Chapter 6: Unspoken Confessions

The ride home after the gala was quiet but comfortable. Lin Yue stared out the car window, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors. Zhang Wei drove with one hand on the wheel, his other resting casually on the armrest.

"You were incredible tonight," Zhang Wei said, breaking the silence.

Lin Yue turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Incredible at what? Not tripping in heels?"

He chuckled, his laughter warm and genuine. "No, I mean it. You handled everything like a pro. I know those events can be overwhelming."

She smiled, leaning her head back against the seat. "Thanks. I guess I had a pretty great coach."

For a moment, their eyes met, and Lin Yue felt a spark pass between them. She quickly looked away, her heart racing.

As they pulled up outside her apartment building, Lin Yue hesitated before getting out. She turned to Zhang Wei, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her clutch.

"Do you… want to come up for a coffee?" she asked, surprising even herself.

Zhang Wei's eyebrows lifted slightly, but a small smile played on his lips. "Are you sure? It's late."

"I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't sure," she replied, trying to sound confident.

He parked the car and followed her upstairs, the silence between them charged with unspoken tension.

Lin Yue's apartment was cozy, filled with bookshelves and little touches of her personality—framed photos, a cluttered writing desk, and a soft throw draped over the couch.

"Make yourself comfortable," she said, heading to the kitchen.

Zhang Wei wandered around the living room, his gaze landing on a photo of Lin Yue and Mei from their university days. He smiled at the carefree expressions in the picture.

"Found something interesting?" Lin Yue called from the kitchen.

"You and Mei look like trouble," he teased, holding up the frame.

She laughed as she carried two steaming mugs to the couch. "We were. Still are, sometimes."

They sat together, sipping their coffee. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet charged with something deeper.

As the conversation flowed, Zhang Wei opened up about his past, sharing more about his family.

"My father built the Zhang Corporation from the ground up," he began. "He was brilliant, but… it came at a cost. He was always working, always pushing for more. When he passed away, I felt this immense pressure to live up to his legacy."

Lin Yue listened intently, her coffee forgotten. "That sounds… overwhelming."

"It was," he admitted. "For a while, I thought I had to follow in his footsteps. But then I realized I wanted something different. That's why I started working on the app—to create something meaningful on my own terms."

Lin Yue's heart ached for him. "That's brave, you know. Choosing your own path, even when it's hard."

He smiled faintly. "You make it sound easier than it was."

"It's never easy," she said softly. "But it's worth it."

Zhang Wei set his mug down and leaned back, studying her. "What about you? What made you choose writing?"

Lin Yue hesitated. "It's always been my escape. Growing up, books were my safe haven. I wanted to create stories that could do the same for others."

"And have you?" he asked.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I'm still trying to figure that out. But I'll keep writing until I do."

Their eyes met again, and this time, neither of them looked away.

The air between them grew thick with unspoken words. Zhang Wei leaned forward slightly, his gaze flicking to her lips. Lin Yue's breath hitched, her heart pounding.

But just as the moment stretched into something more, her phone buzzed loudly on the coffee table, breaking the spell.

Lin Yue jumped, fumbling to silence the notification. "Sorry," she muttered, flustered.

Zhang Wei chuckled, the tension easing. "Saved by the buzz."

She smiled sheepishly. "I guess so."

After finishing their coffee, Zhang Wei stood to leave. Lin Yue walked him to the door, feeling an odd mix of relief and regret.

"Thanks for tonight," she said. "For everything."

"Thank you," he replied, his eyes lingering on hers. "I'll see you soon, Lin Yue."

As the door closed behind him, Lin Yue leaned against it, her heart still racing.