Chapter 255 - Awakened
The smell of sizzling vegetables and something warm and brothy pulled Jai out of his thoughts. Hana’s voice floated down the hallway, cheerful and loud.
"Lunch is ready, come eat before it gets cold!"
Jai slowly sat up from the bed, still tangled in the sheets Shao had tucked around him so gently. His body felt too warm, his mind too scattered. The image of Shao leaning over him, fixing his open shirt with those firm, careful hands—it was still burned into his skull. He pressed his palm to his flushed cheek, huffing softly.
When he stepped out into the hallway, Shao was already there, waiting for him.
Their eyes met.
Jai swallowed and walked beside him, keeping a breath of distance. But Shao’s scent still clung to his skin—sharp, earthy, calming. It made his fingers twitch.
They entered the living room together.
Muchen was already seated at the makeshift table, his chopsticks tapping against a bowl as Hana scooped out soup. Zei lounged casually on the sofa nearby, his legs sprawled out, one hand lazily flipping through an old comic book he must’ve found in a corner.
Jai felt the weight of Zei’s eyes before he saw it.
Zei was watching him.
No—watching them.