After the hot spring incident, Xiaoyu's heart behaved like a misbehaving cat.
It jumped, ran, hid, panicked… and refused to listen.
Meanwhile, Li Junhao acted like nothing happened.
Except he looked at her more.
Stood closer.
Talked softer.
Which made everything worse.
Or better.
Or both.
---
The Walk Back to the Resort
The group walked back from the hot springs to the resort building.
Xiaoyu walked behind everyone, pretending to admire the lanterns.
But someone slowed down to match her steps.
Junhao.
He walked beside her, hands in his pockets, completely calm.
"Your hair is still wet," he said quietly.
"Oh—yeah, it dries slowly."
"You'll catch a cold."
"I'll be fine."
He stopped walking, turned slightly, and bent down.
Before she could react, he gently placed his hand on her head and moved her closer under his umbrella.
"Stay close."
Her brain melted into warm soup.
---
The Tea Lounge Moment
Later that night, some employees gathered in the resort's tea lounge to relax.
Xiaoyu went in for some hot tea, hoping to avoid Junhao so she could calm her heart.
Unsuccessful.
He arrived two minutes later, holding two cups.
He placed one in front of her.
"Ginger tea," he said lightly.
"Helps after hot springs."
She blinked.
"You… remembered I don't like green tea?"
"I remember everything about you."
She almost dropped the cup.
The room went silent.
People pretended not to stare.
But they stared.
Chen Mei mouthed:
KISS. HIM. NOW.
Xiaoyu nearly choked on air.
---
The Balcony
Later, when most people went back to their rooms, Xiaoyu stepped out onto the small balcony connected to the lounge.
Soft wind.
Dim lights.
Quiet night.
She leaned against the railing, trying to organize her confused feelings.
Then the door slid open behind her.
She didn't need to look to know who it was.
Junhao stepped beside her, not too close, but close enough.
"You've been avoiding me."
"I—I wasn't—"
"You were."
Silence.
The sound of distant insects.
The warm smell of wood and spring water.
Her voice came out soft.
"…I didn't know how to talk to you."
"Why?"
"Because…"
She looked down at her hands.
"Because I'm scared."
"Of me?"
"No! Of… this."
Her cheeks burned.
"Of what I feel."
Junhao stood quietly.
Then he turned to her.
"Xiaoyu."
She met his eyes.
Gentle.
Warm.
Certain.
"I like you."
"A lot more than you think."
Her breath hitched.
He lifted his hand slowly, giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear — warm fingers brushing her cheek.
"If you'll allow me," he whispered,
"I want to be close to you."
Xiaoyu's heartbeat raced.
Her lips parted.
"I… I want that too."
He leaned in—just a little.
Slow.
Careful.
Close enough for her to feel his breath.
Close enough that a kiss was seconds away—
"HEY! EVERYONE! MIDNIGHT SNACKS! FREE NOODLES!"
Someone from the staff shouted, bursting onto the balcony.
Xiaoyu jumped back like she'd been electrocuted.
Junhao straightened, clearing his throat.
The staff member blinked.
"Uh… sorry. Did I interrupt something?"
Junhao answered coolly,
"Yes."
Xiaoyu answered quickly,
"NO!"
The man looked confused.
"Okay… I'll just… go."
He vanished.
Xiaoyu covered her face with her hands.
"I want to disappear."
Junhao's lips curved slightly.
"Don't."
His voice softened.
"I'm not done with you yet."
Her heart flipped so hard it almost escaped her chest.
---