18+
...
Shi Yen and Yuan Shun walked down the hall, keeping a generous and safe distance between them. Their earlier moment hovered between them as grins escaped their composed expressions.
They returned to the others, who lounged around in the living room.
Shi Yen sat with Shi Ailin and Yuan Xinyi, joining them in their immersive conversation.
Shi Yen still felt the heat of her warm and flushed skin after she had impulsively admitted that there was no longer hatred between them, even though she wasn't able to admit it to herself. When did it stop? But she supposed it didn't matter. Her feelings had blossomed in unexpected, surprising ways, and it wasn't doing well for her heart as she had rejected the idea before.
In a way, she still rejected the idea—she didn't want to allow her feelings to flourish deeper, but for now, it could be platonic.
Shi Yen could sense Yuan Shun's consuming gaze as he stole glances from across the room.
