Qiao Huaiyao took a plate of strawberries and removed the stems, washing them clean. He fed them to the hardworking chef who was cooking. Qiao Huaiyao said, “The director hasn’t sent the schedule for tonight’s program yet, so there might not be a game.”
Normally, Director Zhao Jiamo would inform the guests of the schedule in advance, just like last time when the timing was set early on. If there were any changes, he would promptly send a message. Since there was no news now, it seemed like there wouldn’t be any activities tonight.
Bai Jinyan, dismantling the meat skewers, casually remarked, “Get to bed early today. Tomorrow, we might need to wake up early.”
Qiao Huaiyao nodded, “Alright.”
After the weather turned colder, it got dark much earlier than in summer. Even at 6 o’clock in the evening, the sky was already pitch black. There were no streetlights outside the courtyard, and it was dark within. Since Qiao Huaiyao wasn’t familiar with the area, he refrained from going out. After dinner, he sat on the sofa reading a book. Bai Jinyan and he each occupied a side, leaving only the faint rustling of pages turning in the quiet room.
Qiao Huaiyao had flipped through most of the book, leaving his scribbles on many pages. His pen paused next to a line of text, and he raised his head skeptically, “Brother, does it seem like it’s raining outside?”
“The weather forecast mentioned rain,” Bai Jinyan said as he walked over to the window. For some unknown reason, even though the air conditioning was set to a constant temperature, the room still felt quite cold. With the rain falling now, the breeze brought a hint of chill. Bai Jinyan said, “Let’s go back to the room.”
Qiao Huaiyao obediently stood up, clutching the unfinished book. The director’s message arrived a little after 9 o’clock.
Zhao Jiamo: [Thank you for your hard work in picking strawberries today. There are no arrangements for tonight; everyone can rest well.]
[To reward everyone for their hard work today, the program team will prepare breakfast for tomorrow. Remember to wake up early.]
[Breakfast portions have been divided, so if you wake up late, you might miss the chance to eat.]
Seeing this message, Qiao Huaiyao raised an eyebrow. The breakfast prepared by the program team was likely not simple. This indicated that the early wake-up was possibly for a game or some other task, and only after completing it would they be able to have breakfast.
Bai Jinyan commented casually, “Breakfast isn’t that important.”
As long as Qiao Huaiyao rested well, it was fine. There was no need to set an alarm clock to wake up early, and there were enough ingredients in the fridge to prepare breakfast. Qiao Huaiyao nodded. Suddenly, he remembered something, turned over, and asked, “Brother, what did you use to buy the snacks today?”
Since he held the money, he had only considered the game task back then and forgot to give the money to Bai Jinyan for the snacks. Even when Bai Jinyan returned with the snacks, he didn’t bring up the matter of money. Qiao Huaiyao realized this just now.
Bai Jinyan’s expression was calm, “Director Zhao paid for them.”
“Huh?” Qiao Huaiyao was momentarily confused. Did the director open a snack shop himself and lend his brother the money when he went to buy snacks? Bai Jinyan explained, “None of the guests paid. The snacks bought this time won’t be charged if they match what’s written on the answer board.”
After a pause, he continued, “However, the snacks will be taken back after the game ends.”
This was mainly for the first guest, who went out without any money. It wouldn’t be convenient to return to take money in between, especially when there were many other guests waiting. Zhao Jiamo decided it would be simpler to just not charge anyone and settle the bill after the game ended.
The sound of rain outside continued. The fine droplets tapped on the windowpane, resembling a subtle accompaniment to the silence. As time passed, Bai Jinyan adjusted the temperature of the air conditioner a little higher, “Let’s turn off the lights.”
“Sure,” Qiao Huaiyao put down his phone and pulled up the blanket.
The next morning came. The phone on the bedside table vibrated incessantly. Qiao Huaiyao frowned with his eyes closed, picked up his phone, and saw a message from the director. After a night of rain, the sky outside was still overcast, making it hard to discern the time of day. Qiao Huaiyao glanced at the time on his phone, early morning… around 4 o’clock?
The director’s message seemed to have come a bit too early.
Zhao Jiamo: [Breakfast is ready. Same rules apply, come to the main building.]
[I’ll be waiting at the two-story building where we moved out from yesterday!]
Qiao Huaiyao hadn’t finished reading the message. Bai Jinyan reached out from the nearby bed, taking Qiao Huaiyao’s phone. He said in a deep voice, “Go to sleep.”
Qiao Huaiyao let out a long sigh, “The director said breakfast is ready.”
“Nobody’s going to get it at this hour,” Bai Jinyan also saw the contents of the message. If they don’t arrive at the designated time, regardless of how early it is, they would be considered ‘late’.
Qiao Huaiyao closed his eyes, seeming to be half-asleep, and nodded faintly, as though he was rubbing against the pillow. However, he suddenly remembered something he hadn’t replied to his brother, and in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, he said, “Hmm.”
Bai Jinyan took Qiao Huaiyao’s phone and sent a message to Director Zhao. [Send this kind of message to me from now on.]
Qiao Huaiyao was accustomed to placing his phone close to him when he slept. If he received these kinds of notifications every morning, it would seriously disturb his sleep.
Zhao Jiamo: [???]
It was rare for the other party not to mention their name. However, just from the words exchanged, Bai Jinyan was able to deduce who sent the message.
Zhao Jiamo: [Oh, if you’re awake, just come over.]
Bai Jinyan: [Eating breakfast at four in the morning?]
Who would come up with this genius idea?
Zhao Jiamo: […]
Even from just this single word, Bai Jinyan could sense a trace of mockery. It was as if Bai Jinyan glanced at him nonchalantly.
Zhao Jiamo: [Everyone, rest well. Wait an hour before coming over.]
It was a bit sudden for them. Bai Jinyan didn’t believe his nonsense and got up carefully. He didn’t want to disturb Qiao Huaiyao while he was asleep. He went to change in the bathroom. He was extra cautious, afraid of waking Qiao Huaiyao. However, when he was about to leave after changing, he heard Qiao Huaiyao’s voice, “Brother…”
“Yeah,” Bai Jinyan answered softly, “What’s wrong?”
Qiao Huaiyao sat up, looked toward the bed opposite him without fully realizing that there was nobody there. For a moment, he looked bewildered. Then, his gaze gradually focused as he spotted Bai Jinyan. His heart skipped a beat in relief, and his tired voice sounded, “Wait for me a moment. I’ll go with you.”
Bai Jinyan took an umbrella from a rack, “Just getting breakfast, I’ll go. Get some sleep.”
“Um…” Half asleep, Qiao Huaiyao’s thoughts were a bit fuzzy, but he still said, “I want to go too.”
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t agree, and Bai Jinyan couldn’t go alone. Bai Jinyan sat down on the bed, ruffled Qiao Huaiyao’s hair, and in an unexpectedly gentle tone, he coaxed, “It’s too cold, wait for me at home.”
“But… it’s so dark outside, and it’s raining,” Qiao Huaiyao rubbed his eyes, his sleepiness evident in his soft voice, “I don’t want to go alone.”