When he said "let's take it slow," his heart couldn't help but feel restless.
Actually, he hadn't entirely figured out what to do. The separation of the past few days and the sudden knowledge of Chi Yan's illness had forced him to carefully consider his feelings for Chi Yan. He admitted he liked her, but he was a pragmatic person. The many difficulties they were about to face were all in his mind, and he had no solutions yet... He wasn't sure about himself, nor about her.
"Chi Yan."
As he pondered, he called her softly.
"Hmm? Monkey, what's up with you today?"
Chi Yan had noticed something was off about him; what else could he avoid?
"I... Do you like me?"
"Like you? Of course!"
"What kind of like?"
"The kind where I really, really like you."
"... How does it compare to your liking for Yue?"
"???"
Chi Yan didn't answer.
She looked at him with a puzzled and confused gaze.
Assistant Hou's eyes darkened slightly, "Why aren't you saying anything?"