Exercises in Love and Anxiety [Older Man]

[Realistic urban romance] [International workplace] [Restrained emotions, slow burn] [Older male lead]

[A story of two extremely disciplined, repressed, reserved people saving each other]

[A forthright Chinese writer who cares little for social niceties and a handsome, strong Korean actor older than her]

Lin Xi noticed that Han Zhiyun had been acting a little strangely lately.

The gym had become his new haunt. He got up before her in the morning and went to bed after her at night. The lines of his arms were becoming more defined, and he had quietly changed his clothing size, too.

She asked if he was working out again. He smiled and said, "I'm getting older. I have to exercise to stay in shape."

Lin Xi didn't think much of it. She just felt that he'd been buying a lot of things lately, and they all seemed to be for someone else.

Then one day, she came home to find the living room piled with gifts: scented candles, jewelry, and a little speaker she liked. As she unpacked them, she heard Han Zhiyun say softly, "I wanted to get you some things you'd like."

He came out of the shower with water still dripping from his hair, his white T-shirt clinging to his skin with sweat.

Lin Xi was curled up on the sofa watching a show when Han Zhiyun walked over and suddenly pulled her into his arms, settling her astride his waist.

Startled by his sudden strength, she hadn't even had time to react before he leaned in close, collapsing against her as if he had lost his balance.

He said nothing. His breath fell against the side of her neck, hot enough to burn.

"You've been working out too much again." Lin Xi pushed him, but he only held her tighter.

The scent of shampoo mingled with the steam rising from his body. He suddenly drew her gently into his arms, then shifted until he was sitting on her.

He buried his face against her neck and mumbled, "Am I still good enough?"

Lin Xi froze for a moment.

Han Zhiyun didn't look up. He just held her, his palm stroking her back again and again as he asked in a low, cautious voice, "I'm afraid you'll get tired of me."

The air fell utterly silent, save for the sound of his breath close to her.

Lin Xi reached up to touch his hair. He finally raised his head and looked at her, his eyes hiding a touch of ridiculous sincerity and hurt.

Leaning close to her ear, he repeated in a whisper, "I'm really scared. I'm afraid I won't feel new to you anymore."

Lin Xi smiled and stroked his face. Looking into her eyes, he held her like a lighthearted boy, taking her hand and guiding it to the abs he'd worked so hard to maintain.

Theme: Love needs honesty.