The alarm clock ticked once, twice, then softly chimed, more a polite suggestion than a demand.
Lin Xinyi opened her eyes slowly. Sunlight slanted through the curtains, painting the room in lazy golden stripes.
Beside her, He Zhiyuan slept. His posture was unusually relaxed—arm bent beneath his head, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The sharp angles of his face softened in slumber, his jaw and lips caught in the warm light.
She studied him quietly. He always looked so composed, even as a child when she tried to pull his hair and stomped around the playground. Some things never changed.
Her fingers drifted over the sheet, hesitating before gently poking his chest.
Once. Nothing.
Twice. Still nothing.
"Vice President He," she murmured, her voice teasing but gentle, "your morning meeting starts in one hour."
A low hum escaped him, barely audible, like he was weighing whether to respond.
Lin Xinyi leaned closer, letting her hair brush his cheek. "If you don't wake up," she whispered, "I'll leave without you."
His lips curved slightly, eyes still closed.
"...Then I'd have to chase you."
Her breath caught. Just a fraction of a pause. And then she laughed softly.
"You wouldn't dare. Your reputation depends on it, Mr. Vice President."
He blinked awake slowly, gaze lingering on her. The room outside the bedroom—the morning sun, the familiar apartment—faded into background noise.
"You're very talkative in the morning, Mrs. He," he murmured.
She smiled, deliberately brushing it off. "Someone has to remind you you're human."
The apartment moved around them in quiet familiarity. Lin Xinyi filled the kettle; Zhiyuan came up behind her, barefoot, the faint scent of soap clinging to him. His arm brushed hers as he reached for the coffee jar.
"Excuse me," he said softly.
She didn't move. "You could have asked."
"I wanted to reach."
Her gaze flicked at him. "And?"
He smiled, the corner of his lips tilting, faintly smug. "And... I reached you."
She rolled her eyes, though the corners of her mouth betrayed her amusement. "Your flirting is getting worse."
"Only practiced on one person," he replied smoothly.
Breakfast passed in comfortable silence. Eggs, toast, coffee—the mundane lit by small touches and glances. He Zhiyuan scrolled through reports; she checked the company feed.
"Did you see?" she asked casually. "They're gossiping about the VP again. Something about a mysterious woman spotted near his car."
He glanced up, expression unreadable. "Oh?"
Her lips curved. "I didn't know I was mysterious."
He choked back a laugh. "Next time, don't run when someone calls your name in the parking lot."
"You said secrecy was important," she pointed out.
"I said discretion. Running looks suspicious," he countered, calm as ever.
Lin Xinyi swirled her coffee, an idea forming. "Then maybe I should walk straight into your arms next time. Less suspicious."
His gaze lifted, slow and deliberate. "Then I'd have no choice but to hold you."
"And make it even more suspicious," she teased back, a trace of challenge in her tone.
He tilted his head, a faint smile dancing across his features. "Some risks are worth it."
By the time they left, the apartment felt unusually small, cozy, like a world they had built just for themselves. She went first, hair tied neatly, calm executive mask on. He followed moments later, tie adjusted, expression composed.
They passed through the lobby. Employees greeted the day.
Their eyes met in the glass door reflection for a heartbeat. A shared smirk. Silent words.
Dangerous woman.
Yours.