You Didn't Even Know to Come Find Me

Early weekend morning.

Chen Zhi walked out of his bedroom yawning, his eyelids feeling heavy.

Zhang Guifang had the day off today and was humming an unfamiliar tune while washing dishes in the kitchen.

Chen Jun sat at the table, currently tackling a steaming bowl of tofu pudding.

"You're up?"

Chen Jun stuffed the last bite of a deep-fried dough stick into his mouth and greeted him indistinctly.

Chen Zhi pulled out a chair and sat down, casually grabbing a dough stick and tearing it in half.

"Dad, you're still going to work on a weekend?"

Chen Jun swallowed his food and took a big gulp of soy milk.

"I have to. We recently got a new boss, and there's a lot of work for us to do."

He put down his bowl and fumbled in his pockets for a moment, his brow furrowing.

"Tsk, I forgot where I put them again."

Chen Jun turned all his pockets inside out and even stood up to pat down his trouser legs.

Zhang Guifang poked her head out from the kitchen, still holding a dishcloth.

"What are you looking for? Making such a racket so early in the morning."

"My keys."

Chen Jun scratched his head in frustration. "I came back too late last night and don't know where I tossed them. I just can't find them."

He glanced at the wall clock, looking a bit anxious.

"No time to look for them. Chen Zhi, give me your keys. I'll get a copy made on my way today."

Chen Zhi finished his dough stick in a few bites and pulled a tissue to wipe his hands.

"Sure, I'll go get them."

He got up and went back to his room, fishing out a keychain with a little rabbit pendant from his desk drawer.

Lin Wanwan had forced it on him a long time ago. It was ugly-cute, but he had never taken it off.

Returning to the living room, Chen Zhi handed the keys to Chen Jun.

"Thanks, son. I'll return them tonight."

Chen Jun took the keys, shoved them into his pocket, grabbed his briefcase from the entryway cabinet, and hurried out the door.

The security door slammed shut with a bang.

The house returned to silence.

Zhang Guifang was still busy in the kitchen. Chen Zhi stretched lazily out of boredom.

The long-awaited weekend was finally here.

At a time like this, besides catching up on sleep, there was only one thing that could lift a person's spirits.

Chen Zhi turned and slipped back into his room, closing the door behind him.

He skillfully booted up his computer and double-clicked the icon.

The familiar login music played. Chen Zhi put on his headset, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

Entering the room, Biochemical Pyramid.

With a light click of the mouse, the screen loaded in.

Chen Zhi quickly got into the zone, engaging in a battle of wits and courage with the Red Mutant.

An unknown amount of time passed.

The doorknob of his room was gently turned.

There was no knock; the door quietly slipped open.

A slender figure slipped inside.

Lin Wanwan was wearing a simple white T-shirt and light blue jeans, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, looking exceptionally fresh and neat.

She tiptoed up behind Chen Zhi.

On the screen, Chen Zhi was currently guarding the dog hole, huddled behind everyone else.

Lin Wanwan curled her lips.

She extended a finger and poked Chen Zhi's shoulder.

Chen Zhi did not even turn his head. He just shrugged his shoulder, shaking off the mischievous finger.

"Stop messing around, I'm playing a game."

Lin Wanwan was not pleased.

She crossed her arms over her chest, looking down at the guy who only gave her the back of his head.

"Chen Zhi, stop playing games."

The young girl's voice was crisp, carrying a hint of charming naivety.

"Let's go out and play. We finally have a day off, and you're just going to sit in front of this stupid computer?"

Chen Zhi stared at the screen, unloading his ammo at the Terminator.

"It's exactly because we finally have a day off that I want to play a little longer."

He replied self-righteously, "I don't have time to play during regular school days; my hands are getting rusty."

Lin Wanwan was exasperated.

Seeing Chen Zhi's immovable demeanor, a nameless fire surged up in her heart.

The atmosphere was so nice last night.

How come after waking up, this guy was back to acting like a dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water?

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly bent over.

Two warm palms directly covered Chen Zhi's eyes.

His vision instantly plunged into darkness.

The roar of a mutant came through the headset; he had been infected.

"Lin Wanwan!"

Chen Zhi called out helplessly, grabbing the wrists covering his eyes and gently pulling them away.

How could Lin Wanwan's strength compare to his?

Her palms were easily pulled away, and his vision was restored to light.

Looking at his character, who was only two people away from transforming into a Ghost Hunter, he felt somewhat resigned.

Chen Zhi turned his head, just about to scold her a bit, but found that Lin Wanwan had no intention of giving up.

She directly pulled over a nearby chair and plopped down.

Not sitting beside him, but dragging the chair right between Chen Zhi and the computer screen.

"You..."

Chen Zhi looked at the girl blocking his way, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"You're blocking my view of the screen."

"That's exactly the point."

Lin Wanwan raised her chin, her beautiful almond eyes wide as she stared straight at Chen Zhi.

The distance between them was only a few dozen centimeters.

Chen Zhi could even see the fine peach fuzz on her face and her cheeks, which were slightly puffed up in anger.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

The only sound left in the room was the humming of the computer's cooling fan.

Lin Wanwan didn't speak either; she just stared at him.

There wasn't much emotion in her gaze—it was pure and persistent, like a crystal-clear spring.

Free of any impurities.

Yet it was more lethal than any words.

Under the gaze of those eyes, Chen Zhi momentarily didn't know what to say.

This silent standoff lasted for less than half a minute.

Chen Zhi was the first to concede defeat.

He shifted his gaze somewhat unnaturally, looking at the bookshelf next to him.

"Alright, alright, you win."

Chen Zhi raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I yield."

Seeing this, Lin Wanwan's previously tense little face instantly broke into a smile.

She tilted her chin up triumphantly.

"As long as you know who's boss."

She reached out, grabbing Chen Zhi's arm and tugging him outward.

"Hurry up, get up, change your clothes, and let's go out."

Chen Zhi didn't budge an inch, his butt seemingly glued to the chair.

He pointed to the unfinished battle on the screen.

"A person should finish what they start. Let me finish this match first."

Seeing Lin Wanwan about to glare again, Chen Zhi quickly added:

"Just this one match, it'll be over in three minutes. After I finish this, we'll go wherever you want."

Lin Wanwan gave him a suspicious look.

"Really?"

"Truer than real gold."

Chen Zhi pledged solemnly.

Lin Wanwan snorted and let go of his arm.

She moved her chair to the side, no longer blocking the screen, but she didn't leave either.

The young girl rested her chin on one hand, sitting sideways, quietly watching Chen Zhi play.

Sunlight slipped in through the gap in the curtains, plating a golden edge on the side of her face.

She couldn't actually understand the jumping numbers and kill notifications on the screen.

Nor did she understand what was so fun about a few people running around with guns.

But she liked watching Chen Zhi's focused expression.

At times like this, Chen Zhi's brows revealed a sharp vigor unique to young men, his long fingers flexible, the sound of him tapping the keyboard rich with rhythm.

As Lin Wanwan watched, a shallow smile unconsciously formed at the corners of her mouth.

As long as he was by her side, it seemed that doing anything wouldn't be boring.

Chen Zhi was on fire this round. Perhaps it was because he had an overseer sitting next to him, but his mechanics were much sharper than usual as he slashed through the ghosts with his dual blades.

As the match came to an end, Chen Zhi took off his headset and let out a long sigh of relief.

He turned around, meeting Lin Wanwan's eyes before she had the chance to hide her smile.

Done playing?

Lin Wanwan blinked, quickly putting away her starstruck look and replacing it with an urging expression.

Done.

Chen Zhi closed the game, stood up, and stretched lazily.

Let's go, Miss Lin. I'm at your disposal today.

He casually grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and slung it over his shoulder, looking completely resigned to his fate.

Where are we going?

Lin Wanwan froze for a moment.

She had been so focused on dragging Chen Zhi away from his computer that she hadn't actually thought of a specific destination.

Uh...

She bit her lip, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair.

I don't know.

Chen Zhi nearly choked.

He laughed out of sheer exasperation and reached out to lightly flick Lin Wanwan's smooth forehead.

You don't know? Are you kidding me?

So you barge into my room bright and early, force me offline with the threat of violence, and you don't even know where we're going?

Lin Wanwan covered her forehead and retorted with absolute confidence:

Well, it's your fault!

My parents left for work early this morning. I'm all alone at home without even anyone to talk to.

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she sounded, her voice softening.

I'm practically growing mold sitting at home. You're right next door, but you didn't even think to come keep me company.

I had to come over and invite you myself, and you still dragged your feet.

Looking at her acting like a wronged child, the little bit of frustration in Chen Zhi's heart completely vanished.

Auntie Lin Jing and Uncle Lin were always busy with their business. Although Lin Wanwan was well off materially, she really was home alone quite often.

He sighed, put his jacket on properly, and zipped it up.

Alright, stop acting pitiful. It's not like I said I wouldn't go.

Chen Zhi walked to the window and glanced downstairs.

In the neighborhood garden, a few sparrows were hopping about on the lawn.

Since you don't know where to go,

he said, turning back to look at Lin Wanwan, then let's go walk Xiaobai.

Hearing the name Xiaobai, Lin Wanwan's eyes instantly lit up.

Her previous grievances were completely swept away.

Let's go!

She jumped up excitedly and started pushing Chen Zhi's back toward the door.

Chen Zhi stumbled forward from her pushing, complaining:

Slow down, I haven't even changed my shoes yet! Are you going to walk the dog or walk me?

Both! I'll walk you both!

The young girl's cheerful laughter echoed in the hallway, startling the resting sparrows outside the window.