Breaking the Stalemate

Breaking the Stalemate

Gu Lin's car arrived right behind them. He watched Lin Su get out of the car and head upstairs.

Twenty minutes passed, yet Lin Su still had not appeared. Gu Lin took the things out of the storage compartment before getting out of the car.

Han Jin had said he would treat, but Lin Su had not expected him to prepare another table full of dishes.

It was another spread of dishes Lin Su liked. Unlike last time, this one seemed even more complete.

His fingers tightened around his cup, but his expression remained calm. Looking up, Lin Su smiled. "Where are your roommates?"

Han Jin chuckled. "They all have girlfriends. Why would they stay home with a single dog like me?"

Lin Su smiled and said nothing more.

"Try the quail. It's baked in foil, so it's really fragrant." To win someone's heart, one had to first win their stomach.

Watching the person he liked eat the food he had cooked, happiness naturally welled up inside him.

Throughout the meal, Han Jin's smile never faded as Lin Su repeatedly praised the food. Especially when those eyes gazed at Lin Su, what they revealed was impossible to hide.

"I'll do it." His clear, gentle voice was soft, and even as he lowered his eyes to clean up the mess, he was utterly serious.

Lin Su moved neither quickly nor slowly, methodically wiping every trace of water from the kitchen counter.

He put his watch back on and happened to see the time. Surprised, he said, "It's already seven."

He casually picked up the suit jacket from the chair and pointed outside. "It's getting late. I should head back."

Han Jin wanted to ask him to stay, but he also knew Lin Su was different from him now. "I'll take you home."

His peach-blossom eyes were as gentle as water, and the smile curling his red lips was equally soft. He smiled. "No need. It's late, so get some rest. Thank you for the meal today."

Han Jin stared at the person by the door with shining eyes, then happily waved goodbye to Lin Su.

Bang. The door closed. Lin Su's expression remained unchanged as he stepped into the elevator.

The smile that had long since stiffened at the corners of his lips flattened. His peach-blossom eyes stared at the elevator doors' seam as he sank into thought.

Ding. He let out a soft breath. Suddenly, he realized he had sighed many times today. Was this world too complicated, or was he simply too tired?

The steps outside the building were short, only five in total. When Lin Su reached the last one, he stopped dead in his tracks.

He saw Gu Lin.

A man in a black suit leaned against the car, blending into the night. A cigarette glowed scarlet between his long fingers, while the thick smoke exhaled from his thin lips obscured his face.

It was the first time Lin Su had seen Gu Lin smoke, and also the first time he knew Gu Lin could smoke.

The cigarette had already burned to its end. Gu Lin crouched down and pressed the butt against the ground until it went out. Only then did Lin Su notice several cigarette butts at his feet.

The man took out a tissue and picked them up one by one. When a pair of shoes appeared beside the last cigarette butt, Gu Lin paused and looked up to see that familiar face.

"You... when did you get here?" Lin Su regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth.

Gu Lin straightened up, his tone indifferent. "A little while ago."

[Liar!]

If he knew Lin Su was here, someone must have tipped him off. Was it Mu Xiaomu?

[There are so many cigarette butts. Gu Lin seems to have been waiting for a long time.]

Lin Su looked at the cigarette butt in his hand and said nothing, yet it seemed as though he had said everything.

The two fell silent again. This was their first conversation outside of work.

"I came to take you home."

The man's voice struck Lin Su. His peach-blossom eyes looked at the person before him in astonishment.

"Lin Su, are you going back?" His low voice remained calm, and there was not a ripple on his cool, detached face, yet Lin Su could sense his nervousness.

The corners of Lin Su's lips lifted slightly. "Mm, let's go."