On Monday morning, sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting dappled light and shadows on the floor.
Wang Xiaoliang opened his eyes and looked at Wei Zijin's peaceful sleeping face.
The towel blanket outlined her curves.
He remained motionless, simply watching her in silence.
It was a feeling he had never experienced before: peace, security, and an overwhelming sense of good fortune.
After a while, Wei Zijin's eyelashes fluttered, and she woke up too. She opened her eyes and met his intent gaze. Her cheeks instantly reddened, and she instinctively burrowed deeper into the blanket.
Wang Xiaoliang smiled and reached out to gather her into his arms, blanket and all.
They cuddled for a while before finally dragging themselves out of bed.
After they washed up and were heading out together, Wei Zijin stopped him in the entryway.
"Wait."
Wang Xiaoliang turned around and saw her take something out of her bag. A silver key and a round blue access fob hung together on a simple key ring.
She held them out to him without looking at him, keeping her head lowered as she said softly, "This is the access fob for the building entrance and the key to my place."
Wang Xiaoliang did not take them right away.
He looked at her slightly reddened earlobes as she deliberately avoided his eyes.
He knew this was more than just a key. It was a door she had personally opened for him in the high wall she had built out of years of unease and vigilance.
Behind that door lay her softest, most unguarded world.
He solemnly reached out, took the keys, and held them in his palm.
They had breakfast at the shop downstairs. The warm soy milk and fragrant, crispy fried dough sticks tasted especially good with