After Cat A Saved the Wrong Female Lead - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Stay Long Enough

Tang Li came back just after dark.

The lights in the hallway were dim, casting soft shadows against the door.

When she stepped inside, Qin Shiyang was in the kitchen, boiling water.

Neither of them spoke at first.

Tang Li took off her coat.

Hung it up neatly.

Then turned.

“I bought you those biscuits you like,” she said, quietly.
She placed a small paper bag on the counter.

Qin Shiyang didn’t move.
Just glanced at the bag, then at her.

“…You remembered?”

Tang Li gave the smallest smile.

“Of course.”

….

The kettle clicked.

Qin Shiyang poured the water into two cups.

Green tea.

The kind they didn’t talk about liking—but always finished.

She pushed one cup toward Tang Li, then leaned against the counter, both hands around her own.

Tang Li stood opposite.

Steam rose between them.

Not a barrier.

Not warmth either.

Just something passing through the silence.

….

After a while, Qin Shiyang asked,
“Do you ever feel like this is all temporary?”

Tang Li looked up.

Met her eyes.

Then said, very simply:
“Only when you pull away.”

Qin Shiyang didn’t respond.

But her fingers curled a little tighter around the cup.

Tang Li continued, voice calm:
“I’m not asking for forever.”

A pause.

“Just… stay long enough for something to mean something.”

….

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable.

It just stretched.

Long enough to settle into the air.

Then Qin Shiyang said,
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Tang Li stepped forward.

Not close enough to touch.

Just enough to be heard clearly.

“Then let’s not do it alone.”

….

It wasn’t a confession.

It wasn’t a promise.

But it was enough.

For now.

Enough to say:

I’m here.

I’m not asking for more than what you can give.

But I won’t disappear either.

Not unless you tell me to.

….

Later that night, they didn’t sleep in the same room.

But both doors stayed slightly open.

And the space between them felt a little less like a line—

And a little more like something that could be crossed.

Not now.

But soon.

If they both stayed long enough.