I'll be home late.

There was no reply for a long time.

Claire assumed he must be busy, so she went into the kitchen to prepare the ingredients, planning to cook when Ethan was almost home.

When she came back out to check her phone, Ethan had replied.

[A program bug came up, so I'll probably stay at the company tonight. Make something simple for yourself, or order takeout if you don't feel like cooking. Lock the door before you sleep.]

Claire : [Okay.]

She put down her phone, wrapped the prepared ingredients in plastic wrap, and placed them in the refrigerator.

She couldn't possibly finish that much food alone. A simple stir-fry would be enough.

Ethan didn't come back the next day either. He only sent Claire a message reminding her to lock the door before sleeping.

Rather unkindly, Claire thought it might actually be better if Ethan continued sleeping at the company.

If he came back... it would mean the two of them might do that.

At noon, Claire planned to go downstairs for a walk.

But the moment she stepped outside, the door next door opened. 

The short, fat man came out again to pick up takeout still wearing nothing but his underwear.

He even smiled at Claire as if amused.

Claire frowned, turned around, went back inside, and shut the door.

Her mood instantly soured, and she no longer felt like going downstairs.

She changed into pajamas and lay on the bed, scrolling through her phone.

The small apartment didn't even have a TV. 

Her phone was her only source of entertainment.

The short, stout neighbor lingered outside his door for several minutes before finally going back inside and closing it.

The next day was Monday.

Claire had to go to work.

She didn't make breakfast, planning to eat at the company cafeteria instead.

The company had an outsourced cafeteria that served brunch and dinner, as well as late meals for employees working overtime.

After arriving at the company, she quickly grabbed breakfast.

A piece of corn, a boiled egg, and a cup of soy milk.

After eating, she returned to her workstation and got busy, 

From the office nearby, Holly's scolding voice rang out again.

Sandra leaned close to Claire and whispered, “Clara messed up the data and nearly caused a huge mistake. She got scolded for half an hour straight by the 'Extinction Master'.It was brutal."

While typing, Claire replied casually, “Sounds rough. Better get back to work, or you'll be the next one getting yelled at.”

Sandra watched her typing rapidly and asked suspiciously, "Claire ,when did you become so dedicated to your work?”

Claire answered, “I'm afraid of geting scolded by Manager Holly. If I don't take things seriously, she might fire me.”

Sandra didn't think much of it and returned to her own desk. 

That day, Claire received five clients. Two of them placed orders.

One client ordered two containers, while the other ordered three.

Holly finally stopped giving her the cold shoulder.

On Wednesday evening, after dinner, Claire took a shower and sat on the edge of the bed reviewing some English materials.

It was her first time working in the Food Producing Industry, and many terms were unfamiliar to her. 

She had compiled some reference materials, printed them out using the company printer, and brought them home to study.

Just then, the door opened

She turned to look.

A tall figure stepped inside.

The row of spotlights in the entryway illuminated Ethan, bathing him in warm yellow light.

Their eyes met.

Claire felt momentarily dazed.

Ethan removed his long down jacket and hung it up before speaking in a low voice.

“Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Claire paused before answering, “About to."

Ethan was still wearing the black shirt and trousers he had

worn days ago

He looked slightly tired

After a moment's hesitation, Claire asked, “Has the bug been fixed?"

Ethan looked at her. His eyes seemed to brighten slightly.

“Fixed."

Claire set aside the documents.

“You haven't showered for days, right? Go take one."

Ethan nodded. 

When he opened the closet to take out his pajamas, he noticed that his dirty clothes had already been washed and neatly hung inside.

His expression paused for a moment before the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.

After Ethan entered the bathroom, Claire lay down and closed her eyes.

If she fell asleep, she wouldn't have to do that with Ethan.

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened.

Ethan came out.

Claire could clearly smell the scent of shower gel.

Soon after, the sliding door to the balcony opened. It seemed Ethan had gone out to hang clothes.

He didn't stay long. 

Before long, the other half of the bed sank slightly.

Claire's back instantly tensed.

In the darkness, Ethan's breathing was clear.

Steady. Strong.

Impossible to ignore.

She kept listening to the sounds beside her until his breathing gradually became slow and even.

Ethan had fallen asleep.

Only then did Claire finally relax and drift off to sleep.

The next morning.

When Claire opened her eyes, Ethan was already in the kitchen making breakfast.

Perhaps afraid of waking her, he had closed the kitchen door.

Claire sat up and stared blankly toward the kitchen for a moment before getting up to wash.

When she came out, breakfast had already been placed on the table.

Ethan glanced at her,“Come eat.”

Claire walked over and sat down.

Home-cooked breakfast really was the best.

It had to be said that Ethan's cooking skills were excellent.

How could there be such a perfect man?

Handsome, clean, hardworking, and an amazing cook. 

A true gentleman.

No wonder he was the male lead of a novel. 

After breakfast, they left the apartment together.

As Claire bent down to change her shoes, Ethan picked up her bag.

She glanced at him. “Thank you.”

After putting on her shoes and closing the door, Claire extended her hand. “Give it to me.”

Ethan handed the bag back.

The two of them headed for the elevator.

Most residents in the building were office workers, so the elevator was always crowded in the morning.

After waiting several minutes, the elevator finally arrived already packed.

Claire followed Ethan inside and stood beside him.

His tall figure and striking appearance drew frequent glances from several girls in the elevator.

Claire glanced sideways at him. Ethan stared straight ahead at the elevator doors.

This man was actualy quite aloof.

More people squeezed in as the elevator descended.

A man nearly stepped on Claire while pushing inside, but Ethan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest.

Claire froze but didn't move. Ethan smelled nice.

Fresh. Warm.

Like clean laundry.

He half-guided her all the way to the first floor.

Once they stepped out of the elevator, Ethan released her.

Claire quietly let out a breath of relief.

Ethan, who was walking ahead, paused slightly, his brows faintly furrowing.

At the subway station, they took different lines.

It was rush hour, and the train was packed. There were no seats.

Claire stood quietly in a corner.

She wondered if Ethan would want to sleep with her tonight.

Ugh.

She felt nervous again.

That evening, Claire deliberately stayed late at the company.She sent Ethan a message.

【I'm working overtime tonight. I'll be home late, so don't wait for me for dinner.]

Ethan replied quickly.

[okay.]

Claire lingered at the company for another two hours and had dinner there.

When she finally left the industrial park carrying her cloth bag, she noticed a long, thin shadow stretching beneath the streetlight at the entrance.

Tall.

And imposing.