Chapter 12: 11. Morning

Xia Fei groaned softly, the throbbing in his head making it difficult to think straight. The room was dim, but the faint morning light slipping through the curtains was enough to make him realize something was... different. The sheets were softer, the air carried a familiar scent—Vein’s cologne mixed with a hint of something deeper, something darker.

His eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, he was confused. This wasn’t his apartment. His gaze traveled across the room—sleek, dark furniture, an expensive-looking watch lying on the nightstand, and beside it... Vein.

Xia Fei’s breath hitched. Wait... what?

His heart pounded in his chest as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He was in Vein’s bed this time instead of the guest bedroom.

He turned his head slowly, careful not to move too much. Vein was lying beside him, his face relaxed in sleep, his red hair tousled in a way that Xia Fei had never seen before. His usual cold expression was gone, replaced by something softer. Peaceful, even.

Xia Fei felt heat rise to his cheeks. “Oh god...” he muttered under his breath, dragging a hand down his face. How did this happen?

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to recall the events of last night. Bits and pieces came flooding back—Liu Xiao teasing him mercilessly, drinks flowing freely, and then...

He leaned on Vein’s shoulder.

Xia Fei’s eyes widened in horror. No. No, no, no. This can't be true..

And after that? Nothing. Just a complete blackout. He groaned in frustration, sneaking another glance at Vein.

The man was still asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Xia Fei could see the faint outlines of scars peeking from under the collar of his half-unbuttoned shirt. He swallowed hard, feeling a mix of emotions—embarrassment, confusion, and an odd sense of... comfort.

What the hell am I thinking?

Shaking his head, Xia Fei carefully pulled the blanket off himself and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He needed to get out of here. He had things to do—work, studying, anything other than... this.

He stood up, moving as quietly as possible, hoping to make it to the door unnoticed. He tiptoed past the bedside table, inching towards the exit.

Just a few more steps...

“Going somewhere?”

Xia Fei froze. His entire body stiffened as Vein’s voice, low and groggy but unmistakably alert, cut through the quiet room.

He turned his head slowly, gulping when he saw Vein propped up on one elbow, watching him with half-lidded eyes. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, and Xia Fei felt his face heat up even more.

“I, uh... I have things to do,” Xia Fei stammered, running a nervous hand through his hair. “Didn’t want to disturb you.”

Vein’s eyes darkened with amusement. “You’re not disturbing me.” He patted the empty spot beside him. “Come back and sleep with me.”

Xia Fei nearly choked. “What?! No! I—I should go.”

Vein’s smirk widened. “You always say that. And yet...” He gestured around the room lazily. “You keep ending up here”

Xia Fei groaned, rubbing his temples. “That’s because you keep dragging me back.”

Vein sat up fully now, his gaze sharp despite the lazy smirk. “You were drunk. I didn’t want you stumbling back to that rundown apartment of yours.”

Xia Fei sighed, crossing his arms. “I could’ve handled it.”

Vein’s eyes softened, just for a fraction of a second. “I wasn’t willing to take that risk.”

Xia Fei blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sincerity in his tone. He looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Well... thanks, I guess.”

Vein tilted his head. “You don’t sound too grateful.”

Xia Fei scowled. “I am, okay? Just... stop looking at me like that.”

Vein leaned back against the headboard, the smirk never leaving his lips. “Like what?”

“Like you know something I don’t,” Xia Fei muttered, grabbing his coat from a nearby chair. “Anyway, I have work, so I’m leaving.”

Before he could take another step, Vein reached out and grabbed his wrist. The touch was firm but not forceful, and Xia Fei froze in place.

“Stay for breakfast,” Vein said, his voice lower now. “I already had it prepared.”

Xia Fei hesitated, staring down at the hand holding his wrist. He could feel his pulse quickening. “You... seriously need to stop acting like you’re my caretaker. You're my boss, after all..”

Vein chuckled. “Then stop giving me reasons to. I am more than just your boss”

Xia Fei sighed in defeat. “Fine. But after breakfast, I’m going back to my place.”

Vein let go of his wrist, and Xia Fei immediately took a step back, putting some much-needed distance between them. He tried to ignore the warmth lingering on his skin as he made his way out of the room, muttering to himself.

Vein watched him go, a satisfied expression on his face. “We’ll see about that.”

---

In the dining room, Xia Fei found a neatly arranged breakfast waiting for him—eggs, toast, and a cup of black coffee, just the way he liked it. He frowned, sitting down and poking at the food suspiciously.

Vein appeared a moment later, sitting across from him with an air of smug confidence. “Eat.”

Xia Fei glared at him. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Vein shrugged. “Maybe.”

Xia Fei sighed, picking up his fork and muttering under his breath, “You are a pain sometimes.”

Vein simply smiled, sipping his coffee. “No, definitely not.”

And somehow, Xia Fei couldn't bring himself to argue.

___

Xia Fei leaned back in the passenger seat of Vein’s sleek black car, watching the city lights flicker past in comfortable silence. He sighed, tapping his fingers against his knee before glancing at Vein.

“Don’t you have anything better to do today?” Xia Fei asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vein, eyes on the road, smirked. “No.”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes. “No? What about your work? Meetings? Threatening people?”

Vein chuckled. “All taken care of.” He cast a quick glance at Xia Fei. “Figured I’d drop you off at work today.”

Xia Fei sighed but couldn’t help the small smile forming. “You’re way too free.”

“I’d say I have my priorities in order,” Vein countered smoothly.

Xia Fei shook his head, resting his chin on his hand as he watched the buildings pass by. The car ride was quiet, yet oddly reassuring. It wasn’t often that someone bothered with him like this—not in a way that wasn’t just for work.

---

At the studio, Xia Fei quickly fell into his routine, changing into his outfits and getting in front of the camera. The flashing lights, the chatter of the crew—it was all familiar.

Yet, something felt different today.

He glanced toward the back of the room, where Vein leaned against the wall with his usual composed expression. Arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary—just standing there, watching.

But for some reason, Xia Fei felt... uneasy.

He tried to focus on the shoot, striking poses with practiced ease, but he kept catching himself looking Vein’s way. Every time their eyes met, that smirk widened just a little.

Why does he always do that?

Xia Fei swallowed and turned back to the camera, willing himself to ignore the annoying heat rising in his face. It wasn’t like Vein hadn’t watched him work before. He’d been at so many shoots, always observing quietly from the sidelines.

So why did it feel different now?

“Xia Fei, hold that pose for a second!” the photographer called.

He forced himself to focus, holding his stance as the camera shutter clicked. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched—not by the crew, but by Vein.

Just ignore him, Xia Fei told himself. It’s just Vein being Vein.

---

After the shoot wrapped up, Xia Fei finally relaxed, wiping sweat from his forehead and stretching.

He quickly gathered his things and slung his bag over his shoulder, ready to head home. But as he turned, Vein was already there, leaning against the doorway, waiting for him.

“You’re really sticking around the whole day, huh?” Xia Fei muttered, walking past him.

Vein fell into step beside him effortlessly. “What can I say? You’re entertaining to watch.”

Xia Fei groaned. “Don’t phrase it like that. Sounds creepy.”

Vein chuckled, holding the studio door open for him. “You looked distracted today.”

Xia Fei tensed slightly. “I wasn’t.”

Vein shot him a knowing glance but said nothing. The two walked in silence toward the car, the evening air cool against Xia Fei’s skin.

---

The drive back was quiet, Xia Fei leaning against the window, deep in thought.

It felt nice, having Vein around—someone who didn’t expect him to always be the charming public figure. But still, there was that nagging feeling he couldn’t quite place.

“Thanks for the ride,” Xia Fei said once they reached his apartment.

Vein nodded. “Anytime.”

Xia Fei hesitated. “And... for earlier, I guess.”

Vein smirked. “Don’t mention it.”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes and shut the door behind him, feeling both relieved and strangely unsettled.

As Vein drove off, he glanced at the empty passenger seat and smiled to himself.

"See you tomorrow, Xia Fei."