The feeling didn't fade.
It grew.
Xu Lin sat on his bed
Staring at nothing.
Days had passed.
But nothing felt normal anymore.
Not after him.
"…Mo Xuan…"
The name came easier now.
Too easy.
Xu Lin frowned slightly.
"…Why do I keep thinking about him…"
No answer came.
Only silence.
That night
The air changed again.
Subtle.
But impossible to ignore.
Xu Lin stood up immediately.
"…You're here."
Silence.
Then
"…You're getting used to it."
The voice came from behind him.
Closer.
Xu Lin turned
Already expecting him.
Mo Xuan stood there.
Like always.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…Stop doing that."
"…Doing what?"
"…Showing up like you own the place."
A faint smile.
"…Don't I?"
The words hit differently this time.
Xu Lin's chest tightened.
"…No."
A pause.
"…You don't."
For a moment
Mo Xuan said nothing.
Then
He stepped closer.
Slow.
"…Say that again."
Something in his tone
Changed.
Xu Lin didn't move.
Didn't step back.
"…You don't own me."
Silence.
Heavy.
For a second
The air felt like it might break.
Then
Mo Xuan laughed softly.
Low.
"…Not yet."
Those words
Weren't a joke.
Xu Lin's heart skipped.
"…You're insane."
"…Maybe."
A pause.
"…But I'm still the only one who can protect you."
That
Made him freeze.
"…From what?"
Silence.
Then
Mo Xuan's gaze shifted.
Upward.
Sharp.
"…They're already here."
Before Xu Lin could react
The air split.
Not visibly
But he felt it.
Cold.
Unnatural.
A presence
Descending.
Xu Lin staggered slightly.
"…What is that"
Mo Xuan grabbed his wrist instantly.
"…Stay close."
No hesitation.
No explanation.
Just command.
Xu Lin's breath caught.
Because
This time
It felt real.
Dangerous.
The room darkened suddenly.
Not because of night
But because something
Had entered.
A figure appeared.
Faint.
Almost like light
But colder.
"…So it's true."
The voice echoed softly.
Not human.
Xu Lin froze.
Because
Something inside him reacted.
Fear
Mixed with something else.
Recognition.
"…You shouldn't be here."
Mo Xuan's voice dropped.
Dangerous.
The figure stepped forward.
Calm.
"…And you shouldn't exist here either."
Silence.
Sharp.
Xu Lin's head throbbed suddenly.
Flashes
Light
Chains
A voice
"…Xu"
He gasped.
"…What's happening to me"
Mo Xuan tightened his grip.
"…Don't look at him."
Too late.
Xu Lin's gaze lifted.
Meeting the figure's eyes.
And in that moment
Something broke.
"…Lin"
The name almost formed.
But didn't.
Pain surged through him.
His vision blurred.
"…Stop!"
Mo Xuan moved instantly.
Pulling Xu Lin back
Shielding him.
The air exploded.
Power
Clashing.
The room shook.
The figure didn't move.
"…You're interfering again."
Mo Xuan's eyes darkened.
"…Leave."
A pause.
"…Or I'll make you."
Silence.
Then
A faint smile.
"…You can try."
The pressure increased.
Xu Lin couldn't breathe properly.
"…Stop… please…"
His voice came out weak.
Broken.
For a split second
Mo Xuan hesitated.
Just a moment
But enough.
The figure moved.
Fast.
Light surged forward
Aiming straight at Xu Lin.
Everything slowed.
Too fast to react
Too sudden to stop
And then
Mo Xuan stepped in front of him.
Taking it.
The impact hit hard.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Xu Lin's eyes widened.
"…Why"
Mo Xuan didn't answer.
But for the first time
His expression cracked.
"…You're still weak…"
The figure spoke quietly.
"…This won't last."
Silence.
Then
The presence faded.
Gone.
Just like that.
The pressure disappeared.
The room returned to normal.
But Xu Lin didn't move.
Because
Mo Xuan was still standing in front of him.
Unmoving.
"…Mo Xuan…?"
No response.
Xu Lin stepped closer slowly.
"…You said you'd protect me…"
A pause.
"…So don't fall now."
Silence.
Then
Very faintly
Mo Xuan spoke.
"…I told you…"
A slow breath.
"…stay close."
His body shifted slightly
Unsteady.
Xu Lin's heart pounded.
Because now
He understood.
This wasn't a game.
This wasn't confusion.
This was something real.
And dangerous.
And somehow
He was right in the center of it.
Because sometimes…
the one who protects you…
is the one you should fear the most. 🖤🔥