The house was quiet—too quiet.
A soft drizzle tapped against the tall windows, echoing faintly through the dimly lit living room. Xinyi stood in the kitchen, tying her hair into a loose bun as she washed the last of the dishes.
Upstairs, a door creaked open.
Yichen stepped out, looking almost relaxed for once after an impossibly long day. His tie was loose, the top button undone. The silence felt peaceful.
Until he saw it.
A long, brown shape near the hallway.
He froze.
His breath caught in his chest.
No. Not tonight. Anything but that.
The cockroach twitched its antennae and lifted its wings—
Yichen's pride evaporated instantly. He stumbled backward, hitting the wall with a dull thud.
At the sound, Xinyi immediately turned.
"Yichen? What happ—"
"Don't come!" he shouted, panic cracking his voice.
The cockroach darted straight toward him.
Yichen's entire poise crumbled in one second.
He bolted—not away, but toward Xinyi, grabbing her wrist instinctively like she was a shield sent from heaven.
"X—Xin Yi…" he whispered, voice trembling, "It's flying. It's flying."
Xinyi blinked once, twice. Her expression stayed perfectly calm.
"Where?" she asked.
He pointed shakily to the hallway where the creature now roamed like it owned the house.
"That thing," he said through clenched teeth. "It… attacked me."
Xinyi exhaled, tired but amused.
"Stay behind me."
Yichen didn't need to be told twice. He stood rigid behind her, pretending he wasn't scared even though every muscle betrayed him.
Xinyi stepped forward, broom in hand like a warrior lifting her sword. One swift strike—the cockroach fell lifeless. She crouched, scooped it with a tissue, and disposed of it with the efficiency of a trained assassin.
Yichen stood frozen—half shocked, half impressed.
"It's gone," Xinyi said, dusting her hands.
He didn't move. He just stared at her.
Slowly, she turned.
"Yichen? You're safe now."
He swallowed. Her hair was messy from the quick movement, a strand brushing her cheek. The kitchen light behind her outlined her silhouette perfectly.
She looked strong. Calm. Steady. Beautiful.
Something warm pressed into his chest—strange, unfamiliar.
Embarrassed, he shifted his gaze sharply, but not before catching the pink tint on his ears.
"Thank you," he murmured, voice low, softer than he intended.
Xinyi blinked. "For killing a cockroach?"
"No," he whispered, eyes flicking to hers again for a fleeting second.
"For… being here."
Their eyes held—just for a moment, long enough for Xinyi's breath to still and for Yichen's heartbeat to stumble.
Then—a drop of water fell from the ceiling.
Plip.
Xinyi leaned forward to inspect the leak, but the floor was slippery.
"Ah—!"
Her foot slid.
Instincts collided. Yichen reached for her arm, she reached for him—both trying to prevent a fall.
Big mistake.
Her hand slipped off his sleeve. His grip missed her waist.
For half a second, they froze, staring at each other in horror.
Then—THUD!
They fell—together. Straight onto the soft rug.
Xinyi landed half on his arm, half on his chest.
Yichen landed flat on his back, staring at the ceiling like his soul did a backflip.
"Are—Are you okay??" Xinyi asked, scrambling to sit up but slipping again, accidentally pressing her hand against his chest.
Yichen's breath hitched.
"I… I think I survived," he muttered, trying not to show how flustered he was.
Xinyi hurried to move, her hair brushing his cheek, and Yichen froze again.
"I—I didn't mean to fall on you—"
"It's okay," he said quickly. "It's… fine."
He cleared his throat, sitting up slowly as she finally got off him, cheeks burning.
The moment was awkward. Embarrassing. Chaotic.
But also warm. Soft. Unforgettable.
He looked at her—hair messy, face red, still apologizing—and something inside him tightened.
She wasn't perfect. She wasn't graceful. She wasn't a cliché heroine landing in someone's arms.
She was real. Chaotic. Strong. And unexpectedly… adorable.
He found himself smiling before he could stop it.
Xinyi noticed the smile.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Nothing," he said, looking away, ears pink.
Tonight, he didn't just fall on the floor with her.
He fell… a little more for her.
Neither moved for a second longer than necessary, both secretly aware that the floor wasn't the only thing that made their hearts skip.