After Cat A Saved the Wrong Female Lead - Chapter 44
Chapter 44: The Smallest Shift
It started with a small thing.
A hair tie left on the bathroom counter.
Normally, Tang Li would take it back to her room.
This time, she didn’t.
Qin Shiyang saw it.
Didn’t move it.
Didn’t mention it.
Just left it there.
Like it belonged.
….
That weekend, Qin Shiyang stayed home.
Tang Li didn’t ask why.
But the apartment felt different when she was there all day—quiet, yes, but not empty.
There was the sound of keys being set down.
The low hum of the washing machine.
The occasional flick of a page as she read.
No conversation.
No plans.
Just coexisting.
Easily.
….
In the late afternoon, Tang Li brought out two cups of tea.
Set one beside Qin Shiyang without a word.
Qin Shiyang looked at her, then reached for it.
“Thank you.”
Tang Li nodded.
Then asked, “Can I sit here?”
She was already sitting.
But she still asked.
Qin Shiyang gave a quiet smile.
“You always do.”
Tang Li didn’t smile back.
But she relaxed.
Just slightly.
….
They sat by the window as the sun softened, the light turning everything gold.
Tang Li curled her legs under her.
Qin Shiyang leaned back, tea in hand.
The silence between them wasn’t empty.
It was full of small things.
Unsaid things.
And that made it bearable.
….
After a while, Tang Li said,
“I used to be afraid of quiet.”
Qin Shiyang looked at her.
“And now?”
Tang Li tilted her head.
“Now it feels like… space to breathe.”
Qin Shiyang said nothing.
But the way she looked at Tang Li shifted.
Something softer.
Something knowing.
….
Later, when Tang Li got up to leave, she paused.
Then turned back.
Stepped behind Qin Shiyang.
And, very gently, rested her chin on her shoulder.
Just for a second.
Just enough.
Qin Shiyang didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
But she reached up—
And touched Tang Li’s hand.
Once.
Softly.
That was all.
….
In another story, this might be where they kissed.
In this one, it was where they stayed.
Still.
Breathing.
A little closer than before.
But not yet more.
Not yet.