Floor 46 standby lounge, cold white lighting.
Su Wan clutched the medical kit, forcing the man onto the sofa.
"Stretch out your arm!"
Lu Tingchen raised an eyebrow. Though ordered for the first time, he complied without protest.
The wound wasn't deep, but it stretched over four inches, a winding trail of blood.
She disinfected it with iodine swabs, her fingertips trembling as each touch felt like handling a fragile work of art.
The man lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on her trembling lashes. His voice was low and hoarse:
"Why are you trembling? Afraid of blood?"
"I'm afraid you'll hurt again."
Those four words caused a hollow ache to form in Lu Tingchen's chest.
Suddenly, he reached out, covering the back of her hand, guiding her as they carefully wiped away the bloodstains.
"I'm not hurt. Continue."
After bandaging the wound, Su Wan tied the knot, but the bow ended up crooked to one side.
Just as she reached to undo it, the man chuckled softly:
"Leave it. It's rather cute."
The lounge held only a single sofa. He sat, she crouched—their posture suggestive.
Su Wan tried to stand, but her legs were numb. She stumbled forward—
Her lips brushed against his collarbone, leaving a damp trail.
The air froze.
His Adam's apple bobbed as his palm clamped around her waist, his voice hoarse and terrifying:
"Throwing yourself at me?"
"I... my legs went numb..."
"Then don't move."
He carried her to the armrest of the sofa, slipping off her high heels with one hand. His fingertips pressed against her ankle with just the right amount of pressure.
"Still numb?"
"Much... much better..."
But he didn't let go. His fingertips traced the curve of her calf, slowly moving upward until they rested in the hollow of her knee.
"Su Wan." His voice was low and husky. "In the elevator just now... you held me."
"...Thank you."
"Not thanks. Accountability."
Su Wan's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Lu Tingchen lowered his head, his thin lips brushing against her earlobe as he spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Once you hold me, you hold me forever."
The moment the man finished speaking, the lights in the lounge flickered and went out with a hiss—
The entire floor plunged into darkness. In the blackness, his fingertips traced her lip, his voice barely audible:
"Now, continue to take responsibility."