Chapter 3

In the middle of the night, my dad came knocking on my door.

“Have you seen my boss’s son?”

I rubbed my eyes, heavy with sleep. “Dad, what boss’s son?”

I’d only been asleep for half an hour, and my brain felt like a muddled mess.

“I was drinking with my boss yesterday, and his son got drunk. I brought him to our house to rest, but when I came back, he was gone. I thought I’d ask you.”

As my dad spoke, he kept glancing inside my room.

I stood there, stunned, thinking for a full minute.

Boss’s son? Son?

Suddenly, the image of the face lying in my room, barely conscious, flashed in my mind…

Boom! A thunderbolt struck me, leaving nothing behind.

“No… haven’t seen him.” I glanced inside the room, suddenly wide awake with fear. “I’m going to sleep.”

Bang, I closed the door, feeling guilty.

After a few minutes of mental preparation, I nervously walked to the bedside and gently tugged at his blanket.

“Are you asleep?” I tried to make my voice as gentle as possible.

It took him a while to slightly open his eyes, his long arm reaching out to pull the blanket tighter around himself. “Want more?”

I…

Am I that kind of beast?

“No.” I fiddled with my fingers, feeling anxious. “I wanted to ask you…”

“Then sleep for a while.” He pulled me closer, as if to comfort me, reaching out to pat my head. “I’m too tired.”

Hearing his words made my heart tighten with fear. This was a misunderstanding.

“Do you want some water?” Remembering my earlier attitude towards him, I wanted to make amends.

He opened his eyes, staring at me for a few seconds. “Tomorrow, okay?”

Did I misunderstand him? Is that what he meant?

Social death.

Considering that we were both either drunk or exhausted, and not in a clear state of mind, I decided to sleep first and figure things out later.