Air.
Breath.
Lying on the chair in the ward, a whole night of sweet dreams.
The cool morning breeze blew through the crack of the window into the ward, waking her from sleep.
“Yawn~”
Stretching with a yawn, Lu Weizhu’s back felt a little sore.
She rarely slept on the chair; usually, she shared a bed with Lu Weiyu.
“It’s time to go to work.”
Glancing at the clock, it was six in the morning — still quite early.
But Lu Weizhu had nothing better to do, so she decided to head to the café early.
“Yunjie…hehe…”
Thinking about last night’s promise of friendship, Lu Weizhu grinned foolishly.
For once, she bought two meat buns as a small celebration.
She had thought about making her life a bit easier, but after being frugal for so long, it was hard for her to change so suddenly.
“…Morning, Yunjie.”
After breakfast, Lu Weizhu pushed open the door to the café.
Bai Yun was already busy preparing the day’s ingredients and some complicated cookies.
“Morning, Weizhu.”
Smiling as she greeted Lu Weizhu, although nothing much had happened last night, some unspoken emotions Bai Yun had been harboring were suddenly lifted.
“Go change your clothes.”
Bai Yun gestured towards the back kitchen.
Lu Weizhu didn’t say much and went to the back to splash cold water on her face, then quickly changed into her uniform.
Starting work promptly, Lu Weizhu’s attitude wasn’t exactly enthusiastic but did become more serious.
When chatting with Bai Yun, she warmed up and became lively again.
The sudden shift made Bai Yun feel a little awkward at first, but she didn’t mind.
“Yunjie…”
“Yunjie, do you think…”
During breaks, Lu Weizhu actively started conversations with Bai Yun.
Her topics were shallow — mostly gossip she’d overheard from café customers.
The whole morning passed in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.
At noon, Lu Weizhu ate with Bai Yun.
Only then did she remember something important.
“Yunjie, I’m planning to bring my sister tomorrow. Is that okay? I want to introduce her to you.”
Lu Weizhu asked while eating with her chopsticks.
The café didn’t serve dishes or rice — only sweets — so today’s lunch was takeout.
“Hm…? Isn’t your sister seriously ill? Can she leave the hospital?”
Bai Yun blinked.
“Do you want me to accompany you to the hospital tomorrow afternoon?”
Bai Yun put down her chopsticks.
“…Well, maybe not. Just going out for a little while should be fine. She hasn’t been out for a long time; it’s good for her to get some fresh air.”
Lu Weizhu thought her sister had indeed been stuck in the hospital too long.
“Don’t worry, Yunjie. My sister is well-behaved and won’t cause any trouble.”
Worried Bai Yun might refuse, Lu Weizhu was relieved when Bai Yun didn’t show any objection.
“Then bring her over.”
Such trivial matters were quickly settled at the table.
Later in the afternoon, near the end of the shift, Lu Weizhu received a phone call.
It was from the furniture store.
“Miss Lu, your furniture has arrived downstairs. Could you please come back to let the workers in?”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon. Please wait a moment.”
After hanging up, Lu Weizhu walked over to Bai Yun.
“Um…Yunjie, can I take an hour off?”
Her tone was hesitant and guilty.
She had already been absent from work many days lately, and now asking for leave again felt inappropriate.
Having finally become friends with Bai Yun, Lu Weizhu didn’t want to seem like she was just using her.
“No problem. It’s almost closing time anyway, and no one’s here.”
Bai Yun had clearly heard the conversation on the phone.
She wondered, did Lu Weizhu buy furniture?
She hadn’t even been paid yet — did she use her savings?
A question formed in her mind but she kept silent.
“Go take care of your stuff.”
Putting up the closed sign, Bai Yun started tidying the counter and tables.
“Thanks, Yunjie.”
Softly expressing her gratitude, Lu Weizhu was already planning to cook a meal for Bai Yun once the furniture was set up.
Although eating out would be just as good, she wanted to prepare a tableful of dishes to thank Bai Yun for her kindness.
“See you tomorrow, Yunjie.”
Changing back into her regular clothes, Lu Weizhu left the café and headed to her Apartment for Rent.
“Where are you going?”
As Lu Weizhu stepped out, a car parked by the street rolled down its window before she could walk far.
A familiar voice reached her ears, stopping her mid-step.
Lu Weizhu turned around stiffly.
Bai Lu rested her arm on the window frame, wearing a knitted jacket and sunglasses.
If not for her voice engraved deep into Lu Weizhu’s bones, she might not have recognized her.
Removing her sunglasses, Bai Lu’s dark eyes stared silently at Lu Weizhu — neither happy nor sad.
“My patience is limited.”
“De…De…”
Lu Weizhu was momentarily at a loss for words.
She looked down at her toes and stood rigidly.
She had expected Bai Lu to find her, but didn’t expect her to be waiting right outside the café.
But looking on the bright side, at least Bai Lu hadn’t barged into the café and dragged her out — so no need to lose face in front of Yunjie.
Bai Lu still had some humanity left.
Well…relatively speaking.
Lu Weizhu gripped the hem of her clothes, knowing deep down that this time she probably couldn’t avoid her.
“Go home…”
Feeling somewhat resigned, Lu Weizhu lowered her head.
She couldn’t go back to the apartment with Bai Lu right now.
“The new rented place — the furniture arrived today. I have to watch the workers install it. I’m not trying to avoid you.”
Bai Lu’s bangs covered her eyes, unable to see the girl’s evasive gaze.
“Do you want to come with me? Or should I find you after I’m done?”
Lu Weizhu glanced behind her with her peripheral vision — no one was there.
She sighed in relief.
“Hmph?”
Bai Lu snorted lightly, looking at the defeated girl before her.
“Take me to your home.”
Bai Lu thought it was time to change the place they met.
If Ning Wan ever showed up and ran into this girl, it would be awkward.
With that in mind, Bai Lu pulled her hand back inside the window.
“You lead the way.”
After speaking, Bai Lu closed the car window.
“…”
Lu Weizhu grumbled softly and started walking towards the Apartment for Rent.
Her own little nest, and it was about to be stained by something dirty before it even started — she felt a bit downhearted.
“…”
With a soft sigh, Lu Weizhu began leading the way.
Her Apartment wasn’t far; after about ten minutes, she stopped in front of a building.
At the entrance, two tall women stood among several large pieces of furniture.
They were probably the movers.
“Miss Lu?”
Noticing Lu Weizhu, the two waved.
“Yes, that’s me. The floor is a bit high; thank you for your trouble.”
Passing by the nearly six-foot-tall workers, Lu Weizhu went upstairs, with the movers following her.
Fortunately, the corridor was wide enough that the large furniture wouldn’t get stuck.
Behind the workers, Bai Lu had somehow gotten out of the car and followed them into the apartment.