Chapter 4 — I Want to Be Closer to You

The two of them quietly shared dinner, the warmth of the food filling the air with a comforting aroma. Though no words were exchanged, the silent glances between them stirred subtle ripples in their hearts. Without speaking much, something delicate and unspoken began to grow in the tranquility.

After finishing dinner, just as Ji Yuntong was about to clear the dishes, Bai Hanan gently stopped her by the wrist.

"Go rest. I'll take care of it," he said firmly, leaving her no chance to refuse.

With that, he naturally led her to the couch, pressing her shoulders down to make her sit before turning back to the dining area to clean up.

Ji Yuntong watched his back, her brows slightly furrowed. With a hint of helplessness in her voice, she said, "You came over for dinner, and now I'm making you clean up?

That doesn't seem right."

"Why so distant?" Bai Hanan replied without looking back as he stacked the dishes and carried them to the kitchen. As he washed them, he added casually, "I'll be coming over often anyway. Might as well get used to it."

Ji Yuntong froze slightly. Something about that statement didn't sound quite right.

She was about to retort when Bai Hanan had already wiped his hands dry and returned, standing in front of her with a completely natural expression. "Give me your key."

"…What?" Ji Yuntong thought she had misheard. She looked up and met his serious gaze—he wasn't joking.

"If I'm going to be coming over often, I can't trouble you to open the door for me every time." His tone was so matter-of-fact, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

"Having a key would be more convenient."

Ji Yuntong glared at him, her voice turning cold. "How are you so confident? Who said you could 'come over often'?"

"You never said I couldn't." Bai Hanan

crossed his arms, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Besides, I bring you food, clean up for you, and even help dry your hair. Don't you think I deserve this small privilege?"

"…Why does that sound so strange?"

Ji Yuntong pressed her lips together, her gaze landing on his outstretched hand—long fingers waiting patiently for her response.

After a brief hesitation, she couldn't help but ask, "You never used to be this assertive. What changed?"

"It's different now." Bai Hanan bent slightly, lowering his gaze to meet hers. His voice was soft, yet unwavering. "Now, I want to be closer to you."

Her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers curled slightly.

This "younger brother"… had really changed.

A subtle tremor ran through Ji Yuntong's heart, but she forced herself to remain composed. She glanced at him and said, "And how does having a key help you be closer to me?"

"With a key, I can visit you more naturally." Bai Hanan's tone remained calm, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Otherwise, I'd have to wait for you to open the door every time—too much trouble."

Ji Yuntong let out a sharp breath, crossing her arms. "Since when did you get so good at arguing?"

"This isn't arguing—it's just facts." Bai Hanan's voice carried no trace of guilt. He even added, "Even if you don't give it to me, I'll still come over. But then I'd have to ring the doorbell every time, and that would be even more of a hassle for you."

Ji Yuntong stared at him, momentarily speechless. Was he really this confident?

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she asked, "Do you think I'll just give in?"

Bai Hanan met her gaze steadily, his smirk deepening. "Won't you?"

Ji Yuntong felt a headache coming on from his confidence. She rubbed her temples before finally giving up the argument and walking toward her room. "I'm too tired to argue. Do whatever you want."

Bai Hanan's lips curved into a victorious smile. "And the key?"

"Take it yourself." Ji Yuntong waved a hand dismissively without looking back. "It's in the drawer by the entrance. Don't lose it."

Bai Hanan chuckled, walked over to the entrance, opened the drawer, and easily retrieved the key—the symbol of his newfound privilege.

Gripping the key tightly, he smiled to himself, feeling rather satisfied.

—From now on, he no longer needed a reason to come find her.

After securing the key, Bai Hanan didn't linger. He walked toward Ji Yuntong's room and leaned against the doorframe, looking at her sitting on the bed. "It's getting late. I'll head back now."

He glanced around her room—warm white tones, simple yet cozy. Just like her—clean and restrained.

Ji Yuntong looked up at him and nodded. "Be careful on your way home."

Bai Hanan chuckled. "Kicking me out so soon?"

"What else?" Ji Yuntong raised a brow. "You want to stay?"

Feigning deep thought, Bai Hanan's deep voice carried a teasing lilt. "If you ask me to, I wouldn't mind."

Ji Yuntong rolled her eyes, ignoring his joke, and waved him off. "Just go."

Shaking his head with amusement, Bai Hanan picked up his coat and headed for the door. But before leaving, he suddenly paused, turned back, and said, "Now that I have a key, I'll be coming over often. Don't try to chase me away."

Ji Yuntong sighed, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. "Got it. Just go already."

Bai Hanan chuckled, opened the door, and stepped out. Just before the door closed, he called out meaningfully, "Good night, Tongtong."

The moment the door shut, the living room fell silent. Ji Yuntong sat there in a daze for a few seconds before realizing—wait, what did he just call her?

She let out a quiet sigh, leaning back against the couch. Her gaze drifted to the key box on the coffee table, but what surfaced in her mind instead was Bai Hanan's smile.

This "younger brother" had truly changed a lot…

Lying in bed, Ji Yuntong stared at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. Even though she tried to calm her thoughts, the subtle ripples in her heart refused to settle. Bai Hanan's presence, his words, and even the slight touches

seemed to linger in her mind, refusing to fade.

She tossed and turned, finding the night's stillness strangely unsettling. Her heartbeat remained unsteady, an unfamiliar restlessness creeping into her once-peaceful nights.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and she drifted into sleep—still carrying the lingering tremors in her heart. Even her dreams felt hazy and unclear, mirroring the emotions she had yet to fully grasp.