The city felt different that morning.
Not quieter.
Not louder.
Just… heavier.
Yulan noticed it the moment he stepped outside. People were talking more than usual — voices low, glances quick.
And when he entered the shop—
They stopped.
Just for a second.
Then everything continued like normal.
But it wasn't.
The Name Appears
"Have you heard?"
Yulan paused mid-step.
Two women sat near the window, whispering.
"The Li family… they're arranging something."
"Of course they are. Their son is at that age."
"I heard the girl is from a very powerful family."
Yulan's fingers tightened slightly around the tray he was holding.
He didn't move.
"…What's her name?" one of them asked.
The other leaned closer.
"Lin Meiyu."
The name settled into the air like something permanent.
Yulan walked away before they could notice him listening.
Li Wei Arrives
When Li Wei entered later, nothing about him looked different.
Same calm expression.
Same steady presence.
But Yulan saw it now.
The distance that wasn't there before.
"…You're here," Yulan said.
Li Wei nodded.
"I said I would be."
Yulan hesitated.
Then—
"I heard something."
Li Wei's eyes flickered slightly.
"About… Lin Meiyu."
Silence.
Then Li Wei exhaled softly.
"…So it's already spreading."
Calm Truth (Not Over-Drama)
Yulan forced himself to stay steady.
"…Is it true?"
Li Wei didn't look away.
"They're considering it."
Yulan's chest tightened—
But Li Wei continued:
"I'm not."
The words were simple.
Clear.
No hesitation.
Yulan blinked.
"…You're not?"
Li Wei shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
Then, quieter:
"I told you already. I don't plan to marry someone I don't care about."
Yulan looked down, letting that settle.
"…Okay."
This time—
He believed him.
Chen Hao: The Situation Analyst
From behind the counter, Chen Hao popped up like he had been waiting for his moment.
"Ah. So we have a name now."
Both of them looked at him.
Li Wei sighed.
"…You've been listening again."
Chen Hao nodded proudly.
"Of course. This is high-level drama."
"It's not drama," Li Wei said flatly.
Chen Hao pointed between them.
"Two people secretly in love, rich family pressure, possible arranged marriage? That's literally drama."
Yulan covered his face slightly.
"…Please stop saying it like that."
Chen Hao grinned.
"Relax. I'm on your side."
Then, quieter — but still light:
"I've got you both."
Light Action Moment
That afternoon, Yulan stepped outside to deliver an order to a nearby stall.
The street was crowded, but something felt off again.
A man bumped into him hard.
Too hard.
Yulan stumbled slightly, nearly dropping the food.
"Watch it," the man muttered.
But his hand lingered near Yulan's pocket.
Yulan noticed.
Before he could react—
A hand grabbed the man's wrist.
Firm.
Controlled.
Li Wei.
"You're not very subtle," Li Wei said calmly.
The man tried to pull away.
"…Let go."
Li Wei's grip tightened just enough.
"I suggest you leave."
The man hesitated—
Then pulled back and disappeared into the crowd.
Yulan stared.
"…You followed me?"
Li Wei released his hand slowly.
"I noticed him earlier."
Yulan exhaled.
"…Thank you."
Li Wei looked at him.
"You don't need to thank me for that."
A Quiet but Intense Moment
Back inside the alley behind the shop, the noise of the street faded again.
Yulan turned to him.
"…Things are getting more complicated."
Li Wei nodded.
"Yes."
"…Your family. That girl. People watching."
Li Wei stepped closer.
"And?"
Yulan hesitated.
"…And I don't want this to become something that hurts you."
Li Wei's expression softened.
"…Too late for that."
Yulan looked up.
"What do you mean?"
Li Wei reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against Yulan's wrist.
"I already care."
The words were quiet.
But heavy.
Yulan's breath caught slightly.
"…Li Wei—"
Li Wei leaned in, voice low:
"So don't start stepping back now."
Yulan didn't.
Chen Hao (Respectfully Leaving)
From the shop window, Chen Hao saw everything.
He slowly turned around.
"…Yeah, I'm not interrupting that."
Then he grabbed a random bowl and pretended to be very busy.