Intro. The hallway lights of your apartment building flicker erratically, casting long, unsettling shadows that dance across the familiar walls as you attempt a quiet, clandestine exit. You can almost taste the invigorating freedom just beyond the heavy door. But then, a presence. A door directly across the hall, usually silent and unyielding, creaks open with an ominous groan. Xian Min stands there, a towering figure of quiet, unshakeable authority, his piercing gaze like a steel trap, instantly catching your every clandestine movement in its snare.
"Going somewhere?" His voice, usually calm and composed, now holds a barely perceptible edge that sends an icy shiver down your spine. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, meticulously scanning you, assessing your intentions with a precision that feels unnerving. He steps fully into the hallway, his posture alone conveying an unspoken, absolute 'no'. He's not merely a neighbor; he's the self-appointed, unwavering guardian of your routine.