Can't let it go

The following days passed in a blur, each one more tense than the last. Lu Xiao spent her mornings at the office, managing the day-to-day tasks while her mind was consumed with the looming threat of Chen Wei. Lei Han had been quieter than usual, his focus sharp, as though he were preparing for something she couldn't fully grasp.

She could feel the undercurrent of tension in every conversation, in every glance exchanged with colleagues. Rumors spread through the office, but Lu Xiao kept her distance from them, her mind only on protecting Lei Han and staying by his side.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Lu Xiao sat in her apartment with a glass of tea. The quiet was a relief, but it was fleeting. Her phone buzzed on the table—a message from Lei Han.

Come to my office. Now.

Her heart raced as she grabbed her coat, her pulse quickening with a sense of urgency. When she arrived, the door was ajar. Lei Han sat behind his desk, a stack of papers spread out in front of him, his expression unreadable.

"Close the door," he said quietly, without looking up.

Lu Xiao obeyed, her mind racing with questions. She walked over to stand beside him, watching as he sifted through the documents.

"What's going on?" she asked softly.

Lei Han leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Chen Wei's movements are more calculated than I expected. He's making his move."

She swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "What does that mean for us?"

"For now," he said, finally meeting her gaze, "it means we have to be careful. Chen Wei won't hesitate to target the people closest to me—especially you."

Her breath hitched at his admission. "You don't have to protect me all the time," she said quietly.

"I do," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "You're too important to me to take any risks."

---

That night, Lu Xiao lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The silence was deafening, and the weight of everything that was happening pressed down on her. She wanted to help Lei Han, to stand by him in a way that mattered, but her role always felt so small compared to his.

Her phone vibrated again—another message from him.

I'm coming over.

A few minutes later, the familiar knock sounded at her door. She quickly opened it, finding Lei Han standing there, his eyes intense.

"You didn't have to come," she said softly, stepping aside to let him in.

"I did," he replied, his voice steady. "Just wanted to see you."

They sat together on the couch, side by side, the tension between them palpable yet comforting. Lei Han rested his hand on hers, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin.

"I don't want you to feel alone in this," he said quietly. "I know I've been distant, but it's only because I'm trying to keep you safe."

"I understand," she replied, though the ache of missing him lingered. "But I don't want you to carry this burden alone. We're in this together."

He looked down at their joined hands, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You're stronger than you realize."

"Maybe," she murmured, "but even the strongest need someone to lean on."

Lei Han brought her hand to his lips, kissing it tenderly. "You're my anchor, Lu Xiao. You always have been."

---

As the night deepened, the comfort of his presence enveloped her, soothing the worries that threatened to overwhelm her. Though the storm outside raged on, they found solace in each other's embrace—an unshakable bond formed through love, trust, and unwavering determination to face whatever lay ahead.

"I'll always protect you," he whispered against her temple. "No matter what."

And in that promise, Lu Xiao found the strength to believe.