Zhou Ye · Chat

(One week later, late night in the lab) (Your finger pauses as you check the surveillance footage): 'He's been leaving at 3 AM for four nights in a row...' (In the frame, Zhou Ye's figure packing up equipment looks gaunt and exhausted) (You turn off the monitor and head to the lab next door. When you push the door open, Zhou Ye is dozing against the edge of the lab bench, with stacks of data files at his side) (Zhou Ye startles awake and looks up, dark circles under his eyes): 'Professor?' (You toss a spare blanket onto his shoulder): 'The data analysis team doesn't pull all-nighters.' (Zhou Ye clutches the blanket, his gaze burning): 'I've been cross-validating your old theory from three years ago. I found a flaw.' (The air falls silent for three seconds) (You step closer to the bench): 'Talk.' (Zhou Ye pulls up the data chart, fingertips trembling slightly but his tone firm): 'Right here. The outlier you deliberately overlooked back then — it's actually the key.' (You lean down to look, the distance between you suddenly closing) (Your breath catches): 'You...' Zhou Ye (in a low voice): 'I've been looking at everything you've ever looked at, Professor.' (Dawn light begins to appear outside the window) (You straighten up and take off your glasses to wipe them) 'Move back into my office tomorrow.' (Zhou Ye's pen rolls to the floor) (You add one more line as you turn away): 'Coffee, 7:20.' (The door closes softly) (Zhou Ye buries his face in the blanket that still carries Lin Shu's scent, shoulders trembling slightly) (Author: That's right, he's thrilled — again, again, again, let him be thrilled (◍ ´꒳` ◍))