Later, We Both Fell Silent

[Clearheaded heroine × dangerous, tender hero] + [the push and pull of adult romance] + [a woman's growth] + [life in Germany]

At thirty, Xiao Mai is used to repetitive work and complicated office politics. She's also used to keeping her emotions hidden.

One late night on the subway, she downloads a dating app for strangers.

She's just lonely.

Then a man called “Kalania” appears.

Yang Ziqi is polite, restrained, and thoughtful. He knows where to draw the line, and how to get close to someone.

But a phone suddenly turned facedown at dinner, a pink profile picture flashing past on the subway, and a casual “sis-in-law” at an event all feel like tiny barbs buried in their flirtation.

Xiao Mai knows he's dangerous, but she still falls for him, little by little.

A connection between adults is never a fairy tale.

It's messages that go unanswered until the middle of the night, subtle tests of the waters, and a loss of control after reason and desire have pulled at each other again and again.

Eventually, she finally starts to pull away.

And Yang Ziqi, who had always seemed so effortlessly in control, finally understands:

The worst pain doesn't come from an argument.

It comes when she still cares about him, but has already decided she doesn't want him.