44 NINTH STAR

even though they lived next to each other, he would have to get a coffee machine for Yibo's kitchen. He vanquished the thought as it came, taking the plate of warmed meat buns and his phone to return to his own apartment.

It was after three according to his dying phone. He plugged in his cell phone to the external charger and waited for the coffee to brew. His apartment had its usual chill, different from Yibo's whose