Ahead, a figure appeared in front of her shoes.

"Lu Xixiao."

He turned back and let out a light laugh. "Zhou Wan."

He was smiling when he said it, but his tone was laced with a cold amusement. "You're pretty heartless. At least you finally decided to show up."

She blinked and said mildly, "My shift is over."

"..."

Lu Xixiao let out a light scoff.

Zhou Wan noticed the bloody scratch on his chin, which looked like it was made by a fingernail. Other than that, he didn't seem to have any other injuries.

Zhou Wan sensed his displeasure but didn't know why.

Was it because she didn't come out, causing him to lose face in front of his friends?

She took a step forward and explained, "I thought you all went somewhere else, so I didn't come out."

He didn't speak, remaining silent, looking down at her with lowered eyelids.

Zhou Wan looked up at his face, trying to coax him. "Lu Xixiao, your face is injured."

"Yeah," he said in an indifferent tone.

"There are adhesive bandages inside. Let me patch you up, okay?" Zhou Wan said softly.

"Zhou Wan."

He suddenly leaned in close, raising his hand to clasp the back of her neck, forcefully lifting her head. His dark eyes stared intently at her, the smile not reaching his eyes, as if he wanted to see into her soul.

"What's with the innocent act?" he said.

Zhou Wan froze.

She was an expert at acting obedient and hiding her true self. Everyone else said she was well-behaved and obedient; Lu Xixiao was the first person to see through her.

But he didn't pursue it, quickly losing interest, too lazy to dwell on it.

He straightened up, let out a faint scoff, and walked past Zhou Wan, heading straight into the arcade.

Zhou Wan hurried after him.

Unlocking the door again, turning on the lights.

"Lu Xixiao, wait for me a moment," Zhou Wan said to his back. "I'll go get an adhesive bandage from the inner room."

He didn't answer.

Zhou Wan found a small tin box in the inner room, and from it, she found a Yunnan Baiyao adhesive bandage, checking to make sure it hadn't expired.

When Zhou Wan came out, Lu Xixiao was standing in front of a claw machine, operating the claw.

He had been to the arcade several times, but this was the first time she had seen him play the claw machine.

The machine emitted a pink glow that hit his face, outlining his sharp features. His bangs hung over his forehead, his expression calm and indifferent, his long, slender fingers gripping the joystick.

Zhou Wan was about to say that these machines were programmed with a set probability, and someone had just won two dolls, so it would be very difficult to get one now.

Just as she was about to speak, the claw firmly clamped onto a doll.

With a 'thud', he bent down and took out the doll.

Zhou Wan walked over and handed him the adhesive bandage.

Lu Xixiao looked down, leaned over, and brought his face closer.

Zhou Wan smelled the scent of tobacco on him and held her breath without realizing it, a little dazed.

He looked up, his gaze direct, his voice husky. "Weren't you going to coax me?"

He seemed to know her inner thoughts perfectly.

But he never asked why she was afraid of him getting angry, or why she put on an innocent act in front of him. He was always so casual and free, coming and going as he pleased.

Zhou Wan bit her lip, forcing herself to stop her eyelashes from trembling. She tore open the adhesive bandage and stuck it on his chin.

Her fingertips accidentally brushed against the skin of his chin. It was a little rough, from shaved stubble.

"All done."

"Then let's go." He turned and left.

...

Just like before, the two of them walked along that familiar, quiet street.

There were more fallen leaves on the ground, rustling.

"Lu Xixiao," Zhou Wan said, "about the money you paid for me at the hospital, can I pay you back at the end of the year, with bank interest? Is that okay?"

Lu Xixiao glanced at her and said faintly, "No rush."

"Thank you."

Soon, they reached Zhou Wan's doorstep.

"I'll head in then." Zhou Wan waved at him. "Thank you for walking me back."

"Yeah."

As Zhou Wan reached the door, Lu Xixiao suddenly called out from behind her, "Zhou Wan."

"What is it?"

"Here." He held up the doll in his hand.

Zhou Wan was stunned for a moment, then walked back to him, took it, and held it in her arms. "Thank you," she said earnestly.

Ever since Zhou Jun passed away, Zhou Wan hadn't had any toys or dolls.

He smiled, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Just like you."

Zhou Wan looked down and saw a pink back through the faint light.

She turned it over.

It was a Kobito doll with a big, flat face, mung bean-like eyes, red cheeks, and a flat nose.