Heat crept up his neck. He turned his face away, trying to hide it, but that only drew a few quiet chuckles from the onlookers nearby.

  “Look at him blush,” someone whispered.

  Chen Haoran grinned, shaking his head. “Jin Yu, you’ve lost this battle already.”

  Even through the gentle ughter, Yue stayed composed. She reached for a silk handkerchief and brushed it lightly against his cheek, her touch careful and attentive.

  “There,” she said softly. “Much better.”

  Jin Yu opened his mouth to reply, but she leaned in again, closer this time, eyes glinting with mischief.

  “Say,” she whispered, her lips almost touching his ear, “do you want to elope with me?”

  He froze. “Elope?” he repeated under his breath.

  Her smile widened. “Mhm. Just you and me.”

  The room rippled with ughter.

  “Careful, Yue’s serious this time.” someone called.

  “Can you bme her?” another ughed. “Look at him.”

  Jin Yu sighed, a faint, helpless smile tugging at his lips. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”

  Yue tilted her head, eyes sparkling. “Would you like me to?”

  He hesitated, then exhaled softly. “…I surrender.”

  The room filled with warm ughter and appuse.

  “Smart choice!” someone said.

  Yue’s grin softened as she looped her arms around his shoulders. “That’s more like it,” she murmured, her tone gentle but triumphant.

  -----

  Jin Yu could barely keep his legs steady as the mischievous girl led him past gauzy curtains and into a dim hallway lit with soft nterns.

  The scent of orchids lingered in the air, and distant music pyed from somewhere deeper inside the pavilion.

  I’m done for. This is it. Goodbye, innocence…

  The girl gnced over her shoulder, her fingers still entwined with his. “You’re walking awfully slow, little brother, Nervous?”

  “N-Nervous? Who’s nervous?” Jin Yu tried to puff his chest, but his voice cracked halfway.

  She giggled, tightening her grip. “You don’t have to be shy. I told you, I don’t bite… unless you ask.”

  Oh no. She’s lethal.

  They reached a private room with silk curtains draping from the ceiling and plush cushions covering the floor. A low table in the center bore a crystal wine decanter and small dishes of fruit. The lighting was both warm and dangerous.

  The girl tugged him inside and shut the door behind them with a gentle click.

  “Take a seat,” she purred, gesturing toward the cushioned mat as she knelt gracefully, robes spilling around her like water.

  Jin Yu stood stiffly at the door like a prisoner awaiting execution.

  She tilted her head. “Or... would you rather I undress you first?”

  Jin Yu’s soul nearly left his body. “NO—I mean, no thank you! I can sit! I’m sitting!” He flopped down awkwardly, his legs tangled beneath him, trying desperately to keep his robe in pce.

  She crawled closer, her face still glowing with that same mix of childish mischief and devastating allure. Her hands nded lightly on his shoulders, thumbs rubbing in soft circles.

  “You're really tense. Let me help you rex, hmm?” she said, her voice like warm silk.

  Jin Yu’s brain short-circuited. Rex? I’m about to explode from pressure!

  She leaned in again, lips inches from his ear. “If it gets too much… just say so. I’ll take care of everything.”

  Jin Yu could barely breathe.

  “I’m not a kid.” he muttered weakly, not sure if it was a warning or a confession.

  She smiled.

  “Good,” she whispered. “Because I’m not pying with kids tonight.”

  ------

  Jin Yu’s breath was caught somewhere between his throat and his chest. The girl’s fingers danced along his shoulders, sending goosebumps down his arms.

  He’d never been touched like this before. Not with care. Not with… warmth.

  His body reacted before his mind could stop it

  She was close now, her soft chest pressing against him again, her face tilted up to meet his eyes. “Your heart’s beating so fast.” she whispered.

  Jin Yu looked away, but her hand came up to turn his face gently back toward hers.

  “You don’t have to be shy of me,” she said softly, no longer teasing. “I know we look like dolls dressed to please, but we’re more than that here. I don’t just serve drinks or ughter, I study acupuncture, healing arts, even sword dancing…”

  Her voice trailed off as she searched his expression, eyes a little more serious now.

  “You’re different,” she continued. “Most men come here burning with lust, shouting, bragging. But you… your heart’s honest. Pure, even. I like that.”

  Jin Yu blinked.

  Pure.

  Something about the way she said it, disarmed him completely.

  “What’s your name?” he asked, quietly.

  She smiled, genuinely this time. “Yue.”

  “Yue,” he repeated, the name fitting oddly well on his tongue. “I’m Jin Yu.”

  “I know.” Her fingers brushed against his cheek. “Everyone’s been talking about young master Jin who chopped Yan Houdong's hand off.”

  He flushed, unsure how to respond. But she leaned her forehead against his chest with a soft sigh.

  “You’re strong… but still soft where it matters. That’s rare.”

  Jin Yu didn’t know what came over him, but he found himself lifting his hand to her back, resting it gently there. Her presence was warm, Comforting.

  Their eyes met again.

  And slowly, hesitantly, Yue leaned in, her lips brushing his, featherlight, like a question.

  Jin Yu’s heart exploded in his chest, but he didn’t pull away.

  He kissed her back, softly.

  Not out of desire.

  But because in that moment… he wanted to.

  Their kiss lingered, soft and hesitant, but slowly deepening as the distance between them vanished.

  Jin Yu’s fingers curled slightly at Yue’s back, unsure if he was holding her too tightly or not tightly enough.

  Her lips trembled faintly against his, betraying nerves that matched his own.

  When they finally broke apart, Yue’s cheeks were flushed with warmth, her eyes gssy with emotion.

  She rested her head against his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat, letting silence say what words couldn’t.

  Time blurred.

  The gentle sway of nterns outside, the muffled music of flutes, and the low murmur of ughter all faded into background noise.

  Then, quietly, Yue whispered, “Jin Yu…”

  He looked down at her, heart still thudding in his chest.

  “I’ve never done this before,” she said softly, almost shyly. “You’re… my first.”

  Jin Yu froze.

  Her fingers clutched lightly at his robe. “I was chosen to serve here because of my face, my voice, my talent. But until now… no man ever touched me.”

  Jin Yu swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

  She looked up at him again, eyes searching his. “Do you want me… to follow you?” she asked. “To stay by your side? I’ll serve only you. I’ll belong to you. Or…”

  She hesitated.

  “…or should I stay here? Keep smiling at strangers… pouring wine for the next man who walks in…?”

  There was no bitterness in her tone, only a quiet, aching honesty.

  The choice hung in the air, intimate and fragile.

  Yue’s fingers brushed his cheek again, her smile gentle. “Say the word… and I’ll go wherever you do.”