Perfec
The city was alive again — sunlight on glass, traffic humming, people moving like colors on a painting.
For once, the sky was clear.
Li Wei stood outside the café before opening time, the golden morning light spilling across the pavement. The air smelled like roasted beans and fresh bread. He took a deep breath and told himself, today will be normal.
But nothing about his life had been normal since Yuhan walked back in.
And nothing would ever be again.
---
At exactly ten, the bell over the door jingled.
Li Wei turned — heart thudding — expecting another customer.
It was him.
No cap, no hoodie, no sunglasses.
Just Yuhan — bright, real, unmistakable.
Every head in the café turned. The air seemed to stop. Someone whispered, "Is that—?"
Another voice gasped, "Yuhan?! The singer?"
He didn't care.
Yuhan smiled at Li Wei and walked straight to the counter like he belonged there.
"Coffee?" Li Wei managed, voice shaking slightly.
"Same as always," Yuhan said, smiling wider. "You still remember?"
Li Wei glared a little. "You're making it hard to forget anything right now."
Yuhan chuckled softly, eyes never leaving his. "Then don't forget me."
He took the coffee and sat by the window — the same seat as always. The light hit him perfectly, making the gold in his eyes burn brighter.
People outside were already snapping pictures, pressing their faces to the glass.
Zhao Ming hissed from behind the counter, "Li Wei, do you see what's happening right now? You're trending before noon!"
Li Wei ignored him. He looked at Yuhan — who seemed strangely calm, as if he'd finally stopped running.
---
Later that day, the first post went viral.
📱 "Yuhan spotted at Ming's Brew Café with mystery barista — fans say there's something going on 👀☕"
The comments exploded.
Some were sweet.
Some were cruel.
All were loud.
By nightfall, reporters were outside.
Li Wei shut the door and locked it. His hands trembled as flashes went off outside the window.
"Why did you come?" he whispered. "Now they'll drag you for this."
Yuhan stood close — too close. "I came because I wanted to."
"This isn't a joke, Yuhan. You'll lose fans. Your label—"
"I've already lost more than that," he interrupted. His voice cracked a little. "Myself. My peace. You were the only part that felt real."
Li Wei swallowed hard. "And now they'll take that from you too."
Yuhan reached out, his hand brushing Li Wei's wrist. "Not if I choose not to hide anymore."
The silence between them was heavy — not painful, just full.
Outside, the crowd shouted. Cameras flashed.
Inside, Yuhan leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Let them see," he said. "I'm tired of being someone I'm not."
And then he kissed him.
It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't even long. Just quiet, certain — like a promise.
The world outside roared, but for a second, Li Wei couldn't hear anything but his heartbeat.
---
By night's end, Yuhan's name was everywhere.
#YuhanCafé
#TheBarista
#TrueOrRumor
But Yuhan didn't care.
He stayed until dawn, sitting by the window with Li Wei, watching the light return.
The city moved on like it always did.
But somewhere inside the café, two people had stopped pretending.
---
End of Chapter 7