‘SEE YOU MORNING’ 091 Lights in the Night, Lilac Blooms

After escaping the unrest in Eagle, Kesiya had been staying at Li Haojun’s home for two days, as her own place in Eagle was no longer an option. The company they worked for was closely monitoring the local situation, even more detailed and timely than the news reports, as field agents had already been dispatched to keep watch over developments on the ground.

By the third morning, Kesiya began to feel guilty about imposing on their lives. Though she had suggested several times that she move to a hotel, both Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing had gently declined. So, after breakfast, she once again volunteered to help Qin Wenjing with the dishes.

Li Haojun, meanwhile, had gone straight to checking the news about the unrest in Boise and Eagle after breakfast. As he scrolled through updates, he suddenly received an instant message from a colleague.

“Good morning, Ethan. This is Luna Hurner. How has your day been?”

Li Haojun was taken aback—as the company’s Operations Director, Luna rarely contacted him directly. He replied quickly, “Very well, another beautiful day. Thank you for asking.” Though he wasn’t one for such slightly effusive praise—especially not in front of his direct supervisor—he didn’t want to come across as a flatterer. But today, his words were sincere; almost everyone he cared about was right here with him.

“According to the latest intelligence, our factory in Eagle has been destroyed in the unrest. We won’t be rebuilding there—times have changed, and the environment is no longer as safe as it once was. So, you and Kesiya will no longer have responsibilities maintaining that facility.”

“Ah, what a pity about those assets,” Li Haojun replied, though inside, he was overjoyed. Kesiya would never have to leave him to return there. Even if she wouldn’t live with him forever, she certainly wouldn’t be as far away as Boise anymore.

“Yes. We’ll be shifting the relevant production capacity to Kalispell, where some of the core operations will be based. I assume you’re already familiar with Kalispell, aren’t you, Ethan?”

“Oh, yes,” Li Haojun thought of saying more but held his tongue.

“Ethan, you’ve seen the consequences of the unrest in Boise and Eagle. In nature, there are predator and prey populations, constantly refining each other. But clearly, we can’t operate that way in the human world—we can’t simply devour or starve each other out, can we? A gentler approach is needed. Part of Kalispell’s function is for people like them… and others, like Sienna. I trust you understand what I mean?”

“Oh, I see. Is she a visitor coming here?” By “here,” Li Haojun clearly meant more than just Kalispell.

“Then, Ethan, how do you feel about the technological management protocols in place there? Still resistant?”

“Haha—since Sienna was only ever passing through from the start, I’m not so resistant anymore.”

“Good. Kalispell requires minimal human oversight. Would you be willing to take on that responsibility?”

“Yes, I would.”

“Excellent. Your assistants, Kesiya and Malaya, will be deployed there. You’ll oversee the future production plant and its surrounding supply chain. Does that work for you?”

“Yes, that works.”

“Very good. Any questions?”

“Well… I was wondering why my predecessor at the aquatic tech firm was transferred out. He left quite a few… leather whips and other tools in the office.”

“Oh, he’s been moved to a place more suited to him. Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to understand the boundaries of my conduct there. In that kind of environment, I worry about losing my humanity.”

“You have no boundaries. You command everything.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t think I’ll lose myself.”

“No. You will always be you.”

“Haha—thank you for your trust.”

“Thank you for your service to the company. Will that be all? Feel free to reach out if anything comes up.”

“Alright. Let’s leave it at that for today—I won’t take up any more of your time.”

“Good. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye. Have a wonderful day yourself.”

With that, Li Haojun leaned back into his chair, relaxing—only then noticing that Qin Wenjing and Kesiya had been watching him.

Qin Wenjing was smiling, a trace of smug satisfaction on her face. When Li Haojun looked at Kesiya, she pressed her lips together, looking shy. Their eyes met briefly before she glanced away. To ease the awkwardness, Li Haojun turned toward Qin Wenjing—only to find she had been staring at Kesiya all along. Chin down, eyes lifted, smiling without blinking, fixed on her. Flustered, Kesiya quickly lowered her gaze, stared straight ahead, gave a little shiver in her shoulders, raised her hands halfway before dropping them again, and finally let out a soft breath, lowering her head to fiddle with her fingers.

It wasn’t until Li Haojun shot Qin Wenjing a look that she reluctantly shook her head, gave him a playful glare, and gave Kesiya a gentle nudge on the shoulder. “Come on, dear. Log into your account on my computer and check if there are any company assignments.”

“Oh—alright,” Kesiya said, sitting down at the side.

Qin Wenjing stood with her back to Kesiya, arms crossed, leaning over Li Haojun, staring down into his eyes without a word. Her gaze seemed to say, Well, looks like you’re happy now.

Seeing her frozen there, staring at him, Li Haojun reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close. “Alright, enough now.”

Giggling, Qin Wenjing let herself be pulled into his lap, her face lighting up just as Kesiya offered a small, polite smile.

“Alright, alright, stop fooling around. Use my computer—I don’t have any new tasks here,” Li Haojun said, giving up his seat. He stood and walked over to Kesiya, ruffling her hair. “Don’t mind her. She’s always like this—especially when there’s an audience.”

“Mm,” Kesiya murmured, glancing at Qin Wenjing, who was grinning broadly back at her.

Finding her still teasing, Li Haojun stepped between them, turning his back to Qin Wenjing to block her view. In Qin Wenjing’s blind spot, he gave Kesiya’s shoulder a reassuring pat, looked down into her eyes, pursed his lips, and mimed a kiss. They shared a deep, lingering gaze until Kesiya’s eyes lit up with a bright smile. Only then did Li Haojun relax.

Kesiya was a guest in his and Qin Wenjing’s home. Li Haojun wanted to balance his feelings for both women—perhaps leaning a little more toward Kesiya, because she had never been given much to begin with.

Another loving day passed quickly. After dinner, per their routine, Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing took a walk in the backyard to give Kesiya privacy for her shower.

Night deepened, but the breeze was warm and heady. Early summer chased the fading steps of late spring, and amidst those hurried, delicate footsteps came the fragrance of blooming lilacs.

Looking back, Li Haojun saw the dim, swaying glow of the kitchen window cast onto the garden path—the silhouette of Kesiya moving inside.

“Do you love her?” Qin Wenjing asked softly.

“Yes… but nothing has happened between us.”

“I know,” Qin Wenjing cut in confidently before he could finish.

The night was hazy, the stars faint. Insects danced in the warm air. Leaning on Li Haojun’s shoulder as they walked, Qin Wenjing asked quietly, “If fate brings her to you… does that mean the three of us will be living together from now on?” She spoke calmly, eyes on the path ahead, as if asking him—or perhaps just thinking aloud.

“Ah… that girl’s had a rough life.”

“Yes. She’s a good person. I could tell, just spending these past two days with her.”

“Mm,” Li Haojun agreed.

“Doesn’t she have a younger sister? Why not bring her here too? Save them from being apart, from missing each other.”

“Hm?” Li Haojun looked at Qin Wenjing, surprised—unsure if she was serious or joking.

Still leaning on his shoulder, Qin Wenjing wrapped an arm around his waist, tilted her face up, and asked with a smile, “So—what do you think?”

“Sure,” Li Haojun answered cautiously.

In an instant, Qin Wenjing’s expression twisted into mock fury. She kicked him hard on the backside and shouted, “What do you mean, ‘sure’?! Where exactly am I supposed to fit into all this, huh?!”

Stung by the kick, Li Haojun hopped forward, yelling, “I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

“You’d better stop right there! Just wait till I get my hands on you tonight!” Qin Wenjing screeched like a scolding housewife, chasing after him.

And above the path they ran along, in the warm yellow glow spilling from the back window, the insects of spring danced and chased each other through the night.