An intimate tension filled the cramped space. Feng Wanting stared intently at Pei Yang, his gaze burning, as though he hadn't heard the knocking outside. His voice carried a pressure that brooked no refusal. "Say it."
Pei Yang's face flushed slightly. He struggled a little, his eyes darting now and then to the door behind him, which was being pounded on. "Someone's knocking."
"Let him wait."
That was what Feng Wanting said, but the person outside clearly disagreed. The knocking grew increasingly urgent, and Wu Rui's voice came through the door. "Director Feng! Director Feng, did you ask the new assistant to tidy up your things in the lounge? You can just leave that sort of work to me! He's new, so he's bound to be careless, and... he's even locked the lounge door. Who knows if he's slacking off in there..."
The racket distracted Feng Wanting for a moment. Pei Yang seized the opportunity and pushed him away. As the door opened, a gust swept in, dispersing some of the intimacy in the room.
Meeting Wu Rui's eyes outside, Pei Yang gave him a polite, distant nod. "Secretary Wu."
"Curator Pei, you... why are you here too?"
"I came to report to Director Feng." Pei Yang stepped aside to let Wu Rui in. "You two talk. I'll be going."
With that, he strode away without looking back and made a clean getaway.
Feng Wanting's prize had slipped away just as he was about to get a taste.
He watched Pei Yang leave, his gaze frighteningly dark and his voice cold enough to freeze water. "Wu Rui, would you like an extended vacation?"
After work, Yin Sufang finally got the dinner with Pei Yang he'd wanted. The city's neon lights came on, and warm yellow light fell softly around them.