Yang Lingyun took Xia Lihua to a place unknowingly. deeper into the woods. The further they went, the darker it became. The trees thickened overhead, blocking even the moonlight. Leaves crunched under their feet. The wind rustled through branches.
"Lingyun… wait—" Xia Lihua stumbled slightly. "At least… listen to me… he was saying—"
"I don't want to hear what he was saying," Yang Lingyun cut her off. His grip wasn't painful, but it was desperate — like he was scared she would vanish if he let go for even a moment.
She panted softly from trying to keep up with his long strides. "But you don't know—"
"I know exactly what it was," he snapped, stopping suddenly.
Xia Lihua almost bumped into his back.
He slowly turned around, eyes burning with a mix of jealousy, hurt, and something even deeper. "I know he likes you. It's obvious. He doesn't even bother hiding it."
His words hit her like a blow — not because of the accusation but because he had actually sensed it.
"You… knew?"
