DING-DONG—
The crisp doorbell rang through the quiet hallway, its echo reverberating like a stone tossed into a placid lake.
Shen Yuan's heart leaped into his throat. He held his breath, waiting for the world behind the door to open up to him.
A moment later, the sound of a doorknob turning was followed by the distinct click of the bolt sliding back.
The door swung open slowly. A blast of cozy warmth from inside, mixed with the faint, tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal, washed over him.
Standing in the doorway was Old Li.
Old Li's face was expressionless, but his eyes were sharp as a hawk's, instantly locking onto Shen Yuan.
Their gazes met for a brief moment, and the air in the hallway seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second.
Shen Yuan could clearly feel Old Li's scrutinizing gaze sweep over him.
From the bulging backpack on his shoulders, to his slightly tense posture, and finally to the stiff expression on his face that he hadn't yet managed to fix.
