The vil was loud that morning.

  Not because of fighting.

  But because of the envelope sitting on the breakfast table. Thick. Bck. Sealed with gold.

  Shixun picked it up. "It's Eden House again?"

  The host walked in a second ter, smiling knowingly.

  > "Surprise twist. This time, one man gets to choose. Only one. And the choice… goes to Chen Yuren."

  Every fork dropped.

  Ruoxi didn't move.

  She just lifted her gss of juice to her lips, smile curving like smoke.

  Inside, though—her pulse ticked faster.

  Chen Yuren?

  They hadn't spoken much since his letter. Just looks. Gnces. That quiet tension that lingered longer than it should.

  And now…

  **The power was his.**

  ---

  Everyone stared at Yuren.

  He stood slowly. Calm. No hesitation.

  His eyes met Ruoxi's.

  And stayed there.

  > "I pick Shen Ruoxi."

  Just like that.

  Straightforward.

  No theatrics.

  Ruoxi let out a soft breath of ughter. Then stood, adjusting her robe off her shoulder deliberately.

  The whole vil was watching.

  She walked past Shixun—who looked like he'd swallowed a knife—and brushed her fingers over his hand.

  "Don't look so wounded," she whispered. "I'll flirt with you again tomorrow."

  And then she was gone.

  ---

  ### **Eden House, Nightfall**

  This time, the setup was different.

  No dinner table. No candles.

  Just a minimalist room, warm lighting, a huge gss window with the ocean outside.

  And a bed.

  Subtle. Intimate. No pretense.

  Yuren handed her a drink—neat whiskey.

  "You remembered," she said.

  "You're not a cocktail girl."

  "No," she said, taking it with a smirk. "I'm not here to be sweet."

  She sat on the couch, pulling her legs up, robe slipping slightly. "So. Doctor to mystery man. What do you want from me tonight?"

  Yuren leaned on the opposite armrest.

  His voice was soft.

  "I don't want anything *from* you."

  A beat.

  "I just want to be near you when you're not performing."

  Ruoxi raised a brow. "What makes you think this isn't a performance?"

  "You're not trying to impress me," he said. "That's how I know."

  Her lips parted.

  Because for once… he was right.

  She wasn't flirting to win.

  She was here. Being seen. No stage.

  And the realization shook her.

  Just a little.

  ---

  He didn't touch her. Not once.

  But when she leaned closer—close enough to press her shoulder against his chest—he didn't move away.

  She let her fingers trail along his wrist, zy, slow.

  "You always watch me," she murmured. "But you never chase."

  "Because I don't have to," he said, gaze steady. "You come to me."

  And she did.

  Not because of a game.

  Because her heartbeat had slowed near him in a way that didn't feel dangerous.

  It felt *real.*

  ---

  **Confessional Booth – Shen Ruoxi**

  "He doesn't flirt. Doesn't compete. Doesn't try to win me."

  She ughed softly.

  "And that's the most dangerous move of all."

  ---

  **Confessional Booth – Chen Yuren**

  "She's fire. Everyone sees that."

  A small smile.

  "But fire isn't always meant to be tamed. Sometimes, it's meant to be held gently… until it decides to stay."