Xu Jin returned home like a victorious general.
He didn't just open the door to apartment 1207 — he entered it.
Dinner was already set. Warm light. Steam curling from dishes. Grandma Liang arranging bowls. Liang Chen bringing the last plate to the table. Yun Hu sitting on a chair like an honored guest.
Xu Jin sat down with purpose.
He waited exactly three seconds before speaking.
"I got a job."
Grandma Liang's eyes widened.
Liang Chen looked up.
Yun Hu flicked an ear.
Xu Jin lifted his chin.
"At Moonleaf Café. Full-time."
Grandma Liang clapped instantly. "Oh! That's wonderful!"
Xu Jin smiled graciously, like a celebrity receiving applause.
Liang Chen nodded. "Good."
Xu Jin squinted.
"…Only 'good'?"
Liang Chen calmly served him soup. "Do you want a medal?"
"Yes," Xu Jin said without hesitation.
Grandma Liang burst into laughter.
Dinner continued with warm teasing and light conversation. Xu Jin basked in the attention, occasionally glancing at Liang Chen, whose expression stayed composed and gentle as always.
Too gentle.
Too handsome.
After dinner, Liang Chen began clearing the table.When the kitchen was finally clean, Liang Chen dried his hands on a towel and turned to Xu Jin.
"Xu Jin. Can we talk for a moment?"
Xu Jin froze.
Talk?
Alone?
At night?
After dinner?
His brain immediately ignited.
This is it.
Is it a confession?
The forehead touch.
The accidental hand grab.
All scenes replayed at light speed.
Xu Jin's heart began beating like a festival drum.
He swallowed.
"…S-sure."
Grandma Liang watched them with the smile of a woman who had seen too many drama episodes in her life.
Liang Chen walked toward the balcony. Xu Jin followed.
The night air was cool. City lights blinked softly below. Somewhere, a dog barked.
Xu Jin stood stiffly beside him, hands at his sides like a soldier awaiting orders.
Liang Chen leaned against the railing.
Xu Jin leaned too.
Too close.
He stepped back half a step.
Liang Chen turned slightly.
Xu Jin's heart skipped.
He's going to say it.
He's going to say something life-changing.
I must prepare a dignified response.
Xu Jin cleared his throat.
"If… if you're about to say what I think you're about to say—"
Liang Chen blinked. "What do you think I'm about to say?"
Xu Jin lifted a hand.
"You don't have to say it so directly. I understand. I am very charming. And you are very… domestic."
Liang Chen stared.
Xu Jin added quickly, "In a good way."
Liang Chen rubbed his forehead once.
"Xu Jin."
"Yes?"
"I wanted to talk about your job."
"Are you sure you want to live like this?"
Xu Jin blinked.
"…Like what?"
Liang Chen's voice stayed calm, but firm.
"Running away from home. Hiding your identity. Living day by day without a plan. Taking part-time work just to pass time."
Xu Jin's brain short-circuited.
"…Ah."
Liang Chen continued.
"You're not truly independent. You're just avoiding responsibility. So I want to ask—are you really satisfied with this?"
Silence.
Xu Jin's heart, which had prepared for romance, now sat in the corner drinking cold water.
He looked away.
The city lights blurred slightly.
Xu Jin didn't realize he was clenching his fists until his nails pressed into his palm.
Liang Chen's calm voice still hung in the air, gentle and reasonable and infuriatingly mature.
"You're capable. Don't waste yourself."
Something in Xu Jin snapped.
He laughed — short, sharp, without humor.
"Don't waste myself?" he repeated. "Who are you to say that?"
Liang Chen blinked, slightly taken aback.
Xu Jin stepped forward, chin raised, eyes bright.
"Why can't I stay like this, huh? Eating, sleeping, playing games, doing part-time jobs, living peacefully. What's wrong with that?"
Liang Chen opened his mouth.
Xu Jin didn't let him.
"You don't know anything about me. You don't know my family. You don't know why I left. So stop talking like you're my life mentor."
His voice grew louder, echoing faintly on the balcony.
Liang Chen's expression shifted — not angry, but quietly concerned.
That only annoyed Xu Jin more.
He hated that look.
Like he was a problem to be solved.
Xu Jin scoffed.
"…Tch."
He turned sharply.
Liang Chen called, "Xu Jin—"
But Xu Jin was already walking away.
He slid open the balcony door, crossed the living room in long strides, and grabbed Yun Hu from the sofa.
The cat let out a startled "mrrp?" but obediently settled in his arms.
Grandma Liang, who had been pretending to watch television, froze.
"Xu Jin? Where are you going?"
Xu Jin didn't look back.
"Home."
The word came out bitter.
He marched to the door, opened it, and—
BANG.
The door slammed shut with a force that made Yun Hu's ears flatten.
Silence filled apartment 1207.
Grandma Liang slowly turned toward her grandson.
Liang Chen stood on the balcony doorway, hand still resting on the frame, eyes fixed on the closed door.
Grandma Liang sighed.
"…You went too straight with him."
Liang Chen exhaled quietly.
"…Maybe."
Down the hallway, Xu Jin walked fast, arms tight around the cat.
His chest burned.
He didn't even know why he was so angry.
He only knew that his heart was pounding, his thoughts were tangled, and Yun Hu's soft fur was the only thing grounding him.
"Stupid professor," he muttered.
Yun Hu flicked his tail against his wrist.
Neither of them noticed that Xu Jin's eyes were a little too bright for someone who claimed he didn't care.