After Cat A Saved the Wrong Female Lead - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Shadow and Light

That weekend, the weather turned warm again.

Tang Li spent the morning on the balcony, curled in a chair with her knees tucked under her chin, watching clouds drift across the sky.

She’d been in this apartment for weeks now.

No longer just a guest.

But still not quite… belonging.

Qin Shiyang came home early that day.

She set her keys down and looked toward the balcony. “You haven’t eaten yet.”

Tang Li didn’t turn around. “Not hungry.”

A pause.

Then footsteps.

Then the sliding door opened, and Qin Shiyang stepped outside with a bowl of warm fruit and yogurt.

Tang Li blinked. “You made this?”

“I had time.”

Tang Li took the bowl, fingers brushing Qin Shiyang’s.

“…Thank you.”

….

They sat there in silence, side by side on the balcony bench.

Below them, the city hummed. Soft and distant.

Tang Li took a bite of the yogurt, then said, without looking up, “Did you always live like this?”

“Like what?”

“Alone. Quiet. Detached.”

Qin Shiyang didn’t answer right away.

Then: “I thought I liked it that way.”

“And now?”

Qin Shiyang turned to look at her. “Now, sometimes I forget I’m not alone.”

Tang Li looked up.

Their eyes met.

And in that moment, something fragile and unnamed passed between them—like a thread stretched taut, waiting to break, or to be tied.

….

Later that evening, Tang Li sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair.

Qin Shiyang stood by the window, watching the city lights flicker on.

Tang Li said softly, “Why do you let me stay?”

Qin Shiyang turned. “Do you want to leave?”

“No. But I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not.”

Tang Li smiled faintly. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s true.”

Tang Li set down her brush. “But you never ask me to stay, either.”

That made Qin Shiyang pause.

The room went still.

Then she crossed the room, knelt in front of her, and gently rested her head against Tang Li’s knee.

“I don’t know how to ask for something I don’t want to lose.”

Tang Li’s breath caught.

She reached out, slowly, and touched Qin Shiyang’s hair.

“You don’t have to ask,” she said. “I’m here.”

And for once, neither of them needed to say more.

….

In the quiet night, their shadows lay intertwined on the wall.

Not fused.

Not merged.

But side by side.

Close enough to warm each other.

Far enough to still be free.