"What?", Xiu Ying was taken aback. Stop this? As in stop what they were doing? Then what was all of those words? Did he want to stop being affiliated with her?

"Wait, Rosie no!"

Xiu Ying walked away, but was pulled back by the wrist. "Let me explain"

"Explain? You said you didn't want to be associated with me anymore"

"I didn't say that Rosie, you're overthinking! I said let's stop this"

"Exactly! Stop what? Our connection?"

"No, but our deal. Our 2 billion deal, the deal was for my own good anyway and right now money is the last thing I could think about", Chenle took her hands together and grasped them tightly.

"This is gonna tarnish a bit of my criminal ego, but I like you"

Xiu Ying knew, she knew but nothing could comprehend how shocked she was.

"I like you, so much. And you like me too, right?"

"I-", her voice cracked. Clearing her throat, she blushed a bit in embarrassment.

"I...like you too. A lot", she looked down shyly.

Without another second wasted she was pulled into a hug, feeling warmth from the big embrace. She hugged back too.

"What do you mean by stopping then?", she whispered.

Pulling away, he looked at her one last time. A hand going up, it grabbed onto the hem of his mask.

In one swift move, he pulled it away alongside a gasp was heard.

"Hi", he smiled a bit while ruffling his black hair.

She was sppechless, eyes big. A hand coming up to her mouth, she could only let out a small whisper.

"Chenle...?"

He tilted his head. "You know me?"

Eyes watery, she took off her mask as well. Letting her hair cover her face, she gulped before looking up with glassy eyes.

"Hey"

"Xiu-", he choked in his spit and coughed violently. "Li...Li Xiu Ying? Are you for real?"

"That's what I should be asking you!", Xiu Ying hit him. "You're the one I've been meeting all these nights?"

"I can hardly believe it myself", he said breathily. "Didn't see you to be the criminal type"

"Neither did I, seems like we shocked each other more than we thought", she giggled.

A thought filled both of their heads. "That means I don't have to choose", they said simultaneously.

Looking at each other again, they said the same question. "You like me?"

"As in, Xiu Ying and Bloodrose? You like both of me? Does that even make sense?", she furrowed her eyebrows.

Chenle ruffled her hair. "Yes, I do. You like both of me, don't you?"

She hummed. "So all this worrying was for nothing. I like two people that are actually the same person! Wow"

"Hey, I was also frustrated as well. At least I don't have to choose anymore", Chenle grabbed her cheeks and gazed at her. "You're still the same beautiful girl that I love"

Cupping his hands, she smiled. "And you're still the same dolphin cat that I love too"

"Dolphin cat? Really?", he deadpanned, which only made her laugh.

"So, by stopping...you mean you want us to stop doing the deal?"

"That, and also we stop being criminals"

"What?"

"I know it's tough Rosie, but after all we did we should just give ourselves up to the police"

"But criminal life has...always been apart of me"

"It has always been with me too, but I think we actually deserve it you know? Come on darling, do this together with me"

"What about our friends?"

"If we're lucky, then they might still be our friends", Chenke chuckled bitterly. He didn't like this either, but he couldn't help but feel sick with this life.

"Will you promise to be with me?"

"I promise", Chenle interlocked his pinky with hers.

Xiu Ying was still hesitant, but deep inside she knew that some day this will have to come. But it was okay, because she will be with someone she loves.

Pinkies still linked, the gap between them got smaller as Chenle placed a hand in the crook of her neck pulling her closer. Xiu Ying placed a hand on his chest, eyes already showing her agreement.

Fluttering shut, they leaned in and shared a kiss under the moonlight.

It felt like fireworks just exploded, as they smiled through the moment. Warm encasing them, they were closer than ever with little to no space left in between.

They were both each other's first kiss, but it felt like it was more than just the first time. It felt familiar, and they took their time in moving slow.

Oxygen was lacking in between the two, but it felt impossible to pull away. Hearts beating fast because of the moment and also because it was getting hard to breathe, they had to give up and break away.

Inhaling deeply, they looked at each other fondly while smiling contently but also with sadness.

"Summer break is coming. Let's go on a trip together, before we finally turn ourselves in", Xiu Ying suggested.

A kiss on her forehead, and she was in his arms again.

"Okay"

[I make a new path for me, get out of rush hour]