Yao Shen ignores the incessant vibration at first, more focused in carrying his luggage inside, and opening up his apartment, which has been closed for two months.
There's a distinct smell of dust permeating the still air. Yao Shen crosses the short distance towards the windows with his mouth and nose hidden in the crook of his elbow. He opens the blinds and slides open the window with a breath of relief.
As stifling as the weather is outside, his apartment's rank scent is a million times worse.
He sits down on the couch with a sigh and looks around at his small living room and cramped kitchen.
Xin Hulei's Hengdian apartment probably isn't much bigger than this, even though house prices there are only a fraction of the absurd Beijing rates. Yet, Yao Shen can't help feeling like his dingy little apartment is a lot smaller and more rundown, but perhaps the only difference is Xin Hulei's absence.
