Yifan flew out of the car before it even came to a full stop, arms cradling Lian's unconscious body tightly against his chest.
Nurses rushed toward them instantly. A gurney rolled up, but Yifan hesitated to let go. Only when one of the nurses gently placed a hand on his arm and reassured him, did he allow them to take her.
Yufan appeared moments later, his Audi screeching to a halt. He stepped out and quickly moved toward his friend, but paused when he saw Yifan's face, tight jaw, clenched fists, worry laced beneath the fury in his eyes.
"She'll be okay?" Yufan asked quietly.
Yifan nodded stiffly, watching as Lian was wheeled down the corridor. He hated this. Feeling helpless. Seeing her like that.
---
Twenty minutes later.
The doctor came out.
"She fainted due to dysmenorrhea, severe menstrual cramps," the doctor explained. "It triggered a vasovagal response, which caused her to lose consciousness. Her vitals are stable now, but she needs proper rest, nutrition, and someone to make sure she doesn't overwork herself."
"We'll take her home," Yufan said firmly.
The doctor gave a small nod. "Make sure she stays warm and avoids stress for the next few days."
Outside, the sky had darkened. Yifan carried her with care. The driver opened the car door, and Yifan slipped into the back seat with her still in his arms. They drove toward Zhaoyue Pavilion, taillights gliding into the city's silence while Yufan followed behind in his Audi before eventually parting ways.
At Zhaoyue Pavilion, Yifan carried her up the stairs as quietly as possible. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. He pushed open the door to his room and walked in, the soft click of the door shutting behind him.
He lowered her gently onto the bed, brushing a stray hair from her forehead before pulling the duvet over her.
For a moment, he just stood there, gaze lingering. Long lashes resting against her pale cheeks, a slim nose, soft brows, and those slightly parted pink lips, there was no doubt about it. She had grown into a woman.
Yifan swallowed hard and turned away, dragging a hand through his hair. He reached for the control panel by the wall, dimmed the lights, then quietly stepped out of the room closing the door behind him with a soft click.
---
Later that night.
The house was quiet, cloaked in a gentle hush. Yifan stepped back into the room, the soft sound of his footsteps. Li Lian was still fast asleep, curled beneath the duvet, her breathing calm and steady.
He peeled off his shirt and walked into the bathroom, the door left slightly ajar. The sound of running water filled the silence as he took a quick shower, letting the heat ease the tightness in his shoulders.
Minutes later, he emerged, towel drying his hair lazily before tossing it aside. Dressed now in loose pajama pants and a cotton shirt, he dimmed the light, casting the room in a soft amber glow.
He climbed into bed, careful not to wake her.
But as he settled beside her, a strange flutter stirred in his chest. She was so close, her presence warm, peaceful, almost fragile. The girl he once knew… now a woman.
His eyes traced her features, stopping at her slightly parted lips.
Just one...
Almost before he realized it, he leaned in and brushed a kiss against her mouth.
But as soon as he pulled back, his eyes flew open, heart skipping.
What the hell did I just do?
He stared at the ceiling, pulse quickening, breath uneven. That single moment, though brief, had changed something in him.
And now, there was no pretending he hadn't crossed a line.
Meanwhile.
Yufan parked his car, the engine humming into silence. He stepped inside and loosened his tie. The quiet hum of the house wrapped around him as he made his way to the living room and sank into the couch, shoulders sinking into the cushions.
Just then, the soft pad of footsteps came from upstairs, bare feet on polished wood.
"Babe, is that you?" came Meilin's voice, warm and slightly sleepy.
Yufan looked up, and his phone momentarily forgotten. Meilin stepped into view, fresh from the shower, hair damp and loose, one of his oversized shirts barely skimming her thighs.
He swallowed hard.
Shamelessly, his eyes swept over her, slow and lingering. "Meilin, you trying to seduce me or what?" he drawled, lips tugging into a lazy smirk.
Meilin didn't miss a beat. She walked over and settled herself gracefully on his lap, arms sliding around his neck. Her smile held mischief. "Is it working?"
Yufan's smirk deepened, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Oh, it's working," he murmured, his voice dipping low. "Too well, in fact."
She giggled softly, fingers brushing his collar as she traced the edge of his shirt. "I thought you had a long day, Mr. CEO."
"I did." He kissed the corner of her mouth, just barely grazing her lips. "But seeing you like this suddenly, I'm full of energy."
Meilin laughed again, but there was a tenderness behind it this time. She tucked her head beneath his chin, resting against his chest.
"Stay like this for a while," Meilin murmured, her voice soft against his chest.
Yufan kissed the top of her damp hair, fingers gently trailing through the strands.
"…You came home a little later today," she said quietly, looking up at him with mild curiosity. "Why?"
He exhaled, still playing with her hair. "Yifan's girl got sick."
Her brow lifted. "Yifan has a girl?"
"Well… something like that," he said with a half-shrug, the corners of his mouth twitching.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, but sighed, choosing not to pry further. "What happened to her?"
"She fainted. Severe menstrual cramps."
Meilin's expression shifted to concern. "Oh… dysmenorrhea," she murmured knowingly. "She needs to rest properly. Menstruation can put a lot of load on a woman's body, especially if she's been stressed or overworking herself—"
Yufan chuckled, cutting her off gently. "She's okay now. Don't go into doctor mode, baby."
Meilin pouted playfully, pressing a lazy kiss to his jaw. "Can't help it."
His hand slipped beneath the hem of his shirt on her back, drawing slow, calming circles.