Morning Disturbance

On Saturday morning, the light was dim and the room was quiet, with only the occasional bird calls outside the window.

Ye Shu, wrapped in a thin gray blanket, curled up on the old sofa by the window in the living room, like an animal hibernating, breathing steadily, as if still asleep. The entire room was empty and tidy, with almost no trace of daily life.

"Ding dong! Ding dong!" The doorbell rang with an unyielding rhythm, accompanied by a vigorous shout: "Ye Shu! Open the door! I know you're home! The sun is shining on your butt! We agreed to go hiking!"

The gray figure on the sofa stirred, the blanket sliding down, revealing sparse, light-colored hair and a slightly pale face. He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze devoid of the sleepy confusion of a freshly awakened person, only a faint sense of helplessness at having his peace and quiet disturbed. He remained curled up, motionless.

Chen Xu outside the door began to knock rhythmically: "Ye Shu! If you don't open the door, I will live broadcast your fitness exercises at the door! One, two, three, four! Two, two, three, four!"

After imagining that scene, Ye Shu sighed very slowly and almost silently. Finally, like a very reluctant plant, he "peeled" off the sofa, walked barefoot and silently to the door and opened it.

Chen Xu, who was standing outside the door, was wearing a bright orange sportswear and carrying a huge mountaineering bag. His smile was so bright that it could almost illuminate the dim corridor: "Good morning! Did you just wake up? Wow, why is your room emptier than yesterday? Do you really sleep here at night? It's not just a decoration?" He asked questions like a machine gun while squeezing in naturally and familiarly.

Ye Shu was forced to take a half step back by the vigor and vitality he brought, making way for the passage. His voice was slightly hoarse, just as he had just woken up: "...noisy."

"Life is about movement! It's about making noise!" Chen Xu put his large backpack on the ground and began to check it. "Water, energy bars, snacks, emergency medicine, rain gear... I brought double the amount of everything! Don't worry, follow me, you won't go hungry or cold!"

Ye Shu's gaze swept across the bulging backpack and then fell back on Chen Xu's cheeks, flushed with excitement. He walked to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of warm water, and drank it slowly, as if he needed this action to anchor himself and not be swept away by his friend's enthusiasm.

"Look at you, your face is so pale, it's because you lack the sun! I must supplement your ultraviolet rays today!" Chen Xu came over and wanted to pat Ye Shu on the shoulder as if they were brothers.

Ye Shu held the cup and subtly moved aside, the water's warmth filtering through the cup's walls to his slightly cool fingertips. "Too many people, too noisy, and too tiring," he repeated his three rejections.

"Don't worry! I've been on that route before. It's guaranteed to be quiet if we go up this spot! I'll carry you if you get tired!" Chen Xu patted his chest. Then his eyes lit up and he pulled out a paper bag from the side pocket of his backpack. "Oh right! Breakfast! Wang Ji's soy milk and fried dough sticks, still warm! I know you think takeout is too sweet, but this is a traditional Chinese breakfast, so healthy!"

The rich aroma of fried dough sticks wafted in the air, mixed with the aroma of soy milk. It was a kind of homely warmth that Ye Shu found even harder to resist than yesterday's cake.

He stared at the cup of soy milk, its seal still stained with water droplets, and was silent for a moment. Finally, he put the cup down and took the soy milk. It was just the right temperature, not scalding, but a gentle warmth.

"Eat quickly, then we'll go!" Chen Xu had already started to nibble on the fried dough sticks, making smacking sounds while eating.

Ye Shu sat in the only chair, sipping soy milk. His eating manner was extremely elegant and quiet, a stark contrast to Chen Xu, who was clattering so hard that crumbs were practically falling to the floor. But he said nothing, simply quietly eating this overly "lively" breakfast.

Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room completely. Tiny specks of dust danced in the beam. Chen Xu was still excitedly planning his route and recounting his experiences on the mountain.

Ye Shu drank the last sip of soy milk, and the warmth from his fingertips passed to his slightly cool skin. He raised his eyes, looked out the window at the leaves shining in the sunlight, and said softly:

"The wind is a little stronger than yesterday."

"Ah? Really?" Chen Xu was stunned for a moment, then ran to the window to feel it. "It seems so! But it doesn't matter, climbing in the wind makes it cooler! How about, let's go?"

Ye Shu stood up, carefully folded the empty paper bag, and threw it into the trash can. He didn't look at the huge backpack, nor did he show the slightest enthusiasm. He just walked to the door and picked up a light gray coat hanging on the coat rack. His voice was still flat:

"Yeah. Let's go."

Chen Xu immediately cheered, picked up his big backpack, and followed happily.

The door closed, isolating the silence in the room. In the corridor came Chen Xu's chattering voice and brisk footsteps, as well as another almost inaudible, slow and steady footsteps.

The sun was shining brightly, quietly shining through the window into the empty room. There was still a faint lip mark on the rim of the cup of water that Ye Shu had drunk from.