10:47 a.m.
Susu was already busy at the office when her phone buzzed.
A message from Yike.
"The moment I opened my eyes and saw 9:30, I knew I was done."
She laughed. "You're killing me. Didn't get caught, right?"
"Nope."
"Good. I've got a packed morning."
"All on you?"
"Yeah. It's all on me."
They chatted about work until nearly 11:40.
A voice message came through.
"Ah, great. The delivery guy sent my lunch to the wrong address. Looks like I'm not getting lunch."
"What? Ask him to bring it back. Or just order again. Or go out and eat."
"I'm already lying down. It's the lunch rush anyway, so it's probably hectic for them. I'll just take a nap and figure it out later."
"So you're just going to stay hungry? That makes me feel bad for you, you know."
"Mm."
She didn't want to keep him from napping.
"Go sleep. But you should still eat something later. Hug."
"Mm-hmm."
She stopped replying, wrapped up her work, ordered a pork trotter rice, took a few quick bites, and kept working.
—
4:33 p.m.
"Did you finally get to eat?" she texted.
"Yeah. Then it started pouring. Sudden heavy rain in Suzhou. The soundproofing here sucks, so I couldn't nap."
"That reminds me of a night when thunder woke me up at 3 a.m. It's not raining now, right? Or you'll need earplugs tonight."
No reply for over ten minutes.
Maybe he was busy.
5:32 p.m.
"Was in a meeting. My phone was at 1%, so I didn't want to use it. My boss just kept talking."
"Charged now?"
A voice message came in.
"Still at 1%, but I'm off work. Riding home. I'll talk to you when I get there."
"Okay."
"Home."
"My coach asked what I wanted to work on today. I said full body."
"You're working out today too?"
"Yeah. One week without training and I feel like my butt's going flat. He wanted me to go all-in on legs. I said I'd die and refused."
"Ease back into it. Add intensity next week. Don't go too hard right away."
"True. You'll be eating late again?"
"Yeah. Charging first."
"Just got off work. Heading to the subway."
—
On the train, her phone buzzed.
Two pictures. CS knives. One blue, one red.
"Which looks better?"
"Blue."
"Okay. Blue's cheaper too. I'll get it in a couple of months."
—
Later that night, after her workout:
"I'm home. Swore I wouldn't lift heavy. Still did. Unreal."
"Hahaha. Get some rest."
A few minutes passed.
Then his message came.
"I think I'm kind of addicted to you. I don't get it. I want you."
Her face flushed.
She felt happy.
And for some reason, slightly uneasy.
"I miss you too."
"I really like you in high heels."
"You haven't even seen me in them."
"I saw the photos you sent last time."
"Then next time, I'll wear them for you."
"Mm."
"If you miss me, tell me. I miss you too. Really."
She sent a little cheering emoji.
He immediately sent the same one back.
"I'm going to sleep. You rest early too. Good night. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Good night."
She put down her phone.
It was sweet.
And yet, somewhere inside, there was a faint, unexplainable unease.