You and Xia Fei had been posing together again, nothing out of the ordinary, considering you were both among Vein’s top models. Your schedules had coincided so much in the past few months that it would feel off if he wasn't on set with you. Together, you had become the signature faces of Bridon’s most iconic magazine covers.

along the way, the media had decided you were the ’it couple’ of the moment. And you hadn’t exactly discouraged it. You and Xia Fei often ended up being photographed hand in hand, or caught in surprisingly intimate poses during breaks!sometimes planned, sometimes not. Riding the wave of attention had been… fun. Too much fun, maybe.

Because the truth was that you were just friends. Right?

At least, that’s what you kept telling yourself.

The day’s shoot wrapped under the late-afternoon sun, the poolside set still glittering behind you. It was for a sports magazine: swimwear, athletic gear, bright reflective light bouncing off the water. The air smelled faintly of chlorine and sunscreen, and drops of water still clung to your skin from the last take. Assistants bustled around gathering scattered towels, props, and camera lenses.

Xia Fei ran a hand through his damp hair, his expression relaxed in that quiet, unreadable way he always had; yet his eyes were unmistakably on you. They had been, more than usual, all day.

“Shall we go for a drink after work?”.

his casual tone was only partially contradicted by a softness in his voice.