Dream

Zhang Heng drove his grandfather's Volkswagen back to the vicinity of Bai Qing's apartment complex.

He found a spot on the street where he could see Bai Qing's building but was out of reach of the security cameras, parked the car, turned off the engine, pulled out the key, and then... began to wait.

This was also the dullest and most exhausting part. Even if nothing was happening for the time being, he could not simply close his eyes to rest or leave his surveillance spot. Fortunately, Zhang Heng had prepared for this. He leaned into the back seat and grabbed his laptop, which had several anime series and movies he had downloaded earlier.

Zhang Heng opened an old anime called "Penguindrum" and continued from episode six, where he had left off last time. Every so often, he glanced toward Bai Qing's home.

From their earlier conversations, Zhang Heng knew that Bai Qing lived on the sixth floor. The north-facing window should have been Bai Qing's bedroom, while the west side was the living room. Both were pitch-black now.

Bai Qing normally went to bed around eleven, but so much had happened tonight that she waited until Zhang Heng got home. The two then chatted on WeChat for about half an hour before wishing each other goodnight.

Zhang Heng could almost see Bai Qing curled up in bed, tapping on her phone in the dark bedroom, its faint bluish glow falling over her face...

Zhang Heng watched "Penguindrum" through episode thirteen before the battery finally gave out. He tossed the laptop back onto the rear seat, stretched, and loosened up his stiff muscles.

So far, nothing had happened at Bai Qing's home. Zhang Heng checked his watch. It was 2:55 a.m., the streets were empty, and the whole city was