Chapter 4 You didn't touch me

The first thing Meiyu felt was the softness beneath her-far too plush to be her own mattress. Her eyes fluttered open, greeted by the muted cream of unfamiliar curtains and the dim outline of a chandelier above her.

She sat up quickly.

Her heart pounded.

The room was spacious, minimal, and elegant. Pale wood floors, tall drapes, a marble-topped dresser in the corner. The bed was wide and freshly made. The scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air, too refined to be from a hotel.

Her hands flew to her clothes.

Everything was still on-her dress from the night before, though slightly wrinkled. Her heels had been placed neatly by the foot of the bed. Zeyan's jacket lay folded on a nearby armchair.

Her fingers hovered over her waist. Her body... untouched.

She exhaled slowly.

Pulling the comforter closer around her, she glanced toward the window. Morning light spilled through the curtains, soft and golden, brushing against the walls like a quiet reassurance.

Then she noticed the folded paper on the nightstand.

Simple. White. Her name written on the front in steady handwriting.

She opened it.

You're safe. I had the guest room prepared.

You can take your time before coming out.

-Li Zeyan

No greeting. No unnecessary words. Just clarity.

Meiyu folded the note, her fingers trembling slightly-not from fear, but from the sheer unfamiliarity of someone being this... decent. After everything, she hadn't expected kindness.

She swung her legs off the bed and stood carefully, testing her balance. Her headache throbbed gently, a reminder of the drinks she barely remembered ordering.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar. She hesitated, listening. The house was quiet, unnervingly so.

She straightened her dress, smoothed her hair, and pulled Zeyan's jacket over her shoulders again before stepping out.

The hallway was tastefully decorated-artwork framed in black, soft lighting along the walls. She padded down the corridor slowly, barefoot, following the faint scent of coffee.

Then she heard it: the clink of a cup being set down, followed by footsteps.

And then-Li Zeyan appeared at the end of the hallway.

No suit jacket this time. Just a crisp white shirt, top buttons undone, sleeves rolled up again, revealing those same tattoos on his forearm.

His eyes met hers-calm, unreadable, and unhurried.

"You're awake," he said simply.

She nodded, hugging the jacket closer. "This is your home."

"Yes."

"You brought me here."

"Yes."

She swallowed, her voice softer now. "You didn't... touch me?"

Zeyan's expression didn't change. "I wouldn't."

For a moment, she just stared at him.

Not because she doubted him-but because he said it like it didn't even need clarification.

Zeyan stepped aside and motioned toward the living room. "There's water. Or coffee, if you prefer."

Meiyu took a slow breath and followed.