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The soft hum of distant engines filtered through the tall windows, blending with the rhythmic clatter of keyboards and the occasional murmur of whispered conversations.
Office lights illuminated rows of cubicles, casting a warm glow against the growing darkness outside.
Evening had fallen, and most workers were either packing up or already gone, their hurried footsteps echoing faintly in the corridors.
The air carried a subtle mix of coffee, paper, and the chill of December creeping in through the cracks.
In the midst of this usual end-of-day shuffle, one desk remained lit, its occupant hunched over a glowing screen.
"Cheska..."
A dismayed voice broke the quiet.
Standing in the doorway was Weiwei Li, wrapped snugly in a plaid scarf, her bag slung over one shoulder and phone in hand. Her breath clouded briefly in the cool air as she took in the scene before her.
