Morning light filtered into the penthouse through sheer drapes, soft and unassuming, but Bai Zhiqi felt anything but calm. She lingered in the hallway longer than necessary, fingers grazing the wall like it could ground her. Last night's kiss still pressed against her lips, unwilling to fade with the sunrise.
She stepped out slowly, steadying her face. She wasn't even surprised to find Ji Lanxue and Xiao Lin already sprawled across the living room, half-eaten snacks in hand and a movie paused on the screen.
"She's awake," Xiao Lin noted casually without even turning. "Took you long enough. Did you cry yourself to sleep?"
Bai Zhiqi narrowed her eyes. "I wasn't even asleep."
Ji Lanxue stretched lazily. "You missed the best scene. We were rewatching that old movie last night—'Falling Over You.' Remember?"
Bai Zhiqi froze mid-step.
"Oh my God," Xiao Lin groaned dramatically. "The tension. That kiss at the end of episode sixteen? I felt it in my soul. Literal chills."
Ji Lanxue chuckled. "And the next morning, she came out all flustered, pretending nothing happened while the guy just sat there drinking coffee like he didn't just ruin her life."
Xiao Lin clapped his hands. "Exactly! The audacity. Meanwhile she couldn't even make eye contact. Face red. Voice shaking. Whole trauma unlocked."
Bai Zhiqi's ears burned.
She looked anywhere but at Ji Yanluo, who had just stepped into the space behind her. Her pulse picked up, but he moved with practiced ease, walking past her like last night hadn't changed anything.
Ji Lanxue kept going. "That's the thing about those types of kisses. Once it happens, it's over. You can't go back to normal. The tension just sits in the room like—" she paused, "—well, like *this*."
"Awkward silence and all," Xiao Lin finished, obliviously.
Ji Yanluo cleared his throat, breaking the haze.
"I'll be leaving for a short business trip," he announced. "Back before the banquet."
The room stilled.
Bai Zhiqi looked up, startled. "Now?"
He nodded. "Flight's in a few hours."
Ji Lanxue blinked. "Sudden."
"There are matters to finalize before the guest list for the banquet leaks." His gaze flickered to Bai Zhiqi, but it didn't stay.
Xiao Lin hummed. "The birthday banquet's going to be huge. People are already talking. Veiled musician's showing up too, apparently."
Ji Lanxue tilted her head. "Bai Lanyue's not holding back this time."
Bai Zhiqi felt something tighten in her chest. She wasn't sure if it was from the mention of the banquet… or the way Ji Yanluo wasn't looking at her.
He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. "If anything comes up, Han Su will handle it."
As he turned to leave, Ji Lanxue said with a grin, "Don't kiss anyone while you're gone, Mr. CEO. One scandal at a time."
Xiao Lin laughed. "Don't bring home a female lead saying you'd love to spend the rest of your life with her."
Ji Yanluo's steps paused—just barely—and then resumed without a word.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Bai Zhiqi stood still, blood rushing in her ears.
Xiao Lin leaned back, stretching. "Anyway. That movie hits different when you've been through things."
Ji Lanxue glanced at Bai Zhiqi, unconcerned. "You okay? You look... warm."
"I'm fine," Bai Zhiqi muttered, slipping past them. Her face, unfortunately, gave her away. It was red—again.
But neither of them noticed.
Or if they did, they simply thought it was the heat.