Shine on Me

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

It was actually my first time in an arcade too. Walking amidst the deafening music, I felt a bit awkward. Considering it was also Lin Yusen's first visit, I thought we should observe how others played first. But Mr. Lin clearly didn’t think gaming required any learning. After exchanging for tokens, he casually found an unoccupied ski simulator and promptly ushered me onto it.

And then...

"Watch out for the rocks."

I got killed by the rocks.

"Turn now."

I didn’t turn in time and crashed into the mountain.

"Truck ahead."

I undoubtedly collided with the truck...

Staring at the big "FAILED" on the screen, I turned to Lin Yusen in frustration, waiting for him to insert more tokens. To my surprise, he started taking off his coat, then even his suit jacket, draping them over the railing. Rolling up his shirt sleeves with effortless elegance, he said, "Step aside. My turn now."

"..."

Weren’t you supposed to be here to play with me?

Grudgingly, I got off the machine and glared at him, secretly hoping he’d crash into trees, walls, or mountains. But contrary to my wishes, despite being a first-timer, his control was far better than mine. Watching him breeze through two levels, the fresh grievance of being kicked off spurred me to start sabotaging him.

When he should’ve turned left, I yelled, "Right turn! Step on the right!"

When the middle path was correct, I insisted, "The left path’s a shortcut! Take that one~~"

Unfortunately, Lin Yusen remained utterly unfazed, never falling for it once. Seeing him about to clear the third level, I had a sudden idea. As his character prepared to turn left on screen, I quickly shouted, "Left turn! Step left."

Instead, Lin Yusen stepped right.

The character on screen crashed spectacularly into the mountain.

"HAHAHAHA!" I couldn’t stop laughing.

Lin Yusen paused helplessly. "Why did you suddenly stop lying?"

"Me? Lie? Never!" I denied outright. "See? This is what happens when you don’t trust me. Alright, off you go. My turn now."

Next, we headed to the cinema.

I picked the movie—a newly released blockbuster with supposedly thrilling action scenes, guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping, guaranteed to be exhilarating, guaranteed to... improve sleep quality...

"Nie Xiguang... Xiguang."

"...Did I fall asleep?" I rubbed my eyes.

"Mm. Let’s go."

He brushed off the popcorn scattered on my clothes, stood up, and grabbed our jackets to leave. Following him out of the theater, I finally woke up a bit and asked sheepishly, "Was I out long?"

"Fifty minutes."

...Why count so precisely...

Embarrassed, I changed the subject. "How did it end? Was the heroine rescued? Who took her?"

"The male lead’s father."

"No way! Why?"

"He was conducting illegal drug experiments, and the heroine witnessed it..."

A girl’s soft giggle suddenly reached my ears. Turning, I saw a young couple smiling at us—likely the ones who’d sat beside us during the movie.

Noticing my gaze, the girl gave me a thumbs-up. "Your boyfriend’s amazing at multitasking. He got every plot point right."After saying that, they ran off with a laugh.

Multitasking or something...

I glanced at the retreating backs of the couple, then turned to Lin Yusen. "...You didn't fall asleep too, did you?"

Lin Yusen acted as if he hadn't heard, calmly checking his wristwatch without changing his expression. "It's almost one. You should get some rest soon. There's a wedding to attend tomorrow."

"Oh... sure, are you tired? Then let's call it a night. Ah, Senior Brother Fang was definitely exaggerating when he said you could stay energetic all night after performing surgeries... Hey, what are you doing?"

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

"The night view is best from up here."

The cinema was on the underground level, while the bar on the 56th floor of the same building was as quiet as another world. Moving from the extremely noisy arcade and cinema to this serene place, I suddenly fell into silence.

Outside the window, light snow drifted quietly.

With just a turn of my head, the city's dazzling, never-tiring nightscape came into view.

Had I once repeatedly fantasized about walking happily with someone under such a night view, or sitting quietly across from them in such tranquil darkness?

Had I once imagined that person accompanying me to the movies? I’d want to buy popcorn, and he’d surely dismiss it as junk food, yet still casually pick a few pieces while watching together.

Maybe I’d fall asleep during the movie, spilling popcorn everywhere.

Had I once dreamed of going clothes shopping with him, picking out a pile for him to try on, knowing he’d surely grow impatient...

I’d had so many fantasies about doing things with him, yet in the end, it was someone else who ended up fulfilling them with me.

It wasn’t until the waiter brought the juice I’d ordered that I realized I’d been lost in thought for too long. And Lin Yusen had also been quietly gazing out the window—he’d remained silent for as long as I had.

How strange life could be. I never would have imagined that one day, I’d be sitting so peacefully with Lin Yusen in the middle of a snowy night, sharing the view.

I wrapped my hands around the juice glass.

"Thank you."

Lin Yusen turned his gaze from the window and raised his glass slightly toward me. "No need. Great kindness goes beyond words."

I burst out laughing.

Whether it was the candlelight or the atmosphere, I suddenly felt that the Lin Yusen across from me carried himself with such graceful elegance in every movement, exuding an indescribable charm.

A sudden, intense curiosity about him overtook me. Setting aside my tangled thoughts, I asked eagerly, "Lin Yusen, how old are you?"

"Nie Xiguang, you really don’t know much about your boss."

"...Are you working for me or are you my boss?" The role-switching is way too smooth!

He smiled. "This position is great—I get to boss you around while making money for you."

"More like enslaving me," I grumbled. "Come on, how old?"

"Six years older than you."

I did the math. "That can’t be right. You have a Ph.D., right? There’s no way you could’ve finished your doctorate and worked as a doctor while still being this young."

Though he did look like the epitome of youthful success.

Lin Yusen seemed momentarily stumped. "...I started school early and graduated early too."

"Oh, I see... By the way, why does Senior Brother Fang call you the 'Number One Beast of the Medical School'?" I asked with keen interest.He coughed lightly. "Nie Xiguang, is it appropriate for you to ask me such a question face-to-face? Maybe you should ask... Senior Brother Fang when you have time?" He paused. "Didn't you two exchange phone numbers?"

Leaning back in his chair with a wine glass in hand, he asked, "Just how much bad stuff did he say about me? Seems like he spilled all my secrets to you."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Fang didn't mention anything about your romantic history or gossip~"

"What romantic history?" He chuckled softly. "Medical school was busy, and being a doctor is even busier. Didn't even have time to chase after girlfriends."

"What about those chasing you? Someone as outstanding as you must have had admirers."

"Oh, perhaps the gentleman across from you has standards too high." His eyes gleamed as he looked at me. "Why are you so interested in me today?"

I sighed. "Just bored, that's all."

"..."

He choked on his wine.

"Wait a minute!"

I suddenly realized a serious problem. "You're drinking alcohol, but you still have to drive home later."

After I withdrew money from the bank, the owner who blocked our car was found, so we drove here. How was he going to drive home after drinking?

"No need. My place isn't far—just a twenty-minute walk."

"Oh, good then."

I turned to look out the window. The snow was falling more heavily now. "Will the roads be covered in snow when we wake up tomorrow? I wonder if taxis will be hard to get?"

"I'll pick you up tomorrow."

I turned back to him. He was gazing at the swirling liquid in his glass. "Your classmate invited me to the wedding too. What, not welcoming me?"

Tomorrow...

"Of course you're welcome! Tomorrow I'll bring red envelopes and take you for a free feast!" I took a big gulp of juice and said cheerfully.

"But please, make sure you look even more handsome than today."

"Even more handsome?" He repeated the words playfully. "Aren't you afraid people will misunderstand our relationship?"

"A little misunderstanding won't hurt." I mimicked his tone. "With my stunning beauty, you're not losing out!"

"You... really are having too much fun today." His gaze held mine, emotions flickering in his eyes.

My heart skipped a beat. Maybe I really was getting carried away. Unconsciously, I averted my eyes.

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

After a long pause, he said, "Get some rest early. Otherwise, with dark circles tomorrow, you won't be able to maintain that 'stunning beauty.'"

There was a nice hotel in this building, making check-in very convenient.

"Don't you want me to go with you?"

"No! Thanks!"

A man and woman checking into a hotel together would look way too suspicious.

Lin Yusen nodded and held the elevator door open. "Alright, send me a message when you get to your room."

I gave him an OK sign, dashed out of the elevator, then turned back to wave at him. Only after the doors closed did I head to the front desk.

The receptionist greeted me warmly. "Good evening, miss. How may I assist you?"

"Hello, do you have any rooms available? I'd like to check in."

"Yes, may I see your ID please?"

"..."

I quickly took out my phone and called Lin Yusen. "Lin Yusen, where are you? Come back right now."

Lin Yusen lowered his head, carefully signing his name on the check-in form. His handsome brows were slightly furrowed, making him look particularly serious.

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 front desk clerk and turned to give me meticulous instructions: "Remember to deadbolt the door when you get to the room. Don't open it for anyone knocking. Call me immediately at the slightest sign of trouble."

"...That's really not necessary."

"I booked the room under my name, Miss Nie. For the sake of my reputation and integrity, OK?"

"O~K~" I weakly rested my head on the counter.

"Here are your room cards, sir and madam. Sorry for the wait."

The front desk clerk smiled as she handed over our IDs and room keys. Lin Yusen passed the room card to me, and we walked toward the elevators together.

"Thanks. Good thing you brought your ID."

"Wouldn't have mattered if I didn't. It's only twenty minutes from here to my place."

"...Still can't stay at your place..."

"Where's your mind at?" He glanced at me, then looked up at the elevator indicator with an impassive expression. "I meant it wouldn't take long to go home and get my ID."

"......"

"Alright, your elevator's here."

He held the elevator door and handed me several shopping bags. "Your clothes—they fell in the car."

He specifically went to the underground garage to get them?

I hesitated before taking them. "Oh... thanks... So I'll head up now?"

"Go ahead, get some rest." He nodded. "I'll make sure to look even more handsome tomorrow. Don't forget to be as pretty as a flower."

"...I'll try..." I stepped into the elevator and waved helplessly. "Goodnight..."

We really stayed out too late today. After finding my room, I collapsed onto the bed for a while before mustering the energy to wash up. But even after freshening up, I couldn't fall asleep right away. Tossing and turning, I thought about Lin Yusen walking back through the snow late at night—this man who'd stubbornly worn only a suit and overcoat despite the cold. I couldn't resist sending him a message.

"Did you get home?"

He replied directly with a photo.

"Yes. The night view from my place—should be the same as yours."

The photo was likely taken from his balcony. Dazzling city lights, the Huangpu River under the night sky, with a half-finished glass of wine resting on the balcony railing.

His place looked nice. But why was he drinking alone so late? Hadn't he had enough earlier? I pressed the bedside curtain switch, casually snapped a photo of my own view, and sent it to him.

"Pretty similar. Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Thinking about how to adjust the annual plan."

"...You're way too dedicated. As both your boss and subordinate, I feel ashamed."

"Just doing my duty. Miss Nie can simply reap the rewards."

Teasing me again. I couldn't match his wit, so I retreated quickly. "Goodnight, Mr. Lin!"

"Goodnight." He replied, then after a moment sent another message.

"Miss Nie."

Was he insisting on matching my phrasing even in texts? That's some serious OCD, Mr. Lin.

I couldn't help smiling as I prepared to turn off my phone and sleep.

But my finger hovered over the power button for a long time before withdrawing. Instead, I reopened the messages app, scrolled to the bottom, and stared at that name.

Tapping it revealed all the texts I'd ever sent him—and the few sparse replies he'd ever sent back.The very last text message was still the one I sent to apologize, forever left unanswered—"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were with Rong Rong. I wouldn't have said those things otherwise. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble."

Countless times I stared at this page, wondering—if I sent another message, would he reply? What would he say...

The first time I stared at this page, I thought about deleting all the records, along with his name...

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

Surprisingly, I fell asleep quickly, dreamless all night, with exceptionally good sleep quality. When I woke up in the morning, I felt refreshed. After washing up around nine o'clock, I turned on my phone and happened to receive a call from Lin Yusen.

"I'm already downstairs."

"Ah? But isn't it too early for the wedding?"

"Didn't the hotel you checked into yesterday include two breakfasts? Can't let them go to waste, Miss Nie." His voice carried a faint hint of amusement. "I came to have breakfast with you."