Low-angle winter sunshine streams through the window, lighting up a spot on the sofa in their shared house, where Gu Yun is stretched out, cat-like. He is pretending to be lazy, but the truth is, the warmth seeping through to his skin is soothing to his body, worn down, beaten, and injured beyond his years. But when the aroma of tea wafts past his sensitive nose, Gu Yun props his head up on one hand and gazes at Walter, whose lips he can’t quite see clearly. Through his monocle, however, he’s able to detect there’s something up with the boy, cheeks flushed and reticent, as if he wants to talk but also doesn’t. Gu Yun, naturally inclined to mischief, sits up fully and pats the space next to him.

“Hm? What is it? Come over and talk to me.”