The meal was simple and warm. The three ate silently as a calming air surrounded them. The secluded space provided them with time to collect themselves and lean into the new closeness. The entire trip was a bonding adventure, from the start in Nanshan to its waypoint in Sun Village.
In the end, it felt like everyone had grown closer, and more intimate than before.
A lot had happened over the last week, from their individual confusions to blurred pathways of communication, it had been a roller coaster. Finally, Xu Zeng felt much more relaxed and excited even, at their growth.
It was a feeling stronger than the pleasure he got from a kiss or even the release he found in Xu Hu Zhe's arms. It was a building sense of security that had been nurtured from their words to their actions, and he had never felt this way before.
Xu Zeng had all his most important people in one place. It was a bittersweet happiness, but it was the best possible outcome.
