Xu Wei looked away.
"If you see you again, just leave him be. He already sold all his shares to me. We really have nothing to do with each other anymore."
Qin Yue pursed his lips.
"I'm sorry."
Xu Wei shrugged.
"Everything happens for a reason I guess."
He walked around to a cabinet and brought out a first aid kit.
"Now, let me take a look at your hand."
Qin Yue obediently handed over his right hand. His knuckles had been rubbed red.
Xu Wei dabbed a bit of disinfectant and then applied ointment, covering it up with a band aid.
Qin Yue pursed his lips to keep himself from laughing.
"Thank you"
After that night, neither of them brought it up again.
Not because it had been resolved, but because both of them understood that some things didn't get resolved by talking.
Qin Yue went back to his routine.
Work. Sleep. Brief meals when he remembered.
Xu Wei did the same.
The bandage on Qin Yue's hand was replaced once, then twice, then forgotten about entirely until it fell off on its own.
The skin beneath had healed cleanly, almost as if the events of that might were a product of his imagination.
Weeks passed like that.
On this day, Xu Wei came back on a late afternoon, which was quite unusual for him who normally stayed out until It was dark.
Qin Yue was in the living room, sitting near the window. Xu Wei dropped his bag on the table and took out the first few buttons on his shirt.
" I found a place"
Qin Yue straightened instantly
"A place?"
"A house, apartment, whatever you want to call it."
He pulled out his phone and started swiping.
"It's empty, fully furnished, good structure, safe area."
Qin Yue's gaze lifted slightly.
"And the catch?"
Xu Wei paused for half a second.
"..The price is low."
Qin Yue leaned back in his chair.
"How low?"
"Unreasonably low. Like someone forgot reality exists when they set it."
Qin Yue stood up and walked over, glancing at the phone Xu Wei held out. The listing showed a clean, modern space with minimalist design, pale walls, wide windows that let in too much light for something that price.
"Did you check it yourself?"
Xu Wei nodded. "I went this morning. No signs of damage. Plumbing works. Electricity stable. No leaks. No structural issues I could see."
Qin Yue frowned slightly. "And the owner?"
"Remote. The agent handled everything. Said the owner doesn't live in the country."
That made the silence stretch again.
Qin Yue stood up slowly. "Let's go see it."
The drive took longer than expected.
The building was in a quieter part of the city. The houses were not that far apart and they could see neighbors calling out to each other with smiles.
There were stalls on the side of the road and a school at the other end. This was a community of its own.
Some curious people were standing on their balconies looking at the strange car.
They parked in the driveway and Xu Wei led them inside.
The place was spotless. Qin Yue felt even more strongly that there was something fishy going on.
Qin Yue moved further in, taking in the space. He checked out the kitchen and bedrooms, everything was in order.
"No issues. Honestly, it's almost irritating how perfect it is."
Xu Wei crossed his arms.
"Perfect things are usually the most expensive. Not the cheapest."
They were quiet for a while then Qin Yue finally spoke.
"Check the ownership records again. I want to know why it's priced like this."
Xu Wei nodded. "Already on it. What do you think?"
Qin Yue didn't answer immediately.
He looked around once more.
Then he said, "I think it's livable."
Xu Wei frowned.
"Are you sure? We can keep looking for something less…suspicious."
Qin Yue shook his head.
"I'll go with this. I've imposed on you long enough"
Xu Wei opened his mouth to say something but Qin Yue cut him off.
"I know you don't consider it imposing but I really do need a place of my own now. I don't know when we'll find something else and I'm no longer willing to wait."
Xu Wei sighed in resignation.
"I understand. Whatever happens, make sure to tell me immediately."
Qin Yue smiled
"I will"
That same day, the paperwork was done.
The agent didn't ask many questions. In fact, they seemed relieved more than anything when the transfer was confirmed.
Qin Yue signed the final document without hesitation.
That night, they left the building together.
No one said much in the car.
The city lights passed over Qin Yue's face in slow intervals, cutting through his thoughts in brief flashes.
At one point, Xu Wei leaned back and closed his eyes.
Qin Yue knew he was taking a risk but he couldn't care less. Although the whole thing felt weird, it was just a house. What's the worst that could happen?