It rained that night.
The storm began with distant rumbles—low growls behind the clouds that rolled in from the eastern sea. The city lights reflected off the misty downpour as it blanketed the rooftops, windows, and empty streets in rhythmic waves.
In Apartment 1203, a flicker ran through the lights—once, twice—then everything went dark.
The entire block lost power.
Only the dull emergency glow from the building hallway lit the small family home, casting long shadows across the walls. Outside, thunder cracked through the sky. Inside, a different kind of tension began to build.
Li Chen stood quietly in the living room, holding a flashlight.
From the kitchen, Su Mei emerged.
She had changed into a thin cotton dress, one that clung slightly to her skin from the humidity. Without makeup, with her hair tied loosely at the back of her neck, she looked softer—more vulnerable, and yet far more sensual.
"No signal, no WiFi," she murmured, annoyed. "And the refrigerator's off too."
"We'll be fine," Li Chen said calmly, turning off the flashlight and lighting one of the emergency candles from the drawer. Its soft flame flickered between them, illuminating their faces and casting warm shadows across her collarbones.
She watched him for a moment.
He'd grown so calm—so collected.
His presence filled the room like a quiet storm. It unsettled her in ways she didn't fully understand.
"I hate storms," she whispered.
"I remember," he said. "You used to hold my hand when it thundered."
Su Mei gave a breathless chuckle. "You remember that?"
"I remember everything."
He stepped closer. The candle between them swayed slightly from the movement.
Su Mei felt her pulse begin to race. The way he looked at her—so steady, so sure—it made her feel seen. Too seen.
"Where are the others?" she asked quickly, turning away. "Your sister—"
"Asleep. Aunt Ruyin, too."
"You checked?"
"I checked," he said.
Su Mei swallowed.
There was a long silence between them, broken only by the soft beat of rain against the windows.
She moved to the couch and sat down, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Come sit with me," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
Li Chen joined her, sitting close enough that their thighs brushed. She shifted slightly but didn't pull away. The scent of her body wash—peach and honey—lingered faintly in the air.
She stared at the flickering flame.
"You're different," she murmured.
"How?"
"You've always been mature for your age. But now…" she paused. "It's like you see through people. Even me."
"I've always seen you," he said.
Su Mei looked at him.
His eyes burned with something deeper than a son should carry.
"Chen…" she said softly, a warning in her tone. "I'm your mother."
His hand reached out, fingers brushing the back of hers where it rested on the couch.
"You're also the woman I've loved longer than any other."
She pulled her hand back like it burned.
"…You shouldn't say that."
"But it's true."
Her voice trembled. "You're my child."
"And you're beautiful."
She stood up abruptly, stepping away from the candlelight, her back to him now.
Her voice was quieter. "Don't you think I've tried to stop these thoughts?"
"I don't want you to stop."
She turned around, eyes wide. "Chen…"
"I see how you look at me, Mom. I hear the way your voice softens. I feel it when you touch my arm in the kitchen. Don't pretend anymore."
Her lip trembled.
"I'm married," she whispered.
"So am I not allowed to want you?"
Su Mei took a step back. Then another.
But he stood, slowly, walking toward her.
"You've been alone for years. Dad's never here. He hasn't been here for you in any real way."
"That doesn't make this okay."
He reached her, stood in front of her.
"It makes it real."
Her breath hitched.
His hand reached up, brushing her cheek. She didn't pull away. Her eyes closed.
Then she opened them again, staring at him, trembling.
"What happens if I say yes?" she whispered.
"You already have."
He leaned in.
And she didn't stop him.
Their lips met softly at first—barely a brush. But then she gave in.
Her arms wrapped around him, her hands gripping his shirt. Their mouths moved with hunger, years of suppressed emotion exploding into a storm of need.
Her back pressed against the wall. His hands slid along her waist. Her dress bunched beneath his fingers.
"Chen…" she gasped.
"I'm here," he murmured.
She clung to him as thunder roared outside, and inside, the storm inside her broke.
---
Much later, she lay beside him on the couch, chest rising and falling beneath the light blanket he'd draped over them. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair a wild mess across the pillow.
She looked at him with a softness she hadn't shown in years.
"…What have we done?" she whispered.
"What we wanted," he said, calmly.
"I've crossed a line I can't uncross."
"So have I."
Su Mei touched his cheek.
"This can't become a habit."
"It already is."
She closed her eyes.
"…I love you."
He kissed her forehead.
"I've always loved you."
---
The next morning, the electricity returned. But the atmosphere in the house had shifted permanently.
His sister, Su Minzhu, sensed it first.
At breakfast, she watched the way her mother's gaze darted too often toward Li Chen. How Su Mei would flush and look away when he returned the glance.
Later that day, when Li Chen came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she was waiting outside her door.
"Did something happen between you and Mom?" she asked suddenly.
He didn't answer.
"You smell like her perfume."
Li Chen smirked. "Jealous?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You're disgusting."
He stepped closer. "But you still want me."
She flushed. "You're playing with fire."
"And you're already burning."
She stormed into her room and slammed the door, but not before he caught the glint of moisture in her eyes.
---
That afternoon, his aunt Su Ruyin emerged from the study wearing workout tights and a tank top. She stretched on the living room floor, her body moving with practiced fluidity.
Li Chen sat nearby, watching her with quiet intensity.
"You like to stare, don't you?" she teased, not even looking at him.
"I like beautiful things."
She smirked, arching her back as she reached for her toes.
"I used to change your diapers."
"And now you want to ride me."
She froze, breath catching.
"…Bold little thing, aren't you?" she whispered.
He walked over and crouched beside her, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I wonder how long you'll pretend."
Her cheeks flushed. "Don't push me."
"I'm not pushing."
He leaned in.
"I'm pulling."
Her lips parted. Her body trembled.
But she stood and walked away.
This time.
---
That evening, while Su Mei and Minzhu were in the kitchen, Ruyin cornered Li Chen on the balcony.
"You're dangerous," she said, gripping the railing.
"You like that."
She didn't deny it.
"Do you know what would happen if anyone ever found out what you've done?"
He stepped behind her, chest pressing against her back, arms wrapping around her waist.
"No one will find out," he whispered in her ear.
Her breath caught.
"And if I fall too?"
"You already have."
She turned to face him, and in the darkening light, he kissed her.
---
[End of Chapter 4]