The silence in the room felt too tight, like it had been sewn shut. Lian Yue stood near the window with the soft evening light touching her hair, making her look painfully gentle… and painfully far away.
He still heard her voice from earlier.
"I never stopped liking him."
That sentence had carved itself into him.
But he walked toward her slowly, forcing his breathing to stay calm.
"Yueyue," he said quietly, "look at me."
She didn't move.
"Lian Yue," he said again, firmer this time.
She finally turned, her eyes red but steady. "I know what you think of me now."
He shook his head. "No. I think you're someone who was hurting. Someone who didn't know how to let go."
Her lips trembled at that.
Rian Zhao stepped closer, lifting her chin gently. "But I'm not going anywhere."
She froze.
"You think using me is enough to make me leave?" he murmured. "Yueyue… I came into this knowing you didn't love me yet."
Her breath caught.
"I'm not Wei Jun. I don't crumble because of a letter."
His thumb brushed her cheek.
"I stay."
Her eyes widened, soft, confused, unsure.
For the first time, she whispered, "Why?"
"Because," he murmured, "you're worth fighting for — even if you can't see it yet."
Her body shook, a tear escaping before she could stop it.
And Rian Zhao finally pulled her into his arms.
She didn't push him away.
Not this time.
---
Lian Yue's POV
His heartbeat was loud. Steady. Burning through her ribs like warmth she didn't deserve.
"I'm really terrible," she whispered into his chest.
"No," he said, tightening his hold, "you're just scared."
Her throat closed.
She wanted to say he was wrong, but the words wouldn't come.
After a moment, she stepped back, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"There's something else I haven't told you yet."
Rian Zhao's brows lifted. "More secrets?"
Her head dipped. "Tomorrow… Wei Jun and Lin Xinya are revealing their engagement date."
His jaw clenched. "Of course they are."
"And…" She inhaled deeply. "My father wants to move up our marriage talk. The bride price meeting is happening in five days."
Rian Zhao blinked.
"Five days?"
She nodded. "My parents said since both families already met… there's no reason to delay."
There was a moment of silence.
Then—
"Okay."
She stared. "You're… okay with it?"
"Yueyue," he said, lifting her chin again, "if you need time, I'll wait. If you don't want this, I'll walk away. But if your family wants an official marriage talk—"
His thumb stroked her jaw.
"—then I'll show them exactly how serious I am."
Her breath trembled.
He wasn't playing. He wasn't pretending.
He meant every word.
Then he added softly:
"But next time you hide something… at least let it be something less dramatic."
Despite everything, she laughed — a short, broken sound.
He smiled faintly.
"There it is," he whispered, brushing a kiss against her forehead.
"That laugh. I've been trying to hear it all day."
Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.
She didn't tell him she almost kissed him back.
She didn't tell him she was still confused.
But she held onto his sleeve — a small, trembling gesture.
And Rian Zhao noticed.
His eyes softened, warm enough to melt her defenses.
"We'll face everything," he murmured, "but together this time."
Lian Yue didn't reply.
She just kept holding onto him.
And for right now… that was enough.