"Alright, lunch break! Lunchtime to get your energy back!" the supervisor's booming voice echoed across the construction site.
Cain's job was simple—manual hauling. It was a bit exhausting, but it paid well, and at the moment, it was the only work he could find.
The supervisor walked up to Cain, gave his shoulder a pleased pat, smiled, then moved on to check other areas.
Clearly, Cain's efficiency had left him very satisfied.
Cain frowned, subtly brushing off his shoulder before getting ready to grab lunch.
But just then, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and quickly turned around.
The person behind him apparently hadn't expected Cain to react so suddenly. They didn't even have time to hide, leaving only a fleeting dark silhouette in Cain's line of sight.
Cain quietly clenched his fists, countless thoughts swirling in his mind.
It hadn't just started recently... For a while now, he had felt someone staring at him, as if trying to verify something. He'd tried searching several times, but those people always disappeared too quickly—they were clearly professionals.
Who were they? Why were they suddenly observing him?
Cain couldn't help thinking of the memories he'd lost, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall even the slightest fragment.
Right then, his phone suddenly rang, startling him a little.
Because the only contact saved in this cheap phone was…
Saphen.
Cain looked down and indeed saw Saphen's name bouncing on the screen.
He pressed his lips together, his breathing slowing slightly. This was the first time Saphen had ever called him, and right in the middle of the day…
"What's going on?" Cain couldn't suppress the smile tugging at his lips, though he still asked.
Saphen's laughter came through the speaker, brushing against Cain's ear and making his skin tingle strangely: "Can't I call you if nothing's wrong?"
He paused for a moment, then added, "I just missed you."
Cain froze. He tightened his grip on the phone, and an unconscious smile blossomed on his face—delighted, almost giddy. His blue eyes gleamed brightly.
It was ridiculous, but he felt as though he could jump up right then and there from sheer excitement.
For a moment, he almost blurted out the words sitting right at the edge of his heart.
No—calm down, Cain. Think about your plan. Think about your plan!
Yes, Cain had a plan. For tonight.
Taking advantage of the moment, Cain spoke softly: "Tonight I'll be home a little later than usual, is that alright?"
Saphen couldn't help laughing. "Why are you asking me for permission like that? I'm off this afternoon. What do you want to eat?"
Cain's smile stiffened for a second—caught between suffering at the thought of the taste of Saphen's cooking and melting from the sweetness of his words and actions.
In the end, he said gently, "Whatever you cook, I'll like it."
If 6677 could hear Cain's inner thoughts, it would probably sigh. Cain looked like someone willingly drinking poison—bleeding on the inside yet still smiling.
Compared to 6677, Saphen truly felt Cain was an angel.
He said happily, "Alright, I'm hanging up. Go eat lunch."
When Cain heard the call disconnect, he lowered the phone. Catching his own reflection on the dark screen, he couldn't help freezing for a moment.
Looking back at him was his own handsome face—wearing a foolish, deliriously happy grin.
Cain immediately pursed his lips, though the corners still couldn't help lifting slightly.
Saphen hung up and slowly walked back toward his home. Casually, he said, "So that means today Cain will recover his memories?"
He repeated the question as if confirming it one more time.
6677 immediately replied with excitement: "That's right. The people who framed him have already traced his whereabouts…"
Saphen couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "And what about Cain's subordinates? Their performance doesn't seem very impressive, does it?"
6677: "... that's part of the scenario, sir."
Saphen only smiled, saying nothing.
He stepped into the house, and only then did he realize that every corner of the place carried traces of two people living together.
Two pairs of indoor slippers.
Two cups—matching ones, the kind Cain had bought home while claiming the supermarket was having a sale. Whether that was true or not… only Cain knew.
Saphen swept his gaze across the house, then quietly gathered everything up and tossed it into the storage room. Done.
6677 watched the entire sequence of actions, completely stunned: "Master, you really just… did that? Without hesitating at all?! That's the male lead! How can you not feel anything?!"
Saphen found 6677 genuinely strange. "If I liked the male lead, you'd probably be wailing in despair. But I don't like the male lead, and now you're pestering me about why I don't like him. I honestly wonder what exactly it is you want."
6677 shrank back, embarrassed. "But the male lead is so perfect…"
It thought that at the very least, Saphen should feel a little reluctant. It had even prepared a whole speech to comfort him emotionally. Yet looking at Saphen now, it seemed like the male lead's departure wouldn't affect him in the slightest.
6677 swallowed, mumbling, "Don't tell me I've actually found a diamond this time…"
Saphen let out an amused breath, said nothing, and simply leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes.
…
"Rumble! BOOM! CRACK!"
Thunder tore through the sky. Flashes of lightning lit up the ground, only to vanish back into the churning black clouds.
Saphen jerked upright, eyes snapping open. Whether it was a nightmare or something else, cold sweat dotted his forehead, and his fingertips trembled faintly.
6677 asked anxiously, "Master, are you alright?"
Raising his eyes, Saphen realized it was already dark. Strong winds whipped through the air, and raindrops had begun to patter against the ground.
He also realized he had left the window open and had somehow slept from afternoon until night. His whole body felt chilled, almost stiff from the cold.
As Saphen closed the window, 6677 wilted with guilt. "Master, I'm sorry, I got too absorbed in my game…"
Saphen chuckled lightly, as though it didn't matter. "That's right, not everyone is as perfect as the male lead."
Which—translated—meant that if Cain were here, the window would definitely have been closed. But 6677? 6677 was just a useless fat cat.
6677: "…"
Suddenly, it completely understood how Saphen felt every time it praised the male lead.
The lights flicked on. Saphen glanced at the clock—seven in the evening. Normally, Cain would be home in twenty more minutes.
But Saphen knew. Tonight, he wouldn't come back. Not tonight, not tomorrow—never again.
Lowering his eyes, Saphen clicked his tongue. He felt strangely sentimental and immediately grabbed some clothes before heading into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Cain stood outside, holding a bouquet of white gardenias, staring helplessly at the rain.
A winter day—who would've expected a sudden downpour like this? And of course, Cain hadn't brought an umbrella.
The pure white flowers fluttered slightly in the wind, releasing their soft, intoxicating fragrance.
Cain looked down at the bouquet against his chest. He had imagined tonight countless times. But at this rate, he'd probably show up at Saphen's door soaked like a drowned rat.
The weather forecast hadn't even mentioned rain—almost as if the heavens themselves were refusing to support his confession…