay there."
She turned slightly toward him.
"…are you asking or deciding?"
His voice lowered.
"…asking."
Then added:
"…but I want you there."
Silence.
Anxin looked at him for a long moment.
Then softly:
"…I'll think about it."
A faint smile.
"… Didi Wang ."
And she got into the car.
He didn't stop her.
But he also didn't look away.