The morning rush came earlier than usual.
By the time Yulan finished tying his apron, the shop was already filled with voices, steam, and the clatter of bowls. Outside, bicycles lined the street, and neighbors leaned in through the doorway, chatting as they waited.
Yulan moved quickly, focused.
But he could feel it.
Eyes.
More than usual.
"Two pork, one vegetable!" someone called.
"Coming!" Yulan replied, placing the baskets down neatly.
As he turned, his gaze caught something familiar at the doorway.
Li Wei.
Standing there like he always did — calm, composed, completely out of place and yet somehow… exactly where he wanted to be.
Yulan's hands paused for just a second too long.
A woman near the counter noticed.
"…He's here again," she whispered to her friend.
Yulan heard it.
And this time—
He didn't ignore it.
Public Attention
Li Wei stepped inside, unbothered by the crowd.
"Busy today," he said, voice low, almost amused.
Yulan nodded, trying to stay focused. "…Morning rush."
Li Wei watched him for a moment.
Then, deliberately, he rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll help."
Yulan blinked.
"You don't have to—"
"I know," Li Wei said calmly. "But I want to."
Before Yulan could stop him, Li Wei stepped behind the counter.
The entire shop went quiet for half a second.
Then—
"…Is that—"
"Second Young Master?"
"He's working here?"
Yulan felt his face heat up.
"Li Wei—"
But Li Wei was already tying an apron like he belonged there.
"…What?" he said casually. "You look like you need help."
Yulan stared at him.
"…You're going to ruin your clothes."
Li Wei smirked slightly.
"Then you'll have to take responsibility."
Yulan nearly dropped the dumpling tray.
Flirty Heat Under Pressure
Working side by side wasn't easy.
Not when Li Wei kept standing just a little too close.
Not when their hands brushed every few minutes.
Not when Li Wei would lean in and quietly say things like:
"You're slower today."
Yulan frowned. "I am not."
Li Wei leaned closer.
"You're distracted."
Yulan's breath hitched.
"…I'm working."
Li Wei's voice dropped slightly.
"Are you?"
Yulan turned quickly, almost bumping into him.
For a moment—
They were too close.
The noise of the shop faded into the background.
Then Chen Hao's voice cut in loudly:
"WOW. This is a disaster."
Both of them jumped apart.
Chen Hao the Savior (and Problem)
Chen Hao stood at the entrance, arms crossed, shaking his head dramatically.
"Li Wei, you? Helping? The world is ending."
Li Wei didn't even look at him.
"Go sit down."
"No," Chen Hao said, walking in and grabbing a dumpling. "I'm staying right here. This is too entertaining."
He leaned toward Yulan and whispered loudly:
"You okay? He's not bullying you, right?"
Yulan choked slightly. "No!"
Chen Hao nodded seriously.
"Good. Because if he is, I'll—"
"You'll what?" Li Wei asked without looking up.
Chen Hao paused.
"…I'll watch."
Yulan couldn't help it.
He laughed.
After the Rush
When the crowd finally cleared, the shop fell into a soft quiet again.
Yulan wiped the counter slowly.
Li Wei stood beside him, sleeves still rolled up, hair slightly out of place.
For once, he didn't look like the polished heir everyone expected.
He looked… real.
"You didn't have to do that," Yulan said quietly.
Li Wei glanced at him.
"I know."
"…Then why?"
Li Wei's expression softened.
"Because I wanted to be here."
Yulan's chest tightened slightly.
"…People are talking."
Li Wei shrugged.
"They always do."
Yulan hesitated.
"…Does it bother you?"
Li Wei looked at him fully now.
"No."
A pause.
Then, more quietly:
"Does it bother you?"
Yulan opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
"…No."
Not really.
Not when you're here.
A Small, Private Moment
Later, when Chen Hao stepped outside to "get fresh air" (and definitely not to give them space), Li Wei reached out and adjusted Yulan's sleeve.
"You have flour here," he said.
Yulan froze.
"…You could have just told me."
Li Wei didn't move his hand immediately.
"I could have."
Their eyes met.
Yulan's voice dropped.
"…You're doing that on purpose."
Li Wei smirked slightly.
"Maybe."
Yulan shook his head, but there was a small smile on his lips now.
"…You're unbelievable."
Li Wei leaned closer, just enough that no one outside could see.
"And you still like me."
Yulan didn't answer.
But he didn't move away either.
End of Chapter 14