Luan Xie's mind was a whirlpool of thoughts as he sat at the dining table. His fingers lingered on his lips, tracing the place where He Shun had kissed him. He hadn't been prepared for that, nor for the way it had made his heart stutter, sending warmth through him that he wasn't used to feeling. The memory of it gnawed at him, leaving him flustered and uneasy in a way that unsettled him.
The tension was broken by a voice, rich and controlled, cutting through his reverie.
"Luan Xie, isn't it?"
Luan Xie's heart skipped a beat, but he composed himself quickly, turning to face the mafia leader with an expression as unreadable as stone. The man's presence was commanding, the kind that demanded attention without even trying. Luan Xie couldn't afford to show any sign of weakness or fear. He nodded, his gaze steady, but internally, he was on high alert.
The leader's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile as he assessed Luan Xie. "Your boss is an actor, isn't he? He Shun, if I'm not mistaken," he continued, his tone laced with an underlying threat. "Quite a daring move to bring him here."
Luan Xie's stomach tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. The leader's interest in He Shun was dangerous, and Luan Xie knew he had to tread carefully. Any wrong move could put He Shun in even more danger.
Out of the corner of his eye, Luan Xie noticed the hooded figure standing quietly beside the leader. The man's presence was unnerving, but what disturbed Luan Xie more was the inexplicable sense of familiarity that gnawed at him. He needed to figure out who this man was and what his connection to the leader might be. They had to find a way to use him, but for now, Luan Xie's priority was protecting He Shun.
"He's more than capable of handling himself," Luan Xie finally replied, his voice calm but with a sharp edge. "And of protecting those he cares about."
The mafia leader's smile deepened, a glint of something dark flickering in his eyes. "We'll see about that," he said, his tone dripping with a veiled threat.
Luan Xie's grip on the edge of the table tightened, but he didn't break eye contact. He had to make it clear that he wouldn't be intimidated, that he was willing to do whatever it took to keep He Shun safe.
The hooded man placed a hand on the leader's shoulder, leaning in to whisper something. "You haven't eaten since yesterday. Let's go grab some breakfast, A-Rou." His voice was soft, almost tender, a sharp contrast to the tense atmosphere in the room.
As the leader and his hooded companion turned to leave, Luan Xie's eyes followed them, his mind already spinning with strategies and possibilities. There was something unsettling about the way the hooded man was so close to the leader—an intimacy that spoke of deep trust or something else entirely. Luan Xie's instincts told him this man was more than just a subordinate.
When they reached the exit, the hooded man opened the door for the leader, his movements smooth and precise, like someone who was always on guard. Just as they were about to step out, the hooded man turned slightly, his gaze locking with Luan Xie's. Even though his face was hidden, Luan Xie felt the intensity of his stare, a silent warning that chilled him to the core.
It was clear, without a word spoken: Don't mess with him.
Luan Xie's pulse quickened, not out of fear, but from the thrill of the challenge. He was used to navigating dangerous waters, but something about this hooded figure intrigued him in a way he hadn't anticipated. This was no ordinary lackey; this was someone with real power, someone who might be the key to getting closer to the leader.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Luan Xie exhaled slowly, calming the storm of thoughts in his mind. He knew one thing for certain: this was going to be more complicated than he had imagined. But he couldn't afford to back down now. Too much was at stake—his mother's bracelet, the truth, and, though he wouldn't admit it, his growing connection with He Shun.
The thought of He Shun brought a different kind of tension to his chest, a warmth that contrasted sharply with the cold calculation he needed to survive this game. Luan Xie pushed those feelings down, at least for now. There would be time to sort through them later—if they made it through this alive.
When Luan Xie finally returned to their room, He Shun was dressed and ready, the tension from earlier still thick in the air. Luan Xie's heart skipped again, seeing He Shun in his elegant attire, playing the part of the high-class guest. But beneath the surface, Luan Xie could sense the same unease that had been gnawing at him all morning.
Luan Xie didn't mention the mafia leader's warning or the strange sense of familiarity he'd felt from the hooded man. He didn't want to add to He Shun's worries, especially not when they were both already on edge. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, trying to bury the lingering thoughts of that kiss, of the way it had shaken him.
"We should get ready," Luan Xie said, his tone betraying none of the turmoil he felt inside.
He moved past He Shun to gather his things, but as he did, his fingers brushed against He Shun's arm, lingering just a fraction longer than necessary. The touch was light, almost accidental, but it sent a jolt through both of them, reigniting the tension from earlier.
He Shun's eyes met Luan Xie's, a mix of confusion and something else swirling in their depths. Luan Xie could feel the unspoken words between them, the questions and doubts that neither of them dared to voice. They were in this together, and no matter how much Luan Xie tried to keep his distance, he couldn't deny the connection that was growing between them.
Luan Xie took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to steady himself. "This morning… it doesn't have to mean anything," he said, his voice low, as if he was trying to convince himself as much as He Shun.
He Shun didn't respond immediately, but the look in his eyes said more than words ever could. He stepped closer, closing the small distance between them, his hand reaching up to gently touch Luan Xie's face. The gesture was tender, almost hesitant, as if he was testing the waters, unsure of how Luan Xie would react.
"It doesn't have to mean anything," He Shun echoed softly, his thumb brushing over Luan Xie's cheek. "But what if it does?"
The question hung in the air between them, heavy with the weight of all the things they hadn't said. Luan Xie's heart pounded in his chest, the closeness of He Shun overwhelming him, making it hard to think straight. His instincts told him to pull away, to put up the walls he'd always relied on, but something in He Shun's eyes kept him rooted to the spot.
Luan Xie's hand came up almost unconsciously, his fingers wrapping around He Shun's wrist, holding him in place. "I don't know if I can do this," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not… used to this."
He Shun's expression softened, a small, understanding smile tugging at his lips. "We don't have to figure it all out now," he said gently. "Let's just… take it one step at a time."
Luan Xie nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. It was a small step, but it was something. And for now, that was enough.
Luan Xie couldn't help but steal a glance at He Shun, his thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and longing. It wasn't so long ago that he had almost killed this man—driven by blind rage when He Shun had shrugged off his mother's bracelet as unimportant. That moment had been pure fury, his anger all-consuming. And yet, now, here they were, side by side, and Luan Xie couldn't imagine getting through a day without seeing He Shun's face.
It didn't make any sense. How could someone who had once made his blood boil now make his heart ache with something he couldn't quite name? Luan Xie tried to push the feelings away, to tell himself that it was all just a side effect of the situation they were in. But it was becoming harder and harder to ignore the way his chest tightened every time He Shun smiled at him, the way his breath hitched whenever their eyes met.
He Shun had become his anchor in this chaos, and it terrified Luan Xie how much he had come to rely on that.
As he took another glance at He Shun, he caught the way the morning light touched his features, softening the hard lines of his face. There was a calmness about him, a quiet strength that Luan Xie found himself drawn to, even if he didn't want to admit it. He could still feel the ghost of He Shun's kiss in the morning, the way it had stirred something deep within him, something he wasn't ready to face.
Luan Xie's thoughts were interrupted when He Shun caught his gaze, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. That smile sent a flutter through Luan Xie's chest, and he quickly looked away, feeling a rush of warmth flood his cheeks.
What was happening to him? He was supposed to be in control, to keep his distance. But every time he tried, he found himself drawn back to He Shun, like a moth to a flame. It wasn't just physical—there was something about He Shun that made Luan Xie feel seen in a way he hadn't been in a long time.
He let out a soft sigh, trying to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, clinging to the edges of his mind. Luan Xie wasn't used to feeling this way, to letting someone in. But with He Shun, it was different. He found himself wanting more, even if it scared him.
Luan Xie knew he was falling, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.