The evening light filtered through the paper windows of the dumpling shop, turning everything into soft shades of amber. Yulan was wiping the counter, humming quietly to himself, when Li Wei walked in, holding a small stack of books under one arm.
"You always hum when you work?" Li Wei asked, tilting his head. "It's… distracting."
Yulan froze for a second, then smiled faintly. "…Is it?"
Li Wei leaned against the doorway, letting his long hair fall lazily over his shoulder. "Yes. But… in a good way."
Yulan's cheeks warmed. He looked down at his hands, pretending to adjust a dumpling tray. "…You notice everything."
Li Wei smirked. "I do. It's part of my job… noticing things." His eyes flicked toward Yulan's, holding the gaze a moment too long, just enough to make Yulan swallow hard.
Li Wei stepped closer, holding out one of the books. "Here. I thought you might like this. Something… light for after work."
Yulan took it, brushing fingers against Li Wei's in the process. The contact lingered longer than necessary, and neither pulled away immediately.
"…Thank you," Yulan murmured, his voice soft.
Li Wei's smirk softened into a gentle smile. "You don't have to say it. I like seeing you smile like that."
Yulan's stomach fluttered. "…I didn't know you cared about… how I smile."
"I notice everything," Li Wei repeated, this time quieter, almost a whisper.
Chen Hao appeared suddenly from behind a counter, holding a tray of dumplings. "Hey, stop flirting! You're making the dumplings jealous."
Li Wei rolled his eyes but didn't move. "Hao…"
Yulan chuckled softly. "He's always like this, huh?"
"Always," Chen Hao said, grinning. "And don't think I'm not taking notes. Someone's got to make sure the best bros don't mess this up."
Li Wei's lips twitched into a faint smile. "…You're impossible."
Later, when the shop quieted completely, Li Wei leaned back against the counter. Yulan, finishing the last task of the day, noticed the way the shadows played across Li Wei's face — warm, mysterious, teasing.
Without thinking, Yulan set down the cloth and took a step closer. Li Wei tilted his head, eyebrow raised, waiting.
"I… like being here," Yulan said softly, voice almost drowned in the golden light.
Li Wei's eyes softened. "I know." He took a slow step forward, close enough that their shoulders brushed lightly. "I like it too. More than I probably should."
Yulan's heart raced, heat creeping across his face. "You… you think about it too?"
Li Wei smirked, leaning just a fraction closer. "…Of course."
For a long moment, they stood like that — close enough to feel each other's presence, far enough to let the tension simmer. No words were necessary; the unspoken understanding filled the space between them.
Chen Hao, quietly clearing dishes nearby, gave a small, satisfied grin. "Perfect. Just perfect."