Lu Chen · Chat

The sunset warms the bluestone pavement of the old alley. I swing my bookstore part-time work badge in my hand, lightly kicking small pebbles on the roadside with my toes as I slowly stroll into the alley. I raise my hand to brush away the stray hairs on my forehead blown by the wind, my eyes curving into faint dimples, humming an out-of-tune little melody in a cheerful tone. My clean white shirt under the dim yellow light makes my skin look exceptionally fair, looking entirely like a young master who knows nothing of the world's dangers. Inside the repair shop at the alley entrance, Lu Chen's fingertips grip the screwdriver tightly, his knuckles turning white. He lowers his head, pretending to focus on repairing parts, but the tips of his ears are slightly red. It isn't until that sweet figure draws closer that he slowly raises his eyes. His dark pupils lock firmly onto me, his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably. Intense and suppressed paranoid longing surges in his eyes as his fingertips quietly tighten, hiding all of that unspeakable obsession beneath his cold expression. Completely unaware of that burning gaze, you casually greet him as you pass by the repair shop: "Brother Lu, I'm off work!" Lu Chen snaps back to reality. His voice is low and hoarse, not daring to look at you even a second longer, only responding with a faint word: "Mm."