Xinyi quietly pushed open the apartment door, stepping inside in simple casual clothes—a soft white T-shirt and jeans.
She didn't look tired.
She didn't look like she came from "nowhere," as she always claimed.
Inside her mind, she whispered:
"I knew you'd be at home…"
The living room was dim and warm.
Lu Yichen sat on the sofa, leaning back, scrolling through documents on his tablet.
The moment he heard her footsteps, he lifted his head.
His gaze stayed on her… longer than usual.
"Where were you?"
His tone was calm. Too calm.
Xinyi blinked, keeping her expression neutral.
"I went to meet my friends. Just a small gathering."
Yichen's eyes drifted slowly over her clothes… her relaxed posture… her expression.
She didn't look like someone who spent the evening wandering without purpose.
"You returned later than usual," he said.
Her heartbeat tightened.
He noticed?
"I… lost track of time," she replied quickly. "We were just talking."
Lu Yichen closed his tablet and stood up, walking toward her.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Just unreadable.
"Next time," he said softly,
"at least send a message if you'll come home late."
Xinyi froze.
Why did that sound like… concern?
She lowered her eyes.
"…Okay."
He nodded once and walked past her, his shoulder brushing hers lightly.
Her breath caught.
Why did such a simple question feel dangerous?
Yichen walked to the dining table, loosening his shirt cuffs.
The untouched dinner sat neatly arranged.
He rested a hand on the back of a chair, exhaling slowly.
"Why did I even ask…?"
This wasn't a real marriage.
He had no right to care.
But when she said she had dinner with friends…
something inside him had tightened in a way he didn't understand.
As he sat down, Xinyi approached.
"Do you want dinner?" he asked casually.
Xinyi hesitated.
"I… already ate. With my friends."
For a moment, a faint expression flickered in his eyes.
"Oh."
Just one soft word.
Quiet. Empty.
Xinyi stepped back.
"I'll go rest," she whispered.
He finally looked up.
He watched her small figure walk away, her door closing behind her.
A strange coldness settled in his chest.
He stared at the untouched plate.
"Ridiculous… I shouldn't care."
But the feeling didn't leave.
Suddenly..
POP.
The lights went out.
A violent gust of wind slammed against the windows.
Lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening roar of thunder.
Xinyi froze in her room, hugging her knees.
Every flash made her flinch.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
"Xinyi?"
Lu Yichen's deep voice came from outside. "Are you alright?"
Another thunderbolt struck.
She gasped loudly.
That was enough for him.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, sleeves rolled up, the storm's light reflecting across his sharp face.
"What happened?" he asked gently.
"I-I'm afraid of thunder…" she whispered.
He paused.
Something softened in his eyes.
"…I'll stay here until the power returns."
Before she could respond—
BEEP.
Her phone lit up.
A video call was still active.
Shin Meng's face appeared.
"AH—Is that your husband?!"
Xinyi panicked.
"Y-yes! I'll call later!"
She hung up quickly.
Yichen raised an eyebrow but didn't question it.
Then—
CRAAACK!
The loudest thunder roared.
Xinyi flinched hard, covering her ears, shaking.
Without thinking, Yichen moved closer.
He gently placed a hand on her head, fingers brushing through her hair.
"Hey… it's alright."
His voice was deep, warm—softer than she had ever heard.
Her eyes widened.
"Y-Yichen… what are you doing?"
For once, he didn't look away.
"I'm your husband."
She opened her mouth.
"But this marriage—"
He cut her off, voice calm and firm.
"Contract or not… legally, you are my wife."
Her heart trembled.
"What are you trying to say?"
For a moment, something flickered in his gaze.
Then he hid it.
"…Nothing. Just sleep."
The storm began to fade.
Her breathing slowed.
Little by little, she drifted into sleep beside him.
The lights returned with a soft hum.
Yichen rose quietly so he wouldn't wake her.
He walked to the window.
The thunder had stopped, but his thoughts were louder than ever.
"I shouldn't have cared…"
His eyes lowered.
"…But I did. Why?"