*Chapter 36: A Different Kind of Warmth*
The café smelled faintly of roasted beans and fresh pastries. Mei Yan sat across from Li Xue, her sharp eyes softening as she studied her friend.
"You look thinner," Mei Yan said bluntly. "Is he treating you well?"
Li Xue lowered her gaze to her cup, the steam clouding her face. "He treats me according to the contract."
Mei Yan's lips tightened, but before she could speak further, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Mei Yan? Here?" Shen Wei approached, casual confidence radiating from him. He wore the ease of a man who never feared consequences.
Mei Yan's brows rose. "Do you follow us everywhere?"
Shen Wei chuckled, sliding into the seat beside Li Xue without invitation. "Coincidence. Or maybe fate."
The banter between them unfolded naturally — Mei Yan's curt, no-nonsense tone clashing with Shen Wei's teasing charm. For once, Li Xue felt a small weight lift from her chest. Their back-and-forth filled the air with something lighter, warmer.
Han Qiang joined later, carrying files and muttering about a failed deal. "If you're done flirting, Shen Wei, we actually have numbers to fix."
"Flirting?" Mei Yan's glare could cut glass. Shen Wei only grinned wider.
Li Xue watched, silent but comforted. For the first time in weeks, the world didn't feel like chains of ink.