The bar was louder than usual.
Music pulsed through the air, glasses clinked, and laughter blurred into noise—but An Yi felt none of it. She stood behind the counter, finishing her shift, counting minutes instead of tips. College classes in the morning. Another long day ahead.
She didn't belong to places like this.
She never had.
That was when the door opened.
The room didn't fall silent—but something shifted.
He walked in calmly, dressed in black, his presence sharp enough to cut through the crowd. His expression was unreadable, eyes cold, distant. People noticed him without knowing why.
Lu Chen.
He didn't give his name.
He never did.
He took a seat at the far end of the bar, alone.
An Yi felt it before she saw it—his gaze. When she looked up, their eyes met. Just for a second.
Her heart skipped.
She looked away quickly, annoyed at herself.
Get it together.
She carried a glass toward him, placing it on the counter.
"Your drink," she said softly.
"Thank you."
His voice was low. Controlled. It stayed with her longer than it should have.
Their fingers didn't touch—but the space between them felt charged.
"You work here?" he asked.
"Yes. Part-time."
"College?"
She nodded.
Something flickered in his eyes. Interest. Concern. Maybe both.
The night passed quietly after that. He didn't drink much. Didn't speak much. But every time An Yi moved, she felt his attention follow—protective, intense.
When her shift ended, she grabbed her bag and stepped outside.
The street was darker than usual.
Too quiet.
She didn't hear the footsteps until they were close.
Her breath caught.
Before she could turn—
A hand grabbed her arm.
Time froze.
"Let her go."
The voice was calm. Dangerous.
The grip on her arm loosened instantly. Someone cursed and ran.
An Yi staggered back, shaking.
Strong arms caught her before she fell.
Lu Chen.
He stood between her and the darkness, jaw tight, eyes sharp with anger he hadn't shown before.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
She shook her head, still trembling.
"I—thank you."
He didn't answer right away. He removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders, steadying her.
"You're not safe here alone," he said quietly.
"I can walk—"
"No."
The word wasn't loud. But it wasn't a request either.
She looked up at him—and for the first time, she saw something beneath the cold surface.
Concern.
That night, he walked her home.
They didn't talk much. They didn't touch.
But when they stopped outside her building, An Yi realized something had already changed.
She didn't know who he really was.
She didn't know why he cared.
She only knew this—
Meeting him was not an accident.
And Lu Chen knew one thing with terrifying clarity:
Saving her life was only the beginning.