Following the principle of proximity, we went to the arcade first.

It was also my first time at an arcade. Walking through the deafening music, I felt somewhat awkward and constrained. Considering that Lin Yusen was also here for the first time, I thought we should observe how others played first. However, Mr. Lin clearly didn’t think playing games required learning. After exchanging money for game tokens, he randomly picked an unoccupied ski simulator and urged me to get on it.

And then…

“Watch out for the rocks.”

I died crashing into the rocks.

“Mind the turn.”

I didn’t turn in time and died hitting the mountain.

“There’s a truck ahead.”

I crashed right into it…

Looking at the big “GAME OVER” on the screen, I turned to Lin Yusen somewhat dismal, waiting for him to insert another token. Instead, he started taking off his coat, followed by his suit jacket. He draped the clothes over the handrail, rolled up his dress shirt sleeves, and said to me with natural elegance, “Step down, it’s my turn.”

“…”

Weren’t. You. Supposed. To. Bring. Me. Here. To. Play?

I stepped down from the machine very reluctantly, staring at him, hoping he would quickly crash into trees, walls, or mountains. However, things didn’t go as I wished. Although it was also his first time playing, his control was much better than mine. Watching him quickly clear two levels, I remembered the fresh grievance of being made to step down and couldn’t help but start sabotaging him.

When he needed to turn left, I shouted, “Turn right, step on the right!”

When he should take the middle path, I earnestly reminded him, “The left path is a shortcut, take that one~”

Unfortunately, Lin Yusen remained completely unmoved by my attempts, never falling for any of them. Seeing that he was about to clear the third level, I had a sudden inspiration. Watching the character on screen about to turn left, I quickly shouted, “Left turn, step left!”

Lin Yusen stepped right.

The character on screen crashed tragically into the mountain.

“Hahaha!” I couldn’t stop laughing.

Lin Yusen paused helplessly, “How come you suddenly stopped lying?”

“When did I ever lie to you?” I refused to admit anything. “See? This is what happens when you don’t trust me. Alright, come down, it’s my turn.”

Then we went to the movie theater.

I chose the movie, the latest blockbuster. It was said to have spectacular fight scenes, guaranteed to get your blood pumping, guaranteed to be exciting, and guaranteed to… improve sleep quality…

“Nie Xiguang… Xiguang.”

“…Did I fall asleep?” I rubbed my eyes.

“Yes, let’s go.”

He helped brush off the scattered popcorn from my clothes, stood up, and picked up both our coats before heading out. I followed behind him, only becoming fully awake after leaving the theater. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I asked, “Did I sleep for long?”

“Fifty minutes.”

…Why keep such a precise track…

I awkwardly changed the subject: “How did it end? Did they rescue the female lead? Who kidnapped her?”

“The male lead’s father.”

“Really? Why?”

“The male lead’s father was conducting illegal drug experiments, which the female lead discovered…”

Suddenly, I heard a girl’s soft laugh nearby. I turned to look and saw a young couple grinning at us – they seemed to be the ones who sat next to us during the movie.

Seeing me look their way, the girl gave me a thumbs up, “Your boyfriend is amazing at multitasking! He got all the plot details exactly right.”

They ran off giggling.

Multitasking…

I looked at the retreating couple, then at Lin Yusen. “…Don’t tell me you fell asleep too?”

Lin Yusen acted as if he hadn’t heard, checking his wristwatch with an unchanged expression. “It’s almost one. You should rest early since you have a wedding to attend tomorrow.”

“Oh… alright, are you tired? Then we should call it a night. Ah, Senior Fang was exaggerating when he said you could remain energetic even after performing surgery all night… Hey, what are you doing?”

Lin Yusen suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me in another direction.

“We’ll go up this way to see the night view.”

The bar on the fifty-sixth floor of the same building as the underground cinema was like another world entirely in its quietness. Moving from the extreme noise of the arcade and cinema to such profound stillness, I suddenly fell silent.

Outside the window, snow was falling quietly.

Turn your head slightly, and there’s the city’s brilliant, tireless night scene.

Hadn’t I repeatedly fantasized about walking happily with someone amid such night scenery, or sitting together in such serene darkness?

Hadn’t I imagined watching movies with that person, where I’d want to buy popcorn, and he’d surely complain about it being junk food, yet still steal a few pieces while watching together?

Perhaps I would fall asleep during the movie, scattering popcorn everywhere.

Hadn’t I imagined shopping for clothes together, picking out piles for him to try on, and he’d surely become impatient…

I had so many fantasies I wanted to realize with him, but in the end, it was someone else who accompanied me in fulfilling them.

The server brought my juice, and I realized I had been lost in thought for too long. Yet Lin Yusen had also been quietly gazing out the window – however long I had been lost in thought, he had accompanied my silence for just as long.

How strange life is – I never imagined that one day, I would be sitting quietly with Lin Yusen in a place like this on a snowy night, watching the city lights together.

I wrapped my hands around the juice glass.

“Thank you.”

Lin Yusen turned his gaze from the window and raised his glass to me. “You’re welcome. No need to thank me for such a great favor.”

I burst out laughing.

Perhaps it was the candlelight or the atmosphere, but suddenly I felt that Lin Yusen across from me, from his bearing to his movements, was so elegantly proper, emanating an indescribable destructive charm.

I suddenly developed an intense interest in him, setting aside all complex thoughts, and asked curiously, “Lin Yusen, how old are you?”

“Nie Xiguang, you know too little about your superior.”

“…Are you working for me or are you my boss? You switch roles too easily!”

He smiled. “It’s a good position – I can both manage you and earn money for you.”

“More like enslaving me,” I said irritably. “Come on, tell me, how old are you?”

“Six years older than you.”

I did the math. “That’s impossible. You have a doctorate, right? You couldn’t be this young after finishing a doctorate and working as a doctor.”

Though he did look like the young and accomplished type.

Lin Yusen seemed to choke for a moment. “…I started school early and got my degree early too.”

“Oh, I see… By the way, why does Senior Fang call you the Medical School’s Number One Beast?”

He coughed. “Nie Xiguang, is it appropriate to ask me such questions directly? Why don’t you ask… Senior Fang sometime?” He paused. “Didn’t you two exchange phone numbers?”

He leaned back in his chair with his wine glass. “Just how much dirt did he dish about me? Seems like he told you all my secrets?”

“Don’t worry, he didn’t mention anything about your romantic history or gossip~”

“What romantic history?” He gave a light laugh. “Medical school was busy, being a doctor is even busier. There wasn’t even time to pursue girlfriends.”

“What about those who pursued you? Such a talented gentleman couldn’t have had no pursuers.”

“Well, perhaps the gentleman before you had too high standards.” He looked at me, a glimmer flashing in his eyes. “Why are you so interested in me today?”

I sighed, “I’m just bored.”

“…”

He choked on his wine.

“Wait!”

I suddenly realized a serious problem. “Why are you drinking? You still need to drive back later.”

After I withdrew money from the bank, we found the owner of the car blocking ours, so we drove here. How would he drive home after drinking?

“No need. My place isn’t far, about twenty minutes on foot.”

“Oh, that’s good then.”

I turned to look out the window; the snow was falling more heavily now. “I wonder if the roads will be covered in snow tomorrow? Will it be hard to get a taxi?”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

I turned to look at him. He was gazing down at the liquid swirling in his glass. “Your classmate invited me to the wedding too. What, am I not welcome?”

Tomorrow…

“Why wouldn’t you be welcome? Tomorrow I’ll treat you to free food and drinks with my red envelope money!” I took a big sip of juice and said enthusiastically.

“But make sure you look even more handsome than today.”

“Even more handsome?” He repeated those words with amusement. “Aren’t you afraid people will misunderstand our relationship?”

“A little misunderstanding isn’t bad.” I mimicked his way of speaking. “This humble one is as beautiful as a flower – you wouldn’t be at a loss!”

“You… you’re giddy from all the fun today.” He gazed at me, emotions seeming to surge in his eyes.

My heart trembled, and I suddenly felt I really must be giddy from the evening’s activities. I unconsciously looked away.

In my peripheral vision, the candlelight flickered in the glass.

After a while, he said, “You should rest early, otherwise you’ll have dark circles tomorrow and won’t be able to be as beautiful as a flower.”

This building had a nice hotel, very convenient for checking in.

“Want me to accompany you?”

“Not!”

A man and woman checking into a hotel together would be too strange.

Lin Yusen nodded, holding the elevator door. “Alright, send me a message when you get to your room.”

I made an OK gesture, ran out of the elevator, then turned back to wave at him. Only after watching the elevator doors close did I turn toward the hotel front desk.

The receptionist greeted me warmly: “Good evening, miss. How may I help you?”

“Hello, do you have any rooms available? I’d like to check in.”

“Yes, could you provide your ID, please?”

“…”

I quickly pulled out my phone and called Lin Yusen: “Lin Yusen, where are you? Please come back!”

Lin Yusen seriously signed his name on the check-in form, his handsome brows slightly furrowed, looking particularly solemn.

But…

“…Are you trying not to laugh?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Is it that obvious?”

“…”

I knew it…

Lin Yusen handed the signed form to the receptionist, then turned to me with meticulous instructions: “Make sure to double-lock the door when you get to the room, don’t open it for anyone who knocks, and call me immediately if anything seems off.”

“…Is that necessary?”

“The room is under my name, Miss Nie. For the sake of my reputation and innocence, OK?”

“O~K~” I helplessly laid my head on the counter.

“Sorry for the wait, sir, miss. Here are your room cards.”

The receptionist handed over the ID and room cards with a smile. Lin Yusen passed the room card to me, and we walked toward the elevators together.

“Thanks. Good thing you had your ID with you.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered if I didn’t. My place is twenty minutes away.”

“…I still couldn’t stay at your place…”

“Where is your mind wandering?” He glanced at me, then looked up at the elevator display, appearing nonchalant. “I meant I could quickly go home to get my ID.”

“…”

“Here’s your elevator.”

He held the door and handed me several bags. “Your clothes, they were left in the car.”

He’d specifically gone to the underground parking to get them?

I was stunned for a moment before taking them. “Oh, thanks… I’ll head up then?”

“Go on, get some rest.” He nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll be more handsome, don’t forget to be as beautiful as a flower.”

“…I’ll try…” I walked into the elevator, waving at him helplessly. “Goodbye…”

We stayed out late today. I found my room and first collapsed on the bed for a while before having the energy to wash up and brush my teeth. After washing my face, I couldn’t fall asleep right away. After tossing and turning a few times, thinking about Lin Yusen walking home in the snow so late at night, this guy who was so vain he only wore a suit and coat, I couldn’t help but send him a message.

“Are you home?”

He responded directly with a photo.

“Yes, the night view from my place. Should be the same as what you see from your window.”

The photo seemed to be taken from a balcony. Brilliant lights, the Huangpu River at night, and a half-glass of wine sitting on the balcony railing.

Nice place he has, but why is he drinking alone so late? Hadn’t he had enough earlier? I pressed the curtain switch by the bed and casually took a photo of the view to send him.

“Pretty similar! Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Thinking about how to adjust the annual plan.”

“…You’re too dedicated, I’m embarrassed as both your boss and subordinate.”

“This humble one works body and mind, Miss Nie can just wait to reap the benefits.”

He’s teasing me again. I can’t win against him, so I made a quick retreat. “Good night, Mr. Lin!”

“Good night.” He replied, then sent another message moments later.

“Miss Nie.”

Does he have to match my formal address every time? This is obsessive-compulsive disorder, Mr. Lin.

I couldn’t help but smile, about to turn off my phone to sleep.

But my finger hovered over the power button for a long time before withdrawing. I reopened the message page and scrolled to the bottom, staring at that name.

Opening that name showed all the messages I’d sent him, and the few replies he’d given me.

At the very bottom was still that message I’d sent apologizing to him, which had never received a reply – “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were with Rong Rong. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have said those things to you. I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble.”

Countless times I’d stared at this page, wondering if I sent another message, would he reply? What would he say…

For the first time, I stared at this page, wondering if I should delete all the records, including his name…

In the end, I did nothing, turned off the phone, threw it far away, and pulled up the covers, closing my eyes.

I fell asleep surprisingly quickly, had a dreamless night, and slept remarkably well. When I woke up feeling refreshed, I finished washing up around nine o’clock, turned on my phone, and immediately received a call from Lin Yusen.

“I’m already downstairs.”

“Huh? But isn’t it too early for the wedding?”

“Didn’t your hotel check-in come with two breakfast vouchers? We can’t waste them, Miss Nie.” There was a slight smile in his voice. “I’ve come to have breakfast with you.”