The day after her vivid dream, Meixiu found it hard to focus. She caught herself glancing at Ye Chen more often than usual, her mind replaying the dream kiss over and over.
"Why am I thinking about this so much?" she muttered, leaning against the kitchen counter. She stared at her reflection in the glass cabinet, trying to shake the thought.
"Thinking out loud again?" Jiayi's teasing voice cut through her thoughts.
Meixiu jumped slightly, turning to face her eldest sister, who had just entered the kitchen. "What are you doing here?"
"This is the kitchen, Meixiu," Jiayi said, smirking. "The real question is: what's got you so distracted?"
"Nothing!" Meixiu said quickly, her cheeks flushing.
Jiayi raised an eyebrow. "Nothing doesn't make you blush like that. Spill it."
Meixiu hesitated before sighing. "It's… Ye Chen."
Jiayi's smirk softened into a warm smile. "What about him?"
"I had a dream about him," Meixiu admitted reluctantly. "And it felt so real. Now I can't stop thinking about it."
Jiayi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? Was it a romantic dream?"
Meixiu glared at her. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Jiayi laughed lightly. "Maybe. But I get it. Ye Chen has that effect on people. He's kind, thoughtful, and easy to care about."
"Yeah," Meixiu said softly, her usual confidence replaced with uncertainty. "But it's weird, right? I'm his sister-in-law. I shouldn't feel this way."
Jiayi placed a comforting hand on Meixiu's shoulder. "Feelings don't always make sense. But what matters is how you handle them."
Meixiu nodded, grateful for her sister's understanding. "Thanks, Jiayi."
"Anytime," Jiayi said. "And for what it's worth, I think Ye Chen thinks the world of you."
Later that afternoon, Meixiu decided to join Ye Chen in the living room, where he was watching a documentary. She plopped down on the couch beside him, her usual playful smirk returning.
"Educational stuff? You're full of surprises, Ye Chen," she teased, nudging him with her elbow.
"It's interesting," Ye Chen replied, grinning. "But feel free to pick something else if you're bored."
"I'll survive," Meixiu said, leaning back and crossing her legs. She caught him glancing at her briefly, which made her heart skip a beat.
"So, what's on your mind today?" Ye Chen asked, his tone casual.
Meixiu hesitated, wondering if she should bring up her dream. Instead, she deflected. "You, obviously. You're always doing something worth teasing."
Ye Chen laughed. "I think you enjoy teasing me a little too much."
"Maybe," Meixiu admitted with a sly grin. "But don't get used to it. I might go easy on you someday."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Ye Chen replied, earning a playful swat on his arm.
As the evening approached, Meixiu decided she needed to clear her head. She found Ye Chen on the balcony, gazing at the stars.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, stepping outside.
"Of course not," Ye Chen said, smiling at her.
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the cool breeze brushing against their skin.
"Ye Chen," Meixiu said suddenly, her voice quieter than usual.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning to face her.
"I… I had a dream about you," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
Ye Chen blinked in surprise. "A dream? What kind of dream?"
"It was… nice," she said hesitantly. "You were sweet and kind, and we were… close."
Ye Chen's eyes softened. "That doesn't sound bad at all."
"It's just… I don't know what to do with these feelings," Meixiu confessed.
Ye Chen stepped closer, his expression gentle. "Feelings aren't something you have to figure out all at once. Sometimes it's okay to just feel them."
Meixiu looked up at him, her usual confidence replaced with vulnerability. "You're too good at this, you know."
"I'm just being honest," he said softly.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Meixiu took a step closer, her heart pounding.
"Ye Chen…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes?" he replied, his gaze steady.
Before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and kissed him. Unlike the dream, this kiss was real, filled with warmth and emotion.
When they pulled apart, Meixiu's cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were bright. "I think I've made up my mind," she said with a small smile.
Ye Chen smiled back. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere, Meixiu."