Le Xin came back on a rainy Thursday.
No announcement. No ceremony.
She went into the office like she'd never left—coat damp, hair tied loosely, eyes sharper than before.
Kai Ying looked up from her desk.
For half a second, she forgot how to breathe.
"You're early," Kai Ying said.
Le Xin smiled faintly. "Fate lost a round."
Xiao Lan watched everything without comment.
Kai Ying didn't move closer. Didn't reach out. She only said, "Welcome back."
And Le Xin, who had prepared herself for restraint, felt that hurt more than she expected.
That night, they ended up at Tian Rong's bar.
Of course they did.
Tian Rong spotted Le Xin the moment she entered and immediately vaulted over the bar to hug her—hard.
"You're back!" Tian Rong exclaimed. "You look thinner. Are you eating properly? Did you miss us?"
Le Xin laughed. "I missed you talking."
Tian Rong gasped, offended—and then immediately latched onto Xiao Lan's arm like a koala.
Xiao Lan stiffened. "Tian Rong."
"I missed you," Tian Rong said cheerfully, cheek pressed
against Xiao Lan's shoulder. "She's back, but I missed you."
Le Xin raised an eyebrow. "Is she always like this now?"
Xiao Lan replied flatly, "Worse."
Tian Rong beamed. "See? Honest feedback."
She didn't let go.
Not when drinks were poured.
Not when Le Xin sat beside Kai Ying.
Not even when Xiao Lan shifted uncomfortably.
Tian Rong leaned in, whispered loudly, "I behaved while you were gone."
"That's debatable," Xiao Lan said.
"But you didn't tell me to stop," Tian Rong replied.
Xiao Lan went quiet.
Le Xin noticed.
Kai Ying noticed everything.
Later, the bar dimmed. Music low. Rain tapping against the windows.
Le Xin and Kai Ying sat across from each other, conversation careful, unfinished.
"You look tired," Le Xin said.
Kai Ying replied honestly, "I didn't sleep well."
Le Xin's fingers twitched. "You could've told me."
Kai Ying met her gaze. "You were already carrying enough."
The space between them filled with unsaid things.
Not resolved.
Not yet.
At the other end of the bar, Tian Rong was still attached to Xiao Lan—head on her shoulder now, leg pressed against hers.
"You're warm," Tian Rong murmured.
Xiao Lan shifted. "You're distracting."
"That's new," Tian Rong said proudly.
Xiao Lan inhaled, slow and controlled.
This was the moment.
The familiar instinct rose—the urge to step back, to reassert distance, to restore order.
She lifted her hand.
Paused.
Tian Rong looked up at her, eyes bright, hopeful, unguarded.
Not demanding.
Just there.
Xiao Lan lowered her hand—not to push away, but to rest it gently on Tian Rong's back.
The contact was brief.
Intentional.
Tian Rong froze.
Then smiled so wide it was almost ridiculous.
"You didn't leave," Tian Rong said softly.
Xiao Lan's voice was quiet. "I'm still deciding."
"That's okay," Tian Rong said. "I'll stay while you do."
She nestled closer.
Xiao Lan didn't move.
From across the room, Le Xin noticed—and felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest.
Kai Ying followed her gaze.
"They've changed," Le Xin said.
Kai Ying nodded. "They chose differently."
Le Xin glanced at Kai Ying. "So can we."
Kai Ying didn't answer right away.
She was learning not to rush.
"I'm here," Kai Ying said instead. "Not pulling. Not leaving."
Le Xin smiled—small, real. "Good."
The rain outside slowed.
Inside the bar, something settled—not into certainty, but into presence.
Fate hadn't let go yet.
But tonight, no one backed away.
And for once, that was enough.
Thank you for reading my novel
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