Chapter 087: Qin Shi Is Afraid of the Dark

Estimating the time, Lin Lu You saved her document and tucked her phone away, ready to head to the café. As she entered the elevator, she felt as if the surroundings had suddenly dimmed for a moment.

But when she looked up and glanced around, she found nothing unusual. She chalked it up to staring at her phone too long and seeing things.

When Lin Lu You arrived at the entrance of the coffee shop, she immediately sensed something was off:

The place was clearly open for business—the doors stood wide—but not a single light was on inside.

“Um... is anyone here?”

Clutching her phone, Lin Lu You walked inside with cautious steps.

“Meow.”

A soft, adorable meow answered her.

She quickly turned on her flashlight and shone it in the direction of the sound.

“You’re here,” Qin Shi Shen’s voice finally drifted over, slow and languid. There was a certain weakness in his tone, like someone barely recovering from a serious illness.

She soon saw him reach a hand out from behind the bar, using it for support as he stood upright. The beam from Lin Lu You’s phone fell right across his face, and Qin Shi Shen turned away, eyes squeezed shut against the glare.

“Oh, I’m sorry—did I blind you?” Lin Lu You hurriedly switched off the light and moved in his direction. “Are you alright? Do you need help?”

When the light had caught his face, she’d noticed how deathly pale he was, sweat dampening his hair at his temples. He looked like someone just dragged from drowning.

“Don’t come any closer! Watch out!” Qin Shi Shen’s warning was just in time. No sooner had he spoken than Lin Lu You felt something beneath her shoe. From the sound of it, it must have been shards of glass scattered across the floor.

Before she could react, the shop assistant, Xiao Song, came running to the door, panting.

“Boss! Are you alright?”

He blurted out the question, silently cursing himself for having left to make a delivery earlier. He’d only heard about the incident from the security guard at the destination. Without waiting for the customer to come down, he’d dropped off the drinks at the front desk, given the guard a few hurried instructions, and rushed back.

Seeing Qin Shi Shen wave him off, Xiao Song finally let himself breathe. He muttered, “Thank goodness you’re okay,” and grabbed a cup to gulp down several mouthfuls of water.

“Are you afraid of the dark?” Lin Lu You didn’t move any closer but asked from where she stood.

“In a way. Forgive me for making a fool of myself.” Qin Shi Shen gave a faint laugh, his reply elusive. He’d already regained his composure, the mask of gentle politeness slipping smoothly back over his features. Though courteous and kind, it was a demeanor that kept people at arm’s length.

In truth, he wasn’t really afraid of the dark. It was just that the darkness brought back memories of a terrible experience. That memory was the real torment.

Only now did Xiao Song notice there was another person in the room. Looking closer, he realized it was the very woman he’d once gossiped about.

“Xiao Song, would you help me find Miss Lin’s order? I think I left it over there.”

Though that spot was next to where Xiao Song stood, it was only a couple of steps from Qin Shi Shen. Yet at the moment, he was only able to stand with both hands braced for support; if he tried to walk, he’d likely collapse on the spot.

Following Qin Shi Shen’s gesture, Xiao Song quickly found two bags of drinks already packed and handed them to Lin Lu You.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”

Thanking them both, Lin Lu You grabbed her drinks and made a swift exit.