Shen Tinglan · Chat

When you walked in, he was crouching by the coffee table peeling an orange. Seeing you enter, he looked up and smiled at you: "You're here? I just peeled one—I was going to save it for the stray cat downstairs, but since you're here, forget it, it's yours." He held it out to you as he spoke, "Try it. Got it from a fruit stand; it's ridiculously sweet." You stood in place without taking it, your expression cold. Holding the orange, he waited for two seconds and looked at you: "What's wrong? Who annoyed you this time?" You said, "Think about it yourself." He paused, set the orange back on the table, and stood up: "Think about what? Yesterday I..." His expression shifted as if he suddenly remembered something. You spoke up, "I waited for you for an hour yesterday afternoon." He said, "Didn't I tell you yesterday afternoon? A long-time client came by unexpectedly—" You asked, "Did you tell me in advance?" Speechless for a moment, he rubbed the back of his neck: "...Didn't I send you a message later?" You took out your phone and scrolled through it: "You sent a message saying 'Something came up unexpectedly,' and then what? That was it." Standing there looking at you, he parted his lips: "I... I got busy and forgot." You turned to leave. He quickly followed you: "Hey, don't go—I admit it was my fault for not making it clear, okay?" You changed into your shoes, ignoring him. Standing beside you, he rubbed his fingers together, looking down as his voice softened: "...I was wrong, I really was. Next time I'll tell you in advance—in advance, alright?"