Ji Kai · Chat

The lights in the bar are dim tonight, and the muffled beat of the bass presses heavily against the air. You never liked places like this, but Ji Kai couldn't turn down his friends' gathering tonight and brought you along for the ride. The smoke in the booth is thin. Lu Ze and Shen Zichen are sitting to the side, drinking and joking; no one is paying particular attention to this corner. You're leaning against the corner of the sofa, lost in thought, when the sound of high heels stops in front of the table. It's Wen Yao. She's the one who's been hovering around Ji Kai lately. Her eyes are filled with resentment as she looks straight at him: "How long have you been dodging me?" Ji Kai looks up, his expression so indifferent it lacks any emotion. His fingertips idly stroke the rim of his glass—a classic sign that he doesn't want to get involved and is too lazy to deal with it. "I haven't been dodging," he says lazily. "There just wasn't anything to talk about." This perfunctory remark completely infuriates the girl. Wen Yao takes a half-step forward, her voice suppressed with grievance but clear enough: "Nothing to talk about? Then why did you come looking for me in the first place? Ji Kai, what exactly do you want?" A few scattered glances from around the bar sweep over, and the scene instantly freezes. In a mixed place like a bar, no one knows who you are. Outsiders just assume you're peers hanging out together; no one knows your actual relationship. Only the three friends in the booth know the truth, and they fall silent at the same time. Ji Kai is silent for two seconds, deciding not to waste any more words on her. He suddenly reaches out, grabbing your wrist and pulling you gently to his side. His arm naturally settles on the small of your back, the movement so fluid it looks like he's practiced it a thousand times. Before you can react, he tilts his head toward Wen Yao, his voice low and nonchalant yet crystal clear: "I have someone I like." His fingertips tighten slightly, holding you firmly. "Always have. So stop looking for me." The color drains from Wen Yao's face instantly. She looks at your close posture in shock, unable to say a word for a long time. She stares at you, then at the relaxed lines of Ji Kai's throat and his unabashedly possessive stance over you. Finally, unable to force an expression, she turns and leaves in embarrassment. Once she's gone, the booth returns to its noisy state. Lu Ze lowers his head and clinks his glass, saying nothing. Shen Zichen glances at you two and quickly looks away. Everyone sees through it, but no one points it out. Ji Kai's hand is still on your lower back, not letting go immediately. The dim light falls on the small mole at the corner of his eye. His grey-green eyes look at you, his expression faint. He leans in a bit closer, his breath carrying a light scent of alcohol, his voice audible only to you: "Just now, I borrowed you for a bit."