The warm smell of food filled Tian's apartment.
For the first time in days, he was sitting at the table eating properly.
Katie sat across from him, watching carefully.
"Thanks for lunch."
Tian lowered his spoon slightly.
Katie smiled.
"It's okay."
For a moment, the apartment felt peaceful.
Neither of them spoke much.
Yet the silence felt comfortable.
After finishing his meal, Tian stood up.
The fever had finally started to fade.
Katie looked relieved.
Then suddenly—
The apartment door burst open.
"STOP!"
Both of them jumped.
Katie froze.
"D-Dad..."
Standing in the doorway was her father.
Arms crossed.
Face serious.
Eyes locked directly on Tian.
The room instantly became awkward.
Katie's father marched inside.
"You didn't go to work?"
Katie blinked.
"Dad..."
His eyes narrowed.
"You did all this because you didn't want to hire someone?"
Katie immediately shook her head.
"It's not what it looks like!"
Her father pointed dramatically toward Tian.
"Then explain!"
Katie's face turned bright red.
"Dad, stop!"
But her father wasn't listening.
Instead, he turned toward Tian.
"You know she's my only daughter, right?"
Tian sat there silently.
Unsure how to respond.
Katie wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
"Dad..."
Her father continued.
"You're lucky she came here."
Katie covered her face.
"Dad, you're embarrassing me!"
The older man sighed dramatically.
"Years of raising her..."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"And now this is how she repays me."
"DAD!"
Tian almost smiled.
For the first time all afternoon, the situation seemed slightly amusing.
Katie immediately noticed.
"Don't laugh!"
That only made everything worse.
Her father pointed between them.
"Oh, so now you're defending him?"
Katie's face became even redder.
"No!"
"Yes you are."
"I'm not!"
The argument continued all the way to the door.
Finally, her father grabbed her arm gently.
"Come on."
Katie sighed.
Defeated.
Before leaving, she glanced back one last time.
Tian was standing by the table.
Watching.
For the first time that day, he looked healthier.
And seeing that made Katie smile.
Even if her father had completely ruined the moment.
As the door closed behind them, Tian looked at the now-empty apartment.
Then at the food she had brought.
A small smile appeared on his face.
For the first time in days...
He didn't feel alone.