Wang's Pov.
I leaned back in my seat, staring at the empty glasses on the table. The club was nearly silent now, the bass from the speakers nothing more than a faint hum in the background.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. Why did I apologize?
The way Zhan had looked at me, hurt but pretending not to be, made my chest tighten. I wanted to take the words back, to tell him I didn't mean it, that I wanted him. But instead, I watched him walk away.
And now, he was gone. With them.
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening around the glass in my hand. I had no right to stop him. No claim over him.
But damn it, I wanted to.
I clenched my fists, watching him disappear through the club doors.
I had no right to stop him. No right to pull him back after pushing him away.
But the thought of him with them, with Dre and his ex-boyfriend made my stomach twist in a way I didn't want to acknowledge.
The VIP section was silent now, the air thick with smoke and the lingering scent of spilled liquor. I leaned back, running a hand over my face.
I should leave. Go home. Forget about him.
But I already knew—I wouldn't.
I couldn't take it anymore.
The thought of Zhan with them burned in my chest like a fire I couldn't put out. I didn't know what I would do, what I would say—but before I could stop myself, I was already in the car, telling my driver where to go.
When I arrived at his house, the night was completely still. The soft glow of a streetlamp cast long shadows across the pavement. I hesitated for a moment, staring at the door, then slowly let myself in.
The house was dark and quiet. Everyone was asleep.
I didn't want to wake anyone, so I moved carefully, stepping into the living room. The familiar scent of home-cooked food still lingered in the air. I found the couch and sank onto it, resting my elbows on my knees, and exhaling a shaky breath.
What am I doing here?
I didn't know.
All I knew was that I needed to see him.
I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts a mess. The house was quiet, the kind of silence that made my heartbeat sound too loud in my ears.
I didn't know how long I sat there before I heard soft footsteps.
"Wang?"
I turned my head and saw Ji Li standing in the dim light, his hair slightly messy like he had just woken up. He looked at me, confused, his voice groggy.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, crossing his arms.
I opened my mouth, but the truth felt too heavy, too complicated. Instead, I forced a small smirk.
"I lost my keys," I lied. "Didn't know where else to go."
Ji Li frowned, clearly not believing me, but he didn't push. He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "You could've just gone to a hotel."
"Yeah," I muttered, looking away. "Didn't feel like it."
For a moment, he just stood there, watching me. I could tell he was debating whether to say something, to question me further. But then he just exhaled and shook his head.
"Whatever. Just don't wake Grandma," he mumbled, turning to leave.
I should have let him go. Should have stayed quiet.
But instead, I found myself calling after him.
"Ji Li ."
He paused but didn't turn around.
I swallowed hard. "Is Zhan back?"
He was silent for a long time before finally answering.
"No, go to sleep, Wang."
And then he walked away.
I watched him disappear to his room, my chest tightening in a way I didn't like.
I sighed and leaned forward, running a hand through my hair. The couch was comfortable, carrying the warmth of a home I didn't belong to.
I lay back, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet sounds of the house. The faint creak of a door. The shift of blankets. Ji Li was still awake.
I closed my eyes, trying to sleep, but my mind wouldn't shut off. All I could think about was the way he had looked at me before I ruined it. Before I made him walk away.
I had never regretted a kiss before. But this one? This one was different.
Eventually, exhaustion won, pulling me under. But even in sleep, my thoughts were filled with him.
The smell of food waffled into my nostrils, I steered in my sleep, and when I opened my eyes, Ji Li was standing there.
Good afternoon, he muses.
Afternoon I say, sitting up. Someone had covered me up with a blanket. I looked at the blanket and looked at Ji Li.
"Zhan did," Ji Li murmurs.
My breath hitched. He's back? I whispered, more to myself than to Ji Li.
He nodded but didn't say anything else, watching me carefully. My fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket, my mind racing.
Before I could ask anything, the sound of soft footsteps approached.
"Wang, you're awake."
I turned to see Grandma standing near the dining table, her warm smile reaching her eyes.
"Yes, Grandma. Good afternoon," I said as I stood up, still feeling a little out of place. "Sorry, I came in unannounced."
"You're always welcome here," she said, dismissing my apology with a wave of her hand. "Come eat before the food gets cold."
I hesitated for a second, glancing toward the door, wondering if Zhan was inside.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep as I walked to the dining table. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, warm and comforting, so different from the emptiness of my own home.
Ji Li sat across from me, watching with a knowing look but saying nothing. I glanced at the plate set in front of me, then at the empty seat beside it.
"Zhan?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.
"He already ate," Grandma said, setting down a bowl of soup. "He stepped out briefly"
Something in my chest sank a little, but I nodded, masking my disappointment. I didn't even know what I would have said to him if he were here.
"Eat, Wang," Grandma urged. "You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days."
I chuckled softly, picking up my chopsticks. "You might be right."
As I ate, Ji Li leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "So... how exactly did you lose your keys?"
I nearly choked on my food.
"Ji Li, he is eating. Let him be," Grandma says, her voice soft but firm.
Ji Li doesn't respond immediately. He just watches as I cough and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. My throat is dry, and my head is still a little foggy from last night.
"I was a bit high, so I misplaced my keys," I say, keeping my tone casual.
Ji Li tilts his head slightly. "But you didn't misplace your car key?"
"My car key was with security in case other people wanted to drive out."
"Uhmm." He hums, not agreeing, not disagreeing. Just acknowledging.
I focus on my food, but I can feel his gaze lingering. Not piercing, not accusatory—just there. Watching. Measuring.
Grandma doesn't seem to notice. Or maybe she does and chooses to ignore it, keeping the peace like she always does. She wipes her hands on her apron and gets up to check the pot on the stove, humming an old song under her breath.
When I finish eating, I thank her and take my plate to the kitchen. The sound of the faucet running fills the silence between me and Ji Li, but I can still feel it—his quiet assessment.
I turn, catching him watching me from the corner of his eye before he looks away.
"I slept fine, by the way," I say, rinsing the plate. "In case you were wondering."
Ji Li doesn't respond. He just hums again, standing up and adjusting his sleeves before heading toward the door.
As I rinsed my hand under the running water, I felt Ji Li's eyes on me. He wasn't convinced, but thankfully, he didn't push it.
Grandma walked in behind me, placing another dish in the sink. "Wang, will you be staying for a while?"
I wiped my hands on a towel and turned to her. "I should get going soon, but I'll be back." My eyes flickered toward the door again, my thoughts still lingering on Zhan.
"You boys," Grandma chuckled knowingly, shaking her head. "Always restless."
I smiled slightly but didn't reply.
Just as I stepped out of the kitchen, Ji Li was waiting for me. He crossed his arms, tilting his head. "You're looking for him, aren't you?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Where is he?"
Ji Li smirked. "Why don't you go find out?"
I didn't need any more prompting. Without another word, I turned and headed to the couch.
I stared at Ji Li for a moment, debating whether to take him up on the offer. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes, but there was also something else—genuine concern.
I grab my jacket and head to the door, but Ji Li's voice stops me.
"Why don't you shower before you head out?"
Something about the way he says it makes me pause. Not just the words, but the tone—light, almost amused, but with something underneath. I glance back at him, confused.
He meets my eyes, then chuckles. "You look and smell like yesterday. I mean—alcohol and smoke." He waves a hand vaguely in the air like he's trying to brush away the scent. Then he leans against the wall, crossing his arms. "Oh, and you also need to find someone to fix your door."
I frown. "I can call someone to fix it."
"Uhmm." That same sound, that same hum. Noncommittal. Then, casually, he adds, "Okay. But we have clean towels. And a new toothbrush."
I exhale through my nose, shaking my head. "Noted."
Ji Li doesn't say anything else, just watches me like he's waiting for something.
I pull my jacket tighter around me, ignoring the way my shirt sticks to my skin. Maybe I should shower. But then again, maybe that's exactly what Ji Li wants—to make me feel off balance. To remind me that he notices everything.
"Fine," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'll freshen up."
"Good choice." He grinned and gestured toward his room. "Bathroom's that way. Towels are in the cabinet."
As I walked past him, I caught Grandma shaking her head fondly. "Ji Li, stop bullying Wang," she said.
"I'm not bullying him. I'm helping," Ji Li shot back, laughing.
I shook my head, heading toward the bathroom. Maybe a shower would help clear my mind—help me figure out what the hell I was going to do about Zhan.
The bathroom isn't as big as what I'm used to, but it does the job. The water pressure is decent, the soap smells clean, and most importantly, it washes away the lingering scent of last night—alcohol, smoke, and whatever else clung to me.
By the time I step out, my skin feels fresher, but my mind is still clouded with the thought of Zhan.
"There are clothes on the bed for you," I hear him murmur from the other side of the door. His voice is quieter, almost thoughtful. "Might not be your style, but it's manageable."
I rub the towel through my damp hair, glancing toward the bed. Sure enough, neatly folded clothes sit at the edge. A simple black shirt, and a pair of sweatpants—comfortable, functional, and not my usual.
I sigh, running a hand down my face. This whole afternoon has been one long, unspoken conversation. Ji Li isn't saying much, but everything he does—every glance, every word—feels intentional.
Pulling on the borrowed clothes, I step out of the room. Ji Li is leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze flicking over me before settling somewhere past my shoulder.
"Fits," he says simply.
"Yeah." I shift on my feet. "Thanks."
His lips twitch like he wants to say something else, but he just nods.
The air between us is thick with something unspoken. Something that feels like a challenge. Or maybe a warning.
Grandma's voice broke the silence. "Are you heading home now, Wang?"
I smiled and turned to her. "I might stick around for a bit."
She smiled knowingly but didn't question it. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like."
Ji Li smirked. "Yeah, Wang. Stay as long as you like."
I rolled my eyes at his teasing but didn't respond. Instead, I walked to the living room, pretending to check my phone, but in reality, I was waiting—waiting to see if Zhan would come home.
We were talking, half-watching the TV, when the door slammed open.
Zhan strode in first, two bags in hand, with Mia trailing behind, balancing a pizza box against her hip.
"Hello, Grandma. Hello, Wang. Hello, Ji Li," Zhan said, barely pausing as he dropped one bag on the table and carried the other into the kitchen.
"Pizza!" Ji Li squealed, completely ignoring the greetings.
Mia shook her head, amused, as she placed the pizza box on the table. "Grandma. Wang," she greeted simply.
Zhan returned a moment later without so much as glancing at me. He sat on the floor, flipped the pizza box open, and said, "Hands."
Without hesitation, everyone got up and headed toward the kitchen.
I reached for a slice, but before my fingers could graze the crust, Zhan tapped my hand—light, but firm.
"Kitchen," he said, his expression unreadable. Indifferent.
Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist, but I stood up and followed the others. Grandma and Mia were just stepping out as I entered, and I spotted Ji Li at the sink, washing his hands.
I waited for him to finish before stepping forward, rinsing mine under the cool water.
"Did he hit your hand?" Ji Li asked, his voice laced with amusement.
"Yes."
Ji Li giggled. "He did the same thing to me. And Mia. Grandma says he even did it to her."
"I see," I murmured as we walked back to the living room.
Everyone was already seated, waiting. Zhan handed each of us a cup of ice cream without a word.
We ate in quiet peace.
I kept stealing glances at him.
But he never once looked at me.
When we finished eating, everyone got up to wash their hands. Mia stayed behind, quietly clearing the table.
I rinsed my hands under the cool water, listening to the faint sounds of dishes clinking as Mia worked. The house felt settled, the air thick with the lingering scent of pizza and something unspoken.
When I walked back to the living room and sank into the couch, I felt eyes on me.
Zhan.
He looked me up and down, his gaze slow but unreadable. Then, just for a second, the corner of his lips twitched—almost a smile, one he quickly tried to hide.
It hit me all at once.
I was wearing his clothes.
Of course. That's why Ji Li had been so insistent about me showering. That's why he made sure I had something clean to wear.
It wasn't just about me washing off last night.
It was about this.
Zhan.
I shifted slightly under his gaze, pretending not to notice, but my mind wouldn't let it go. Was he amused? Annoyed? Indifferent, the way he always seemed to be?
I wanted to look at him again, to see if the almost-smile was still there. But when I glanced up—
He wasn't looking at me anymore.