With a wink at Su Xiaoxi, she breezed out of the restaurant like a gust of wind, leaving Su Xiaoxi facing Lin Yi in toe-curling embarrassment.
"My friend is... kind of outgoing," Su Xiaoxi offered lamely.
Lin Yi checked his watch. "Time to head back."
On their way to the office, Su Xiaoxi couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her. She kept glancing back but saw only hurried passersby.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yi asked.
"Nothing... just feel like someone's following us." She shook her head. "Probably my imagination."
Lin Yi's gaze sharpened instantly, scanning their surroundings before subtly maneuvering to her right side. "Walk on my left."
That small protective gesture warmed her chest. At work that afternoon, she noticed Lin Yi's desk had been placed diagonally across from hers—within direct line of sight. Strangely, every time she accidentally looked his way, she found his eyes already on her, as if he'd been watching the whole time.
At quitting time, colleagues trickled out one by one. Su Xiaoxi stayed late to finish a design draft. Stretching, she realized only she and Lin Yi remained in the office.
"Aren't you leaving?" she asked.
"Soon," he replied without looking up.
By the time she packed up, night had fallen. An autumn chill hung in the air as she tightened her coat, that uneasy sense of being watched returning. Rounding a corner at a brisk pace, she caught movement in her periphery—a dark figure closing in fast—
"Su Xiaoxi."
She whirled around at the familiar voice. Lin Yi stood under a streetlamp, his shadow stretching long across the pavement.
"You... followed me?" She took half a step back.
"Same direction." His voice was calm. "It's not safe at night. I'll walk you."
She wasn't sure whether to believe the coincidence, but having company undeniably eased her nerves. They fell into step together, their footfalls unusually distinct in the quiet night.
"You just started today. How do you know where I live?" The question slipped out suddenly.
Lin Yi didn't blink. "HR files have addresses."
"Oh." The explanation made sense, temporarily settling her doubts.
Passing a convenience store, Lin Yi stopped abruptly. "Wait here."
He emerged less than a minute later and handed her a carton of milk and a small bread roll.
"You didn't eat enough tonight." His tone was matter-of-fact, yet it sent a tremor through her chest.
"Thanks..." As she took them, her fingertips brushed his hand. A tiny current seemed to arc between them at the contact.