Smiling, Lina held onto Zuko's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. In truth, seeing fireflies wasn't a priority for her as long as she had Zuko by her side.
"You've just arrived. You should rest," Lina said, looking at him. "Hmm... Let me get you a hotel room."
"No need!" Zuko replied, holding her hand and gently pressing his forehead against hers. "I can't afford such an expensive hotel."
"Don't tell me you came here empty-handed!" Lina exclaimed.
"I didn't," Zuko reassured her, showing his bag. "I brought clothes!"
"You..." Lina's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Don't tell me you want to sleep in the same room with me?"
"Mm-hmm!" Zuko nodded earnestly. "That's a great idea!"
"Zeke!" Lina exclaimed in disbelief.
"What? You don't want to take me in?" Zuko whispered in her ear, his voice growing deeper. "Can you bear to... leave me on the streets in this unfamiliar place?"
Lina gave him a stern look.
"I'm here." Zuko continued, using his persuasive charm. "I spent all the money I saved for the plane ticket. If you don't let me stay with you, I'll really have to sleep on the streets tonight..."
"Okay, okay!" Lina blushed and chuckled, pursing her lips. "Come with me!"
Zuko beamed happily, finally achieving his goal.
"Hey, let's split up later. We don't want to draw attention," Lina suggested.
"Hmm, okay," Zuko agreed.
"Follow me and run to the elevator!" Lina instructed.
Zuko nodded. "Got it."
"Lower your cap, Zeke. We don't want to attract any attention," Lina advised.
Zuko smiled and complied with all her requests.
"According to Southeast Aciatic law, it's illegal for two people to stay in the same room when I only registered one person with the hotel!" Lina expressed her concern, but she noticed Zuko's calm demeanor. He even went to the refrigerator to grab a drink.
"Zeke..."
Zuko reassured her, "Don't worry. They won't find out I'm here."
And even if they did, they wouldn't dare take any action against him.
"So, are you going to hide here while I go to class tomorrow?" Lina asked.
"Hmm, sure." Zuko chuckled, retrieving a blanket from the wall cabinet and casually draping it over the couch.
Lina smiled and approached him, wrapping her arms around him.
Zuko could hardly resist the temptation of holding such a beauty in his embrace. A fleeting thought of regret crossed his mind. Why had he pretended to be noble and settled for sleeping on the couch?
"Zeke..."
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