Shen Han tried hard to understand how the program he was learning actually worked. He needed serious focus and someone to guide him through it.
He had already gotten the first, thanks to his kind manager who was willing to spare time to mentor him. Unfortunately, the second—concentration—was still out of reach.
How could he possibly concentrate when his coworkers wouldn't stop talking?
It wasn't the noise itself that bothered him. It was what they were talking about.
"Hey, a really pretty woman just went into the boss's office."
"Seriously? Don't start weird rumors."
"No, I mean it. I went to deliver some documents to Yuan Qi and saw a woman go inside."
"Pretty, huh? Like really, really pretty?"
Shen Han buried his head in his arms on the desk. He didn't want to hear another word or else he'd never figure out the logic behind the code in front of him.
But then a sudden tap on his shoulder made him sit up straight on reflex. He feared it was his manager, coming to scold him for slacking off on his first day.
Clutching his chest in relief, he saw it was only Shen Han standing in front of him. "You scared me," Shen Han grumbled.
"You okay? Is the program that hard?" Bai Yu leaned down a little, trying to get a look at his screen.
"Kinda," Shen Han replied briefly, though he was lying. His new friend didn't need to know that his heart was in turmoil after hearing about a beautiful woman walking into their boss's office.
"Who do you think she was? That woman?" Bai Yu asked.
"No idea," Shen Han answered sharply. This was the absolute last topic he wanted to discuss right now.
"Could she be his girlfriend? Or maybe… his wife?"
"No way," he snapped, his voice unusually cold, startling Bai Yu. "What's wrong, Shen Han?"
Shen Han blinked, realizing how harsh he had sounded. He hadn't meant it that way. "Sorry," he muttered. "I just need to focus."
His eyes practically pleaded with Bai Yu to understand—that he really needed to be left alone.
"Alright then… I'll head back to my desk," Bai Yu said hesitantly before walking away.
She should've stayed at her desk in the first place. Coming over here just to toss gasoline on his already burning heart? Not helpful.
Shen Han let out a frustrated sigh and tried to tune out the continuing whispers around him.
It was hard, but he managed to keep himself focused until it was finally time to clock out.
Seeing the others preparing to leave, he did the same—shutting down his computer, packing his things, and walking toward the elevator at the end of the office.
He waved goodbye to a few colleagues before parting ways and made his way toward the nearest bus stop.
Reading the schedule, he groaned in frustration when he saw that the next bus wouldn't arrive for another thirty minutes. With no choice, he sat down and waited.
The bus stop was completely empty. Not even a stray animal wandered by. The sky was dark now, and Shen Han found himself praying the bus would arrive soon. He hated waiting alone like this.
Not long after, a car pulled up in front of him. He didn't recognize the vehicle at all.
Shen Han's body tensed. Fear began to crawl up his spine. He was ready to run if needed—but then paused the moment someone stepped out of the car.
"Hi, Han!"
It was Yuan Qi. Jia Wen's best friend—and someone Shen Han knew quite well. The man ran toward him with a warm smile. Shen Han had always expected there might come a day when he'd run into Yuan Qi again, or even have to talk to him.
He just didn't expect it to be so soon.
Too soon, in his opinion.
Awkwardness instantly settled in like a sudden chill. Shen Han's voice trembled slightly as he greeted him, "Hi, Yuan Qi."
"It's been a while, hasn't it? What… three years?" Yuan Qi said. Shen Han couldn't tell if that was just small talk or some kind of veiled jab. Either way, he just smiled stiffly.
"Yeah, about three years, I guess," he replied shortly.
He hoped Yuan Qi would just walk away after that. Honestly, being alone was far better than being with someone he hadn't seen since… well, then.
"Waiting for the bus?" Yuan Qi asked, and Shen Han gave a small nod.
Was he really that out of questions that he had to ask that? What else would he be doing at a bus stop, if not waiting for the bus?
Clutching his bag tighter, Shen Han tried to suppress the discomfort crawling under his skin.
Yuan Qi simply nodded, falling into silence.
Even the sound of the wind seemed louder than their conversation. Shen Han glanced down the road, hoping to see headlights, anything—but there was still no sign of the bus.
"Why don't you come with me instead?" Yuan Qi offered with a smile.
If only he knew how much Shen Han wanted to vanish into thin air at that moment. How could Yuan Qi possibly expect him to say yes?
So, Shen Han politely refused. "No, that's alright. My bus will be here soon."
He forgot one thing about Yuan Qi: he never gave up easily.
"Don't be shy, Wen. I'll take you home—make sure you get back safe."
Shen Han hesitated. He wanted to say no again, but he knew Yuan Qi would just keep insisting. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted by the offer.
Agreeing to go with him meant two things.
First, he wouldn't have to wait another half hour in the dark.
Second, he'd save money on the bus fare.
Still… just because he *knew* Yuan Qi didn't mean it was a good idea to ride with him so casually.
But then again, Yuan Qi had always been a good guy. He wasn't the type to do anything weird.
"…Alright," Shen Han finally agreed.
Yuan Qi grinned in victory and gestured for Shen Han to hop in.
Shen Han followed him into the black car and settled into the passenger seat. He buckled his seatbelt and held onto his bag tightly.
He let the hum of the engine lull him into silence, hoping—really hoping—that there would be no talk of what happened three years ago.
Because he knew he still wasn't ready for that conversation.