°•Quiet Love³•°
°•Bonus Chapter: In the Quiet of Everyday•°
Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains in lazy golden slants, touching the corners of the apartment with a gentle glow. Zoey stood by the kitchen counter, hair twisted into a loose bun, wearing one of Yunrui’s oversized button-up shirts and humming softly to herself as she stirred milk into her coffee.
The apartment had fallen into a rhythm over the last two months—a soft, unspoken cadence that belonged solely to the two of them. Since the night Yunrui had told her he loved her, something had shifted, like gravity had slightly realigned, pulling them closer in a thousand tiny ways.
There were still few words between them—but now there were touches. Looks. Smiles that lingered a bit too long. And kisses—shy, clumsy, heart-stealing kisses that made Zoey’s stomach flutter and Yunrui go adorably still, like his entire world had been momentarily paused.
She took a sip of her coffee, still warm, and padded softly to the living room. Yunrui sat on the couch in his weekend sweats, reading glasses perched on his nose—an image that, in Zoey’s mind, deserved to be framed. His brow furrowed slightly as he scrolled through something on his tablet. He was always like this in the mornings: quiet, focused, cozy in his stillness.
She leaned against the doorframe and just watched him for a moment.
Then, quietly, she walked over and sat beside him, tucking her legs under herself. He glanced up and gave her a soft nod, lips quirking.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“Morning,” (she echoed, sipping again.)
Then, without much thought, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Yunrui blinked.
His ears turned pink immediately.
Zoey tried—really tried—not to smile too hard, but the way he froze for a fraction of a second, the way his hand subtly moved to where she’d kissed him, like he was saving the feeling, made her heart bloom.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“You always do that,”
(she teased gently, her voice quiet.)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“Blush like a schoolboy.”
Li Yunrui
“I don’t blush,”
(he murmured, adjusting his glasses to hide behind them.)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“You do,”
(she said, turning slightly and poking his side).
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“And it’s very cute.”
(she grinned mischievously)
He gave her a long-suffering look but couldn’t hide the upward curve of his lips.
Li Yunrui
“If I’m cute, then what does that make you?”
Zoey hesitated. Then she blinked, caught off-guard by the question—and her own sudden bashfulness.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“Uh… still cute?” (she offered, playing with her coffee mug.)
Yunrui leaned closer, his voice low. As he brushed his finger slightly on her cheeks, giving a feathery feeling, making her heart race as she blinked at him innocently.
Her face immediately turned red, not expecting such comebacks.
Li Yunrui
“There it is,”
(he said, amused, brushing his knuckles under her chin).
Li Yunrui
“Shy Zoey.” (smirks)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(Burying her face in his arm, feeling shy, she murmured)
“You don’t get to use that against me.”
Li Yunrui
“I’m just saying,”
(he said, pretending to examine the tablet again).
Li Yunrui
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one who turns red over compliments.” (smiles cheekily at her)
She narrowed her eyes playfully and set her coffee down. Then, with sudden determination, she shifted forward, cupped his face in both hands, and kissed him on the lips.
It was quick. A soft, unexpected press of affection. She pulled back with a grin, expecting his usual stunned silence. But this time, Yunrui’s hand reached up to gently cup the back of her head, guiding her back in.
The second kiss was slower. More certain. When they parted, both breathless, Zoey blinked.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“I… didn’t expect that,” (she whispered)
Li Yunrui
(He looked down at her with the gentlest smile.)
“Neither did I.”
Yunrui wasn’t a man of many words, but over the following days, Zoey began to notice that he was trying in his own way. Little gestures had become more obvious, more intentional.
One morning, she opened the closet to find a new cardigan in her favourite colour draped neatly over a hanger with a small sticky note:
••“You said you liked this shade when we passed that boutique. I remembered.” — Y••
She clutched it to her chest like it was made of gold, her heart pulsating more as she blushed hard.
Later that day, when Yunrui returned from work and set his keys on the table, she flew into the hallway to hug him before he could even take his shoes off.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“Thank you for the cardigan,”
(she mumbled into his chest).
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“You remembered.”
Li Yunrui
(His arms wrapped around her slowly, almost bashfully)
“You looked cold last week. I thought… maybe you’d like it."”
She pulled back, stood on her toes, and kissed him on the cheek again.
He blushed. Again.
It became a sort of game.
Zoey, shy but bold in the sweetest ways, would kiss him when he least expected it—while he was brushing his teeth, reading the paper, folding laundry. And each time, Yunrui would freeze for a second like his brain short-circuited, then shake his head, muttering,
Li Yunrui
“You’re dangerous.”
She wore the title like a badge of honor. But there were moments too, quiet ones, where Zoey’s own shyness peeked through.
One evening, they were lying on the couch, her head on Yunrui’s chest, his hand idly stroking her arm. A rom-com played softly on the TV, but neither of them was really watching.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“Yun?” (she whispered)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“If I… if I ever say too much, or if I get too clingy—just tell me, okay? I know I’m a lot sometimes.”
Li Yunrui
(He blinked down at her)
“Zoey.”
She peeked up at him, eyes wide and uncertain. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles.
Li Yunrui
“You’re not too much,”
(said softly)
Li Yunrui
“I like the way you love. It’s just new to me.”
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(She flushed and turned her face into his chest)
“You’re going to make me cry.”
Li Yunrui
“Then I’m doing it right.”
There were other moments too—ones that made Zoey’s heart ache with affection.
Like the time she caught Yunrui quietly rearranging the spice shelf because she always struggled to find the cinnamon. Or the way he started keeping a notebook tucked into his drawer.
She peeked once and saw it filled with notes:
📝“Zoey likes lavender tea,”
📝“Always cold after 9 p.m.,”
📝“Watches the moon when she’s stressed.”
She cried in the shower that night. Happy tears. That's weird?! But that's how Zoey had her heart filled tears come out.
One rainy afternoon, she was painting in the sunroom, brush strokes slow and thoughtful. Yunrui came in holding a steaming mug of chamomile.
Li Yunrui
“For the artist,” (he said simply)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(She took it, smiling)
“You always know.”
Li Yunrui
(He lingered around and watched her paint, and then, shyly, he asked,)
“Will you paint something for me?”
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(She turned, surprised)
“Of course. What do you want?”
Li Yunrui
(He looked at her for a long moment. Then said softly)
“You. Just... you.”
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(Her cheeks turned crimson, brush slipping from her fingers and onto the floor.)
“Wh-what?”
Li Yunrui
(He smiled, picking it up for her)
“Only if you want.”
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(She cleared her throat)
“I do. I just... wasn’t expecting it.”
Li Yunrui
“You always paint flowers,” (he said softly)
Li Yunrui
“But you’re the most beautiful being in my world”
It was the most forward thing he’d ever said. And it absolutely wrecked her composure. That night, she painted a portrait—not just of herself, but of the version of her that lived in Yunrui's eyes. Strong. Warm. Softly radiant.
She left it by his bedside the next morning, unsigned. But he knew. And when he kissed her hand before leaving for work, she knew he loved it.
One night, as they sat by the window watching the rain, Zoey leaned into him, sighing.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“I used to think I needed someone loud to love me. Someone who'd never stop saying it.”
Yunrui ran his fingers through her hair, listening quietly as he hummed on her speak, to acknowledge his attention on her.
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
“But now,” (she continued, voice small,)
“I think maybe I just needed someone who meant it. Quietly. Every day.”
Li Yunrui
(He kissed the crown of her head)
“I’m still learning,” (he said)
Li Ziyi (Zoey)
(She tilted her head to meet his gaze)
“You’re doing beautifully.”
He flushed, as always. But he smiled. And Zoey? Zoey tucked herself into his arms, heart full.
Because sometimes, LOVE didn’t shout. Sometimes, it brewed soup at midnight. Remembered your favorite color. Let its ears burn red when kissed on the cheek. And sometimes, it held you through the quiet, saying everything without a single word.
Author
Ok, it's done(?!), I don't know…. maybe 2 more chapters I'll give, and then maybe I'll try another story if I have time.. I mean, I am currently at work and did the messy edit up there in just 10 mins, as I was in a hurry cause one of the supervisors came in, and I had to hurry back in 🥲
Author
So please don't mind the mistakes and...
ThankYou for reading😄
Author
(ps; this author is one clumsy one even at work😗)
Comments
𝓽𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓴𝓴𝓲𝓮 🫐
it's nice /Smirk/
2025-06-20
2
shiruu...lish♡♡
What can I even do with you gurl!🤦♀️
2025-06-23
1
shiruu...lish♡♡
he's just like a porcupine 🤭
2025-06-23
0