As Yun Li returned home from work, the apartment’s layout remained unchanged, yet everything felt different. She tossed her bag onto the sofa, noticing the paper drone she had assembled a few days ago still sitting on the coffee table.
She doubted she’d ever give it away now.
The fragile paper construction couldn’t be packed in a box, but it took up too much space on the table. Yun Li held it, weighing her options for a long moment.
In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away.
She cleared a spot on a high shelf and placed it there. Out of sight, out of mind.
Sitting at her computer with puffy eyes, Yun Li scrolled through comments on EAW’s promotional video released that day. Most mentioned booking sessions at the EAW experience center.
The video had achieved its purpose, but Yun Li’s mood remained terrible.
She skimmed past loving comments from fans calling her “wifey” and praising her tech skills.
A blank profile with a name of just a few letters caught her eye. It simply said “Looks good” before being quickly buried by new comments.
For three days, Yun Li had been in low spirits, finding it difficult to sleep.
She went through the motions of attending classes, still frequently checking her phone. But the WeChat interface she used to open was now inaccessible.
Fu Zhengchu tried inviting her to play Honor of Kings, planning to get Fu Shize to join a trio. Despite Fu Zhengchu’s enthusiasm, Yun Li lacked the courage to tell him about her failure. She politely declined with an excuse.
Since their meeting downstairs, she hadn’t seen Fu Shize.
The two were like parallel lines, no longer intersecting. Even now, with her unilateral decision to give up, Fu Shize likely remained unaware.
She felt as if she barely existed.
Tuesday morning, Yun Li lingered in bed, reluctant to get up.
She felt that returning to EAW would require overcoming numerous obstacles. One of her original reasons for the internship was gone, and if she encountered Fu Shize there again, Yun Li couldn’t imagine how she’d react.
After much internal struggle, Yun Li dragged herself up to brush her teeth, dark circles under her eyes. She had spent three days mentally preparing—she shouldn’t abandon her first internship over a romantic failure.
At the company, Yun Li went to the break room with her usual bread and milk for breakfast. Shortly after sitting down, she heard movement from the sofa behind her.
Yun Li stiffened, looking up to see Fu Shize approaching. How many days had it been? Six, seven, eight?
Yun Li couldn’t remember clearly.
Fu Shize also looked sleep-deprived and low on energy.
He stopped at the coffee machine. The sound of grinding beans filled the space. Then Yun Li heard him ask:
“Would you like some coffee?”
Confirming no one else was around, Fu Shize could only be addressing her.
Yun Li lowered her head. “No, thanks.”
She had imagined this scene many times, but now that it was happening, she felt at a loss. Yun Li grabbed her unfinished milk and hurriedly stood to leave.
At that moment, Yun Li behaved as if Fu Shize were some kind of monster. He tilted his head, looking confused.
Fu Shize recalled the events of a few days ago.
That night, after dropping Yun Li off at Qilixiang, he didn’t return to Jiangnan Garden until 3 AM.
Before sleeping, Fu Shize turned his phone volume to maximum, worried Yun Li might try to reach him early in the morning. He didn’t wake up until noon on Saturday.
Hastily defrosting two sandwiches, he sat on the balcony, re-reading the comments under each of Yun Li’s videos.
As dusk fell, Fu Shize realized Yun Li hadn’t contacted him all day.
He grabbed a bottle of ice water from the fridge. Checking the time—5:30 PM—he downed half the bottle. The cold shock brought back a hint of clarity but failed to calm his restlessness.
He wanted to see her.
Before heading out, Fu Shize noticed the scarf on the sofa. He picked it up and carefully wrapped it twice around his neck, checking his reflection in the mirror.
He drove to Haitian Mall and bought some small cakes.
Arriving at her building, Fu Shize called twice. Yun Li didn’t answer.
He had no particular reason to be there, so he waited.
From the shadows, Fu Shize saw Yun Li exit a car. She wore light makeup and an emerald green dress, its hem still swaying.
Yin Yucheng had driven her home.
Both were notable figures at their respective schools and had crossed paths before.
Yin Yucheng specifically got out to open the passenger door for Yun Li. Back in the car, another figure was visible in the back seat. Yin Yucheng only lowered the passenger window, his intense gaze lingering on Yun Li for several seconds.
As men, such behavior needed no explanation.
Fu Shize felt momentarily confused.
He looked down at the cigarette between his fingers. The wound on his palm had scabbed over. Reflecting on the past year and a half, he realized he’d hardly had any clear-headed days. Suddenly, he regained his senses.
His presence might only taint her.
Yet someone else proved even less rational.
A day later, his phone notified him of an update from Xianyun Didajiang. The content showed how to make a paper drone. At the end of the video, she said—it was for someone important.
For some reason, he felt relieved.
He had given up on himself, yet someone hadn’t given up on him.
And he realized he didn’t want her to give up.
He had planned to spend the whole day at EAW, but an elderly relative fell ill. Fu Shize spent a few days at their bedside. When Xu Qingsong came to visit, the two chatted in the hallway.
Xu Qingsong told him about some places to eat. Before leaving, Fu Shize asked, “Is there anything on my desk?”
Xu Qingsong replied, “I glanced before I left. Just some books and your computer.”
Fu Shize fell silent.
…
Back in the present, Yun Li’s demeanor showed resistance as she reached the door. Fu Shize lowered his head, repeatedly tapping the mug handle with his index finger.
“Wasn’t that drone for me?”
Yun Li paused in the doorway without turning back. “No, it wasn’t.”
Seeing Fu Shize had nothing more to say, she closed the door behind her.
Back at her desk, Yun Li set down her milk, staring absently at the label. In her haste to escape the break room, she belatedly realized her chest felt constricted as if a large stone were lodged there.
She closed her eyes.
Perhaps because she had been the one pursuing and then giving up from start to finish, Yun Li felt as if she’d performed a one-person play. It seemed Fu Shize had watched her video and even assumed the drone was meant for him. Just as Yun Li had imagined—
Fu Shize hadn’t noticed she’d deleted him from WeChat.
Yun Li suddenly felt frustrated. The whole process had been one mishap after another—a failed confession, unsuccessful pursuit, and even a one-sided decision to give up.
Yun Li wanted to message Fu Shize, tell him she had given up her pursuit, and wish him happiness.
…
But she had already deleted Fu Shize.
At lunchtime, Yun Li unexpectedly received a call from Yin Yucheng.
His voice on the phone was low and gentle: “Hello, this is Yin Yun Yi’s brother, Yin Yucheng.”
Yun Li searched her memory for a moment before recalling he was Yun Ye’s classmate.
“Since Yun Yi boards at school, I collect the mail sent to our home. I noticed her former class has been sending postcards, about two per week for three months now.”
Yun Li didn’t quite understand. “Yun Yi seems pretty popular.”
Yin Yucheng chuckled softly. “Indeed. Although they’re all signed ‘Class 15, Grade 2,’ I compared the handwriting and found it’s all the same.”
Yun Li: “Oh…”
Yin Yucheng: “Mm, it matches the writing on the gift box from before.”
Yun Li: “…”
Yin Yucheng: “My family is a bit concerned about Yun Yi dating at this stage. I’m near Haitian Mall. Would it be convenient to meet and talk?”
After arranging a time with Yin Yucheng, Yun Li messaged Yun Ye: [Yun Ye, I’m thoroughly impressed by you!!!]
At this hour, Yun Ye was likely at school and unable to check his phone.
Yun Li couldn’t help but suspect that every time Yun Ye had urged her to come home on the phone before, it was to have her bring gifts for Yin Yun Yi.
They met at the same café as last time. When Yun Li arrived, Yin Yucheng was already waiting. Seeing her, he extended the menu.
Yun Li: “No need, I have to get back to work soon.”
Yin Yucheng closed the menu. “Which company are you interning at nearby?”
Yun Li: “EAW, the VR experience center.”
Yin Yucheng pondered for a moment, about to inquire further when Yun Li spoke up: “Earlier, did you mean my brother and your sister are in a premature relationship?”
Likely not expecting Yun Li’s directness, he smiled and took out a stack of postcards from his briefcase. Most were simple kraft paper cards, interspersed with a few commemorative postcards from Xifu Experimental Middle School.
“Our family is quite strict with Yun Yi. We only allow her to use a smartwatch, which might be why your brother sends postcards,” Yin Yucheng explained, his tone suggesting he was merely observing events unfold.
“It might not be what you think…” Yun Li trailed off as she saw the writing on the back of the postcards, falling silent.
The stack contained about twenty postcards. Yun Li recognized the familiar handwriting, but unlike her brother’s usual messy scrawl, each postcard was written in a neat, careful script.
Yun Li returned the postcards. “What do you think about this?”
She had only glanced briefly, which surprised Yin Yucheng. “You don’t want to read the content?”
Yun Li: “It’s alright. It seems to be my brother’s writing, and I’d rather not pry into his correspondence.”
Hearing her words, Yin Yucheng laughed. “You’d rather not?”
Yun Li looked confused, unsure what was wrong with her statement.
Yin Yucheng studied the seemingly naive young woman before him, deciding not to press the issue. “I just wanted to confirm if it’s your brother’s handwriting, to be sure.”
Yun Li looked at the postcards, her emotions complex as she asked, “Did Yun Yi agree to you bringing these out?”
“Yun Yi is quite innocent. She probably thinks they’re from her former classmates.”
Yun Li understood his implication—it was Yun Ye’s unrequited love, and now they worried it might affect Yun Yi’s studies.
This was the first time Yun Li had to handle such a situation for Yun Ye. She spoke apologetically: “I’ll talk to Yun Ye about it when I get back.”
Yin Yucheng considered for a moment before adding, “We haven’t decided yet. If it doesn’t affect their studies, we might not interfere. If you hear anything on your end, just give me a call.”
Yin Yucheng again invited Yun Li to stay for a meal, but she declined. After some hesitation, she couldn’t help asking, “May I ask you something?”
Yin Yucheng: “Go ahead.”
Yun Li: “Does Yun Yi reply to Yun Ye’s letters?”
Yin Yucheng pondered. “Probably not. As far as I know, she doesn’t have pocket money to buy stamps.”
Yun Li: “Oh…”
She thought of Yun Ye’s daily restlessness, always either solving problems or playing games, the image of an unrefined teenager.
Yet he had persisted for three months, sending letters without response.
Yun Li couldn’t help but imagine herself in his place, feeling intense sympathy for Yun Ye.
Yin Yucheng put on his coat and followed her, politely offering, “Let me walk you to your company. I’d like to see where Yun Ye’s sister works.”
Yun Li was about to refuse when Yin Yucheng added playfully, “We might be family someday.”
Yun Li: “…”
They walked in silence. Yin Yucheng glanced down at the young woman beside him. She seemed uncomfortable interacting with strangers; he could sense her unease.
At the EAW entrance, Yin Yucheng didn’t go in. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry too much about this. We’ll keep in touch if anything comes up.”
Yun Li nodded, turning to scan her card. Yin Yucheng’s reflection lingered in the glass door, but she pretended not to notice and headed straight for the break room.
It was now 12:45 PM. Her lunch box was still there. The break room was empty. The box sat in an insulated bag on the table, one of two remaining. The sauce had leaked into the bag.
Before the door could close, someone behind her held it open. Fu Shize entered, standing beside her. Yun Li could see his shoe tips and trouser cuffs in her peripheral vision.
Yun Li just wanted to grab her lunch and leave immediately. The person beside her moved, gently pushing away her outstretched hand.
“Don’t get your hands dirty.”
Fu Shize wiped the sauce from the lunch box edges with a tissue, then placed both boxes in the microwave to heat.
The air conditioner was set to 30 degrees Celsius, making the room stuffy and hot. He opened half a window, allowing cool air to circulate. Only then did Yun Li feel she could breathe more easily.
The familiar figure moved before her eyes, but her legs felt glued to the spot, unable to move.
A ding sounded.
Fu Shize opened the microwave, placed two sheets of paper on the table, and set the two lunch boxes side by side. He opened each one and unwrapped the chopsticks.
He pulled out a chair and looked up at the motionless figure.
“Will you sit here?”