Neighbours

As the afternoon sun began to wane, Chenxi's chauffeured car pulled up, and he bid farewell to Liu Xinran and Yu Xuan. "I'll catch you both tomorrow," he said, a wave of his hand punctuating his departure.

With Chenxi gone, an awkward silence settled between Liu Xinran and Yu Xuan. The atmosphere, once filled with shared laughter, now felt uncertain. Breaking the quietude, Liu Xinran offered a small smile, "Well, it was nice hanging out. I should head home now. Goodbye, Yuhan."

As Liu Xinran started walking towards her apartment, she sensed YumXuan following behind. Curiosity tugging at her, she turned to him and asked, "Are you heading in the same direction?"

Yu Xuan, usually reserved, nodded. "Yeah, I live nearby too."

The acknowledgment lifted the weight of the awkwardness, and the two continued walking side by side. The cityscape around them transformed from the lively bustle of the day to the quietude of evening. With each step, the lingering awkwardness dissolved, replaced by a newfound ease as Liu Xinran and Yu Xuan walked together toward their respective homes.

As Liu Xinran walked alongside Yu Xuan, the familiarity of their surroundings heightened. As they approached the apartment buildings, Yu Xuan broke the silence, "Well, this is me. I live right across."

Liu Xinran caught off guard, blinked in surprise. "Oh, really?" was all she managed to say, a subtle shock registering on her face.

Yu Xuan, bidding her farewell, headed towards his apartment door. "See you around."

Embarrassment washed over Liu Xinran as she recalled asking Yu Xuan why he was following her. She stammered out a quick, "Yeah, see you," and turned towards her apartment, cheeks tinged with a blush.

The realization that Yu Xuan lived just across from her left Liu Xinran both surprised and slightly flustered. As she entered her apartment, the events of the evening played back in her mind, leaving her with a mix of amusement and self-consciousness.

The city, with its shared spaces and serendipitous connections, had woven another unexpected chapter in their stories.

Liu Xinran arrived at her house, the door creaking softly as she entered. The warm glow of the living room greeted her, where her mother was engrossed in a TV show.

"Hey, Mom, I'm home," Liu Xinran called out.

Her mother turned with a smile, "Ummm." She glanced at the clock. "Dinner is on the stove, I'll heat it for you."

Liu Xinran, grateful for the gesture, walked to the kitchen, where the aroma of home-cooked dishes filled the air. As her mother reheated the food, Liu Xinran settled at the dining table, picking up a conversation about her day.

Her mother, attentive and supportive, listened as Liu Xinran shared snippets of her high school adventure. After the reheated dinner, Liu Xinran washed the dishes while her mother returned to the living room.

The sound of running water mingled with the TV's hum as Liu Xinran reflected on the day. The routine of dinner and chores, a comforting backdrop to the ever-changing canvas of her high school life

After finishing the chores, Xiao Li made her way to her bedroom, the soft glow of fairy lights creating a cozy ambiance. She decided to unwind with a refreshing shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the day's hustle.

Dressed in comfortable pajamas, Liu Xinran settled into her bed, the plush pillows providing a welcomed embrace. She reached for her phone, scrolling through messages and catching up on the digital world.

As she lay there, the room bathed in the gentle glow of her phone screen, Liu Xinran let the day's events settle.

The familiar routine of winding down marked the transition from the bustling outside world to the serene sanctuary of her bedroom, a space where she could relax and reflect. The soft hum of the city outside became a distant lullaby as Liu Xinran drifted into the tranquility of the night.