An hour earlier.
Lin Jie, ready for the operation, bade farewell to Lin Miao, "Tomorrow morning, I'll probably be back before you wake up. Don't be afraid when you're alone at home!"
Lin Miao held Lele, waving its two chubby paws, and laughed, "With Lele by my side, I won't be afraid. Brother, be careful on the road."
Lin Jie nodded, reaching out to ruffle Lin Miao's hair, and left amidst her playful protests.
At the elevator, he noticed a man with a scruffy beard, haggard face, wearing a delivery uniform, also waiting.
Lin Jie glanced at him without much thought, watching the numbers change as the elevator descended.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened.
Lin Jie and the delivery man entered, one after the other, and he pressed the "-2" button for the underground parking lot.
Just as Lin Jie was about to ask which floor the other man was descending to, the delivery man leaned over, pressed the "7" button, and grinned at Lin Jie, saying, "Lin Jie, long time no see!"
