It wasn't the Eden House date that bothered Gu Zeyan.

  It was the way Ruoxi returned.

  Glowing, soft, at ease.

  Not in love. Not changed.

  But touched. In the way women only are when someone has seen them without needing to look too hard.

  She didn't speak about the night. No teasing. No drama.

  She didn't need to.

  And that silence that silence was what made Zeyan's jaw tighten every time he saw her ugh from across the garden.

  ---

  Later that afternoon, the vil gathered for a group game: Truth or Dare.

  Simple. Predictable. Fun, if you didn't have anything to hide.

  Ruoxi leaned into the couch cushions, head against Shixun's shoulder—not affection, just comfort—and threw a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

  She was glowing. Dangerously rexed.

  Zeyan watched from the edge, arms crossed, jaw locked.

  When it was her turn, someone asked, "Truth: who would you kiss if there were no cameras?"

  She grinned zily. "Oh, do you want the real answer or the one that keeps ratings high?"

  "Real."

  Ruoxi leaned forward, slow. Her eyes didn't scan the group.

  They locked onto Zeyan.

  Long. Unmoving.

  Then she smirked.

  "I'd kiss the one who looks like he'd rather burn than admit he wants me."

  The room exhaled. Shixun stiffened. Yuren looked down.

  Zeyan's eyes didn't leave hers.

  ---

  *That night.*

  Ruoxi headed to the back terrace alone, wrapped in a long satin robe.

  Moonlight silvered her skin.

  She lit a cigarette she didn't pn to smoke and let it burn between her fingers.

  Zeyan came out ten minutes ter. No announcement. No noise.

  He stood beside her, arms resting on the railing.

  "I don't like being toyed with," he said quietly.

  She didn't look at him.

  "Then don't be so easy to py."

  He let out a short breath—half ugh, half frustration.

  "Yuren? Really?"

  "You didn't ask first," she said, gncing at him now. "Besides, he sees me."

  "So do I."

  "No, Gu Zeyan," she murmured, flicking ash into the night. "You look at me like I'm a puzzle you'd rather solve than feel."

  He turned toward her.

  And this time, he stepped closer.

  Not slow. Not hesitant.

  He reached out—one hand around her wrist, the other brushing back the loose strand of hair near her cheek.

  "I'm tired of pretending I don't want you," he said, voice low. "And you—"

  "I what?"

  "You touch everyone else like a tease."

  His eyes dropped to her lips.

  "But you never touch me like that. Why?"

  Ruoxi didn't pull away. Didn't speak.

  Just leaned forward, a breath away, her lips curving against his mouth without quite kissing.

  "I don't seduce men I want to keep," she whispered. "Until now."

  Then she pulled back.

  Left him standing there with a heart that had finally finally tarted to race.

  ---

  **Confessional Booth – Gu Zeyan**

  "She pys like she's untouchable."

  A pause.

  "But I'm not afraid of losing. I'm afraid of never trying."

  ---

  **Confessional Booth – Shen Ruoxi**

  "Gu Zeyan thinks control makes him strong."

  A slow, wicked smile.

  "But real power? Is knowing exactly when to give it up."