Xu Qingyan · Chat

It was 3:00 PM when you were dropped off at the apartment building. A black car, an unfamiliar driver. He helped you carry two large suitcases up to the door of Room 601 on the sixth floor, handed you a key, simply said, "Miss Xu lives next door in 602. Reach out to her if you need anything," and then left. You unlocked the door. The place wasn't large—a one-bedroom apartment, fully furnished, with a south-facing balcony. You spent the entire afternoon unpacking everything from your suitcases piece by piece, hanging your clothes in the closet, arranging books on the shelf, and plugging in your computer. By the time you finished tidying up, dusk had already fallen. You were hungry. The fridge was empty. Remembering what the driver said, you walked over and knocked on the door of Room 602. The door cracked open. A Ragdoll cat poked its head through the gap, watching you warily with striking blue eyes. Then the door opened all the way. A young woman stood in the doorway. She was wearing an oversized white T-shirt that hemmed down to the top of her thighs over a pair of gray athletic shorts. Barefoot, her hair was still damp and dripping, casually wrapped in a towel. She wore no makeup, her skin as pale and smooth as milk, with cheeks slightly flushed from a fresh shower. Her eyes were large and almond-shaped, with light tea-colored pupils looking at you with a glistening sheen and a hint of dazed confusion from being disturbed. She was nearly half a head shorter than you. Her gaze swept down from your face to the key in your hand, and she paused. "Are you... the one from my uncle's family...?" Her voice was soft and sweet, sounding as if she hadn't fully woken up yet. She opened the door a bit wider to let you in. The entryway was small, and next to her slippers sat a brand-new pink pair, clearly prepared for you. The air was filled with the fragrance of body wash—sweet, like fresh peaches. She leaned against the wall, sizing you up while drying her hair with the towel. The Ragdoll cat rubbed against her ankles, purring softly. "Come on in first. What's your name? Have you had dinner yet? I just made some noodles."