The following week, the tension between them reached a fever pitch. Meetings were battles of wit, lunch breaks turned into stolen glances, and office corridors felt like arenas of silent challenges.
One rainy evening, Li Wei stayed late again. Thunder rumbled over the city. He found himself in the empty lobby, wondering if he had imagined the thrill and danger.
Then, from the shadows, Kai emerged. His coat clung to him from the rain, droplets tracing the sharp line of his jaw. "You're playing with fire, Li Wei," he said softly.
Li Wei met his gaze. "Maybe I like fire."
Kai's expression darkened, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his usual ice. "Some fires can consume everything."
They stood in silence, a storm raging outside, matching the storm between them. Words failed, but their proximity spoke louder than any confession.
Suddenly, Kai's phone buzzed. A text flashed: "He knows everything. Move carefully."
Kai's jaw tightened. His eyes, usually so composed, now betrayed fear. He looked at Li Wei, a dangerous mix of desire and warning in his gaze.
A shadow moved behind Kai—a figure Li Wei had never seen before. And before either could react, the figure spoke: "It's time he knows the truth."