Small Things and Big Things

It was not yet evening, and summer dusk naturally came much later than usual.

It was a fairly well-decorated café, though its prices were enough to make ordinary people frown. Given Caroline's disposition, she normally would not spend money in a place like this.

But she was waiting for someone, and the other party had chosen this place. She had no choice but to order the cheapest black coffee.

Not long afterward, a middle-aged man hurried into the café, looking around as though searching for something. Caroline knew he was the person she had been waiting for—the lawyer friend Nia had asked her to contact.

At 6:37 p.m., Caroline glanced at the time again... It was too late. She wondered whether she could still catch the bus home.

If she was too late, she would have to take another route, which would probably pass through several unfamiliar districts. Though she was a local, there were clearly differences between the districts.

"You're Caroline?" The middle-aged man quickly found Caroline's seat. Without any ceremony, he sat down.

Caroline sensed something called time about him. She had noticed the man from the moment he entered the door until he sat down in front of her. In all, he had checked the time three times—twice on his own watch and once on the wall clock.

Dressed in a suit, immaculate, with a serious expression and deep-set eyes... The man displayed every feature an elite ought to have before Caroline.

The man's name was Caro.

Before Caroline could speak, Caro went straight to the point. "Before we talk, Ms. Caroline, could you tell me what your relationship with Nia is? Family? Or are you her daughter?"

Caroline did not find the question impolite... Instead, it made her feel that the man probably no longer remembered