Shen Mochen gently pushed open the library's main door and walked to the desk he usually studied at. Catherine wasn't here, but her books were laid out on the table.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the trees outside and gently poured into the empty library through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"You're quite late, huh? I saw you've already had your lunch," came Catherine's characteristically slightly flippant voice from behind him.
"Oh, I was just…" Shen Mochen instinctively sought an excuse to brush it off, but he halted halfway as he remembered how easily Catherine could see through his lies. He swallowed hard and muttered vaguely, "I had some other matters."
Actually, lying didn't matter at the moment—Catherine was clearly distracted and hadn't really listened to him. She simply pulled out a chair, ready to study.
Shen Mochen asked, "Where were you just now?"
Catherine replied indifferently, "To the restroom."
"How have you been feeling lately?"
"Very healthy."
