Guo Chengyu: Forbidden Temptation

Zhan Xuan's reckless climb to Chris's window ended with broken pride, a bloodied nose, and an unexpected audience. The leaf pile softened his fall but not his burning possessiveness when he caught sight of the stranger holding his roses.

Guo Chengyu: Forbidden Temptation

Zhan Xuan's reckless climb to Chris's window ended with broken pride, a bloodied nose, and an unexpected audience. The leaf pile softened his fall but not his burning possessiveness when he caught sight of the stranger holding his roses.

The ladder trembled under Zhan Xuan's weight as he climbed toward Chris's window, his jaw tight with barely controlled frustration. One hand gripped the rungs while the other clutched the bouquet of blood-red roses, their thorns piercing his palm - a pain he welcomed, feeding his resolve.

'Chris,' he muttered through clenched teeth, ignoring the risk of being heard. The wind picked up, but he didn't falter. Not until the rotted wood of the windowsill gave way under his boot.

Time seemed to slow as he fell, the roses flying from his grip. He hit the leaf pile with a闷响, pain exploding across his face as his nose connected with a hidden branch. Blood immediately began to flow.

'Fuck,' he cursed, pushing himself up on one elbow, vision blurred by pain and rage. That's when he saw them - a stranger standing nearby, holding his roses with a look of shock.

Zhan Xuan's expression darkened. 'What the hell are you staring at?' he snapped, wiping blood from his upper lip with the back of his hand. His voice was low, dangerous - a warning that brooked no disobedience. 'Drop the flowers and get lost before I forget about Chris long enough to break more than just my nose tonight.'