AN: Happy new years!! I wish you a great and prosperous 2026. I hope you achieve all your goals and accomplish great things. Happy reading!
Jian Ci nearly dropped the glass vial in his hand when he finally noticed Yu Xi standing in the doorway.
"Shit," he swore, eyes wide. "How long have you been standing there?"
Yu Xi's lips curled into a faint smile, arms folded as he leaned against the frame. "Long enough."
Jian Ci blinked, confused. He hadn't felt a thing. There was no shift in the air, no flicker of his presence and not even a whisper of psychic pressure. It wasn't like him to miss someone entering his space—especially not someone as psychically distinct as Yu Xi.
But then again… maybe he was just too distracted just now. Jian Ci shook the thought away and turned back to the counter. "I am making you some tea," he said, trying to sound casual. "It has a calming effect."
He glanced over his shoulder with a smile, but Yu Xi saw a flicker of something behind his eyes.
