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Meilin stood in the center of the living room, her eyes lighting up as Ningshun entered. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his changed outfit—a tight, white tank top and jeans. Her eyes traced every curve and ridge of his arms, lingering on the sharp lines of his chiseled collarbone.

'Okay, think innocent thoughts. Puppies. Sunshine. Kittens playing with yarn. Anything but those... biceps!' Her hands trembled as she played with the hem of her blouse, the heat of their previous encounter still coloring her cheeks. 'He probably thinks I'm... He left quickly... Was I too aggressive? Did I scare him? Oh no, what if he hates...'

He ran a hand through his damp hair. 'I shouldn't make things more awkward.' Clearing his throat, he flashed a grin, like morning light breaking through a darkened room. "Hey, Meilin."

She quickly raised her head. "Oh, hey!"

"Relax, it's just me." He flashed a grin, like morning light breaking through a darkened room, and stepped closer, tilting his head. 'I just have to think of her as... one of the boys. Yeah, that's right. Like Kaili and the others...'

In his imagination, Meilin's delicate features morphed into Kaili's sharp jawline and chiseled features, like a Picasso painting gone wrong. The absurdity of her softness turning masculine hit him like a pie in the face. He shuddered and let out a startled yelp before recoiling in horror.

'BAD IDEA!' Ningshun opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, she slipped past him like a whisper.

"Hey, Kaili!" She rushed over, her movements sharp and urgent, as if every second counted. 'Just focus on others, don't look back. Keep it casual.'

Ningshun stared in disbelief as she made a beeline for Kaili, as if he had become invisible. "Seriously? She's going to play it like that?" Taking a deep breath, he turned and strode away like a king reclaiming his throne. But Meilin's laughter, so full of joy and life, pulled him back. His cool facade cracked as she dove into an animated conversation with Kaili. "Smooth move," he muttered under his breath, a wry smile on his lips as he continued to the table, viewing over twenty different pizzas.

The delicious smell of pepperoni pizza caught Ningshun's attention, a tempting mix of smoky, spicy goodness, melted cheese, and a touch of herbs. He grabbed a few slices, treating them like his new best friends, then returned to the couch.

Hooman followed Ningshun's gaze to Kaili, who engaged in an expressive conversation with Meilin. "Looks like Kaili's making quite an impression."

Ningshun rolled his eyes and leaned back. "Yeah, seems like it." His jaw clenched, grip tightening around the slice of pizza. 'Is she avoiding me?' As he took a bite of his pizza, he smirked and shook his head. "Guess some people just can't resist Kaili's charm," he quipped, his tone light but his eyes darkening. 'What's up with her? Did I do something...? Why the hell am I even bothered by this!'

As Meilin and Kaili reached the counter, her mouth watered as the smells hit her nostrils: tangy tomato sauce, melted cheese, basil, savory sausage, mushrooms, and aromatic garlic and herbs. "Wow! There are so many of them. I can't choose!"

Kaili grinned and grabbed a slice for himself. "You've got to try this one, Meilin. It's got this spicy kick that'll blow your mind!" He accompanied her back to the couch across from the others.

Han chuckled. "Well, Ningshun insisted on getting them all."

"Thank you, Han, and... Ningshun," she uttered, refusing eye contact with the team leader, dodging him like a street vendor.

Ningshun raised an eyebrow. "No problem, Meilin." With a sigh, he closed his eyes. 'Maybe she's still bothered by what happened... No! Nothing happened! Why would she?'

Her steps toward the kitchen drew Ningshun's attention.

Opening his eyes, a smirk played on Ningshun's lips as an idea struck him. Taking a sip of his soda, he placed the mug down with a decisive clink and strode toward the kitchen.

"Hey, Meilin... Mind if I lend a hand?" Ningshun's eyes hooked onto hers, daring her to break free.

She flinched, lifting her head from the sink like a startled deer. "I... uh..." Speechless, she thrust the rubber gloves at him, as if passing off a hot potato.

His jaw dropped. "What the—"

"Sure! Perfect timing! I just heard Hooman calling for help, so I'll go help him now. Thank you so much!" With that, she bolted out of the kitchen, leaving him to wash the dishes alone.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Alone by the sink, Ningshun scoffed and held his forehead. "She's driving me nuts!"

Despite his frustration, his eyes kept drifting towards the kitchen door, half-expecting Meilin to walk back in and join him. But she did not. Instead, her laughter flowed from the living room, grating on his nerves.

~*~

Ningshun slipped into the living room with his head held high, sitting in the spot farthest from Meilin. 'Whatever. Not like I care... If she wants to ignore me, fine. Two can play that game... Besides, I've got more important things to focus on.' He leaned back and perused the livestreams of their competitors on his tablet. Yet, every time she laughed or spoke, his attention sharpened, experiencing the sting of her avoidance. "What's so funny?"

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"Oh, just Kaili being Kaili." Han raised an eyebrow. "You seem quiet tonight. Is something on your mind?"

"Nah, just thinking about the upcoming playoff," Ningshun replied, his tone light but his gaze distant. "Got to stay focused, you know?"

Kaili's phone vibrated, and he frowned at the screen. "Looks like I need to head out to the storage room for a bit," he announced, rising to his feet. "Hooman needs my help."

"Alright, catch you later!" Han called out, waving.

"See you, man," Ningshun nodded.

With Kaili gone, the atmosphere in the room shifted, leaving only Han, Meilin, and Ningshun in the living room.

She shifted in her seat, eyes darting around the room. "Oh, I need to do something!" With a sudden jolt, she sprang up, making Han flinch. Striding toward the counter, she struggled to open the pickled jar's lid. She applied more pressure, her fingers turning white, but the jar would not budge.

Ningshun, still lounging on the couch and scrolling through online videos, caught her struggles from the corner of his eye. He gave a deep sigh, and his eyes softened. 'Why should I bother if she's just going to ignore me?' Still, her frustration compelled him to act. 'I'm going to regret this.' With a resigned sigh, he stood up, but she had already returned, holding the jar. 'About time she comes and asks for my help—'

"Han, can you give me a hand? It's stuck."

Ningshun blinked. 'Han? Seriously? I'm standing right here, and she... whatever.'

Han glanced down at his slender frame, then back at Meilin. Unsure of his abilities, he stepped forward like a hesitant actor on stage. "Uh, sure, I'll give it a try."

Ningshun chuckled. 'That tiny jar? I can open it with one hand tied behind my back.'

Han took the jar from her, gripping it with a firm hold. He wrestled with it, his face reddening as if battling an unseen force.

Ningshun grinned. "Need a hand, Han?"

"No, I'm... fine," Han strained, his breath growing heavier. After a few more seconds of struggle, he managed to pop the lid open.

Ningshun raised an eyebrow, his expression a question mark. "Seriously? She asked him?" He shook his head in disbelief.

"Whoa, you're so strong! Thanks, Han! You're a lifesaver."

Han blushed, his nerves tangled like a knot. "Y-You're welcome."

Kaili and Hooman strolled in, taking in the unfolding scene. Han's ability to open a pickle jar had already surprised them, but they never imagined he would receive a compliment from a girl with Ningshun in the room.

Hooman nudged Kaili with a grin. "Did you see that? Han, the Boulder!"

"Boulder!" Kaili laughed. "Han, the Twig, is now Han the Boulder. I'm jealous." He walked over to Han. Leaning in, he whispered with his hand on Han's shoulder, "Don't let this get into your head."

Hooman jumped in. "If she thought he was strong, I need to start working out more."

Kaili, noting Ningshun's reaction, stirred the pot with a playful grin, flexing his muscles. "We all know who's the strongest here—me."

Ningshun leaned back, his posture a relaxed sea, while his raised eyebrow a lone wave of sarcasm cutting through the calm. "You sure about that, Kaili?"

"I surrender. Just please don't hurt me!" Kalli chuckled, turning to Meilin. "Hey, how about you solve this issue? Tell us who's the strongest here."

"Uh, well..." Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "I, uh... I mean, you all look pretty strong."

"That's a lie... Come on, Meilin, don't kill the fun," Kaili teased.

Ningshun's smirk deepened as he crossed his arms over his chest. He relished her squirming under his gaze, yet tried to appear uninterested in participating in their little game. However, he found far too much pleasure in this moment. The sight of her, cornered into answering this question after dodging him for so long, provided a petty yet satisfying victory.

"Uh, I mean, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? You're all in great shape!" Her eyes darted across the room like a trapped butterfly, every gaze pressing down on her as she sought an escape. 'I want to squeeze them.'

Kaili crossed his arms. "Nice try, but that's not an answer. We want a name."

Her cheeks flared a deeper shade of crimson. "Okay, fine! It's..."

Seizing his moment, Ningshun leaned back, the fabric of his tight white tank top stretching as he flexed his biceps, making a show of his impressive physique with a cocky smirk. "Well, I don't like to brag, but..."

"Definitely Han! Look at those muscles!"

Ningshun's jaw dropped, ego shattered like a glass trophy as Han was crowned The Chosen One. 'In my life, I've never been so... so...'

Still clutching the pickle jar, Han pointed a finger toward himself. "Me? Muscles?" He blinked, shying away, and pressed his fingers against his arm, finding little muscle. "Uh, thanks, Meilin."

"Seriously? Is she blind?" Ningshun muttered to himself.

Kaili snickered, diverting his attention to Han. "Let's see those guns. Give us a real flex."

Han blushed deeper but complied, raising his arm and flexing his modest bicep. "Uh, here you go."

Kaili chuckled and shook his head. "Impressive."

'I'm dying of cringe.' Hooman's lips curled in discomfort. He leaned into Ningshun with an amused smile, whispering, "Is she that oblivious, or...?"

Ningshun sighed, his frown still intact. "Beats me."

Kaili clapped Ningshun on the back and whispered, "Don't take it too hard, man. She's just keeping us all on our toes."

Ningshun's grin flashed like a polished mask as he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Leaning back, his smile cracked. 'She's trolling me. There's just no way—What the!? I'm done.'

Hooman caught the tension in Ningshun's defined jaw and teased, "Meilin, you hurt Ningshun's feelings."

"Uh... why?"

Ningshun shifted in his seat, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. 'Enough of this.'

Kaili chuckled, seizing the opportunity to tease. "Everyone knows Ningshun is the strongest one in the team. He works out every day. You hurt his pride!" He extended his arms as if grasping invisible weights, his cheeks puffing out, mimicking his workout grunts and groans.

'I feel bad about this.' She fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve.

Hooman jumped in. "I guess you have to work harder, my man."

Ningshun sighed, striving to anchor the storm behind his calm facade. "Guys, cut it out. Just stop!"

"Okay, okay! Next time, I'll explore every single inch of Ningshun's body thoroughly before jumping to conclusions! Happy now?" She lightened the mood with a chuckle.

Ningshun sat there, stunned—his jaw hitting the floor, considering he had played the role of the invisible man all evening. 'Did she really say that...? That's not what that means, you...!' His cheeks ignited like twin embers as he swallowed hard.

Hooman choked on his drink, coughing and laughing at the same time.

Kaili's eyes widened, letting out a dramatic gasp. "Meilin! Never thought you'd be so... straightforward."

Han blinked. "Uh, this is... I think I'm going to my room now."

Ningshun's eyes scanned the room like a hunted animal, his heart thundering in his chest as he hoped no one glimpsed his silent panic. Yet, their knowing smirks hinted otherwise. 'Note to self... Meilin definitely knows how to keep us on our toes.'

"What? What did I say?" She furrowed her brows.

"She's so innocent; it's too cute!" Kaili burst into laughter, clutching his aching stomach.

Her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. "Oh no. God, that's not... not what I meant! I mean... I was just talking about his body—"

"His body?" Hooman teased, grinning wide.

"Wait, no... Stop!" Quivering like a fragile leaf in the wind. 'Now he surely thinks I'm weird... Not only did I make him uncomfortable in my room, but now he probably thinks I'm a... Oh no, he thinks I'm a... that I'm a...' She laughed like a fluttering candle flame. "Come on, guys! You know what I meant... right? It was a slip-up! Alright? You guys kept bugging me, and I couldn't think straight."

"Suuure," Hooman continued the joke.

As the others laughed and continued their banter, Ningshun sank deeper into the couch, thrown off balance by the unexpected turn of events. He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "Yeah, well... let's not make a big deal out of it, okay?" He struggled to shake off the residue of embarrassment, despite Meilin's innocent intentions.