A honking sound rang out from behind them, growing louder until it cut through the silence like a sharp reminder of the real world.
Liang Yueru blinked, confused and slightly dazed. Her hands pressed lightly against Lin Zhihao's chest, and she took a few steps back.
The moment between them had shattered, replaced by a rush of conflicting thoughts.
Her face showed her confusion. She didn't know what exactly had happened or what she felt.
Her mind was all over the place, and her heart was racing.
She looked at him.
He was calm. Silent. Watching her with the same neutral face he always wore.
And for some reason, that made her angrier than anything else.
She was caught in a storm of emotions, and he looked like he had just stepped out for a walk.
He moved forward a little and stretched out his hand.
"Liang Yueru," he said, softly but clearly.
The way he said her name made her freeze. It felt too close, too familiar.
It brought back too many things she wasn't ready to remember.
"Don't," she said quickly, stepping back again. "Don't come near me."
He looked like he wanted to speak, but she didn't give him the chance.
She walked around him, got into the car, and shut the door.
A few seconds later, he quietly sat in the passenger seat beside her.
She turned on the GPS, typed in her home address, and said, "Just drive."
The ride was completely silent. No music, no talking. Just the hum of the engine and the weight of everything unsaid.
When they reached her apartment, she unbuckled her seatbelt without looking at him.
"Keep the keys. Drive back to your place," she said. "I'll ask my assistant to collect the car in the morning."
He gave a short nod.
She stepped out and walked away without turning back.
The moment she shut her front door, her legs gave out, and she slid down against the wood.
She sat there on the floor, quiet for a moment, until the tears came.
She didn't know why she was crying. Maybe because she saw him again. Maybe because of the kiss.
Maybe because of all the years she spent trying to forget. Or maybe it was all of it.
She thought about how he used to wait for her outside her house before school.
How he once stood in freezing cold for almost an hour to bring her favorite wontons.
She had been happy then.
But she also remembered how it ended. No closure. No explanation. Just silence.
She forced the memories back. They weren't useful now.
Somehow, she made it to bed. At some point, she must have fallen asleep.
The next morning, her phone rang.
Still half-asleep, she answered it.
"Hello?" she mumbled.
"Good morning, ma'am," her assistant said, sounding sleepy. "Mr. Lin just dropped the car at my place. He asked for the address yesterday and left it here a few minutes ago."
Yueru sat up, confused but not surprised. The mention of his name was enough to bring back everything she had worked hard to bury since waking up.
"I see," she said simply, then ended the call.
She sat quietly for a moment, then whispered to herself, "Yesterday is done. That was it."
She took a long shower, got dressed, and reminded herself that today's meeting was more important than anything else.
At the office, her assistant was already waiting outside the building with her files and a coffee in hand.
"You look fresh Ma'am," he said with a small smile.
"That's just good lighting and strong coffee," she replied, taking the cup from him.
They walked to the conference hall. Inside, several senior officials were already present. She greeted them politely.
"Vice Minister Li, good morning."
"Director Chen, I hope your granddaughter's piano recital went well."
They returned her greetings with kind smiles.
She took her seat and reviewed the file again. The meeting today was crucial.
A final discussion on whether China would send a humanitarian team to a Middle Eastern country that was in crisis.
The situation there was worsening. Civil unrest. Disrupted supply chains. People unable to find even one decent meal a day.
It was a mission that involved real risk but also the chance to make a difference.
This was the kind of work she had always wanted to do.
She had grown up listening to stories from her grandfather, who was in the foreign services too and had served abroad in dangerous places.
He never spoke of medals or protocol. He talked about the people he met, the villages he helped, and how he felt more useful there than anywhere else.
Her father followed the same path. He told her often that diplomacy wasn't easy.
It took discipline and patience, and it was often lonely.
When she told him she wanted to join the service too, he didn't try to stop her.
He had smiled quietly and said, "Your grandfather would have been proud."
That memory stayed with her.
Just then, Director Hu entered the room with his usual cheerful tone.
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting."
He stepped aside to introduce two more figures who had just walked in.
"You all know General Lin," he said with a grin. "And the officer with him is his grandson, Lin Zhihao."
Yueru looked up and felt her breath catch.
She stared at Granda Lin, whom she met yesterday and she looked sharp, dignified, and was widely respected.
Of course she had seen him before. Everyone in public service had. But never once had she connected him to Zhihao.
Her eyes moved to the man standing behind him.
Lin Zhihao.
She blinked slowly.
They had dated for five years. All through high school and university. And somehow, she had never known. Her chest felt tight, but she kept her face neutral.
They both took the remaining seats. Lin Zhihao sat just one chair away from her.
Too close.
Director Hu continued speaking.
"As this mission involves entering a conflict zone, it's necessary to have military coordination and guidance on the ground. General Lin will assist, and the team will be joined by Colonel Lin as well."
The presenter began going over the plans. Locations, security risks, potential outcomes.
She tried to focus. Tried to take notes. But she could feel his presence beside her.
She hadn't wanted to see him again. Not after yesterday.
Now he was beside her again, speaking calmly, giving clear and confident replies.
Every time he spoke, her attention shifted without her permission.
She didn't look at him. Not even once.
But her mind was constantly thinking about how he was sitting beside her and breathing the same air.
She clenched her pen tightly. Lord, how distracted she saw.
Then Director Hu called her name.
"Ms. Liang, what's your view on the proposed security arrangements?"
She blinked and then straightened slightly. "Yes....I believe it's important."
"Then you agree Colonel Lin and his team should accompany the delegation on-site?" he asked.
Her heart dropped.She hesitated but then looked up and everyone now had their attention on her.
She looked at Lin Zhihao, who was already looking at her.
"I believe his expertise might be better used elsewhere," she said slowly. "Two months in a conflict zone is a long commitment. Perhaps someone else from his unit—"
Zhihao interrupted gently. "That's exactly why I should go. It's dangerous. If something goes wrong, I'd rather be there."
He said it without arrogance. Just certainty. Like it was fact.
The room agreed. Heads nodded. Words followed; "practical," "wise," "necessary."
Grandpa Hu beamed. "Then it's settled. Colonel Lin and his team will accompany the delegation and this would definitely let this old man sleep at peace in night."
Yueru sat back in her chair. She said nothing.
Yueru said nothing. She simply nodded.
But inside?
Inside, she was screaming.
She clenched her jaw and looked down at her notes again. The pen in her hand trembled slightly. Two months in a war zone; with him.
Wonderful.
She muttered softly under her breath.
"I need another vacation."