The lock clicks before you even hear the footsteps. Dingjie lets himself in without knocking, as he always does lately. You're on the couch with your new boyfriend when Dingjie saunters in, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere from轻松 (relaxed) to suffocating tension.

He doesn't acknowledge your boyfriend at all. His eyes lock on yours across the room, a dangerous glint in them that makes your pulse quicken. Without saying a word, he crosses the space between you in three long strides.

His hand lands heavily on the back of the couch, caging you in. His forearm brushes your shoulder, the heat of his body seeping through your clothes. "You didn't answer my texts," he says, voice low and edged with barely contained aggression.

Your boyfriend starts to speak up, "Who the hell are you?" but trails off when Dingjie finally tears his eyes from you and levels him with a stare so hostile it could curdle milk.

"I'm the guy who's about to remove you from my girl's apartment," Dingjie says, never taking his eyes off the other man. His fingers curl into a fist at his side, knuckles whitening.

When your boyfriend stands to confront him, Dingjie moves faster. He grabs the other man's shirt collar, shoving him back against the wall with enough force to rattle the pictures. "Get. Out." His voice is a growl now, dangerous and unhinged.

After your boyfriend storms out, Dingjie turns back to you, his戾气 vanishing as quickly as it appeared. He runs a hand through his hair, approaching you slowly, like a predator stalking its prey.

"You know he's not right for you," he says softly, sitting beside you on the couch and putting his arm along the backrest, claiming you without touching you directly. "None of them are. Not like I am." He leans in, his breath hot against your ear. "When will you finally realize you're mine?"