Chenchen returned to the Presidential Residence, checking on Dabai first and giving him a quick update before showering and diving back into her exam preparations. Only one day remained.
Needing reference books, she pushed open the study door. A single lamp still glowed within. Surprised, she found him there.
Bai Yeqing.
Leaning against the curved bookshelf, bathed in a pool of warm light, he held a volume. The golden halo softened the stark lines of his profile but did little to warm the inherent coolness in his posture.
"Sir," she greeted, determinedly pushing aside the memory of last night's near-disaster.
He merely flicked a glance upwards, his lips pressed into a tight line, offering no acknowledgment before returning his gaze to the page.
Chenchen shrugged inwardly; his frosty demeanor was familiar. Yet… was it her imagination, or did the air around him feel particularly icy tonight?
She moved past him, scanning the shelves. She retrieved several books, but the crucial one remained perched high above. The memory of her last ladder misadventure was still fresh. She stretched, rising onto her toes, fingers straining uselessly.
Frustration knit her brows. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Her pulse jumped as the solid warmth of his chest pressed against her back.
Then…
A long arm reached effortlessly over her shoulder, retrieving the book. His fingertips grazed hers.
Heat sparked. Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she turned her head. He was looking down. In that instant, their lips were barely an inch apart; her lashes almost brushed his cheekbone.
His gaze darkened.
Her breath quickened. She pressed herself back against the shelves, seeking safe distance. This man was pure danger. One lingering look could drown you.
But trapped between him and the wood, her efforts were futile.
"How was he?" Bai Yeqing's voice cut the silence.
She expected him to step back. He didn't. Instead, he rested the retrieved book on the shelf beside her head, bracing one arm there, effectively caging her as he looked down.
His height, his proximity—the sheer weight of his presence was suffocating. Her thoughts scattered. "Who?" she managed weakly.
"Your date." His tone was cool, detached, revealing nothing.
She blinked, surprised he knew. Dabai. Her fingers nervously traced the wood grain. "He… seemed fine."
"Planning to see him again?" His voice lowered further, a subtle shift he seemed unaware of as he watched the back of her head.
"He's nice… so, yes. We'll see."
Bai Yeqing's stare felt heavy. He finally stepped back, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly. Chenchen exhaled shakily.
She turned to face him fully as he offered the book. His gaze was penetrating. "Over Xu Yan so quickly, then?"
"Xu Yan?" A flicker of old loss stirred. Her first love. She shook her head, forcing lightness. "That ended five years ago, with Dabai. 'Like' doesn't enter into it now."
A derisive sound escaped him. "Fickle heart. Barging into my office demanding answers about him just days ago, and now… detached."
Chenchen flushed. "I was drunk that night. It won't happen again." She paused, gathering courage. "And you… Miss Song?" Her voice was tentative. "Will you… really marry her?"
He searched her face. Afraid of misunderstanding, she rushed to clarify, waving her hands. "I'm not prying! Truly. I just… need to know when. Once you marry, I'll have to move out. I'd like some time to prepare…"
His brow furrowed, displeasure darkening his features at her explanation. He strode towards the door.
Instinctively, she took a step after him. His voice, cold as marble, stopped her. "You go nowhere until I permit it."
He turned abruptly, pinning her with a hard stare. "And you will not marry that date."
"Wh— Why?" Chenchen stared, baffled. The sheer arbitrariness was staggering.
"No why." His tone brooked no argument. "My word is final."
...
Two days later, Chenchen still wrestled with the President's baffling edicts.
"Weiyang," she mused over coffee in the breakroom, "if a guy you lived with suddenly forbade you to move out… what would that mean?"
"Cheaper rent?" Weiyang shrugged, stirring her latte.
Chenchen rolled her eyes. "What if he also forbade you to marry your blind date?"
Weiyang nearly choked, setting her cup down with a clatter. "Are you dense?" She fixed Chenchen with a stare. "If a man says that? There's only one reason, girl! He likes you! Likes you, doesn't want you gone, doesn't want you hitched to someone else. Basic human emotions!"
"Likes… me?" The words felt alien on Chenchen's tongue. Bai Yeqing? Like her? The thought was… ludicrous. Preposterous! "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Weiyang's eyes narrowed, scenting intrigue. She leaned across the table. "Wait… Xingchen… Are you living with a guy? You sneaky thing! No wonder you never invite me over! Hiding a man, are you?"
"No! It's nothing like that!"
"Then spill! Who is he? Tall? Rich? Handsome?" Weiyang crossed her arms, adopting her fiercest interrogation pose. "Omitting details from your best friend carries severe penalties, Xia Xingchen!"
Caught, Chenchen floundered for a plausible explanation. Her frantic thoughts were abruptly severed as her gaze snagged on the breakroom TV.
The Foreign Ministry screens constantly cycled live political feeds.
Now, a stark red BREAKING NEWS banner flashed across the screen, stealing Chenchen's breath.
The anchor's face was grave. "We interrupt with urgent news. Approximately two minutes ago, a significant explosion occurred at Baiyu Plaza. Reports indicate the Presidential Office complex sustained damage, and preliminary information suggests President Bai may be among the injured. Numerous civilians are also reported affected. We will bring you updates on casualties as details emerge…"
The coffee cup slipped from Chenchen's suddenly numb fingers, shattering on the floor.