Chapter 200: Sanctuary

The dining room gradually quietens. Mrs. Wen and the household staff move around the long table with practiced efficiency, silently clearing away empty bowls and serving platters.

Ling Yue sits quietly in his seat, his hands wrapped loosely around the warm teacup Mrs. Wen refilled for him before stepping back. A trace of color has returned to his skin, but the bone-deep exhaustion in his eyes remains completely unchanged.

I push my chair back and stand up first. "Come on."

Ling Yue blinks, looking up with slow, dazed movements. "...Hm?"

"I’ll show you to your room."

He hesitates for a brief beat before standing, pulling Bael’s coat a little tighter around his shoulders. It still looks absurdly oversized on him, the broad lapels swallowing his slender frame and the long sleeves hiding most of his hands.

Mrs. Wen offers a gentle smile as we pass the dining archway.

"If you need anything at all, Sir, please don’t hesitate to let us know."

Ling Yue pauses, his fingers clutching the front of the coat.

"...Thank you."

There is a small, awkward stiffness in his reply, as though he isn’t quite used to being handled with such uncomplicated, quiet care.

Mrs. Wen simply smiles again, her posture poised and respectful. She doesn’t ask where he came from. She doesn’t ask why he’s here. She doesn’t ask how long he plans to stay. She simply returns to directing the staff, as though welcoming him into the household is the most ordinary thing in the world.

***

The hallway leading to the guest wing is much quieter than the main living areas. Soft, late-afternoon sunlight filters through the tall windows, painting warm, golden squares across the floor.

I stop outside one of the corner guest rooms and push the door open.

"This one."

Ling Yue steps past me into the doorway. His eyes wander slowly around the space, taking in the high bed dressed in crisp linens, the reading chair by the window, and the neatly organized bookshelf lining the far wall.

A small vase of fresh white lilies rests on the bedside table, their sweet scent drifting on the light breeze blowing through the slightly open window. I’d sent Mrs. Wen a quick message while we were at the dining table asking her to have this room readied with fresh flowers.

Everything is pristine, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged.

He stands there in the middle of the room for a long moment before speaking.

"...It’s nice."

"I’m glad."

He gives a faint, barely perceptible nod. He isn’t awestruck or overwhelmed—coming from a prominent family himself, this level of luxury isn’t foreign to him. He is simply relieved by the sheer quiet of it all.

"I’ll be right back," I say softly, turning toward the room next door.

Stepping into the room feels strangely nostalgic. This is the exact space I’d stubbornly occupied after a stupid argument with Bael months ago.

Crossing over to the built-in wardrobe, I slide the doors open. Most of my belongings were moved back upstairs after we made up, but a few comfortable sets of lounge clothes still hang inside.

I select a loose cotton shirt and a pair of soft drawstring pants, grabbing a fresh towel from the linen drawer before heading back.

When I re-enter, Ling Yue hasn’t moved very far. He stands near the foot of the bed, staring blankly at the floor.

"They should fit," I say, holding the clothes out to him.

He accepts them carefully, his fingers brushing against mine.

"...Thank you."

"You should take a shower first."

He looks down at the folded fabric in his arms. But instead of heading toward the adjoining bathroom, his knees give out slightly and he slowly sinks onto the edge of the mattress. His head lowers, the heavy coat pooling around his hips.

The room grows quiet again. I stay right where I am, giving him the space to process whatever is heavy on his mind.

A few long seconds tick by.

"...Runze," he whispers, his voice barely louder than a breath.

"Hm?"

He doesn’t look up. "...Aren’t you curious?"

I tilt my head slightly. "About what?"

His knuckles whiten as his fingers tighten around the folded towel.

"...About why I ran."

The curtains flutter faintly against the open window as a quiet beat of silence settles between us.

"You’ll tell me when you’re ready," I answer, keeping my tone entirely grounded and calm.

Ling Yue remains motionless.

"You don’t have to explain a single thing today," I add softly. "I wasn’t planning to ask."

That finally makes him lift his head. His eyes are raw, searching mine with a mix of confusion and vulnerability.

"...Why?"

I offer him a small, reassuring smile. "Because I brought you here to be safe, not to interrogate you."

His eyes linger on mine for several long beats before slowly dropping back down.

I take a step closer, lightly nudging the clothes in his hands.

"For now... take a shower. You’ll feel better once you wash the cold off. And after you’ve rested for a bit, I’ll show you around the estate. The garden, the fountain, the library... the kitchen, if Mrs. Wen lets us steal snacks."

For the very first time all afternoon, the tight line of Ling Yue’s mouth relaxes.

"...She’d let you."

"Exactly," I say, gesturing toward the bathroom door with a small smile. "Go."

He looks over at the door. "...Okay."

He stands up, clutching the clothes to his chest, and walks halfway across the room. Then, he stops dead in his tracks. His back remains turned toward me, his shoulders stiffening once more.

"...Runze."

"Yes?"

"...Can I stay here..." His voice quivers just a fraction, his fingers digging into the cotton shirt. "...for a few days?"

I don’t even hesitate. "Of course."

He stands still, as if bracing for a catch that isn’t coming.

"...Really?"

I let out a soft, breathless laugh, stepping up beside him so he doesn’t have to turn around to see me.

"Ling Yue, stay as long as you need. No one is rushing you out of here. This room is yours."

The tension in his posture snaps, his shoulders dropping several inches as he lets out a quiet breath.

"...Thank you."

I reach out, giving his arm a warm, reassuring pat.

"I’ll be right next door. If you need anything, just knock."

He nods quietly. "...Okay."

This time, he doesn’t hesitate. He turns and disappears into the bathroom, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

I stand in the quiet room for a beat, waiting. A second passes, then two. Then, the faint, muffled hiss of running water echoes from behind the bathroom door.

A small smile touches my lips. Good... at least he’s willing to wash off the day. That’s a start.

I turn and walk across the room, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway. I pull it shut behind me to give him privacy, then turn right to the door next door, pushing it open and slipping inside. The latch catches with a quiet click.

The room is quiet and still. I take a moment to just stand there, letting my eyes sweep across the familiar setup—the wide bed, the immaculate desk, the neat arrangement of furniture.

It feels strange standing in this space now.

I can still clearly recall the suffocating ache that had driven me down here months ago. Back then, when I’d thought Bael had cheated on me... and he hadn’t even bothered to deny it, coldly telling me it was none of my business... I’d locked myself in this room, convinced my heart was permanently shattered.

I let out a soft breath, a faint, bittersweet smile touching my lips as I shake my head at the memory. We were both so terrible at communicating back then.

Crossing over to the mattress, I sit down, feeling a faint wave of physical exhaustion catch up to my body after such an intense morning.

The moment I sit down on the edge of the mattress, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Bael’s name on the screen.

Bael: *Just finished the meeting.*

Before I can even type a reply, another bubble pops up right beneath it.

Bael: *Don’t give him a room upstairs.*

I blink down at the screen, my eyebrows pulling together in confusion. What is he talking about?

My answer comes a second later when the screen lights up again.

Bael: *Unless you want him hearing what happens tonight.*

A flush creeps up my neck straight to my ears. I stare at the glowing text, muttering under my breath, "...Shameless."

Despite the sudden heat flushing my cheeks, a small, helpless smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I tap out a quick reply:

Me: *What happens tonight?*

The three typing dots appear almost instantly.

Bael: *We continue where we left off.*

Bael: *On my desk.*

My face burns instantly. I cover my face with both hands, letting out a muffled sigh into my palms as my heart thuds against my ribs.

"...Hopeless."