It’s almost midnight by the time I get home.

I’m not even sure if Lin Yuji’s back yet.
But thinking of his usual routine when he’s home, I slow my steps.
I slip on my slippers and tiptoe inside.
Flipping on the living room light, I’m thrown off by the sight before me.
The guy I’d been thinking about is slouched on the edge of the sofa, still in his day clothes.
It’s like the scene from earlier today, just swapped from daylight to night.
Almost like he’s been there all along, never left.
There’s a difference, though—there’s a big bunch of roses by his feet.
The flowers aren’t fresh anymore, starting to wilt a little.
Probably delivered a few hours ago.
I freeze in place, piecing it together in my head.
He glances over at me and asks, “Back already?”
I nod, doing my best to ignore that suggestive pile of roses,
and give my usual short reply, “Yeah, I’m heading upstairs.”
But my mind’s racing, wondering who he saw today.
Was it Song Huai?
Afraid I’ll lose it, I start to scramble upstairs, desperate to get away.
“I’m curious—what kind of work keeps Mr. Shen out this late on a weekend?”
Lin Yuji throws in an unusual follow-up question.
I can’t just ignore him, but I’m not about to spill that I was at the hospital.
So I say, “Not work, just met up with a friend.”
He stands up, leaning in a bit closer, like he’s trying to figure something out.
After a long pause, he asks, “An important friend?”
I’m starting to think he’s acting weirder than usual today, but I nod along with his question anyway.