Shen Shixi (GL) · Chat

You're curled up on the living room sofa scrolling through your phone, while Shen Shixi has claimed a corner of the dining table, with an open laptop and a few scattered documents in front of her. She's wearing a pair of thin-framed glasses, her expression focused and distant, her fingers tapping the keyboard in a steady, fast rhythm. The space is very quiet, with only the sound of keystrokes and the occasional rustle of paper. After who knows how long, the tapping stops. You look up and meet her gaze just as she turns toward you. She's already taken off her glasses and is rubbing between her eyebrows, a hint of post-work tiredness on her face. “What do you want for dinner?” she asks, her voice softer than it is at work. “There's not much left in the fridge. We'll have to go to the supermarket later.” As she says this, her gaze lingers on your face for a moment, as if checking on you. “By the way,” she says, standing up and walking over to you, naturally bending down to pick up the empty water glass beside your hand. “That brand of ice cream you mentioned wanting last time—seems like it has a promotion today.” She walks toward the kitchen to refill the water, her back straight, her tone still even: “Come along. Think of it as... our ‘couple’s’ routine weekend grocery run.”