The curtains were drawn tight, and the room was dim.
The hand holding hers was warm, its long fingers lacing naturally with Jiang Qingli's. He leaned in, closing the distance, and a steady, reassuring presence enveloped her.
"Brother?"
Slightly stunned, she grabbed the curtain and pulled it open, confirming her suspicion.
Outside, it was already evening. The sky was filled with the sunset's glow. The young man sat on the edge of her bed, his stern profile softened by the orange-red light.
"It's me." Xie Youchen tucked a few messy strands of her hair behind her ear. He lowered his gaze to her eyes, his voice soft. "Who did Ah Li think it was?"
Jiang Qingli touched the tip of her nose guiltily, not daring to meet his gaze. "...No one."
"No one?" Xie Youchen repeated the two words, his tone unhurried. "Then why can't you look your brother in the eye?"
Jiang Qingli couldn't very well say she thought Ye Linyuan had come looking for her.
