The hot pot restaurant near the complex was doing great business.
While waiting for a table, Song Xiaoxi couldn't help complaining about what had just happened.
"Damn, what kind of roommate is that? I didn't even step inside, and he already acted that aggressive? Slamming the door like that, if I weren't thinking about how you still have to live with him, I would've cursed him out on the spot!"
Si Jin lowered his eyes and rubbed his dry fingers, softly saying, "It's fine. He probably just misunderstood."
It should be fine after he explains things clearly.
Maybe the roommate, like him, had dealt with past roommates who didn't follow the rules, which is why he reacted so strongly.
Song Xiaoxi had a hot temper and nowhere to vent his anger now.
"You're still way too gentle, but don't always let people walk all over you."
Si Jin tugged at his fingers, not knowing what to say. He really was just that kind of person.
Song Xiaoxi knew he wasn't good at refusing people, and that made him worried.
"You better not be like before. If he asks you to help with stuff, you'll just go along with it? What if he starts ordering you around?"
In his eyes, Si Jin was great in every way: clean and good-looking, hardworking, emotionally steady. But his personality was too quiet, especially when it came to saying no.
As long as someone softened their tone, he could barely refuse.
But that couldn't be helped. He knew Si Jin's personality came from his upbringing. It wasn't something that could change overnight.
"Don't worry, I'm not like that anymore."
Si Jin couldn't help but share how he had just refused a coworker's dinner invite after work today. As he spoke, his clean and gentle eyes slightly curved, showing a faint smile.
Song Xiaoxi looked surprised. "Nice. Those time-wasting gatherings should be turned down hard. Next time even if you're not moving, still say no."
Si Jin nodded obediently.
Just then, the waiter reminded them their table was ready, so the two got up and entered the restaurant.
It was only after they sat down that Si Jin noticed something was off about Song Xiaoxi's expression, and he couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?"
Song Xiaoxi still had the image of Si Jin smiling at him just now in his head.
Thinking of something, he looked a little guilty.
"Si Jin, do you remember that dating app account I registered for you last time?"
"Hm?" Si Jin scanned the menu QR code on the table with his phone and looked up curiously. "I remember."
Song Xiaoxi liked messing around with those kinds of apps. He had encouraged Si Jin to meet more people and made him an account.
He said, "A lot of people picked like on my profile and now my inbox is exploding."
Si Jin looked a bit surprised. "But I heard people on those dating apps aren't that decent."
"Some of them, yeah."
Song Xiaoxi wanted to show him some of the nasty, creepy messages in his DMs, but after glancing at Si Jin's innocent expression, he held back and just said,
"You know what? A lot of guys picked you too."
Si Jin blinked, looking stunned. "Huh?"
"Come on, that's totally normal. That photo I used was one I took myself. You looked so cute and pretty, that soft pale face, even I wanted to take a bite."
Song Xiaoxi clicked his tongue. "Who wouldn't fall for that?"
Si Jin looked a little embarrassed and didn't respond. He just picked a few dishes and pushed the phone over for Song Xiaoxi to choose more.
Song Xiaoxi took the phone and scrolled absentmindedly for a bit, hesitating for a long time before looking up again.
"So you really don't want to give it a try? There are actually some decent people on there. Some even sent you a bunch of messages."
Si Jin shook his head. "Better not. I don't have time to think about that now. Work's going to get even busier at year-end."
"Alright."
Song Xiaoxi rubbed the phone in his hands but didn't say anything more.
They both liked spicy food. After finishing the hot pot and leaving the mall, their lips and cheeks were red.
While waiting for a ride, Song Xiaoxi asked about his weekend plans.
"You still going to work at Yisu this weekend? You've got so much to unpack. Why not take the week off?"
Yisu was a restaurant job Song Xiaoxi had introduced to Si Jin before.
The place had high standards for staff appearance and figure, but the work wasn't tough, and the hourly wage was better than average, so Si Jin usually worked there on weekends.
But there really was a lot to take care of this week.
There were still many drafts in the system that hadn't been reviewed, he had to work overtime, and his room still needed organizing.
He was honestly exhausted.
But after struggling for a while, Si Jin still didn't make a direct decision. "I'll go back and take a look tonight. If I have time, I'll go."
By then the car had arrived. Song Xiaoxi didn't push further and just told him to rest well and not overwork himself.
Si Jin nodded and watched him get in. When the door closed, something came to mind and he took a few steps forward.
"Xiaoxi."
Song Xiaoxi had just fastened his seatbelt and turned back. "Hm?"
"That dating app account... can you help me delete it?" Si Jin's voice was very soft. "I probably won't have time for it."
Song Xiaoxi paused for a second, then after the car drove off, reached his hand out the window and waved.
That was his way of saying he understood.
Si Jin let out a breath, pulled his coat tighter, and only turned around to walk toward the entrance of the nearby complex once the car was gone.
At the restaurant earlier, things had been lively. Song Xiaoxi had ordered drinks, and he drank two cups as well. As they walked through the warm mall, his head had gotten a bit dizzy, but now the cold night wind sobered him up a little.
He mentally reviewed what had happened over the past few days.
He had moved, finally away from that difficult roommate, and should be able to enjoy peaceful time after work.
As for work, he was about to meet this month's KPI. He had worked hard this year and should receive a decent year-end bonus, but he still hadn't managed to build good relationships with his coworkers.
As for his family...
His phone buzzed in his coat pocket. Si Jin paused slightly, then tapped the screen in the dim light. The soft glow lit up his face.
[Mom]
"Xiao Jin, are you off work?"
The voice in his memory had always been harsh and controlling, but now it sounded almost gentle and even slightly strange in how nice it was. It made Si Jin freeze for a second.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
His hometown Luocheng was a very small city. On regular days, the streets were usually empty after 9 PM. Logically speaking, Li Meihua should have already been asleep by now.
So something must have happened.
Li Meihua said, "Just wanted to ask if your work has been going well lately. Have your coworkers or boss treated you okay?"
"No problems." Si Jin lied with a straight face but didn't feel guilty. His head was spinning a bit, but in this moment, he even felt a little rare warmth from the conversation.
In that atmosphere, his heart softened, and he was just about to tell her about his recent situation when she suddenly started rambling about things back home.
"Your dad's rheumatism is acting up again. He's been to the clinic several times and nothing has worked. Now he can't take on any work. Things at home were already tight, and now your younger brother got into trouble at school. He got into a fight and was covered in blood when we picked him up from the police station."
Li Meihua's voice was full of disappointment and resentment.
Si Jin's palm tightened slightly around the phone. He quickly understood what she meant.
"How was it handled over there?"
His tone was gentle, but hearing that seemed to ignite Li Meihua's anger. It was like she didn't know where else to vent it.
"How else? Everyone said he started the fight. The other kid didn't get hurt much, but he fractured his right hand. Now he's had surgery and a cast. He can't go anywhere and has to go back to get the stitches out later. And your older brother came back home a few days ago too, saying his boss cheated him out of his salary, and now he can't even afford to eat. We can barely keep the family going. I told your sister to get a job but she refused. She insists on continuing her chemistry studies. That still needs money."
The cold wind outside cut into him, making him feel like a hole had opened in his chest too, pulling in the wind and leaving him chilled to the bone.
The warmth he had just begun to feel completely faded. His expression turned calm.
"I understand. I'll send some money. Give it to sister. She's been studying so long. It would be a pity to give up now. But I don't have much right now."
Li Meihua didn't even hesitate.
"Send whatever you can."
Si Jin replied softly.
"Ok"
But Li Meihua didn't seem satisfied. After a pause, she added, "Back when you were in college, you used to send money home. Now that you're working, how come you're not helping the household anymore?"
So this was the real reason she had called to ask about his job.
Maybe realizing she had gone too far, Li Meihua tried to cover it up. "If it weren't for how hard things are, we wouldn't ask you. As parents, we want our kids to have good lives too, but the situation now is just too tough."
"My salary is low right now. The rent cost me a lot. I don't have much left."
Si Jin took a deep breath. He recalled the soothing advice he had received from the therapist some time ago and tried to choose his words carefully, answering slowly.
Li Meihua replied with a sound that clearly showed she wasn't pleased. "Then take care of yourself. Don't go hungry out there. Send the money quickly. Your sister needs it."
"Got it."
The familiar buildings of the complex were in front of him. Before going inside, Si Jin ended the call. Even after entering the warmer lobby, his body was still tense.
The good mood he had from eating and chatting with Song Xiaoxi had completely fallen apart because of a simple phone call.
Was there really not a single thing in life that could be purely comforting?
With heavy steps, he returned home. After entering, he heard a thud from a room. He changed his shoes and looked up to find the place empty.
He guessed Yan Sui'an must have returned to his room just as he came in. Si Jin couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
He didn't know if the roommate was still mad about the situation with Song Xiaoxi and was purposely avoiding him.
But it was already very late. He had worked all day and moved house. His body was exhausted, so in the end he just grabbed his clothes, took a shower, and went to bed.
The next morning, his alarm rang. As soon as he got up, he saw a beam of warm sunlight coming through the curtain. That was something he never saw at his old place, and it made him feel lighter.
He opened the curtains and sunlight filled the room. The bathroom was clean and tidy too, not like the old place where things got dirty again just after cleaning.
But once he returned to his room and did the budget for the month, his mood dropped again.
His former landlord claimed he had damaged furniture and kept half the deposit. And this new place had required a two-month deposit and one-month rent up front, which cost him a lot. Adding in the money he sent home last night, the little savings he had built up were now nearly gone.
Looks like he still couldn't quit his part-time job. Fortunately, the room was almost settled. After work, he just needed to come back and tidy up a bit more.
It was almost time to leave. He replied to the restaurant supervisor's message, grabbed his bag, and stepped out, just as the main bedroom across the hall opened.
Yan Sui'an was wearing gray sweatpants, pulling down a loose T-shirt over his head as he stepped out. Si Jin's gaze uncontrollably swept past his slim and firm waist, and he felt guilty, quickly looking away.
"Yan... good morning." He paused, unable to remember the exact name, so he quickly greeted him.
Afraid of not seeming friendly enough, he forced a smile.
But Yan Sui'an only gave him a cold glance and walked right past without saying a word.
"..."
The temperature in the house seemed to drop instantly.
Si Jin's smile froze. The curve of his lips turned bitter. He clutched the sleeve of his shirt, walked past the hallway, and saw Yan Sui'an standing at the dining table, holding a wide-mouth glass and drinking water with one hand.
Was he really that unlikable?