---
It was a golden evening on a Saturday, the soft rays of the sun brushing against the windows of Lin Yue's small home.
The mood was light, almost warm with contentment.
Today, Ah Yan was getting paid.
He came out of his room with a barely-contained excitement in his eyes.
"Yueyue."
Lin Yue, sitting on the couch scrolling through her phone, looked up and gave him a smile.
"Yue Yue," he said, "Let's go shopping."
She blinked. "You just got paid today. You should keep your money, Ah Yan."
He shook his head with a rare firmness. "No. I want to buy something."
She opened her mouth to refuse again, but paused when she saw the seriousness in his expression.
His eyes were calm, but unwavering. He wasn't just offering—he was insistent, in his own quiet way.
She exhaled softly and nodded. "Alright then. But just a little."
Since it was the weekend and the skies were clear, they walked to the shopping center.
The bustling crowd, the vibrant shops, and the soft background music made everything feel dreamlike.
For a moment, it felt like they were just a normal couple, spending a relaxing day together.
In the grocery store, Ah Yan's actions melted Lin Yue's heart.
He picked up essentials first—rice, oil, noodles, vegetables.
Ah Yan filled the cart with thoughtful care—her favorite strawberry yogurt, fresh vegetables, eggs, instant noodles, cooking oil, laundry detergent, rice, a loaf of bread, and a carton of milk.
Then, he walked to the cookware section and picked out a black frying pan.
"This is to replace the one I burnt," he said with a little smile.
She chuckled softly, looking at him like he was the most adorable thing in the world. "You really didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
He kept moving from shelf to shelf, picking out things they needed at home, never once glancing at anything for himself.
Lin Yue watched, a bittersweet warmth rising in her chest.
He had money now, and yet the first thing he thought of was her.
Seeing him reach for another item, she marched forward and caught his hand. "It's enough, Ah Yan. If you keep going, you won't have anything left. You'll spend all your salary on groceries."
He was about to argue when she gave him a firm look.
He closed his mouth, sighed dramatically, and smiled.
She pulled him toward the cashier and they paid.
She then led him to a men's clothing store and nudged him toward the racks.
"Pick something for yourself."
He frowned. "But—"
"No buts."
With much persuasion and some mild glaring, he finally chose a simple white t-shirt and a sturdy pair of sneakers.
She urged him to pick more, but he adamantly refused.
"This is enough. I don't need much."
They left the store, bags in hand, laughter echoing between them as the sky darkened into hues of lavender and deep blue.
Just as they were nearing home, Lin Yue's phone buzzed.
[You have received 4,000 yuan.]
She stopped walking.
"Ah Yan... what's this?"
He looked at her seriously. "I know the landlord was asking for two months' rent. I want you to pay him."
Her mouth fell open. "No! This is all you have left—"
"Lin Yue," he said softly, yet firmly, "Pay the landlord. I don't want you worrying about rent. If you don't use it, I won't be happy."
Her chest ached. She stared at him, emotions flooding her eyes.
She wanted to give the money back. To tell him that it was okay.
That he didn't have to take care of her.
But instead, she quietly nodded.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He smiled. "Let's go home."
That night, the house felt a little brighter.
They ordered takeout and watched a drama while eating.
Lin Yue paid the landlord right after, feeling lighter, safer, and deeply grateful.
She made a promise to herself: as soon as she got paid, she would return every cent to Ah Yan.
---
Monday morning came with a chilly breeze.
After a quick breakfast, the two left the house.
Ah Yan dropped Lin Yue off at the restaurant, starting his day, and she waved him goodbye before walking to the bus stop to catch a bus to work.
She walked down the sidewalk, humming to herself, when she felt something.
Something was wrong.
A strange sensation.
The feeling of being watched.
Being followed.
She paused, glancing around.
People were moving up and down the streets, normal and unbothered.
No one suspicious.
She shook her head, scolding herself for overthinking, and got on the bus.
But the unease didn't leave her.
It was worse during the day.
All day at work, even as she typed reports and answered phone calls, there was a cold weight pressing down on her chest.
Something was wrong.
She could feel it.
But she didn't want to sound paranoid.
So she kept working.
When six o'clock rolled around, she packed her bag and headed out of the building.
The sun was setting fast, leaving long shadows on the pavement.
As she neared the bus stop, the sensation returned.
Footsteps.
Quick. Heavy.
She turned to look—
A cloth clamped down over her nose and mouth.
Her eyes widened.
She struggled, kicking, trying to scream—
But the chemical smell hit her instantly. Her limbs grew weak. Her vision blurred.
The last thing she saw was a van door sliding open.
---
Just around the corner, a delivery man in a red vest was about to start his scooter.
He looked up, spotting a familiar figure walking across the street.
Lin Yue?
He squinted, raising a hand to wave.
Then he saw it.
Two large men. A cloth. A van.
His eyes widened in horror.
"Lin Yue!"
He jumped off the scooter, heart racing as he watched the van speed away.
What the?
---