The air between them felt too tight.
Xiamen's breath caught as Hong Yi stepped closer, the faint hallway light cutting sharp lines against his face. His eyes were dark—stormy—and she suddenly realized:
He wasn't angry because she overheard him , because she want to avoid him
"Special treatment…" he repeated, voice low, trembling with something that made her chest tighten.
She opened her mouth to respond, but he moved again—just a step, but it felt like the ground shifted beneath her feet. The scent of rain clung to him, cold from the night air, warm underneath.
"Do you know," he murmured, "how long I've been holding back?"
Her heartbeat stumbled.
He wasn't supposed to say that.
He wasn't supposed to look at her like that.
She stepped back on instinct—but the wall came too quickly.
His hand lifted, then dropped halfway, fingers curling because he refused to cage her in.
"You keep avoiding me," he said, voice rough.
He looked away for one second—just one—but the pain flickering across his face was unmistakable.
"You don't trust me at all… do you?"
Xiamen's throat tightened.
"It's not that—"
"It is that."
He met her eyes again, and this time, something raw cracked through his composure.
"When have I ever lied to you? When have I ever done anything to make you think I would hurt you on purpose?"
She exhaled shakily. "Hong Yi, Idon't want to cling in the past .
" he whispered harshly, "do you act like you're afraid of me getting close?"
Her breath trembled, because she didn't have an answer—not one she could speak.
His gaze softened, but only slightly.
Anger was still there.
Hurt was still there.
But beneath it all… longing.
When he spoke again, his voice was softer—dangerously soft.
"I treat you differently because I can't help it."
Xiamen froze.
Hong Yi closed his eyes for a moment, as if admitting that cost him something.
When he opened them again, the storm in his gaze had deepened—but steadied.
"I sent someone to watch your father," he said quietly. "Because I knew what he has been planning. And I refuse to let him use you again."
She stared at him, shocked.
He took a breath that trembled slightly.
he said bitterly. "I was protecting you. Even if you'll hate me for it."
She blinked, stunned by the intensity pouring from him.
Hong Yi stepped closer, but slower this time—as if giving her the chance to move away.
She didn't.
His voice dropped to a whisper barely louder than the hum of the night air.
"Xiamen… I don't want you to be afraid of me."
Her lips parted.
"I'm not afraid," she whispered. Whatever is in my heart, there is nothing left for you. Not fear not well...
He stared at her—long, searching, deeply heart by her word
"Then stop running."
The words hit her like a heartbeat against her skin.
The silence around them thickened.
She didn't step closer.
She didn't step away.
She simply stood there, staring up at him, caught in the storm he had been hiding for years.
And for the first time…
she didn't look away.