Can't let it go

Lu Xiao stood in the kitchen of her modest apartment, staring at the flickering flame of the gas stove. The sound of bubbling water in the kettle filled the quiet room, but her mind was far from the present. She couldn't stop thinking about the events of the past few days—Chen Wei's cryptic warnings, Lei Han's guarded demeanor, and the unspoken tension that seemed to hang over everything.

A sharp knock at the door startled her. She turned off the stove and walked to the door, peeking through the peephole.

It was Lei Han.

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly opened the door, her surprise evident. "Mr. Lei? What are you doing here?"

Lei Han looked as composed as ever, though his eyes held a trace of weariness. "I wanted to check on you," he said simply. "May I come in?"

Lu Xiao stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. He walked into the small living room, glancing around briefly before turning to face her.

"You left the office in a hurry today," he said, his tone gentle. "I wanted to make sure everything was alright."

She hesitated, unsure how to explain the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "I'm fine. Just… thinking about everything that's happened recently."

Lei Han nodded, his expression softening. "It's been a lot to take in."

Lu Xiao crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Chen Wei said something that's been bothering me. He implied that you're hiding something from me."

Lei Han's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away. "Chen Wei thrives on creating doubt. Don't let him get to you."

"But is he right?" she pressed. "Are you hiding something?"

For a moment, Lei Han didn't respond. Then, with a deep sigh, he said, "There are things about my life, my business, that are complicated. Dangerous, even. I've kept you out of it because I don't want you to get hurt."

Lu Xiao stepped closer, her voice firm. "I can take care of myself, Lei. I'm not as fragile as you think."

His gaze softened as he looked at her, the walls he always kept up seeming to crack just a little. "I know you're strong, Lu Xiao. Stronger than most people I've met. But that's exactly why I want to protect you. You mean more to me than I can put into words."

Her breath caught at his admission. For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them standing in the small, dimly lit apartment.

---

As the night deepened, they found themselves sitting on the couch, talking about everything and nothing. Lei Han opened up in a way he never had before, sharing glimpses of his past, the pressures of his family, and the burdens he carried as the head of his company.

Lu Xiao listened intently, her heart aching for the man who had always seemed so invincible.

"You don't have to carry everything on your own," she said softly. "You can trust me."

Lei Han reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, steady. "I do trust you, Lu Xiao. More than anyone else in my life."

Their eyes met, and in that moment, the unspoken connection between them became undeniable.

"Lei…" she began, but her words faltered as he leaned closer, his gaze locked on hers.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

But she didn't.

Their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and intense, a release of the emotions they had been holding back for so long. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the barriers between them crumbling away.

When they finally pulled apart, Lei Han rested his forehead against hers, his breath uneven. "I've wanted this for so long," he admitted.

"Me too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

In that quiet, intimate moment, they both knew that their lives had changed irrevocably. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.