*Chapter 6: Unspoken Wounds*
The following morning was painted with muted gray skies, as if the heavens themselves mirrored the heaviness inside Li Xue's chest. She moved quietly around the kitchen, careful not to make noise. Zhao Liang had barely spoken a word after last night's cutting remark, and the silence clung to the air like frost.
The doorbell rang unexpectedly. Li Xue blinked in surprise before opening it to reveal a familiar face — her best friend, Mei Yan.
"Xue!" Mei Yan swept her into a hug, her warmth breaking through the cold walls that had built around her heart. "You didn't answer my calls. I was worried."
For the first time in days, Li Xue allowed herself to breathe. Mei Yan's presence was a reminder that she wasn't completely alone.
Inside, Zhao Liang's two friends were sprawled across the couch, bickering about a football match. One of them gave Mei Yan an appraising look, his smirk lazy but intrigued. "Well, well. Who's this breath of fresh air?"
Mei Yan arched a brow, unimpressed. "Someone with better manners than you, clearly."
Li Xue almost choked on her tea. It was rare to see anyone stand toe-to-toe with Zhao Liang's friends, and the spark between them was undeniable, though hidden beneath sarcasm.
Zhao Liang, however, didn't even glance at them. His eyes stayed fixed on the newspaper in his hand, though Li Xue could tell he wasn't reading a word.
When Mei Yan leaned closer to whisper, "How long can you endure this, Xue?" the question pierced her more deeply than she cared to admit.
Her gaze lingered on Zhao Liang — his rigid posture, his cold silence, his refusal to acknowledge her existence beyond the contract.
"I don't know," she whispered back, her voice breaking despite her smile.