The next evening, Lin Mo stood outside the university gate and stared at Gu Wen. “You said it wasn't troublesome.” “It isn't.” “You said it would be nearby.” “It is.” “You said I wouldn't have to dress up.” “You didn't.” Lin Mo looked down at himself. Sweatpants. Sneakers. A loose hoodie. Perfect. He looked back at Gu Wen. “Then why do I feel like I've been tricked?” Gu Wen laughed. “Because you're naturally suspicious.” “Correct.” “Come on.” They took a bus. Lin Mo sat by the window. He didn't ask where they were going. That would require effort. Instead, he watched the city pass by. After about twenty minutes, the bus left the busiest part of the city. Buildings became lower. The streets became quieter. Eventually, Gu Wen got off. Lin Mo followed. He looked around. There were small shops, an old residential neighborhood, and a narrow street lined with plane trees. “Where are we?” “You'll see.” “That answer is suspicious.” Gu Wen smiled. They walked another five minutes. Then Lin Mo stopped. In front of him stood a small independent bookstore. There was no giant sign. No flashy decoration. Just a wooden door and a handwritten board outside. Old Pages — Used Books & Coffee Lin Mo blinked. “Oh.” Gu Wen looked pleased. “You like books.” “I like free things.” “There are no free books here.” “Then I withdraw my interest.” Gu Wen laughed and pushed open the door. A small bell rang. Warm coffee and old paper filled the air. Lin Mo's expression softened immediately. He looked around. Shelves filled the walls. There were novels, essays, textbooks, old magazines, and books that looked as though nobody had touched them in twenty years. “This place is nice.” “I thought you'd like it.” Lin Mo turned toward him. “You've been here before?” “Sometimes.” “Alone?” “Usually.” “Then why bring me?” Gu Wen hesitated. “Because I thought you'd enjoy it.” Lin Mo didn't answer immediately. Something warm settled quietly in his chest. It was a simple gesture. Nothing dramatic. No hidden meaning. Just someone remembering what he liked. “Thanks.” Gu Wen smiled. “You're welcome.” They spent the next hour browsing. Lin Mo found an old programming book. The cover was terrible. The contents were surprisingly useful. He bought it. Then he found a collection of short stories. He bought that too. Then he found a second-hand game magazine. He bought that as well. Gu Wen watched the pile grow. “You came here to save money?” “Yes.” “You've spent more than I expected.” “Knowledge is expensive.” “Since when?” “Since today.” Gu Wen laughed. At the counter, Lin Mo suddenly noticed a handwritten recommendation card beside the register. For people who don't know what they want to read. He picked it up. On the back, someone had written several book titles. Lin Mo read them. Then smiled. “You wrote this?” Gu Wen shook his head. “No.” “Then who did?” “The owner.” “Oh.” Lin Mo put it down. He didn't think much of it. They eventually sat at the café section. Gu Wen ordered coffee. Lin Mo ordered hot chocolate. “You don't drink coffee?” “I don't need caffeine to make my life more complicated.” Gu Wen smiled. “You really have an answer for everything.” “I've had practice.” They sat quietly for a while. Then Gu Wen asked, “Lin Mo.” “Hm?” “Do you ever think about what you want to do after graduation?” Lin Mo stirred his drink. “Work.” “What kind?” “A job that pays well and doesn't require me to work until midnight.” Gu Wen laughed. “That's surprisingly specific.” “I have standards.” “What about ambition?” Lin Mo thought about it. “Not really.” “Nothing you want to achieve?” “Of course there are things.” “Like?” Lin Mo looked toward the window. “A comfortable apartment.” “Anything else?” “Good food.” Gu Wen waited. Lin Mo added, “And enough free time to play games.” Gu Wen shook his head. “You really are a salted fish.” “It's a peaceful lifestyle.” “Wouldn't you ever want more?” Lin Mo was quiet. He didn't have an answer. Before transmigrating, he'd never had the chance to think about it. After transmigrating, he'd been too busy trying not to die according to the plot. Now— he had friends. A university life. A growing number of people he knew. Maybe one day he'd want something more. But not yet. “I don't know,” he admitted. Gu Wen nodded. “You don't have to know now.” Lin Mo looked at him. For some reason, that answer made him feel comfortable. “That's true.” They left the bookstore after sunset. The streetlights had already come on. Gu Wen carried one of Lin Mo's bags. “I can carry it.” “I know.” “Then give it back.” “No.” Lin Mo looked at him. “You're strange.” “So you've said.” They walked side by side. Neither noticed the man standing across the street. He was waiting outside a small restaurant, looking at his phone. When Lin Mo passed, the man glanced up. Their eyes met for less than a second. Lin Mo didn't recognize him. The man looked away. Nothing happened. Lin Mo continued walking. Back at the university, Gu Wen handed him the bag. “See you tomorrow.” “Good night.” Lin Mo turned toward the dormitory. After several steps, he looked back. Gu Wen was still standing there. Their eyes met. Gu Wen smiled. Then turned and left. Lin Mo stood there for a moment. He couldn't explain why. But he felt strangely happy. Not excited. Not nervous. Just— happy. He shook his head. “Probably the hot chocolate.” Then he went back to the dorm. Later that night, Gu Wen sat at his desk. His phone lit up. A message from someone in his family. He read it. His expression slowly became serious. The situation was complicated. It had nothing to do with Lin Mo. And he intended to keep it that way. He put the phone face down. Then remembered Lin Mo's expression inside the bookstore. The quiet smile. The way he had looked genuinely pleased by something so simple. Gu Wen smiled. He didn't know when it had happened. Somewhere between lecture notes, shared meals, library afternoons, and conversations about absolutely nothing— Lin Mo had become someone he looked forward to seeing. Not because Lin Mo was unusual. Not because Lin Mo was talented. Not because Lin Mo was mysterious. Just because— he was Lin Mo. Gu Wen stared at the dark phone screen. Then looked away. He wasn't ready to put a name to that feeling. Not yet. Across the city, another person was having a very different evening. Mo Ren sat in a quiet private room, listening to a business report. He looked bored. “That's all?” The man across from him nodded nervously. “Yes.” Mo Ren tapped his fingers against the table. “Then why did you call me here?” The man swallowed. “There is one more thing.” Mo Ren raised an eyebrow. “What?” “The Shen family has recently become interested in a university technology project.” Mo Ren's expression didn't change. “Shen Yichen?” “Yes.” “Interesting.” He leaned back. “Find out why.” The man nodded. Mo Ren picked up his cup. He had no idea that the answer involved a university student who currently considered buying a new pair of headphones more important than corporate politics. And Lin Mo— had absolutely no idea that the man who would eventually become the biggest disruption to his peaceful life had just heard his name for the first time. Neither knew the other existed. For now. And that was exactly how it should be.

Somewhere Lin Mo Has Never Been