At this hour, most shops were closed, and several streetlights were broken and unrepaired. Shen Yue took out her phone, only to find it had just five bars of battery left. She turned on the flashlight, unsure how long it would last.
Shen Yue quickened her pace discreetly, afraid to look back but listening intently for any sounds behind her.
Tap, tap, tap—
On the silent road, besides her own footsteps, it seemed as though other footsteps were interspersed, blending with hers. If one didn't listen carefully, it would be impossible to detect.
Shen Yue’s sixth sense told her someone was nearby!
There wasn't a soul on the road. Shen Yue, a delicate woman, would have no room to struggle if the other party intended any harm.
Her hands, hanging by her sides, instinctively clenched. Due to extreme nervousness, sweat beaded on her palms on the cool autumn night.
Shen Yue tightened her grip, walking faster and faster. The overlapping footsteps seemed to grow closer. Her face paled, and under the intense pull of curiosity, she even turned to look behind her.
The road was deserted. Streetlights cast a desolate glow, and the tree shadows fell like clawing, monstrous spirits, howling as if to devour people.
The footsteps stopped.
Behind her, there was nothing but the slow descent of fallen leaves.
But Shen Yue knew that person was still behind her, merely hidden somewhere.
Shen Yue clenched her fist and, without a word, turned and ran. Amidst the chaotic footsteps, her heart pounded faster and faster with fear. Her soft black hair, not tied securely, loosened, and after running for a while, the black hair tie fell to the ground. Her ink-black hair, blown by the wind, became disheveled, like a butterfly perched on a flower bud, tracing an elegant arc in the air.
Soon, Shen Yue saw the lights of her apartment and finally stopped.
She rested in place, supporting her knees.
Upon returning to the apartment, Shen Yue felt the cold, clammy sweat on her back, soaking through her clothes, enveloping her once more.
This apartment had excellent security, so Shen Yue wasn't very afraid of the person following her making it into her home.
She took an apple from the fruit bowl, and while eating it, asked, "Do you know who was following me?"
The system seemed to pause for a second before replying, "I'm not entirely sure, but judging by the footsteps, it should be a male. You need to be careful when you return."
Shen Yue ate her apple seriously and nodded in earnest.
...
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the off-white floor where a woman's fair and delicate feet, with slightly visible veins on her pale insteps, walked unhurriedly towards the refrigerator.
A man, seated before a computer monitor, observed Shen Yue with keen interest. He raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself, "Drinking cold milk in the morning is not a good habit."
The next moment, Shen Yue was seen warming the milk.
The system continued its nagging, "How many times have I told you, don't drink cold things in the morning; it's bad for your health."
Shen Yue had no choice but to heat the milk.
Shen Yue was off work today and didn't want to go anywhere, intending to stay home. She checked her phone and saw it was nearly noon, so she ordered takeout.
She rummaged through the refrigerator, finding a pack of sandwiches, which she ate with milk to tide her over.
The system continued its grumbling, "I called you all morning, but you wouldn't wake up, and you didn't eat breakfast. Your stomach will ache later."
The image of her eating on the screen was picture-perfect. Her thin pink lips parted slightly as she took a bite of the sandwich, a picture of quiet beauty.
Her long black hair gathered at her ear, resembling a dark, flowing river. Her cheeks were so fair, seeming to emanate a sacred light in the quiet room.
Shen Yue walked barefoot, without slippers. She didn't like to look down when she walked, so her beautiful ankles were bruised by various small objects.
Under the system's insistent demands, Shen Yue had to go to her room to find slippers.
Shen Yue had takeout for lunch and decided to eat out for dinner. As dusk fell, she put on a jacket and went out.
Before leaving, the system reminded her to bring an umbrella and an extra layer of clothing, predicting rain upon her return. Shen Yue grabbed an umbrella.
Autumn rains were indeed frequent, and the temperature today was rather low. Shen Yue was dressed warmly, so she didn't feel cold.
After wandering around outside, Shen Yue entered a noodle shop.
The environment was pleasant, and there weren't many people at this hour.
Having chosen a spot, Shen Yue sat down.
Before long, the noodles arrived.
Beef noodles, a few shiitake mushrooms, some vibrant green vegetables, sprinkled with chopped scallions. The steaming bowl exuded a rich aroma.
Shen Yue took a sip; the taste was excellent.
The noodles were very chewy, the vegetables fresh and sweet, and the lamb tender and fragrant.
Even the broth was flavorful. A mouthful sent a wave of comfort through her, warming her completely.
Shen Yue ate with satisfaction, but her appetite was small, and she hadn't realized she'd eaten too much, feeling uncomfortably full.
Sitting by the window, Shen Yue intended to sit and digest before going home. She never expected to encounter Xie Jiangsheng there, so coincidentally.
It couldn't be called an encounter; more accurately, she was sitting by the window of the noodle shop, while Xie Jiangsheng and a group of people were standing by cars on the road, presumably just finishing an engagement. He appeared refined and elegant, the very picture of a sophisticated scoundrel.
Dressed in a sharp suit, he stood by a car, immaculate from head to toe. His secretary saw the others into their cars, while he was still on the phone. The sleeve of the hand holding the phone had slipped up, revealing a luxurious watch.
Many pedestrians on the street would cast extra glances at him as they passed.
The moment Shen Yue saw him, she couldn't help but pause for a few seconds, about to look away.
Xie Jiangsheng, on the roadside, casually turned his head while on the phone and his gaze met Shen Yue's, who was sitting by the window inside the noodle shop.
A flicker of astonishment clearly appeared on his refined and handsome face.
Shen Yue was the first to break eye contact. She gently pursed her lips, offering a polite smile.
—
Splash—
Luo Kai sprinkled clean water on the smooth tile floor and began mopping the bathroom. As he diligently cleaned, several other store employees entered the bathroom. They had been chatting and laughing but immediately fell silent upon seeing Luo Kai, their brows furrowing involuntarily, their expressions clearly showing disgust.
The coffee shop had a small restroom, which was cleaned by employees on rotation. However, ever since Luo Kai arrived, this task had fallen solely upon him.
The dutiful Luo Kai never complained, which emboldened some people further.
As the bathroom was not spacious, with only three or four stalls, Luo Kai, at a towering height of 1.9 meters, was conspicuously out of place in the confined space.