The world seemed to stop.
Qing Yun's arms were still looped tightly around Gu Ze Yan, her cheek brushing the fine fabric of his coat. His heartbeat thudded solidly against her ear, steady, warm. For a single, unguarded moment she didn't move, didn't think. She just… stayed.
And then—her brain caught up.
Her entire body jolted like it had touched an electric wire. What was she doing?! Hugging him—just like that—out in the open, in front of her own apartment building?!
She stumbled back a step, cheeks burning crimson.
"I—uh—" Her mind scrambled. A thousand excuses, none of them good, flew by in panic. And then, somehow, the worst one tumbled out. "There was a… bee."
Ze Yan blinked at her, expression caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement. "A… bee?"
"Yes!" she said quickly, nodding so vigorously her hair bounced. "Flying right by your face. I was… protecting you. With my body."
Silence. A tiny winter breeze stirred between them, carrying the faint smell of laundry detergent from the stairwell.
Then, Gu Ze Yan laughed. Not his polite, businesslike chuckle, but a real laugh—low, unrestrained, bubbling from his chest until even his eyes crinkled.
Lin Qing Yun wanted to disappear into the tiles. She waved her hands frantically. "Don't laugh! It was a very serious bee!"
He only leaned closer, voice teasing, still warm from laughter. "Then… protect me longer."
Her heart skipped a beat. The words weren't loud, but the intimacy of them wrapped around her like invisible arms. She froze again, staring up at him, his breath brushing her cheek.
And then—like a cat escaping water—she wriggled free, spun on her heel, and bolted toward the stairwell.
Halfway up the first flight, her brain screamed: Wait—did I even say goodnight?
She skidded back down, nearly tripping on the last step, and burst out again, breathless. "Goodnight, Mr. Gu!"
Then she ran back up without waiting for his reply.
Two seconds later, her head popped back out. "Really—goodnight!"
She vanished again, door slamming shut behind her.
Ze Yan stood where she had left him, under the flickering light bulb above the gate. His lips curved slowly into a grin. For the first time in years, he felt… ridiculous. Ridiculously happy.
Inside the Apartment
Qing Yun pressed her back against the door, face burning. Her arms still remembered the warmth of him, her nose the faint clean scent of his cologne. She clapped her hands over her face and whispered, barely audible even to herself:
"Don't be greedy, Lin Qing Yun. He's not yours. He cares for someone else."
The words hung in the quiet room, heavy, unresolved. She closed her eyes and exhaled, long and shaky.
Ze Yan's Night
Back in his apartment, Ze Yan tossed his coat onto the sofa and loosened his tie. He poured himself a glass of water, drank half, set it down—and then lay flat on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her startled face, the way her smile bloomed despite her embarrassment. The way her warmth had fit perfectly against him.
He rolled over, restless, half-laughing at himself. "Gu Ze Yan, you're hopeless."
But the truth lingered, undeniable. He didn't just want her smile anymore. He wanted all of her.
--
The next morning, Qing Yun's phone buzzed while she was making congee. She answered with a spoon still in her hand.
"Miss Lin?" a mechanic's voice came through. "About your scooter. We checked it over. The engine's gone. Repair would cost more than buying new."
Her hand stilled. "…So it can't be fixed?"
"Sorry. It's too old. Not safe anymore."
She thanked him politely, hung up, and sank onto a chair. The spoon clinked against the bowl.
No scooter meant no delivery work. No delivery work meant… less money. She pressed her lips together, then shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's fine. I'll find something else. I have to."
Still, for the first time in a long while, she felt truly helpless.
--
The bell chimed as customers drifted in, their winter coats shaking off the cold. Lin Qing Yun wore her apron, smile in place, arranging books on the counter.
Beside her, Si Yao leaned on the desk, swinging her legs like a child despite being seventeen. "Jiejie, don't look so serious. You'll scare the poetry books."
Qing Yun reached out to fix her little sister's hair, smoothing a stray strand. "Poetry books need discipline."
But Si Yao saw the faint tiredness in her sister's eyes. "You're worried about losing the delivery job, right?"
Qing Yun laughed softly, tucking hair behind her ear. "Don't worry. I'll find something else. Quickly."
"Mm. I don't like seeing you work so hard," Si Yao said, pouting. Then her face brightened suddenly. "Ah—look who's here."
--
The bell chimed again. Gu Ze Yan stepped inside, tall and calm, carrying the faint scent of winter air with him.
Qing Yun's heart made an inconvenient jump. She forced her smile steady. "Welcome."
He nodded slightly, but his gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary. He had overheard enough of her conversation with Si Yao to piece the story together.
An idea..
After greeting him cheerfully, Si Yao suddenly brightened with a mischievous spark.
"Mr. Gu, can I ask you something?"
Ze Yan arched a brow. "Of course."
"Does your company need a part-time worker? My jiejie is amazing! You should hire her."
Qing Yun nearly dropped the pen in her hand. "Si Yao!"
But her sister was unstoppable. She leaned forward eagerly, eyes shining. "Her English score was almost perfect, she organizes everything like magic, she's hardworking, kind, everyone loves her… and she's very pretty. Don't you think so?"
Qing Yun covered her face with her hands. "Si Yao…"
Ze Yan's lips curved faintly. "I do think so."
Her hands slid lower in mortified defeat.
"And—" Si Yao pressed on triumphantly, "she always smiles, even when life is hard. That's why I call her 'Sunny.' She keeps the whole world bright for me."
Ze Yan's chest tightened. He looked at Qing Yun then, really looked at her. And he knew: Si Yao was right.
"I'm convinced," he said firmly. "Luminar can use someone like her."
Qing Yun's Panic
Qing Yun flapped her hands desperately. "No, no, no. It's fine! I'll find something else. I don't want to trouble you."
"It's not trouble," Ze Yan said gently, but with a note of steel. "You'll be helping me."
Si Yao clapped her hands. "Yes! Perfect! Jiejie, don't refuse. Think of it as fate!"
Qing Yun's cheeks burned. "I—"
Ze Yan leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Sunny, I'll pick you up at nine a.m. on Monday. Be ready."
She stared at him, scandalized. "You—you can't just decide like that!"
He smiled, unbothered. "Why not? I'm a very loyal customer. With very good manners."
Her jaw dropped. She remembered her own words from the other night. Her lips twitched despite herself. "…You're impossible."
"Impossible to refuse," he countered smoothly.
Si Yao cheered, hugging her sister. "See? Problem solved! Now you won't overwork yourself." She turned to Ze Yan with a mock-serious bow. "Thank you, Mr. Gu. Please take care of my jiejie."
"I intend to," he said simply, eyes never leaving Qing Yun.
Qing Yun bit her lip, caught between laughter and embarrassment. She swatted at her sister lightly, but her heart… her heart was no longer calm.
--
That night, in her room, she lay awake staring at the ceiling. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Across town, Ze Yan sat at his desk, the city lights painting lines across his face. He whispered into the quiet:
"Step by step, Lin Qing Yun. I'll make sure you never have to struggle alone again."