8 ：Bewildermen

g　is　normal　between　us.　I　know　you　feel　it　too.　This...　connection　we　have.　It，s　more　than　just　siblings，　more　than　just　friendship.＂

    Han　Fengling，s　eyes　softened，　and　he　reached　out　to　take　her　hand　in　his.　＂I　know，　Sukie.　I，ve　felt　it　too.　But　I，ve　been　trying　to　protect　you，　to　keep　you　safe.＂

    Tears　filled　her　eyes　as　she　shook　her　head.　＂I　don，t　need　protection　from　my　own　feelings.　I　need　to　know　that　we，re　in　this　together，　that　we，re　not　alone　in　how　we　feel.＂

    He　squeezed　her　hand，　his　voice　gentle　but　firm.　＂You，re　not　alone，　Sukie.　I，ve　loved　you　for　a　long　time，　longer　than　I　even　realized.　But　our　world　is　complicated，　and　our　situation　is　dangerous.＂

    ＂I　don，t　care　about　the　danger，＂　she　said，　her　voice　breaking.　＂I　care　about　you.　I　can，t　keep　pretending　that　I，m　not　in　love　with　you.＂

    Han　Fengling　pulled　her　into　his　arms，　holding　her　tightly.　＂I　love　you　too，　Sukie.　More　than　anything.　But　we　have　to　be　smart　about　this.　We　can，t　let　our　emotions　cloud　our　judgment.＂

    She　clung　to　him，　feeling　the　steady　beat　of　his　heart　against　her　own.　＂I　know.　But　I　can，t　keep　hiding　how　I　feel.　I　need　to　be　with　you，　truly　be　with　you.＂

    He　kissed　the　top　of　her　head，　his　voice　a　whisper.　＂Then　we　will　be.　We，ll　find　a　way　to　make　this　work，　no　matter　what　it　takes.＂

    Their　conversation　was　interrupted　by　a　knock　on　the　door.　Sukie　pulled　back，　wiping　her　tears，　as　Han　Fengling　went　to　answer　it.　Standing　outside　was　Li　Zifeng，　Sukie，s　old　friend　and　confidant　from　their　previous　life.　He　had　been　a　steadfast　ally　through　their　ordeal，　and　seeing　him　brought　a　wave　of　relief.

    ＂Zifeng！＂　Sukie　exclaimed，　rushing　to　emb