Chapter Text
Shen Yuan's apartment was relatively big. He'd moved out of his parents house only a few months prior, so he was still fairly new to the area. With his personality on top of that, he hadn't really extended any real effort to get to know the people around him. With the cost of living in this apartment complex. Most of the people all living around him were rich and incredibly busy.
For the most part, Shen Yuan liked the atmosphere. Nobody was particularly interested in getting to know him either. Though he'd nodded his head in acknowledgement to a few of the residents, nothing further had ever occurred. This continued to be the case throughout the first few months of Shen Yuan living in that apartment complex and only changed one day, a little later on in his stay there.
Above their heads in the hallway, a light flickered. Someone had already contacted the maintenance man to have a look at it. For now though, it ominously flickered dim and bright. The hallway stretched out to fit only three rooms on either side. With how large the interior of the apartment's are, they couldn't afford to fit so many in side by side.
It also added to the rich aesthetic of it. Not being surrounded by so many people, feeling isolated and like your place was hard won. Something that is hard for normal people to achieve. This line of thinking often made Shen Yuan feel a little guilty. His apartment had been paid for by his parents, and it was the condition for him being allowed to leave, that he stay here.
But the attitudes of the other people living here were obvious. Though he could clearly afford to live here, it was blatantly obvious that Shen Yuan didn't fit in to the surrounding atmosphere. Crisp suits, tailor made and ironed before daily use were worn by the business men. Casual and never in a rush to their job because who could possibly tell them what to do.
He'd walked passed some women wearing sweet perfume. Pearl jewelry dangling and making slightly noises as the ladies walked on, swaying as they moved. The way they all looked at him was obvious in their assessment. They didn't dare stare at him too long, displeasure clear on their features. Thankfully, Shen Yuan didn't make a habit of leaving his apartment all that often or it'd probably start effecting his self esteem.
Usually, Shen Yuan spent his days indoors. Living a neet-styled life was ideal for Shen Yuan. He'd felt pressured under his parents watchful gaze and had felt ready for the real world. Well, as much of the real world as he experienced by simply existing in his own apartment. Attending online classes to satisfy his parents, letting them know he's not completely wasting his life away, seemed to be enough.
On that morning. He couldn't even remember why he'd gone to his front door, the knob had been held in his hand. It was cold, as was the rest of the apartment around him. Then he'd started to twist it, before pushing the front door open. Whatever he'd planned to do at the time had been swiftly derailed by what he'd seen. The door to the apartment next to him had someone in front of it.
Clearly from what Shen Yuan could see from his own doorway, the person was struggling to get inside. Holding a number of boxes in their arms. At the same time, they were trying to use the tips of their fingers to push the key into the lock and twist it open. So far, they seemed to be unsuccessful in this endeavour. Shen Yuan had a moment of delay as he considered his options.
Ultimately though, Shen Yuan wasn't someone who ignored people in need. While he could be selfish in a number of other ways, he was usually one to lend a hand to a person who needed it. So, after seeing the sight of someone struggling, Shen Yuan left whatever he'd been planning to do behind. Completely erasing it from his thoughts as he moved to offer a helping hand.
"Sorry, I saw from back there that you might need a hand? Can I help you?"
Though his voice sounded uncertain and a little scratchy from disuse. Shen Yuan still didn't hesitate to step forward and help. With so many boxes in front of the person, blocking their vision and weighing down their arms. Unfortunately, it meant Shen Yuan couldn't spot their expression at all. Whatever face they were making, was well out of his view.
Considering this, they seemed to respond verbally instead, "I'd appreciate it."
Simple and direct. Their voice had an alluring note to it, and it had Shen Yuan hesitating for a second, blinking his eyes in astonishment. He'd never heard a voice so captivating before in his life. Perhaps it came from not getting out all that much. Feeling a little ridiculous, and fighting the blush growing a deeper colour of red on his cheeks, Shen Yuan took a step forward.
Collecting the keys from the unnamed neighbours hand. Shen Yuan easily found where the key should go and the correct key. Without another word, Shen Yuan had twisted the doorhandle and pushed the door open just enough for the man to step inside. He heard a more muffled thank you from behind all the boxes but still, Shen Yuan had a worry about this man navigating his way inside.
"I don't mean to intrude," Shen Yuan couldn't help but worry, "But did you want me to help you bring these in as well? I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself or anything by leaving you alone."
Shen Yuan doesn't think he's ever involved himself in someone else's affairs so impulsively before. Without thinking things through, he kept finding himself offering up more and more of his help. It felt innocent enough though, but he still didn't want to overstep nor intrude. His offer help a question to it and he waited to see how the other person would respond.
Their arm muscles were bulging from carrying such an impressive weight. Despite having so many boxes stacked high up on his arms, he didn't seem to be struggling even the smallest amount. With such large arms, and it being his own apartment, Shen Yuan considered that his offer might sound stupid. Even embarrassing himself by coming across as desperate.
"Didn't know the resident here could be so kind."
Not knowing if this was a genuine comment or a sarcastic remark at Shen Yuan's over involvement, he couldn't help but squeak out an, "Oh."
"Don't misunderstand. I do appreciate it. If you're still willing."
The end of his sentence trailed off and Shen Yuan snapped out of it. Reaching up to grab the smaller, and seemingly lighter boxes on top. Shen Yuan managed to free up some of the weight the man had to carry, while also removing some of the height from the stack as well. In the next moment, he was able to see the face of the man he had come over to help.
Without Shen Yuan really noticing it. His next door neighbour had moved out, and it seemed that this new neighbour had been steadily moving his things in over the course of the past few days. It seemed that h was completely alone with no family nor friends to lend a hand. Though Shen Yuan couldn't do anything about the past, he still apologized for not noticing.
He was allowed into the man's apartment with the boxes in his arms. Though light, for someone like Shen Yuan who didn't do a whole lot during his day, it still felt like a considerable weight. After being led through the front door and into the main room of the apartment, he couldn't help but feel a little worn out. The sheer feeling of embarrassment seemed to weight down heavier than even the boxes.
"I've inconvenienced you." He seemed to take in the slight shake of Shen Yuan's limbs as he'd finally been allowed to place the boxes down.
A layer of sweat could be seen shining on Shen Yuan's skin. He didn't consider himself to be someone who was particularly fit but this just felt ridiculous. How had this man been carrying all this weight, on top of all the other boxes he'd been carrying himself. Shen Yuan wanted to dismiss his concerns as being over nothing but he couldn't quite hide his exhaustion.
Not wanting to embarrass Shen Yuan explicitly. The man explained that he was going to grab himself a drink to replenish some energy and asked if Shen Yuan would like to have some as well. Knowing that he still has to drag himself back to his own apartment after this, he readily accepted. Thanking the good fortune of having such a nice, benevolent neighbour for once.
"Oh, shoot." Despite having already entered the apartment, taken a seat and accepted a cold drink, Shen Yuan finally said, "I haven't even asked your name. Sorry, I should've bene more welcoming. My name's Shen Yuan, and you are?"
Accepting the hand Shen Yuan extended out to him, the unnamed man then revealed his name, "Luo Binghe."
Something seemed to spark in Shen Yuan's mind. Some level of familiarity and recognition seemed to light up, before the flame was swiftly snuffed out. Shaking away that odd feeling, Shen Yuan didn't give it all that much thought. After all, Binghe was currently holding his hand to give him a firm handshake. He found himself to be quickly distracted by the man's much larger, and much stronger hand.
That was how Shen Yuan's first meeting with Luo Binghe went. By the end of their interaction, Shen Yuan was waving goodbye before disappearing through his still open front door. They didn't have many concerns living in an enclosed space like this. It wasn't likely that others would venture into someone's apartment to steal. That would be admitting that you couldn't afford what someone else has.
Left standing in his own doorway. Binghe stood there leaning against it for a moment longer, having waited until Shen Yuan disappeared and the door was closed behind him. A smile spread across his features and completely took over his expression. Turning it from something more relaxed, and even slightly blank. Twisting it ever so slightly into something else.
A similar expression had appeared on his face earlier but Shen Yuan hadn't been able to notice. With all the boxes propped up in his arms and covering his face, Shen Yuan hadn't gotten a proper look at him until afterwards. By then, Binghe had been on his best behaviour with a more subdued look on his face. Staying there for a short moment longer, he finally stopped lingering and went back inside his own apartment.
With how silent this entire floor was, if you held your breath, you could faintly hear the person living next to you. If they were in a room close enough to where you are standing, their movements could be heard. Listening in closely was fairly easy. It's just that most people wouldn't stand there in complete silence. Hoping to listen in to the goings on of their neighbour.
It couldn't be helped in this case though. Having already restrained himself quite well earlier. This was a small mercy that Binghe was allowing himself. Standing so still he could've passed as a statue, he almost pressed himself up against the wall separating his own apartment from Shen Yuan's own apartment. The wall was thick in distance but the material didn't block out too much sound. Binghe could still hear.
"Shen Yuan." Were the words Binghe mumbled to himself as he listened closely, heartbeat loud in his chest.