Waiting Game

In the morning, Long Huojin stirred on the bed. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xue Guangli wrapped in nothing but a single bed sheet half-wrapped around her naked body, staring out at the window.

Beyond the window was the view of the lake.

Long Huojin rose out bed, approaching Xue Guangli from behind. He could tell she was worried about something. They both knew what it was, felt it. But he wouldn't let anyone take him down unless it meant to dug their own grave; it meant that it would be their undoing, which was inevitable.

Long Huojin leaned over her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her from behind, enjoying the view. The lake beyond them was a deep dark blue-green, with blankets of moss over the rocky boulders, stretching from below the water, peeking above.

There was a dock that rocked side to side, slightly above the water. The windows were open, and they could hear the gulls pass by.