Fang Shiyuan's mind went blank, and his tongue tied itself into knots. "J-Ji, Ji-Ji-Ji, Ji..."
"Ji Ting," Ji Ting repeated his name, then asked politely, "These two gentlemen are from the State Security Bureau. Would you mind if they came in with me?"
"N-no, not at all!" Fang Shiyuan shook his head vigorously, his voice rising with excitement.
"Thank you."
As soon as he finished speaking, an odd silence fell over the hallway.
Fang Shiyuan stared straight at Ji Ting, his eyes brimming with incredulous excitement, while Ji Ting stood quietly, waiting for his host's permission to enter.
Five or six seconds passed before Zhang Jian finally spoke up. "Mr. Fang, may we come in?"
Fang Shiyuan jolted and hurriedly stepped aside. "Oh, yes! Please, come in!"
Ji Ting nodded and stepped into the entryway first, with Zhang Jian and his colleague right behind him.
No one saw Fang Shiyuan, who brought up the rear, bite down on the back of his own hand in excitement, barely suppressing the urge to cheer.
Only when they entered the somewhat cluttered living room did Fang Shiyuan snap back to his senses. He rushed to the sofa in a panic and scooped all the scattered clothes into his arms, clutching them tightly. "I-I'm sorry! It's such a mess in here. I'm not usually like this..."
Ji Ting regarded him calmly. "I'm the one who dropped by unannounced. I should be apologizing."
Fang Shiyuan shook his head repeatedly, dashed into the bedroom with the clothes, then hurried back and opened the fridge. "Um... I only have bottled water at home. If you'd like something else, I can go buy it at the supermarket downstairs right now."
"Bottled water is fine, thank you," Ji Ting replied gently.
Once Fang Shiyuan finally sat down, still ill