One day, secret patroller Yinlin found herself bound by a high amount of heat and pressure. She didn’t have to spend a lot of time to discover why; the cold, of course.

She had tea time with the Rover yesterday, and it was quite joyful. It was hard to deny that he had become a ‘comforting’ presence among her surroundings. As she watched the rain patter against the glass in the bed, however, she couldn't shake the cold that had settled deep within her. Even raising a finger was not an easy task.

She eventually realized her condition was worse than she initially thought. In a moment of vulnerability, she hesitated before picking up her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen as she debated whether to call him. Her thumb finally pressed the dial button, sending her heart racing.

“Hello, the Rover at your service,” He answered on the second ring. His voice was warm and familiar, carrying a hint of concern.

“My morning call for you will be discontinued for a while,” Yinlin said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I might have caught a cold. Quite heavy.”

There was a brief silence on the other end. The Rover answered with a soft, but determined voice. “Just give me a few minutes. I’ll be there soon.”

“Do you know where I currently am?”

“Safehouse in the Central Plains. No doubt,” he had confidence in his voice; he was correct as well. She wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or more anxious. She ended the call, her mind swirling with a mix of gratitude and nervousness.

How did he know the answer? She was unable to reply.

He was faster than she expected. Yinlin opened the door with a bell ringing, after around twenty minutes after the call. The Rover was standing there, holding a blanket and a medicine case. His eyes softened with concern.

“Hey, you look like you need this more than I thought,” he said, stepping inside with caution. It seemed he was caring for her privacy even at this moment.

Yinlin smiled. “You didn’t have to come all this way.”

“I wanted to,” he replied, setting the items down on the tea table. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, just a bit cold and tired,” she admitted, sinking into the bed as he made his way to the kitchen to prepare the tea.

Yinlin began watching him cooking with a mixture of admiration and gratitude. The way he moved was endearing, even though there were no specific gestures or expressions. He was performing simple actions of kindness, and that was what she needed.

He returned with a steaming mug, handing it to her gently. “Here you go. This should help. At least I hope so.”

“I appreciate it,” said her, taking the cup and feeling the warmth seep through her cold fingers. “You really didn’t have to do all this.”

“Consider it my way of care,” The Rover said, settling down next to her. He wrapped the blanket around her, creating a cozy cocoon. Yinlin stared at him with mixed feelings, and pulled him into her blanket cocoon. “I’m doing this because I want to.”

He didn’t refuse the service. They watched the rain fall outside. She could feel the warmth of the blanket and his presence enveloping here, easing the pain of her cold. As the sun went down, her shivering was replaced by a feeling of contentment.

“You know,” she began hesitantly, “I’m really glad you came over.”

“I’m glad too,” he replied with a smile. “I can’t miss the chance like this.”

Yinlin made a bitter smile. He didn’t seem to realize how his words came across at all. It was fortunate that she knew his character; otherwise, she might not have been able to judge his words as coming from a genuine place. It was hard to figure out if he is thorough or unguarded. One thing was obvious; it was his unique charm.

“Weren’t you busy today?” She asked quietly. She remembered he had a schedule in city hall. It was nothing important, but something requires effort - carrying boxes, for instance.

“I had a strong feeling, so I tried my best from the very beginning,” he shrugged lightly. “See how good my instinct is.”

Yinlin didn’t make a single comment about it. Silence embraced the room. Yinlin found herself relaxing with it. Her thoughts drifted as the comfort of his presence mingled with the warmth of the tea and blanket.

“You know,” the Rover broke the comfortable silence, “I’ve always admired how you handle things, even when you’re not feeling your best. It’s like you have this unshakable strength.”

Yinlin looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a softness she rarely showed. “You know, sometimes it’s nice to let someone else take care of things, even if it’s just for a little while.”

The Rover chuckled softly. “We don’t have to care about everything on our own. It’s okay to lean on others from time to time.”

She nodded, feeling a sense of vulnerability she didn’t usually allow herself to experience. “It’s easier to keep everyone at a distance if you consider yourself an outsider.”

“Is that why you always hide your intention?” He wasn’t asking for any answer. He was just curious.

Yinlin paused, pondering the question. He had been trying to get that answer for a long time. She thought he deserved it, but it wasn't that conclusive. “Probably. Not sure, actually. It’s easier to keep artificial images around me as tools than to risk someone seeing the real me.”

His expression grew serious, but there was warmth in his eyes. “Your identity doesn’t matter. You do. No matter how much you reveal or don’t reveal yourself, it doesn’t change.”

She took a deep breath. The sincerity in his voice gently melted away some of her defenses. “I didn’t expect to feel this comfortable with someone. I’ll admit it.”

He reached out, gently touching her hand. “Well, I’m just glad I could be here for you.”

The sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow through the raindrops on the window. Yinlin sighed contentedly, feeling a rare sense of peace. “This feeling is strange, but good.”

As the evening deepened, they continued to watch the rain. The gentle rhythm knocking the window added to the tranquility of the moment. “I have no idea what this is,” Yinlin’s head rested against the back of the couch, and she found herself drifting into a relaxed state she rarely experienced. This quiet companionship was more soothing than she’d anticipated.

“I think,” she said softly, “this might be one of the best evenings I’ve had in a long time.”

The Rover nodded. “I agree.”

The room was a place for understanding and connection, even if it was just for this one evening. In that realization, she found a small but deep sense of relief. They continued to share silence; it was also their method of communication.

They continued to sit together, wrapped in the blanket cocoon. Yinlin allowed herself to fully embrace the simple comforting presence of someone who cared for her without conditions after a long time. She was getting closer and closer to the answer she had been looking for so long.

She might have an unexpected partner when she finally seizes the answer. Just thinking about it gave her a strange feeling. She had no idea about its meaning; She felt like she wouldn't know unless she got to that moment. She had a feeling she wouldn't know until she got to that moment.