The morning felt… off.
Not loud. Not quiet.
Just wrong.
The Day Begins Without Him
Yulan noticed it immediately.
Li Wei wasn't there.
No quiet footsteps.No calm presence by the door.No low voice teasing him while he worked.
Just… absence.
He kept working anyway.
"Two pork, one vegetable," he said automatically.
But his timing was off.
His movements slower.
Even the dumplings didn't feel the same.
Chen Hao Notices
"You folded that one wrong," Chen Hao said casually, leaning over the counter.
Yulan paused.
"…I didn't."
Chen Hao picked it up.
"This is your third 'perfect' mistake today."
Yulan sighed.
"…I'm just tired."
Chen Hao studied him for a second.
Then, softer:
"He went to the meeting, right?"
Yulan didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
At the Li Estate
The room was quiet in the worst way.
Everything polished.
Everything controlled.
Li Wei sat across from his father and the Lin family.
Lin Meiyu was there too — composed, calm, watching him carefully.
"Li Wei," his father began, voice smooth but firm, "this is an important step for both families."
Li Wei didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he looked at the tea in front of him.
Still.
Untouched.
"I understand," he said finally.
Lin Meiyu spoke gently:
"You don't seem interested."
Li Wei glanced at her.
"…I'm not."
There was no hesitation.
No attempt to soften it.
Just truth.
The room shifted.
His father's expression hardened slightly.
"This is not a matter of interest. It is responsibility."
Li Wei's jaw tightened.
"…Then I'll take responsibility in my own way."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Back at the Shop
Yulan stepped outside for a moment, needing air.
The street was the same.
But it didn't feel the same.
Chen Hao followed, hands in his pockets.
"You look like someone stole your favorite dumpling," he said.
Yulan let out a small laugh.
"…That's a terrible comparison."
Chen Hao shrugged.
"I try."
A pause.
Then—
"You miss him."
Yulan didn't deny it this time.
"…Yeah."
Chen Hao nodded.
"That's normal."
Then, more seriously:
"But don't start doubting everything just because he's not here for one day."
Yulan looked at him.
"…You really think he'll come back like nothing changed?"
Chen Hao smiled slightly.
"No."
Yulan's chest tightened.
Chen Hao continued:
"I think he'll come back… trying even harder."
Return
It was late when Li Wei finally returned.
The shop was closed.
Lights dim.
Yulan was still there.
Waiting.
The door opened quietly.
Li Wei stepped in.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
The Distance Between Them
"You're late," Yulan said softly.
Li Wei nodded.
"…It took longer than expected."
Yulan looked at him carefully.
"…How did it go?"
Li Wei hesitated.
"…About as well as you'd think."
That was all he said.
But it was enough.
A Different Kind of Closeness
Yulan stepped closer.
"…You look tired."
Li Wei let out a quiet breath.
"I am."
For once—
He didn't hide it.
Yulan reached out and gently took his hand.
"…Then stay."
Simple.
Honest.
Li Wei looked at him.
Something in his expression softened.
"…I want to."
No Words Needed
They sat together in silence.
Not talking.
Not moving much.
Just… there.
Shoulders touching lightly.
Hands still loosely connected.
No teasing.
No jokes.
Just quiet understanding.
Chen Hao (Respectfully Gone)
From the stairs, Chen Hao peeked for exactly one second—
Then turned around immediately.
"…Yeah. Not interrupting that."
End of Chapter 21