Coming out of the teahouse, I called L.

"I just told the boss," I said to L.

L was surprised, asking, "What did you say and how did you say it?"

I replied nonchalantly, "Just like that. The boss is experienced, he can't not understand what I mean."

L was a little worried, asking, "Did you ask in a more subtle way?"

I said, "Maybe, I hinted to him that if he moved you, I wouldn't renew my contract."

L said, "Heavens, you're crazy! How could you dare to threaten the boss?"

I said, "I said what I said. Don't worry about it, just wait for the outcome."

After ten blurry days like that, L wasn't transferred, and I didn't receive a reply from the boss. Waiting is the hardest and slowest time in life.

On the eleventh day, I was notified to meet the boss at the teahouse. On the way, I felt anxious, not knowing what I could do if the boss said L had to leave, other than not signing the contract.

At the teahouse, the boss looked somewhat complicated. When he saw me, he said, "T, have a seat. I don't know if this is good news or bad news, but L, I've decided to keep you."

I was very happy, "Of course, it's good news. Thank you."

He managed a faint smile, but it seemed forced.

The contract was pushed in front of me, and he said, "It's the same contract as before, just with an additional clause."

I didn't even look, just signed my name.

As I was leaving, he stopped me and said, "T, remember this: sometimes there are things we can't control, but when you must change something, the surface may seem satisfactory, but underneath there may have been a significant transformation already."

I pondered his words as I walked out. There's a saying, "The onlooker sees most of the game," and now I was the onlooker, trying to figure out what the boss meant by transformation.

Overall, L stayed, and I was happy. L was happy too, but she always seemed a bit restless.

One evening, we went to a nice restaurant to celebrate.

I asked her about the big boss, and L said that no one had seen the big boss except the boss himself. I started to wonder if this person even existed, maybe he was playing two roles. But everyone believed in his existence, and some even told me that the boss was a good old man, but what was scary was the person behind him.

I thought maybe it was true, maybe it was just him, half angel, half devil. When both sides of a matter are present simultaneously, it's hard to discern the truth.

In the following months, my life was beautiful, or rather, pleasant. No tasks, no one bothering me, with L, and Tiger, it was already enough for me.

L and I often walked hand in hand in the park. When I went to the restroom or bought drinks, she would intentionally hide somewhere, wanting to see me nervously looking for her. But every time, I just stood there, hands crossed in front of me, and loudly shouted, "You can keep hiding, I'm leaving, play by yourself."

In the end, she couldn't resist and would come out, then complain that I lacked excitement in life.

Sometimes we went to see a movie, occasionally encountering assassin-themed ones. We would both whisper, "This is so fake."

After the movie, we would discuss how the plot could be modified to be more realistic, and how the protagonist should act.

One morning, L called saying she wanted to see a movie. We arrived at the theater, it was just ten o'clock, and the theater had just opened. It was strange being the only ones there.

I proudly said, "I've booked this showing, you can watch however you like."

She replied, "Don't be conceited, who watches movies at this time."

I remembered watching a horror movie called "Magic Kitchen" that day, and I only watched it once, never daring to watch it again.

Sometimes we would stroll through the mall; at that time, photo booths were trending. We didn't know how many strips we took, but at home, we would cut them out and piece together a story, almost like a soap opera.

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We were just like that, holding hands, hugging, that's all. We both knew that taking the next step would lead to an endless chasm that neither of us could climb out of.

My birthday was approaching, and I knew L had my file; with her attention to detail, she wouldn't forget. Even though I knew only the two of us and a cat would attend my birthday, it was enough for me.

On the eve of my birthday, the boss called me and gave me a birthday gift. I finally mustered the courage to ask, "Do you have something to tell me or hope I know?"

"No. Remember what I told you last time. Some things are beyond our control; you must take responsibility for your own choices," the boss replied decisively.

I naively thought he meant for me to treat L well. I couldn't understand how I was so clueless and naive about human relationships at that time, so foolish and innocent.

Two days before my birthday, whenever L saw me, she couldn't help but chuckle. I asked her why she was laughing.

L replied, "It's nothing, just something funny that came to mind."

I said, "Tell me, I want to laugh too."

L teased, "I'm not telling you!"

On the day of my birthday, by noon, L hadn't made any moves or gestures, not even a call. I started to suspect she forgot.

By four in the afternoon, L called and asked me to meet her somewhere. Secretly pleased, I thought, "Ha, she forgot!"

When I arrived at the location and waited until 5 pm, L still hadn't shown up. I started to worry and called her. L burst into laughter, saying, "You fell for it, you can go home now!"

I retorted, "Today isn't April Fools', what's with the antics? I'll only fall for your tricks."

When I got back home, L was waiting at the door, smiling mischievously. I grumpily said, "Go wait somewhere else, causing trouble on a cold day."

L said, "Oh, you're actually angry, it's the first time I've seen you mad."

I replied, "Do you know how cold it is outside? You made me wait so long."

L stood in front of me and said, "Wait, close your eyes, I have a surprise for you."

I smirked, "Oh, a surprise? This should be interesting."

L covered my eyes, holding my hand as we walked into the house, leading me to the living room. She said, "You can open your eyes now."

After a moment, I heard L say, "Okay, you can open them."

I opened my eyes and felt like I was in a dream. The long corridor was lined with red candles, and the candlelight in the dark house was so warm.

L led me through the corridor like walking on a cloud - soft, warm, and comforting.

In the bedroom, there was a birthday cake with two big candles, a letter tied with a bow, some snacks, and a bottle of red wine.

I was speechless, tears welling up in my eyes. Trying to hold back my tears, I just said, "Great atmosphere you created."

L asked, "Are you touched? Were you crying earlier? This was days of planning on my part, despite your recent anger."

I hugged L tightly, unable to find the right words besides thank you.

L loved burying her head in my neck to smell my scent. Whenever I said I had showered, she'd hush me and want me to stay put.

This time, as she smelled me again, I stayed quiet, knowing it wasn't the time for jokes.

When L lifted her head, she sniffed, her eyes red.

I asked, "Are you moved by your own gesture?"

L replied, "Stop talking, have a seat."

She took out a bag from behind and pulled out a scarf, saying, "This is a limited edition Love and Warmth brand scarf, can't be bought anywhere else."

She wrapped it around my neck, with a plastic piece at the end for our favorite photo booth picture.

Outside, the city lights were coming alive, and inside, we sat by the candles with Tiger eagerly waiting for food after his bathroom break.

I thought this might be the happiest moment of my life. If time could freeze, I wish it would stop at this eternal moment.