.........
"Li Xiaoyao, are you asleep?" Tang Tiantian's voice was light.
"Not yet." Li Xiaoyao stared straight at Tang Tiantian. The evil fire in his belly had finally subsided, but there she was again, seemingly determined not to let him sleep.
"Can you... come in and talk with me? I'm afraid to be alone." Tang Tiantian said timidly. When she spoke these words, her cheeks blushed like two red apples, thankfully unseen in the unlit room.
"Oh, sure, wait for me a moment." Li Xiaoyao stood up from the chair, stretched his body, twisted his neck, and slowly walked toward the room.
In the bedroom, Li Xiaoyao sat on the edge of the bed while Tang Tiantian lay on it. The two of them quietly looking at each other created a momentarily awkward ambiance, tinged with ambiguity.
"Is work tough?" Tang Tiantian broke the silence, asking softly.
