A Dangerous Game

The gala continued in full swing—glasses clinked, laughter echoed, and the air buzzed with power plays disguised as polite conversation. But Ruolan felt strangely detached, as if she were watching everything from behind a glass wall.

Her mind was still replaying that brief flicker of something in Yichen's gaze.

Could Mo Zixuan be right?

She shook her head. No, I'm overthinking it.

Yichen was cold, logical, and completely unattached. He didn't waste emotions on things that didn't serve a purpose. The thought that he could be even remotely jealous was laughable.

And yet…

Why did it feel like he was watching?

Even as she moved through the room, speaking with Xinya and other guests, she couldn't shake the subtle weight of his presence. Every now and then, when she glanced in his direction, she would catch his gaze lingering for just a second too long before he looked away.

It was enough to make her stomach flip.

But before she could dwell on it further, a voice cut through her thoughts.

"Ruolan."

Jiang Wei.

She turned to find him standing close—too close—with that signature smirk tugging at his lips.

Ruolan arched an eyebrow. "What now?"

Jiang Wei chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You look tense."

"I wonder why."

He ignored her sarcasm. "I didn't think I'd enjoy this gala, but watching Li Yichen react to you has been quite entertaining."

Ruolan frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Jiang Wei leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You haven't noticed? He's been looking at you all night. That man—he's always so controlled, so distant, but with you…" His eyes gleamed. "I think I saw a crack in the ice."

Ruolan's pulse jumped. "You're imagining things."

Jiang Wei smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know how to read people better than you think."

Ruolan crossed her arms. "Why do you care?"

Jiang Wei studied her for a moment, and for the first time tonight, his usual playfulness faded. "Because I meant what I said earlier. Be careful around him."

Ruolan narrowed her eyes. "And why is that?"

Jiang Wei hesitated. For a brief second, she thought she saw something serious in his gaze—something almost… protective?

Then, just as quickly, it was gone. He sighed dramatically, stepping back. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

Ruolan exhaled sharply. "Then don't waste my time."

She turned on her heel to walk away—

—only to nearly crash into a hard, unyielding chest.

Strong hands caught her shoulders, steadying her. Ruolan's breath hitched as she tilted her head up, meeting the cool, unreadable gaze of Li Yichen.

Her stomach flipped.

How long had he been standing there?

Yichen's grip lingered a second too long before he slowly released her, turning his attention to Jiang Wei. "You're awfully persistent."

Jiang Wei smirked. "What can I say? I'm interested."

Yichen's eyes darkened, though his expression remained perfectly composed. "Interested in what, exactly?"

Jiang Wei tilted his head. "In her."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Ruolan felt her breath hitch at the boldness of his words, but she barely had time to process before Yichen took a step closer—his presence overwhelming, his voice deathly calm.

"Stay away from her."

Ruolan's heart slammed against her ribs.

Jiang Wei, to his credit, didn't seem fazed. If anything, his smirk widened. "Now why would I do that?"

Yichen's expression remained unreadable, but there was something lethal simmering beneath the surface.

"Your call," Yichen shrugged cooly, "But there are consequences if you don't and I mean it." His voice was authoritative, almost threatening, the kind that would command immediate obedience from anyone.

Jiang Wei chuckled. "That almost sounded possessive, Li Yichen."

Ruolan swallowed hard.

For a moment, she thought Yichen would respond—but instead, he simply gave Jiang Wei a final, cutting glance before turning to Ruolan.

"Come."

It wasn't a request.

Ruolan hesitated, but under his sharp gaze, she found herself moving before she even realized it.

A Moment of Silence

Yichen led her away from the crowd, through the back doors of the ballroom and onto the private balcony overlooking the city. The crisp night air hit her skin, cooling the heat rising in her cheeks.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, finally, Ruolan broke the silence. "That was unnecessary."

Yichen exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "He's a problem."

Ruolan folded her arms. "You don't get to tell me who I can or can't talk to."

His gaze snapped to her, sharp and intense. "I do when it concerns me."

Ruolan's breath caught. "What?"

Yichen took a slow step toward her, his voice quieter this time. "Jiang Wei isn't a man you should entertain."

"I'm not entertaining him."

"Then don't let him think you are," his response came in almost immediately.

Ruolan's heart pounded. His tone was even, controlled, but there was something just beneath the surface—something that made her chest tighten.

"Why do you care?" she finally whispered.

Yichen stilled.

For a second, something flickered in his gaze—something almost vulnerable. But then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"I don't."

Ruolan's stomach twisted.

Of course.

Of course he didn't.

Before she could say anything else, Yichen took a step back, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Let's go. The gala isn't over."

Just like that, the moment ended.

Ruolan inhaled deeply, forcing herself to push down the strange mix of emotions bubbling inside her.

She was overthinking things.

…Wasn't she?

With one last glance at the city skyline, she followed Yichen back inside.

But even as she rejoined the glittering crowd, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.

Something she wasn't ready to face just yet.