"What I felt for her belongs to the past," he admitted. "It ended a long time ago, even if neither of us truly realized it."The candle flame flickered softly between them.

Fu Sheng’s eyes remained fixed on Su Long.

"But you..."

He paused briefly.

Then his voice softened further.

"You are my present."

The courtyard fell silent again.

Su Long looked at him quietly, her expression unreadable.

Fu Sheng stepped closer this time, slower and more careful than before, making sure not to touch her again without permission.

"I know I handled this badly," he said. "But I do not want there to be distrust between us because of another person."

Su Long lowered her gaze briefly.

Then she spoke at last.

"You really are terrible at handling these things."

Fu Sheng let out the faintest breath of helpless amusement.

"Yes," he admitted honestly.

That answer almost made Su Long laugh.

Almost.

But the irritation in her chest had still not completely disappeared.

She folded her arms tighter before speaking again.

"You should consider yourself lucky that I am reasonable."

Fu Sheng looked at her quietly.

"Reasonable?" he repeated softly.

Su Long raised a brow immediately.

"Do you disagree?"

Fu Sheng’s lips twitched faintly for the first time that night.

"No," he replied calmly. "I would not dare."

Su Long stared at him for a second longer before finally looking away again.

The atmosphere between them eased slightly.

Then after a brief silence, Su Long spoke again.

"Did you at least learn something useful from meeting her?" she asked.

Fu Sheng paused slightly before nodding once.

"Yes."

Su Long finally looked back at him.

"About Bapo Li?"

"Yes."

His expression became serious again.

"She agreed to marry him because she had no choice," he said quietly. "He has already been controlling her business from the shadows."

Su Long’s eyes narrowed faintly.

Just like she expected.

Fu Sheng continued calmly.

"He isolated her first. Cut off suppliers. Forced people away from her shop."

Su Long let out a quiet scoff.

"Typical of foolish men."

Fu Sheng nodded slightly.

"He never threatened her directly," he added. "That is why people fear him. He knows how to pressure people without leaving evidence behind."

Su Long became thoughtful immediately.

Su Long’s gaze stayed fixed on him for a moment longer, as though she was sorting through everything he had just said.

Then she spoke, her voice calm but sharper now.

"Do you plan on helping her?"

Fu Sheng did not answer immediately.

That pause was enough for Su Long to notice again.

Her expression tightened slightly.

"I am asking you directly," she said. "Do you intend to interfere in her matter with Bapo Li?"

Fu Sheng lowered his eyes briefly, as if choosing his words carefully.

"I am not planning to interfere in her life," he said at last.

Su Long let out a faint, humorless breath.

"That is not what I asked."

Fu Sheng looked up at her again.

The courtyard was quiet, the candlelight flickering between them as the last traces of rainwater dripped from the roof.

Then he spoke more clearly.

"I will not stand by if she is being harmed," he admitted. "But I will not act recklessly either."

Su Long held his gaze.

"And what exactly does that mean?" she asked.

Fu Sheng’s jaw tightened slightly.

"It means I will observe first," he said. "And only act if there is no other way."

Su Long studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.

Then she nodded slowly.

"So you are saying you will still step in if necessary."

Fu Sheng did not deny it.

"Yes."

That single word made the air between them tighten again, though not in the same way as before.

Su Long turned her face slightly away, her tone quieter when she spoke next.

"You are making things complicated again."

Fu Sheng gave a faint, tired breath.

"I am not trying to."

Su Long looked back at him immediately.

"But you are still doing it."

Fu Sheng had no reply to that.

Because she was not wrong.

The silence stretched for a few seconds before Su Long finally spoke again, her voice steadier now.

"Just remember something," she said.

Fu Sheng looked at her attentively.

"I am not asking you to abandon your sense of responsibility," she continued. "But I will not tolerate you placing yourself in unnecessary danger for someone else."

Fu Sheng blinked slightly at her words.

Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"That sounded like concern," he said softly.

Su Long’s expression darkened immediately.

"It is not concern," she replied quickly. "It is practicality."

Fu Sheng nodded once, still smiling faintly.

"Understood."

But his tone made it clear he did not fully believe her explanation.

Su Long noticed that too.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"You are very annoying when you do that," she said flatly.

Fu Sheng’s smile widened just a little.

"I will take that as you not being angry anymore."

"I am still angry," she corrected.

"Not as much," he replied.

That made her pause.

She looked at him for a moment longer, then finally turned away again.

"...Just do not repeat it," she said quietly.

Fu Sheng’s expression softened immediately.

"I will not."

The wind moved gently through the courtyard, carrying away what was left of the tension.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke again.

Then Su Long shifted slightly, as if preparing to leave.

Fu Sheng watched her for a second before speaking again, his voice lower now.

"If anything changes with her situation," he said, "you will tell me."

Su Long stopped walking.

She did not turn around immediately.

Then she answered simply.

"I will decide that myself."

Fu Sheng nodded once.

"Alright."

Su Long finally glanced back at him over her shoulder.

"Do not interfere in my plans either," she added.

Fu Sheng met her gaze calmly.

"I never intended to."

A short pause.

Then Su Long turned fully this time.

"Good."

And with that, she walked away, disappearing into the dimly lit corridor.

Fu Sheng remained standing alone in the courtyard.

The candlelight flickered softly against his face as he watched her leave.

Only when her footsteps faded completely did he finally look away.

And for a long time—

He did not move.