Chapter 46: Brave Enough?

Daylight had broken outside, but the living room remained shrouded in shadow, the curtains drawn tight against the morning. December crept closer, bringing with it the kind of cold that settled into your bones—mornings sharp as glass, evenings that bit through layers of clothing.

Wen Yifan had already claimed her seat on the sofa beside Sang Yan. Fresh from sleep, she wore only thin pajamas, the fabric doing little to protect her from the chill. Without her coat, goosebumps rose along her arms, and she couldn't suppress the shiver that ran through her.

Sang Yan's expression softened, though he remained otherwise still, watching her with an unreadable gaze.

She moved closer. Slowly. Incrementally. Each shift of her body measured and deliberate, as if giving him ample opportunity to object. Yet even when the space between them had narrowed to barely half a meter, he said nothing. He simply observed, the faintest hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

Wen Yifan stopped. Waited. The silence stretched between them like a held breath.

Sang Yan still didn't move, seemingly content to watch this unfold like some private performance staged solely for his entertainment.

"…"

Receiving no objection, Wen Yifan made no further advance. Instead, she gave herself an elegant exit. "Now you should understand what might happen if you don't lock your door."

A low laugh escaped him. "What might happen?"

His proximity was overwhelming—the heat of him, the intensity. Wen Yifan found herself suddenly stripped of the courage that had carried her through their earlier banter. She glanced at the clock, grasping for an escape. "I should go prepare for work now."

Sang Yan turned his head, the movement lazy, unhurried. "But nothing happened, right?"

"…" She met his eyes.

The blanket that had covered him lay mostly on the floor now, a rumpled heap he made no move to retrieve. His eyebrows arched with that characteristic arrogance, his whole demeanor radiating defiance—as if he feared nothing in heaven or earth, as if her words were of no consequence whatsoever.

Wen Yifan didn't argue. She bent down to gather the fallen blanket, holding one corner as she prepared to speak—

The other end jerked violently in his grip.

She hadn't released it yet. Caught completely off guard.

Her body lurched forward with the momentum, and she half-fell onto him, the careful distance between them collapsing in an instant.

Wen Yifan's breath caught. Instinct had her bracing against the cushion beside him, but the buffer wasn't enough. Her nose grazed his jaw, and she tilted her head up reflexively, finding herself staring directly into Sang Yan's pitch-black eyes.

His breath—everything about him—scorched.

For a heartbeat, Wen Yifan forgot how to think.

Sang Yan's gaze was deep, layered with something she couldn't quite name. His Adam's apple bobbed, the movement stark and mesmerizing. Then his eyes dropped, lingering on her lips for two endless seconds before tracking back up to meet hers.

Her mouth went inexplicably dry.

"What?" Sang Yan's voice emerged rough, threaded with huskiness. "Brave enough this time?"

…

The words shattered whatever spell had held her. Wen Yifan retreated, sitting up with more force than necessary. Her mind was chaos—she couldn't even parse what he meant. "Not brave enough," she blurted out, the denial automatic.

Sang Yan's eyebrows lifted, his expression unchanging.

"Maybe next time," Wen Yifan said vaguely, already scrambling for solid ground.

"…"

Citing the late hour, she fled the living room and took refuge in her bedroom. In the bathroom, she squeezed toothpaste onto her brush, then froze, forcing her breathing to slow and steady.

Relief washed over her, belated but profound.

Thank god she'd maintained control.

To do such things to Sang Yan while fully conscious, without any defined relationship between them—that would have been too disrespectful. Too presumptuous.

But why had Sang Yan tugged the blanket in the first place?

Originally, it had been sliding off anyway, and he hadn't cared. But the moment she reached for it, he'd reacted instantly... Was he worried she wouldn't stop at taking over his room? That she'd monopolize his only blanket too?

"…"

Had her image truly deteriorated to such depths?

As she brushed her teeth, Wen Yifan's mind circled back to Sang Yan's earlier words. The meaning crystallized slowly, and with it came the memory of something he'd said days before.

— "You want to violate me."

— "If you dare, come over."

Her expression froze. Her mind unhelpfully conjured the image of Sang Yan's face from moments ago, so close she could have counted his eyelashes. She spat out the foam, rinsed, and recalled her casual response to his provocation.

"…"

A sigh escaped her.

Though really, what was one more suggestive comment at this point?

Living with him had changed her, she realized. After washing and toweling her face dry, an entirely inappropriate thought drifted through her mind: she wondered if there would be another opportunity to be brave in the future.

…

A troubling realization struck her then: her approach to pursuing him had gone completely astray.

Verbal sparring accomplished nothing. It had no effect on him whatsoever.

Her current dynamic with Sang Yan resembled something like this—he always carried himself as the most impressive person in any room, but the moment he witnessed her doing something equally audacious, he couldn't help but rise to the challenge.

Naturally beginning to compete with her.

Sang Yan was someone who would never allow himself to be at a disadvantage, nor was he susceptible to intimidation. He lived entirely on his own terms, answerable to no one.

If things continued developing along this trajectory, would they truly become adversaries?

Back at the company, Wen Yifan settled at her desk and flipped through the scattered documents. Her neighbor Su Tian appeared as usual, ready to gossip and extract progress updates.

Wen Yifan considered for a moment. "I plan to speed things up."

After days of hearing nothing but "still working hard on it," Su Tian finally received a different answer. Relief flooded her features. "How are you going to speed up?"

"I'm planning to ask him out for dinner, although I don't know if he'll agree…" Wen Yifan paused, then shifted direction. "But before that, there's something else I need to do."

"What's that?"

"Improve myself," Wen Yifan said with absolute seriousness.

Su Tian blinked. "Hm?"

"If you want to pursue someone, you can't just focus all your energy on the other person." After days of contemplation, Wen Yifan had finally reached her conclusion. "You also need to work hard to improve yourself, to become better."

Su Tian fell silent for a moment, recognizing the wisdom in those words. "So what's your plan now?"

"I want to do more news reports." Wen Yifan's eyes lifted, bright with determination. "I'll try my best to see if I can become one of the top ten reporters at the station within three years."

"…" Su Tian repeated the timeframe slowly. "Three years?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure he won't have found someone else in three years?"

Wen Yifan turned her head, explaining in a low voice, "I'll be working on both things simultaneously."

"Huh?"

"I hope to make him feel—" Wen Yifan paused, searching for the right words. "That I'm a person who works very hard."

Even if I'm not good enough now, I'll gradually become better through hard work.

---

After careful consideration, Wen Yifan chose a date in early December to invite Sang Yan to dinner. She wanted to be the one with flexibility, so she selected her day off—a Friday.

For Sang Yan, it would be a regular workday.

Uncertain whether he'd need to work overtime, Wen Yifan decided to ask in advance. If he wasn't available, she could always adjust.

She emerged from her room to find Sang Yan freshly showered, lounging on the sofa with his phone.

Wen Yifan drifted to the opposite sofa, feigning a casual water break. As she poured, she stole a glance in his direction—

Only to find him already watching her.

She bit her lip lightly, noticing the game interface on his screen. "I've been playing this game recently too."

Sang Yan studied her. "Since when?"

"Just recently," Wen Yifan said, making awkward small talk. "It's quite fun."

At this, Sang Yan raised his phone toward her with studied casualness. "Want to play a round?"

"…" Thinking of her amateur skills and his merciless commentary, Wen Yifan shook her head quickly. "Maybe next time. My phone is in my room."

Sang Yan said nothing more.

Wen Yifan sipped her water, then broached the actual topic. "Are you free this Friday evening?"

Sang Yan tilted his head. "Why?"

"I recently heard from a colleague that there's a good grilled fish restaurant near your company." Wen Yifan kept her tone neutral, measured. "If you're free, shall we go eat there together?"

Sang Yan set down his phone and stared at her for several long seconds. Then, almost thoughtfully: "Finally going to repay the meal you owe me?"

Wen Yifan felt slightly stunned, though this interpretation wasn't wrong. She nodded.

"Oh." Sang Yan looked away.

"So, are you free?"

After a pause, Sang Yan gave a faint "Mm."

"Shall I meet you at your company building that day?" Uncertain if he'd mind, Wen Yifan explained, "I'm off on Friday, so I can get there early. Or we can meet directly at the restaurant if you prefer."

Sang Yan continued scrolling through his phone. "No need."

Wen Yifan's lips parted, but before she could respond, he continued, "I need to come back home after work."

"Hm?"

"We'll leave together then."

"…" Wen Yifan lowered her head and took another sip of water. "Alright."

Having said what she came to say, Wen Yifan didn't linger. She stood, took a few steps, then turned back. "So, shall I remind you again on Friday?"

Sang Yan glanced over his shoulder, the movement slow and deliberate. "Sure."

With that answer secured, Wen Yifan felt the tension ease from her shoulders. She returned to her room.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Sang Yan continued his game. After a while, the corners of his mouth curved upward for no apparent reason.

---

Friday evening arrived.

Wen Yifan surveyed the limited selection of dresses in her wardrobe, finally settling on a khaki-colored long dress. She layered it with a long woolen coat, then sat at her dressing table for half an hour, carefully applying makeup.

Studying her reflection, she wanted to make her features softer, less severe. She picked up her eyeshadow palette, deepened her eye sockets, and used eyeliner to draw the outer corners downward.

After considerable effort, she couldn't see much difference.

Wen Yifan pressed her lips together, abandoning the struggle. Before leaving, her gaze snagged on the perfume bottle. She picked it up, hesitated, then sprayed a little behind her ears.

She'd been waiting in the living room for about half an hour when Sang Yan returned. He set down his keys and, out of habit, glanced toward the living room. His gaze caught on her and lingered considerably longer than usual before moving away.

Wen Yifan stood, the question automatic. "Do you have something to do at home?"

"Just need to get something," Sang Yan said casually.

"Oh." Wen Yifan didn't press.

Sang Yan disappeared into his room briefly, emerging just as quickly. Whatever he'd retrieved must have been small—there was no visible change. He walked toward the entrance, tossing over his shoulder, "Let's go."

Following behind, Wen Yifan nodded. "Okay."

They settled into the car.

Wen Yifan fastened her seatbelt and told him the name of the grilled fish restaurant.

Sang Yan seemed familiar with it—he didn't bother with navigation, simply started the engine and pulled out.

Wen Yifan wondered if she should make conversation, then thought better of it. Distracting him while driving seemed unwise. She looked out the window, thinking of the car accident reports she'd covered, and quickly abandoned the idea.

There would be plenty of time to talk at the restaurant.

The drive took less than twenty minutes.

The restaurant sat near a small commercial area, with parking out front. Its location was prime, the name visible from the road. The signboard blazed red, impossible to miss.

Inside, the space was vast and packed with dinner rush customers, every table seemingly occupied.

Wen Yifan and Sang Yan entered together. "Two people," she told the hostess, who led them to a table for two. They were about to sit when a female voice rang out.

"Manager?"

The voice was crisp, and disturbingly familiar.

Wen Yifan's head turned automatically toward the sound.

The adjacent table was large, seating eight people who appeared to have just arrived—only tea and tableware sat before them, with metal basins in the center holding plastic packaging and discarded tea bags.

Zheng Kejia occupied one of the seats, wearing a ginger-yellow dress. Her looks ran to the sweet and soft variety, especially beautiful when smiling, a small tiger tooth visible. Among the noisy crowd, she stood out effortlessly.

The next second, her gaze shifted and locked with Wen Yifan's.

Zheng Kejia's smile dimmed noticeably.

A man beside her spoke up, puzzled. "Yan-ge, didn't you say you weren't coming?"

Sang Yan scanned the group. "You guys chose this place for your gathering?"

"Yes!" The man glanced at Wen Yifan, grinning. "Since we've run into each other, why don't you join us? As our boss, it's not right for you to skip our department's gatherings, is it?"

The realization struck—these must be Sang Yan's colleagues. Wen Yifan's gaze found Zheng Kejia again, surprise flickering through her. She hadn't known the girl had started working already.

Though thinking about it, she should be a senior in college this year. The timing made sense.

Sang Yan didn't immediately respond. He turned his head, bending slightly toward her. "Is that okay?"

"…" Wen Yifan refocused. "It's fine."

He observed her expression for several seconds before looking away and asking the waiter to add two chairs.

After settling in and adjusting her clothes, Wen Yifan heard Zheng Kejia call her name. The girl sat on Sang Yan's other side, not far away. Wen Yifan looked up calmly, smiled with polite distance, but offered no verbal response.

A man with a perm across the table asked in surprise, "You two know each other?"

"My sister," Zheng Kejia said clearly.

"What a coincidence! Are you blood sisters?" the permed man pressed.

Perhaps finding the relationship difficult to explain, Zheng Kejia simply smiled and agreed.

Hearing this answer, Sang Yan glanced at Zheng Kejia before quickly looking away. He rested his elbow on the table, his whole body angled toward Wen Yifan. "You have a younger sister?" he asked casually.

Wen Yifan was busy unwrapping her chopsticks. "Step-sister," she answered honestly.

Sang Yan watched her but didn't pursue the topic.

Xi Zhitang, feeling quite familiar, called out, "Sister Zheng—"

"She has the surname Wen," Sang Yan interrupted flatly.

"…" Xi Zhitang looked confused. "Isn't she Zheng Kejia's sister? Do you both take different surnames, one from your father and one from your mother?"

Wen Yifan successfully tore off the last of the wrapping and explained gently, "Blended family."

"That's right," Zheng Kejia chimed in.

"Oh, I see," Xi Zhitang said.

"Introduce her, Yan-ge," urged the boy sitting next to Zheng Kejia with a cheerful grin. "Is this your sister-in-law?"

Wen Yifan's movement paused. She quickly clarified for Sang Yan's sake, "No, I'm—" Unsure how to describe their relationship, she settled on the simplest answer. "A friend."

The boy continued teasing, "Yan-ge, just a friend?"

Sang Yan shot him a warning look that clearly said, Didn't you hear her? He reached for the kettle, casually pushing the dishes he hadn't opened in front of Wen Yifan. "Thanks."

"…" Watching him commandeer her just-unwrapped dishes, Wen Yifan had no choice but to continue tearing at packaging in silence.

Just then, the server arrived with drinks they must have ordered earlier. The person on the outer side distributed them, then puzzled over the last bottle. "Why are there nine? Did someone order too many?"

"Ah?" Zheng Kejia glanced at the receipt. "Looks like I accidentally marked one extra."

"This one doesn't look good at all."

"Let's leave it for now. Yan-ge, do you want to see if you'll drink it?"

"Give it to my sister." Zheng Kejia reached across Sang Yan to place the drink in front of Wen Yifan, smiling. "She's easygoing and doesn't dislike anything, so she can drink whatever."

Wen Yifan looked at the drink but said nothing.

Next, Zheng Kejia handed the menu to Sang Yan, her face slightly flushed. "Manager, why don't you see what you want to drink? We ordered early, and the dishes are all set, so check if you want to add anything."

At this, Sang Yan's eyelids flickered. He glanced at Zheng Kejia without emotion. The atmosphere at the table shifted, tension suddenly thick in the air.

Several seconds passed. Then Sang Yan took the menu and casually pushed it toward Wen Yifan.

She looked up at the motion.

Sang Yan picked up the drink from in front of her and placed it back in his own space, a silent claim. Their eyes met naturally, and his voice emerged soft: "What do you want to drink?"

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