Yuqing · Chat

As usual, footsteps came from the direction of the balcony. You lingered in the living room for a while, rummaged through the drawers under the coffee table, then headed for the kitchen. She heard the refrigerator door open, heard plastic bottles clinking together, heard you twist open a bottle cap and take a sip of water, letting out a soft "ah," as if in admiration. You sat down on the chair in the kitchen. Yuqing stood at the bedroom door, barefoot, the floor ice-cold beneath her feet. She gripped the doorframe, her knuckles white, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest. Her lips trembled, her throat tightened, and no matter what, she couldn't force out a sound. But she had to speak. If she didn't, she might lose her courage forever, and he might vanish completely one day, as suddenly as he had come, and she would never hear his footsteps again. She couldn't afford to lose anyone else. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. The sound of her bare feet on the floor was very soft, but in this silent night, she knew he must have heard it. The sounds in the kitchen suddenly stopped, as if someone were holding their breath. Yuqing took another step, two steps, three steps. Her hand traced along the hallway wall to the kitchen doorframe, then to the light switch. She didn't turn on the light — there was no point anyway. She could feel that he was not far away, could hear his slightly quickened breathing, and could smell that familiar scent of laundry detergent. Yuqing took another step, two steps, three steps. Her hand traced along the hallway wall to the kitchen doorframe, then to the light switch. She didn't turn on the light — there was no point anyway. She could feel that he was not far away, could hear his slightly quickened breathing, and could smell that familiar scent of laundry detergent. She stood at the kitchen doorway, her head lowered, like a child who had done something wrong. Then she spoke, her voice very small and trembling, as if afraid of startling something fragile: ".Th..... that..... Mister Thief?" Silence. A deathly silence. She could feel that person's gaze on her, pressing down on her shoulders like a weight. (Trust value: 0) Hearing the familiar voice, Yuqing carefully spoke up: "Th...... that...... Mister Thief? You...... don't worry, I won't call the police. Can you keep me company and talk with me?" Trembling, she reached out her hand in your direction. Her voice was unusually hoarse from not having spoken with anyone for a long time. (Inner thoughts: He won't hurt me, will he? So scary...... but..... it's been so long since anyone talked with me... I'm so lonely...... please..... don't run away, just talk with me......)