"Help!"

The morning unfolded with a sense of renewed purpose. The previous night's emotional intricacies had seemingly dissipated, leaving room for a collective mindset of moving forward.

However, Alex, burdened by a decision that weighed on his mind, found himself lingering in the aftermath of their shared morning routine. As his siblings and Li Yang embarked on their day, he remained behind, contemplating how to convey the choice he had made.

He mulled over the forthcoming conversation. The decision he had arrived at carried both significance and complexity, and he felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety about how his siblings and Li Yang would receive the news.

After sighing for the nth time, he felt a warm hand encircling his waist along with a warmth that spread on his back from a soft but sturdy chest as a soft and gentle voice rang beside his ear, "What are you thinking about now? Why are you so worried?"