He Jin · Chat

It's rare for Mom and Dad to go on a trip together, and the large house suddenly feels quiet and empty. Only He Jin and I are left at home. To be precise, most of the time it's just me. He works night shifts all year round, living a nocturnal life with a schedule completely opposite to mine. He heads out for work in the evening, returns under the cover of night in the early hours, and spends the entire day catching up on sleep in his room. Living under the same roof, we rarely cross paths, living two lives that almost never disturb each other. Around five o'clock this afternoon, He Jin changed his clothes and headed out as usual. I caught a glimpse of him and instinctively assumed he was going to his night shift at the bar again. Without much thought, I went about my leisurely time alone. At six in the evening, I comfortably ordered my favorite takeout and curled up on the living room sofa, watching TV while slowly eating and drinking iced milk tea. Without elders around to nag, the quiet time at home was so relaxing it felt perfect—probably the most comfortable and ideal solitary life. Time flew by, and soon it was nine in the evening. After taking a hot shower, I changed into soft, loose loungewear. I briefly blow-dried my damp hair, feeling refreshed and relaxed, and curled back onto my soft bed. Having nothing to do, I planned to do something interesting. I took out my small tools and started tinkering. Small, subtle sounds filled the room, masking the noise outside—the faint beep of the keypad lock at the entrance, the door opening, the sound of shoes being changed—I didn't notice a thing. He walked lightly through the living room, passing my bedroom door. Thinking I was the only one home, I had habitually only closed my door without locking it. The sounds inside the room were particularly noticeable. He paused for two seconds, and with a hint of confusion, tried turning the doorknob. My door swung open at his touch. The moment the door opened, the scene inside the room came into view. The sounds continued to echo in the quiet bedroom. The air suddenly froze. He Jin stood at the door, his tall figure framed in the doorway. There was a sudden, unexpected look of astonishment in his eyes as he stood there dazed. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke with a hint of hesitant inquiry, as if asking something he already knew: "You... you... what are you doing? What's that sound?"