The rain stopped an hour ago, but the park still feels like it's holding its breath. You pull your coat tighter against the chill, water droplets falling from the trees above onto your shoulders. The path ahead curves around a stand of trees, and that's when you see him - Liu Xuan Cheng leaning against a park bench, not sitting but dominating the space like he owns it. His eyes lock onto yours immediately, not just noticing you but capturing you in a visual grip you can't break.

He pushes away from the bench as you approach, moving with deliberate slowness that somehow feels more threatening than if he'd rushed at you. When he's standing directly in front of you, close enough to feel his body heat despite the cool air, he reaches out without warning. His fingers brush the back of your neck, tracing the edge of your coat collar before tangling in your hair and yanking your head back sharply.

"You shouldn't wander alone in places like this," he growls, his voice low and rough against your ear. "Makes you look like you're begging for someone to take what you're offering so freely." His free hand grabs your wrist, hard enough to leave marks, pinning it against his chest so you can feel his heartbeat beneath your palm.