Xu Jin genuinely believed he was going home.
After all, he had been the one who nearly died dramatically in front of someone else's door in the middle of the night. It was only reasonable that, after the hospital, Liang Chen would walk him back to apartment 1208, hand him the medicine, give a polite nod, and return to his peaceful professor life—finally free from the chaos next door.
That was what Xu Jin expected.
Reality, however, had other plans.
The evening sky had already turned soft violet when they arrived back at the apartment building. Xu Jin walked slowly, still a little weak, hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets, Yunhu tucked comfortably in Liang Chen's arms like a spoiled prince who had never known hardship.
Xu Jin watched the kitten's smug little face.
"You," he muttered quietly. "I almost died and you went on a vacation to the professor's chest. Heartless demon."
Yunhu yawned.
Liang Chen didn't look down. "He kept you alive by calling for help."
Xu Jin paused.
"…Minor heroic deed," he admitted. "Still a demon."
They entered the lobby. The elevator ride was quiet, the kind of quiet that wasn't awkward anymore—just tired.
When they reached their floor, Xu Jin stepped toward his own door out of habit.
But the sound of keys came from the other side.
He turned.
Grandma Liang was already unlocking apartment 1207.
Xu Jin blinked.
"…Professor?" he asked cautiously. "My house is that one."
Liang Chen adjusted Yunhu in his arms.
"I know."
Grandma Liang swung the door open cheerfully.
"You're eating dinner with us."
Xu Jin stared.
"…Huh?"
Liang Chen spoke as if stating the weather.
"You collapsed in front of our door last night. Grandma decided you don't get to eat alone today."
Xu Jin looked between them like a confused puppy.
"…So this is a kidnapping?"
Grandma Liang waved a hand.
"A friendly kidnapping."
Xu Jin lifted both palms.
"I surrender peacefully."
And like that, he stepped into apartment 1207.
The apartment smelled like tea leaves, wood polish, and warmth.
It wasn't luxurious. It wasn't large. But everything had intention. Framed calligraphy on the walls. A soft rug. A small shelf of old books. Plants by the window. A low tea table in the center. A place that felt lived in, not just occupied.
Xu Jin glanced around.
"…This place looks like a peaceful documentary," he whispered.
"My apartment looks like a disaster movie."
Liang Chen took off his shoes neatly.
"That is because your apartment is a disaster movie."
Xu Jin clutched his chest.
"So cruel, Professor."
Grandma Liang took Yunhu gently from Liang Chen and set him on the floor.
The kitten stretched, shook out his fur, and trotted straight toward the kitchen like he had memorized the floor plan.
Xu Jin pointed accusingly.
"Look! Immediate betrayal! No loyalty! No shame!"
Yunhu didn't even turn back.
Liang Chen walked to the sink to wash his hands.
"He goes where food exists."
Xu Jin nodded solemnly.
"A survivalist. I respect it."
Grandma Liang poured tea and gestured for Xu Jin to sit.
He sat obediently at the low table, wrapping his hands around the warm cup. The tea smelled floral and calm, the opposite of his usual energy drink and instant noodles lifestyle.
Grandma Liang studied him kindly.
"You're tall," she said.
Xu Jin blinked.
"…Thank you?"
"And thin."
"I'm fashionable."
"You collapsed."
"…I was experimenting with dramatic realism."
Grandma Liang laughed openly.
"Oh, you're a funny boy."
Xu Jin straightened proudly.
"I do try."
From the kitchen, Liang Chen's voice came quietly.
"He was delirious and called his cat a demon repeatedly."
Xu Jin pointed toward the kitchen door.
"Evidence tampering! Slander!"
Grandma Liang laughed even harder.
The atmosphere was warm. Natural. Comfortable in a way Xu Jin hadn't experienced since leaving home.
He sipped tea again, feeling the quiet settle into his bones.
From the kitchen came the soft rhythm of chopping vegetables and the hiss of oil heating.
Xu Jin leaned sideways to peek.
"…Professor," he whispered loudly.
"You cook?"
"Yes," Liang Chen answered.
Xu Jin leaned further.
"You cook… voluntarily?"
"Yes."
Xu Jin placed a hand over his heart.
"A literature professor who cooks homemade food. This world is dangerous."
Liang Chen didn't look up.
"You ate instant noodles for a week."
Xu Jin froze.
"…We do not speak of that."
Grandma Liang whispered conspiratorially.
"My grandson cooks very well."
Xu Jin gasped softly.
"Oh no."
Yunhu jumped onto the kitchen stool and sat beside Liang Chen, tail curling neatly around his paws.
Liang Chen absent-mindedly scratched behind the kitten's ear while stirring the pot.
Xu Jin watched.
His demon.
Sitting on another man's lap.
Accepting another man's affection.
Living his best life.
Xu Jin shook his head.
"Traitorous furball," he murmured. "I almost died for you."
Yunhu flicked his tail smugly.
Grandma Liang leaned closer.
"You love him a lot."
Xu Jin looked offended.
"I do not love him."
Grandma Liang raised an eyebrow.
"You collapsed calling his name."
Xu Jin stared into the tea cup.
"…Minor emotional moment."
Dinner was served soon after.
Steaming rice. Stir-fried vegetables. Clear soup. A dish of tender chicken with fragrant sauce. Simple, homely, beautiful.
Xu Jin stared at the table.
"…This is homemade?"
"Yes," Liang Chen said, placing bowls down.
Xu Jin took a bite.
Then another.
Then another.
Then he set down his chopsticks, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply.
"I have seen heaven."
Grandma Liang laughed.
Xu Jin's eyes watered dramatically.
"I lived on burnt toast. I fought a demon cat. I faced death. And now… salvation."
Liang Chen sat down calmly.
"…Eat properly."
Xu Jin grabbed another bite.
"It's too late, Professor. I have already emotionally bonded with this meal."
Grandma Liang laughed so hard she nearly spilled her soup.
And through it all, Yunhu sat proudly in Liang Chen's lap.
Not Xu Jin's lap.
Liang Chen fed him small bits of chicken.
Xu Jin watched in silent heartbreak.
"…You abandoned me for homemade food."
Yunhu accepted another bite.
Xu Jin whispered.
"…Damn demon."
Dinner passed in laughter and quiet conversation.
Grandma Liang asked Xu Jin about his hobbies.
Xu Jin animatedly talked about gaming, skateboarding, racing clubs, and "freedom".
Grandma Liang listened like a delighted audience.
Liang Chen mostly listened too, occasionally correcting details or reminding Xu Jin to eat vegetables.
At some point, Xu Jin realized—
He wasn't thinking about his father.
He wasn't thinking about responsibility.
He wasn't thinking about being alone.
He was just… here.
Eating warm food.
Listening to an old woman laugh.
Watching a calm professor feed a cat.
Feeling alive.
When dinner ended, Grandma Liang stood up.
"You'll sleep early tonight. You're still recovering."
Xu Jin nodded obediently.
"Yes, Grandma."
Grandma Liang smiled brightly.
"Good boy."
Xu Jin froze.
He hadn't been called that in years.
His ears turned red.
"…I am a rebellious young master," he muttered weakly.
"You're a good boy," she repeated.
Liang Chen collected the dishes quietly.
Xu Jin leaned toward Yunhu.
"You betrayed me today."
Yunhu licked his finger.
Xu Jin sighed.
"…Fine. I forgive you."
Later, when Xu Jin stepped back into apartment 1208, he realized something.
He no longer felt like he had truly run away.
Because somehow—
Between a professor, a grandmother, and a demon cat—
He had already found a place to return to.
And Yunhu, the shameless traitor, purred in Liang Chen's arms next door.