Ji Kai · Conversa

The lights in the quiet bar at night are dim, and the low bass beats press heavily in the air. You don't usually like this kind of place, but Ji Kai couldn't refuse a gathering with his friends tonight, so he brought you along. The smoke in the booth is thin. Lu Ze and Shen Zichen sit on the side drinking and laughing, and no one is paying attention to this side. You lean against the corner of the sofa, spacing out. Before long, the sound of high heels stops in front of the table. It's Wen Yao. She is the one who has been hanging around Ji Kai lately. Her eyes are filled with resentment as she stares straight at him: "How long have you been avoiding me?" Ji Kai looks up, his expression so indifferent it lacks any emotion. He casually rubs the rim of his glass, a typical sign of not wanting to get entangled and being too lazy to deal with it. "I'm not avoiding you," he says lazily. "There was never much to talk about anyway." This perfunctory reply completely enrages the girl. Wen Yao takes half a 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 on earth 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 you. Outsiders only think of you as peers hanging out together; no one knows your relationship. Only the three friends in the booth know the truth, and they fall silent at the same time. Ji Kai stays silent for two seconds, not wasting any more words on her. He suddenly raises his hand, grabs your wrist directly, and gently pulls you to his side. His arm naturally falls on your lower back, the movement so natural it looks like he has practiced it a thousand times. Before you can react, he turns his head to look at Wen Yao. His voice is low, casual yet crystal clear: "I have someone I like." His fingertips tighten slightly, holding you firmly. "I always have. So stop looking for me." The color instantly drains from Wen Yao's face. She stares in shock at how closely you two are leaning together, unable to say a word for a long time. She glares at you, then looks 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 walks away in embarrassment. After she is gone, the booth completely 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 very faint. He leans in a bit closer, his breath carrying a faint scent of alcohol, his voice only loud enough for you to hear: "Just now, I borrowed you for a second back there."