The shop was too quiet.
Even after everything was cleaned.
Even after the broken glass was gone.
Something still felt… off.
Morning Without Warmth
Yulan woke up alone.
That was the first thing he noticed.
The bed was empty.
Cold.
He sat up slowly, looking toward the door.
It was slightly open.
Li Wei was already gone.
Distance Begins
Downstairs, Chen Hao was sweeping lazily.
He glanced up when Yulan appeared.
"…Morning."
Yulan nodded.
"…Where's Li Wei?"
Chen Hao hesitated.
That was enough.
"…He left early," Chen Hao said.
"For what?"
"…Didn't say."
Yulan's chest tightened.
He didn't believe that.
Li Wei always said something.
Avoidance
When Li Wei finally returned later that day—
Everything felt different.
He didn't step close.
Didn't lean casually against the counter.
Didn't look at Yulan the same way.
"…You left early," Yulan said.
Li Wei nodded.
"…I had things to take care of."
"That's all?"
"That's enough."
The words were calm.
Too calm.
Tension Builds
Yulan stepped closer.
"…You're avoiding me."
Li Wei didn't respond.
"…Say something."
Silence.
Then—
"I think we should be more careful," Li Wei said.
Yulan stared at him.
"…Careful?"
Li Wei's voice stayed steady.
"What happened last night proved something."
"And what is that?"
"That this isn't safe anymore."
The Push Back
Yulan's jaw tightened.
"…It was never safe."
Li Wei didn't deny it.
"No. But now it's worse."
A pause.
Then—
"I don't want you involved in this."
Yulan let out a quiet, disbelieving breath.
"…You don't want me involved?"
Li Wei met his eyes.
"No."
The Break Begins
That word—
Hit harder than anything before.
Yulan stepped even closer now.
"…You don't get to decide that."
Li Wei's expression flickered.
Just for a second.
"…I do if it keeps you out of danger."
"And what about what I want?" Yulan asked, voice lower now.
Li Wei didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"This isn't about what you want."
Silence That Hurts
The space between them grew.
Not physically.
But something else.
Something harder to fix.
Yulan laughed softly—
But there was no humor in it.
"…So that's it?"
Li Wei stayed quiet.
Yulan nodded slowly.
"…You think pushing me away will fix everything."
Li Wei's voice softened slightly.
"It's not that simple."
"It never is," Yulan replied.
Chen Hao Steps In
"Okay, that's enough."
Both of them turned.
Chen Hao stood there, arms crossed.
Serious.
For once.
"You're both being stupid," he said.
"Stay out of this," Li Wei replied.
"No," Chen Hao said firmly. "I won't."
He looked at Li Wei.
"You think shutting him out is protecting him?"
Li Wei didn't answer.
Chen Hao turned to Yulan.
"And you—standing here acting like you're not scared?"
Yulan froze slightly.
"…I'm not."
Chen Hao sighed.
"You are. You're just choosing him anyway."
Silence.
Heavy.
True.
What Isn't Said
Li Wei looked at Yulan again.
Really looked this time.
And that made it worse.
Because nothing had changed.
And everything had.
"…I need time," Li Wei said finally.
Yulan's chest tightened.
"…For what?"
"To fix this."
"And where do I fit in that?"
Li Wei didn't answer.
Again.
A Quiet, Painful Moment
Yulan stepped back.
Just once.
Not running.
Not leaving.
But not standing as close anymore.
"…Fine," he said quietly.
"If that's how you want it."
Li Wei's hand twitched slightly—
Like he almost reached out.
But didn't.
End of Chapter 26