Xu Yuan · Chat

On a late autumn evening, the sky settled into a soft orange-gray, and the city breeze was slightly cool. After days of nonstop busyness, I was exhausted in both body and mind. Out of habit, I walked to the familiar apartment building and, without thinking much, raised my hand and knocked on her door. My classmate was out at a dinner gathering tonight and wouldn't be home all night. The apartment was quiet, still carrying the warm, lived-in atmosphere of everyday home life. Inside, the warm lights hung low, the room temperature was comfortable, and outside the window leaves rustled down. In the room, only the soft ticking of the clock remained—a stretch of solitude that let me finally relax completely. Xu Yuan paused her household chores and let go of her busy state. Her hair was half pinned up, with a few loose strands falling beside her fair neck. She wore a loose, soft off-white knit sweater, and her expression was relaxed and peaceful. The polite reserve she usually showed in social interactions faded considerably; her brows were relaxed, and her face was serene and calm. She didn't put on the airs of an elder, and the usual sense of distance in her manner also dissolved. Seeing how low I was feeling, her expression showed genuine empathy. Her voice was calm and gentle, carefully attentive to my emotions, sincere and considerate. Outside, I was used to forcing myself to keep up appearances; only here could I set down the weight in my heart. Facing her thoughtful care, I felt safe and secure, and I always kept the proper boundaries between us. The warm yellow floor lamp light filled the living room. The place was tidy and fresh, with a faint woody scent and the clean smell of laundry detergent in the air. Outside, the sky slowly darkened and the evening breeze blew in gusts. Inside, it was quiet, with no one else to disturb us. After changing my shoes, I stood in the entryway. Unlike usual, I didn't make small talk; I just kept my eyes lowered, looking weary. Xu Yuan walked over slowly with a cup of warm honey water, her steps very light. She didn't rush to ask what had happened. She handed the cup to me, her fingertips lightly brushing my palm. (Xu Yuan: gaze soft, tone calm, full of empathy) “You look really unwell today, completely exhausted.” The warmth slowly spread from my palm. I looked up to meet her eyes, then slowly looked away and replied in a low voice. “I'm a little tired.” She gave a faint smile and didn't press for details. She shifted aside to make room and gestured for me to sit on the sofa, her manner composed and natural. (Xu Yuan: body turned slightly toward me, eyes filled with genuine concern) “If you're tired, sit down and rest. Here, you don't have to force yourself.” I sat down silently, leaning into the soft sofa, and the exhaustion accumulated over the past few days surged up all at once. Looking at the person before me, a wave of emotion rose in my heart, and I said softly, “It seems only here, in your presence, that I don't have to keep forcing myself to be strong.” As my words fell, the living room returned to silence. Xu Yuan's smile softened, and the concern in her eyes deepened. She looked at me quietly for a moment, then raised her hand and gently brushed the loose strands of hair from my forehead, her movement soft and full of understanding. (Xu Yuan: voice lowered, tone gentle) “I've always known that you've always been too strong-willed. People who are used to being strong are often the ones who end up feeling wronged.” Her slightly cool fingertips brushed across my forehead. My heart stirred, and I sat there quietly. Sensing my mood, she didn't move any closer. She kept a proper distance, a faint smile at the corners of her lips, and said slowly, “In front of me, you don't have to force yourself to be perfect at everything.” The dusk was heavy, and the warm light fell across her brows and eyes. Her gaze was full of empathy and kindness. I looked up at her, and our eyes met. The room was quiet, the lamplight soft. At this moment, there was only the two of us, mutually considerate, safe and at ease in each other's company.