Ding.
The phone alarm rang.
Si Jin had just finished sending the final rejection email. When he came back to his senses, it was already time to clock out. He let out a breath, wrapped up the day's work, and got up to pack his things.
The next second, a male coworker suddenly leaned his head over. "Hey, Si Jin, let's hang out after work. Our editing department's having a dinner party."
Si Jin was startled by the sudden movement. He remembered how last time he got drunk at the party and was left on the roadside in a mess, nearly unable to make it home. He shook his pale face.
"Better… not."
He wasn't used to rejecting people, and his tone was clearly lacking confidence.
While he was worrying about how to turn the guy down if he kept insisting, his phone on the desk suddenly lit up. A pop-up notification showed directions from the map app still running.
"Everyone's going. It's not right if you don't," the coworker, as expected, started persuading him again. "Besides, didn't you have fun last time?"
Si Jin's back went stiff with tension, his palms sweaty. He said the excuse he had prepared, "Sorry, I'm moving today. I made an appointment with the landlord. If I don't move out today, my stuff will be thrown out, so I really can't join you."
The coworker let out a long sigh, clearly not buying it.
Luckily, Si Jin had guessed that would happen. He opened his WeChat chat with the landlord, showing their conversation.
The landlord's tone was extremely rude, demanding that he move out ASAP. The coworker leaned in, took one look, and clicked his tongue. "What the hell did you do to their house to make them talk to you like that?"
"It's not me, it's because of the roommate…"
"Fine, don't go if you don't want to."
Si Jin wanted to explain, but the coworker didn't give him the chance. After that line, he turned and went to join the others for dinner, ignoring him completely.
Si Jin stood in place for a moment, then lowered his head and quickly packed up to leave the office.
It was rush hour, and the moment he exited the building, he was faced with the sight of a crowd of people leaving work in a hurry.
He stuffed his phone into his zippered pocket and ducked into the crowd.
On his way back to the rental, he received several messages from his roommate.
Guo Rong: [When are you gonna move all your stuff out of here?]
Guo Rong: [Almost tripped over it. If you're not back soon, I'm tossing it!]
Guo Rong: [Quit pretending you're dead]
Leaning against the subway door, Si Jin let out a long sigh.
Si Jin: [I'm almost there]
After sending it, he put his phone away again and looked up at the stop display. Around him were tired office workers watching videos and chatting. He lowered his head. A wave of sadness rose in his heart.
That coworker had a big mouth. During the dinner tonight, he'd definitely tell everyone about the chat with the landlord. There would probably be lots of malicious guesses mixed in, twisting the story to make Si Jin look like some rude and nasty tenant.
But… it was clearly the roommate who broke all the shared housing rules, forcing him to move out.
Si Jin felt a little bitter.
Since graduating and starting work at Haiwen, a small company, he had never moved. Back then his salary wasn't high or low, and that apartment had been the best option he could afford. But ever since his old roommate moved out and Guo Rong moved in, life had become a mess.
Guo Rong never followed the rules. He blasted music and played video games in the living room day and night. The noise was deafening. He often brought friends over, and Si Jin had accidentally walked in on him doing things outside the bedroom many times. It made him very uncomfortable.
The landlord owned lots of properties and didn't like dealing with tenant disputes. After Si Jin's complaints, all the landlord said was: if you've got a problem, move out.
Si Jin was timid and didn't want drama. So he spent every weekend hunting for a new place. Luckily, he found a good deal. A better location, better condition, and not much more expensive.
Now he could only hope the next roommate would be easier to get along with.
Clinging to that hope, he exited the subway and rushed back to the rental. He and the movers packed the last of his stuff into the truck.
Just as he wheeled out the last suitcase, Guo Rong came out shirtless from his room. Seeing Si Jin panting, he sneered and slammed the door shut.
The sound echoed in the hallway. Si Jin's fingers on the suitcase handle twitched slightly.
—
Sitting in the driver's van, Si Jin hugged his backpack and looked out the window. He felt a lot more relaxed now. A change in environment always brought a sense of hope.
But the ride hadn't stayed quiet for long when the driver started chatting: "Kid, just graduated?"
Si Jin shook his head. "I've been working for a year already."
"Really? Wouldn't have guessed. Still got that student look," the driver said, hands on the wheel, moving into small talk. "Where do you work?"
They spent their days driving deliveries and had long since picked up this friendly habit. Others might brush it off with vague answers, but Si Jin curled his fingers slightly and still replied word by word, obediently.
"Near Tianhai Tower."
"Oh, that's a good area. You're not some young manager, are you?"
"No..."
The driver stayed cheerful, not caring what Si Jin answered. He just kept complimenting young people who worked hard, then started talking about people he knew.
Only when the van stopped in front of the neighborhood gate did he finally pause.
The young man working security wore a crisp uniform, matching well with the high-end complex behind him. Si Jin handed over his access card. After checking it, the guard gave him a polite smile and returned the card with a slight bow.
Si Jin wasn't quite used to this kind of attitude. It made him feel a little out of place.
Driving into the underground garage, the driver let out a whistle. "Places here aren't cheap. You're sharing, right?"
Si Jin slipped the card back into his bag and nodded. "Yeah, it's closer to my company."
"The rent must be steep, huh?"
Si Jin hesitated, then answered, "A bit over a thousand."
The driver was startled and parked the van by the right building, then helped him carry his stuff to the elevator.
"I remember rentals here going for several thousand. You really lucked out. Landlord must be easy to deal with too."
That reminded Si Jin he hadn't even met the landlord. The contract was signed through an agent.
"I'll leave you here then. Don't forget a good review, alright?"
The driver helped him get the luggage into the elevator but didn't come in.
"Sure, thanks."
As the elevator doors closed, Si Jin gave his thanks and pressed the button for the 22nd floor.
—
"2202..."
Struggling to pull the last suitcase out of the elevator, Si Jin let out a breath, staring at the upscale door in front of him. It was clearly several levels above his old place, and for some reason, that made him nervous.
He looked down and brushed the dust off his shoes before walking up to the door. He knocked first, then entered the passcode.
He wasn't sure if his roommate was home at this hour, but since it was his first time coming, it felt better to knock. He didn't want to scare anyone.
As the door opened, Si Jin stood at the entrance and peeked inside. Through the partition by the entryway, he caught a glimpse of a figure in the beautifully decorated living room.
The man wore only a pair of loose shorts, revealing a lean, muscular upper body. His hair was messy, and his handsome face was filled with irritated impatience. His narrow eyes squinted slightly, like he'd been woken from a nap.
"Sorry…"
Si Jin guessed this must be his roommate. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Such a high face value.
Seeing no reaction from the other man, he quickly came to his senses and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Si Jin. I just moved in today. I'll be in your care."
The man stepped past the partition, standing not far away, his gaze never leaving Si Jin. He slowly scanned up and down, finally locking onto Si Jin's face. His stare was hot, almost like it could bore a hole right through him.
That scrutinizing feeling was uncomfortable. Si Jin began to clutch the hem of his shirt.
He wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere, but he wasn't good at small talk, and in the end, no words came out.
"Yan Sui'an."
"Huh?"
Si Jin instinctively responded, only realizing afterward that it was the man's name.
"Got it. I'll remember."
Yan Sui'an raised a hand and ran it through his hair. Si Jin's eyes were drawn to that broad, dark hand, and for some reason, an image from an online "one-handed basketball grab" challenge popped into his mind.
With hands like Yan Sui'an's, it'd probably be easy.
"I'm going to sleep," Yan Sui'an said coldly as he turned to go back to his room.
Si Jin understood what he meant. "I'll keep it down."
"Mm."
After replying, Si Jin was about to go get his luggage from the elevator, but when he looked up, Yan Sui'an still hadn't gone back into his room. He was raising a brow, glancing at him sideways.
Was there something else?
Si Jin looked confused.
Then he saw Yan Sui'an's eyes fall to his bulging jacket pocket, and the man said casually, "When you're done, check your phone."
Si Jin didn't quite understand what he meant. It wasn't until after the man disappeared into his room that he thought about it. Was he reminding him not to drag things out too late?
When he checked his phone, it was already past 7 p.m. If he wanted to finish unpacking tonight, it would probably go on late. That must've been what the new roommate meant.
Reminded, Si Jin took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, quickly carrying the luggage into his room.
Once he shut the door and looked around the room, which was noticeably bigger than his old one, he finally let out a long sigh. After days of feeling down, his mood finally lifted a little.
—
He simply finished tidying up the bed, wardrobe, and desk. The rest of the miscellaneous things were piled in the corner for now. The room already had a warm feeling to it.
Just as he straightened up, the phone on the desk rang. It was the friend who had originally agreed to help him move.
He answered, and on the other end, Song Xiaoxi began apologizing.
"Sorry, Si Jin, I had already made plans with someone else to help, but who knew he would back out last minute! I just got off the subway. You haven't finished packing yet, right? I'll help you."
"It's fine," Si Jin said considerately. "I've already packed most of it. When you arrive, let's find a place nearby to eat."
Back when they were looking at houses, Song Xiaoxi had already put in a lot of effort. Even the moving workers were contacted by him, so of course Si Jin wouldn't complain.
"I knew you were the best!" Song Xiaoxi said with a pout. "I'm already at the complex. It's the 22nd floor, right?"
"Yes."
After hanging up, Si Jin turned to put on his jacket and also opened the window.
Hearing the knock on the door, he rushed out to open it and saw Song Xiaoxi standing there holding a gift. He was a bit surprised and happy.
"You weren't sleeping well before, right? I bought you some sleep-aid aromatherapy. The scent is really light."
"Thanks!"
Song Xiaoxi giggled. After he took it, he looked into the beautiful living room. "It's so big. This place is really nice. You really got a great deal."
Si Jin went back to the room to put the gift down and came out just as he was about to speak, only to see the door of the master bedroom diagonally across suddenly open.
The young man had changed into simple dark-colored loungewear, and his hair also looked neatly styled, as if he was about to go out.
Si Jin froze, suddenly realizing how much shorter he was. He had to slightly raise his head to meet Yan Sui'an's long and idle-looking eyes.
The other's face showed no expression. When he saw him, his thin lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
At the same time, Song Xiaoxi leaned against the entry door and wailed, "So jealous, baby, I've been so unlucky lately. You have to comfort me later."
"Okay."
Si Jin replied instinctively, then looked back at Yan Sui'an's face and saw his brows furrow, his expression turning unpleasant.
Before Si Jin could greet him, he said coldly, "Did you read the roommate agreement? No bringing people over."
If Si Jin hadn't been so nervous, he might have remembered the agreement actually said "no bringing people home without prior notice," but at the moment his first reaction was guilt, and he quickly explained.
"Sorry, my friend won't be coming in. We're just going out to eat."
After saying that, he thought maybe he could invite his new roommate too, so they could get to know each other.
But before he could speak, Yan Sui'an gave him a cold warning glance, then looked toward the entrance where Song Xiaoxi was curiously peeking over. His long fingers curled around the doorframe, and with a bang, he shut the door.
The wind stirred by the door brushed past Si Jin's brows. The tightly shut door was dark and cold, making him feel a bit lost.
It's over. Did he already mess up his relationship with his roommate?