The rain hadn't stopped by the time they reached the end of the market street.
It had become softer now, barely more than a mist, settling on the shoulders of their coats.
Yulan walked beside Li Wei without speaking.
Neither seemed in a hurry to leave.
The road ahead split in two.
One direction led toward the western market.
The other toward the Li estate.
They stopped beneath the weak yellow light of a streetlamp.
"We should go," Yulan said.
Li Wei nodded.
Neither moved.
Yulan looked down at the wet stones.
"Li Wei."
"Hm?"
"Back then..."
He hesitated.
"I thought you didn't care."
Li Wei's expression changed.
"I know."
"I thought you had chosen your family."
"I know."
"And when I heard about the engagement..."
His voice became quieter.
"I believed you."
Li Wei looked away for a moment.
"I should have found you."
Yulan looked at him.
"You tried?"
"Not enough."
There was no excuse in his voice.
Just regret.
"I thought if I kept you away from my family, you'd be safer."
Yulan gave a small, humorless laugh.
"You made that decision for me."
"I know."
Another silence.
The rain tapped softly against the awning above them.
"I was angry with you," Yulan admitted.
"I know."
"I still am."
Li Wei almost smiled.
"That's fair."
Yulan finally looked directly at him.
"But I'm tired of being angry."
Something in Li Wei's face softened.
He stepped closer.
Not enough to touch.
Just enough for Yulan to feel the warmth of him despite the cold rain.
"Yulan."
His name sounded different in Li Wei's voice.
Quiet.
Careful.
Almost like an apology.
Yulan swallowed.
"Don't say something you don't mean."
"I won't."
Li Wei lifted his hand slowly.
He stopped before touching Yulan's face, giving him every opportunity to step away.
Yulan didn't.
Li Wei's fingers brushed lightly against his cheek.
Yulan closed his eyes.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Yulan leaned forward.
The kiss was soft.
Almost hesitant.
Nothing like the dramatic scenes Yulan had imagined during the months they had been apart.
It was simply warm.
Familiar.
A little painful.
Li Wei kissed him back.
Neither rushed.
When they separated, they remained close enough that their foreheads almost touched.
Yulan breathed out shakily.
"I missed you."
Li Wei closed his eyes.
"I missed you too."
This time, neither pretended otherwise.
A second kiss followed.
Longer.
Still gentle.
Still restrained.
But carrying everything they hadn't been able to say.
When they finally pulled apart, Yulan gave a small laugh.
"We're supposed to be investigating a missing bookkeeper."
Li Wei smiled.
"We are."
"We're terrible investigators."
"I disagree."
"Why?"
"Because I found something."
Yulan raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Li Wei looked at him.
"You."
Yulan stared at him for two seconds.
Then shook his head.
"That was terrible."
"I know."
"But..."
Yulan smiled.
"...I'll allow it."
They stood there for another moment before finally separating.
This time, it was Yulan who reached for Li Wei's hand.
Only for a few seconds.
A small gesture.
Hidden beneath the shadow of the awning.
Then he let go.
"Tomorrow."
Li Wei nodded.
"Tomorrow."
Yulan walked away.
After several steps, he turned around.
Li Wei was still standing there.
Watching him.
Yulan smiled.
Then disappeared around the corner.
Li Wei remained beneath the streetlamp until the rain finally stopped.