The old man went home.
"Come downstairs and find me anytime you need anything."
Those were the old man's parting words.
Only the young man and Xiao Xiao were left in the room.
The young man suddenly felt awkward.
Since he'd rented this place, the only people who'd ever visited were Xiao Xiao and Grandpa Wang.
He was completely at a loss when it came to entertaining guests.
He tried to recall scenes he'd seen on TV and read about in books...
Was he supposed to pour Xiao Xiao a cup of tea?
"He'll be staying until late."
"Y-yeah, of course."
"It's very hot."
The young man went to the kitchen to pour some water anyway.
That was right.
When had he last boiled water?
The young man's rational—or perhaps pessimistic—side told him there was little chance today wouldn't be another wasted effort.
All right.
Would the other person think he was a pain, too... fussy?
Xiao Xiao's gaze shifted from the cup to the young man's face.
The young man suddenly realized something.
He was at a loss.
Uh...
His mind was a jumble. On the one hand, he imagined Xiao Xiao would be incredibly capable and solve his problem; on the other...
The young man reminded Xiao Xiao.
This was too strange.
But just standing there doing nothing made the young man feel uncomfortable.
They ate the meal in silence, too.
Why did he have to be the one to break the silence?
Xiao Xiao's eyes curved slightly.
The young man grimaced.
His voice grew heavier.
The man nodded.
His guess that the young man wasn't a con artist grew stronger.
Before—or rather, when Xiao Xiao wasn't around—the young man had hoped that the voice would disappear from his life for