The city buzzed faintly with life as dusk painted the streets in shades of gold and amber. Li Wei leaned against the doorway of the dumpling shop, his long hair falling loosely over one eye. He looked like a shadow that belonged neither entirely inside nor outside.
Yulan was wiping down the counters, his movements precise. His mind kept drifting to Li Wei's earlier glance — that faint smirk that lingered just a second too long. He shook his head. "It's nothing," he muttered to himself.
"You're muttering again," Li Wei said softly, walking closer. The light from the street lamp caught in his eyes, giving them a mischievous glint. "I like it when you focus, but… sometimes it's entertaining when you fluster."
Yulan froze. "…I'm not flustered." His voice was firmer than he felt.
Li Wei's smirk widened. He leaned slightly closer, the space between them narrowing just enough to make Yulan's pulse quicken. "Are you sure?"
Before Yulan could answer, Chen Hao burst in, waving a small notebook dramatically. "Emergency!"
Li Wei groaned. "What now?"
Chen Hao grinned, tugging Yulan gently by the arm. "Apparently someone in the alley said your dumplings are magical. People are lining up. You're going to have to handle a crowd."
Yulan's heart raced, but he took a deep breath. "…Alright."
As Yulan moved to the alley to handle the curious crowd, Li Wei's sharp eyes caught a suspicious figure lingering in the shadows. A man in a trench coat, too tall, too silent, watching the shop with a notebook in hand.
Li Wei moved silently behind the man, every step deliberate, and gave him a look over his shoulder — just enough to make the stranger flinch and disappear into the night.
Yulan, unaware of the small encounter, returned with the crowd dispersed. He found Li Wei leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"You're… always so calm," Yulan said quietly, almost a whisper.
Li Wei's gaze softened, but his smirk remained. "Someone has to be. Especially when others are… distracted." His eyes flicked to Yulan's hands, still dusted with flour. "Even more so when you're involved."
Yulan felt the heat rise again. "…I can handle myself."
"I know," Li Wei murmured, almost teasing. "But it's fun to pretend I don't."
They walked back into the shop side by side. Li Wei brushed past Yulan on purpose, shoulders touching lightly, just enough to make Yulan aware of the proximity.
"You really do have a way of making a mundane day… interesting," Yulan muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Li Wei tilted his head, eyebrow raised. "I could say the same. Though…" He paused, voice dropping slightly. "…sometimes I wonder if you enjoy the chaos more than you admit."
Yulan's heart raced, cheeks warming. "Maybe… maybe I do."
Li Wei's smirk deepened. "Careful, Yulan. Confessions like that could be… dangerous."
Chen Hao peeked from behind a counter with a grin. "Don't tease him too much! Or I'll have to step in — as the official wingman."
Li Wei rolled his eyes but didn't move away. For once, his presence wasn't threatening — it was warm, charged, and utterly magnetic.