419: Chapter 472 The Old Woman (6)

(Starting to re-edit again, as I found the previous foundation wasn't solid, so I'm re-editing the first chapter and the subsequent ones. Yesterday's update reached the character limit.)

—

The atmosphere in the private room was as lively as a small variety show recording site.

Lee Tima was the one eating most happily. A stack of empty plates was piled in front of her, and Hanwoo bones were neatly arranged beside them like some kind of performance art. While chewing the meat, she poked at the kimchi in her bowl with her chopsticks, but her eyes were darting around the Red Velvet members—specifically, shifting between Jiang Zhiyu and Bae Joo-hyun.

She was here today to eat. And to be a third wheel. Furthermore, she fulfilled that role quite thoroughly—eating what she should eat, drinking what she should drink, watching the drama, and recording videos.

Yeri was pulling Joy into a discussion about "If I'm a desk-mate, then what are you." Joy didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the question: "How should I know? I'm not your desk-mate." Yeri said righteously: "You can be my desk-mate's best friend, the kind who always gets together to chat." Joy rolled her eyes: "So in your character setting, I don't even have a formal role?" Yeri thought for a moment and then said seriously: "You can be the kind—very pretty, but a best friend of the desk-mate who isn't good at studying." Joy's face darkened instantly. Wendy laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up, and Kang Seulgi laughed along, but soon she couldn't laugh anymore because Yeri turned her sights toward her: "Seulgi Unnie, you can be the class monitor, the kind who looks very serious but is actually super funny." Kang Seulgi was stunned: "Me? Serious?" Yeri nodded: "Yes, the kind who—is scary when not speaking, but breaks character as soon as they open their mouth." Kang Seulgi opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. Wendy added a blow: "This is very accurate." Kang Seulgi's face turned red.

Bae Joo-hyun sat by the window, watching her sisters making a fuss, and finally couldn't help but laugh. That smile wasn't the reserved, restrained smile she usually had in front of the camera, but a real, heartfelt laugh—her eyes curved into crescents, her mouth slightly open, and her whole body leaning forward slightly due to the laughter.

Jiang Zhiyu held his water cup, head lowered.

But he wasn't looking at the water cup.

His gaze, through the transparent wall of the cup, fell on Bae Joo-hyun.

The lighting in the private room was a warm yellow, dim tone, like a filter in an old movie. The light fell on Bae Joo-hyun, coating her fair skin with a soft halo. Her profile looked exceptionally delicate in the light and shadow—a high nose bridge, slightly upturned corners of the eyes, and cheeks slightly flushed from laughing.

Like a pearl.

A shining pearl.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze was glued to her face, unable to move away.

He watched her play around with Seulgi—Seulgi said something unknown, and she reached out to lightly pat Seulgi, an action carrying a hint of mock reproach but not lacking in intimacy. He watched her bicker with Yeri—Yeri said something, and her eyes widened, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise; that "wanting to be angry but unable to stop smiling" expression was as vivid as a painting. He watched her chat with Wendy—Wendy leaned into her ear and said something, and she turned her head, listening seriously, then nodded with a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

She was smiling.

She had been smiling.

She smiled at Seulgi, at Wendy, at Joy, at Yeri, at Lee Tima—she even smiled at the waiter, because when the waiter came in to add water, she nodded slightly with a polite smile on her lips.

But she had never smiled at me like that.

Jiang Zhiyu's hand tightened slightly.

The water in the cup swayed slightly, leaving fine water marks on the cup wall.

Bae Joo-hyun sat by the window, holding the tea that had already gone cold, watching her sisters play. With a smile on her lips and curved eyes, she looked like a pearl wrapped in gentle light under the warm yellow lighting of the private room.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze, from behind the water cup, fell on her.

He was looking at her. He had been looking since just now.

He watched her play around with Kang Seulgi—Seulgi said something, and she reached out to lightly push Seulgi's shoulder, the movement carrying an intimate mock reproach; that smile was real and vivid. He watched her bicker with Yeri—Yeri said something unknown, and she glared at Yeri, but that glare clearly carried a smile; Yeri wasn't afraid but laughed even more happily. He watched her chat with Wendy—Wendy leaned into her ear and said something, and she suddenly laughed out loud, her laughter crisp, her eyes curving, her whole being seemingly lit up.

She was smiling. She was smiling at others. She smiled at Seulgi, at Yeri, at Wendy, at Joy, at Lee Tima—she smiled at everyone. But she had never, never smiled at him like that.

He had seen many of her variety shows. From the early "Red Velvet's Level Up Project" since their debut, to various radio shows, variety shows, and live streams later on. He knew very well that Bae Joo-hyun actually loved to laugh, and she looked beautiful when her eyes curved in a smile. She was lively and cheerful, would play around with her sisters, make various cute expressions at the camera, and act spoiled to fans in live streams, saying "I miss you all so much today."

But those were all for others.

What she gave him was always a cold, polite, and distant "President Jiang." He didn't remember when she had ever smiled at him. He only knew that every time she saw him, those eyes were like ice. In front of her, he was always just "Irene-xi," not "Oppa," not "Zhiyu," not even "Jiang Zhiyu."

He thought back to when he entered the door just now and said "Irene-xi" to her. When that address came out of his mouth, did she find it grating? Would she find it funny? This man didn't even dare to call her by name. He remembered that time at the Red Velvet dorm when he gave her chocolate; when she took it, her fingers didn't touch his hand. He remembered that time at the filming site when she stood with him in front of the monitor, always maintaining a distance of half a meter. He remembered that time in the meeting room when she gave him those revision suggestions, the distance in her eyes.

To him, she was always like that. Not far, not near, not cold, not hot, not close, not distant.

Like being separated by an invisible wall.

Perhaps,

She wasn't an iceberg.

She was just—

An iceberg to him.

Why?

Why was she always so cold, polite, and distant when facing him?

It had been like this since the first time they met. Back then, he was still a producer at SM. She went to the recording studio to record a song, and he stood at the door to greet her, reaching out and saying "Senior Irene, hello." She glanced at him, nodded, said "Hello," and then walked past him without her gaze lingering. He thought it was because they weren't familiar. Later, when they became familiar, she was still like that to him. Even later, when he left SM and founded TG, and they occasionally met in professional settings, she became even more distant—always "President Jiang," always "Hello," always that kind of politeness that was so perfect one couldn't find fault with it, yet made one's heart feel cold.

He thought he didn't care anymore.

He thought he had already cut her off from Baek Ji-xin.

He thought he could face her calmly.

But now—sitting in this private room, watching her smile so brightly at others, watching her play around so naturally with everyone else, watching those vivid, lifelike expressions on her face—he found that he didn't care at all.

He cared.

He cared like hell.

His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to just now. The "dating matter" she mentioned—she was talking about Joy's relationship, teasing Joy and Crush, laughing so happily with such a relaxed tone. But what about her own?

Had she ever thought about dating? Was anyone pursuing her? Was there anyone who made her heart flutter?

In Jiang Zhiyu's mind, some images uncontrollably surfaced. Joohyun smiling at someone else—not the kind of smile she had for her members now, but a gentle, deep, loving smile. Bae Joo-hyun holding someone else's hand—fingers interlaced, strolling on the street, snuggling in a cinema, sitting across from each other in a cafe. Bae Joo-hyun leaning on someone else's shoulder—eyes closed, a hint of a satisfied smile on her lips, as if she had found a harbor to rely on.

Bae Joo-hyun kissing someone else—

Not the cheek, not the forehead.

The lips.

In his mind, that image became clearer and clearer.

A blurry figure stood in front of Bae Joo-hyun, reaching out and gently lifting her chin. She looked up at that person, her eyes full of tenderness. That person lowered their head, slowly approaching her—

Thud.

The water cup in Jiang Zhiyu's hand landed heavily on the table.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the private room.

Everyone's laughter stopped at the same time.

They turned their heads and looked at Jiang Zhiyu.

Jiang Zhiyu stood there, his expression grim.

Not the kind of grimness from being in a "bad mood"—but the kind of grimness from "enduring something." His lips were slightly pursed, his brow slightly furrowed, and something was churning in his eyes, like a pot of water about to boil.

The atmosphere in the private room froze instantly.

Yeri opened her mouth, wanting to ask something, but was pulled back by Wendy.

Joy and Seulgi exchanged a look, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

Lee Tima was still chewing meat; seeing Jiang Zhiyu's expression, she almost choked. She was too familiar with this expression—it was the same one in the car just now. That cold aura had appeared again.

Bae Joo-hyun looked at him without speaking.

Her expression was very calm, but something flickered gently in those eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath.

Took another deep breath.

Then he bowed slightly, his voice so calm no emotion could be heard:

"Seniors, excuse me, I'm going to the restroom."

He turned, pushed the door open, and walked out.

The door of the private room slowly closed behind him.

It was quiet inside for a moment. Yeri opened her mouth and whispered, "What's wrong with him?" Lee Tima shook her head, also looking bewildered: "I don't know..." Joy frowned and said wasn't he fine just now? Wendy looked thoughtfully at the closed door and didn't speak. Kang Seulgi asked blankly, "Did I say something wrong?" Yeri said what does it have to do with you. Bae Joo-hyun said nothing, just lowered her head and continued looking at the cup of tea in her hand that had already gone cold.

—

In the hallway, Jiang Zhiyu leaned against the sink, his hands propping up the cold marble countertop, head lowered, watching water droplets fall one by one from the faucet.

The sound of the water echoed in the empty space, like some ancient timer.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

In his mind, those images were still churning.

Bae Joo-hyun's smile, Bae Joo-hyun's playfulness, Bae Joo-hyun's tenderness, Bae Joo-hyun's—someone else.

No.

Can't think about it anymore.

He turned on the faucet, scooped up a handful of cold water, and splashed it on his face.

The cold water slid down his cheeks, dripping into the sink.

He looked up, seeing himself in the mirror.

That face was pale and exhausted, with a hint of—ruthlessness—in his eyes that even he hadn't seen before.

He told himself in the mirror: Calm down.

But even he didn't believe that voice.

He thought of those thoughts in the car, those thoughts in the private room just now, that murderous intent, that possessiveness, those emotions that almost consumed him.

He never knew he could be like this.

Never knew.

He thought his feelings for Bae Joo-hyun were just an illusion created "because she looked like Baek Ji-xin." He thought he had cut it clean. He thought he could treat her as an ordinary person.

But just now, in the private room, the moment he saw her smile at others—

He finally knew.

He couldn't cut it off at all.

Not because she was like Baek Ji-xin.

Because—

She was Bae Joo-hyun.

Just her.

Not a replacement, not a shadow, not a substitute for anyone.

Just her.

Bae Joo-hyun.

The woman who made his heart race from the first time they met.

The woman who was cold as frost to him, yet smiled brilliantly at others.

The woman he wanted to get close to, but didn't dare to.

The woman who made him—

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

The faucet was still dripping.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

—

—

The moment the door closed, half the air in the private room seemed to be sucked away.

Yeri stared at that door, the fire of gossip in her eyes extinguished by more than half by Jiang Zhiyu's gloomy face before it even had a chance to burn. Joy put down her chopsticks, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the tabletop. Wendy frowned, her gaze moving back and forth between the door and Bae Joo-hyun. Kang Seulgi looked bewildered, her mouth slightly open, like a small bear dazed by a sudden turn of events.

Bae Joo-hyun lowered her head and continued eating the grilled meat.

Her expression didn't change at all. Her chopsticks picked up a piece of meat, dipped it in the sauce, and sent it into her mouth, chewing slowly. Her movements were elegant and composed, as if nothing had happened just now.

But the tips of her ears were slightly red.

Lee Tima sat in the corner with three plates in front of her. She was engaged in a life-and-death struggle with a piece of sinewy beef—the membrane of that meat was too tough; chopsticks couldn't hold it, a spoon couldn't press it down, and using hands directly wasn't very elegant.

She simply gave up. Putting down the chopsticks, she picked up the spoon, scooped up the entire piece of beef, brought it to her mouth, and bit down hard.

Mmh. Delicious.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

She chewed the Hanwoo, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces. Yeri's confusion, Joy's contemplation, Wendy's worry, Kang Seulgi's blank expression, and Bae Joo-hyun's... calmness.

And the secret thrill in her own heart of "I know why, and I'm enjoying this drama so much."

Lee Tima swallowed the Hanwoo, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

Yeri finally couldn't hold it in anymore. She snuck a glance at Bae Joo-hyun, confirmed she wasn't paying attention to this side, and quietly scooted over to Lee Tima, lowering her voice to ask, "Tima, what's going on with President Jiang suddenly acting like this?"

Lee Tima was in the middle of wrestling with another piece of Hanwoo. Hearing this question, her movements paused for a second. Then she looked up at Yeri, a wicked smile curling the corners of her mouth.

That smile was exactly the same as the expression Jiang Zhiyu wore when he was up to no good.

"Ah~" She drew out the sound, her tone as casual as if she were talking about the weather. "He's probably just started overthinking things again."

Yeri blinked.

Lee Tima used her spoon to point at the piece of Hanwoo on her plate and continued, "Oppa has been writing songs with Jinyoung Oppa lately, and the demands Jinyoung Oppa made are giving us quite a headache. Maybe Oppa got the urge to create from that?"

She tilted her head, putting on a look of serious contemplation.

"But I guess this time it might be a rock song about screaming for love, maybe with a bit of sci-fi classical style added in?"

The corner of Yeri's mouth twitched.

"Love... rock... sci-fi... classical?"

Joy leaned in too, and upon hearing these words, her brows knitted together. "How do these words even go together?"

Wendy also poked her head over, looking suspicious. "Tima, are you messing with us?"

Lee Tima blinked, her expression as innocent as a little white rabbit.

"No, I'm not!"

That tone, that expression—it was so sincere that one might have almost believed her. But as Yeri looked at the mischief hidden in those sparkling eyes, only one thought crossed her mind: This brat is so slippery.

She gritted her teeth, said nothing, and sat back in her seat. Lee Tima continued eating her Hanwoo, the smile at the corners of her mouth deepening.

Yeri had just sat down when her phone vibrated. She looked down to see it was that long-dormant group chat—the Leader Emotion Observation Group.

This group had been created many years ago. Back then, Red Velvet had just debuted, and the younger members had an extraordinary curiosity about their leader Bae Joo-hyun's "relationship status." They had discussed in the group whether Bae Joo-hyun had a boyfriend, whether anyone was pursuing her, or if she liked anyone—the conclusion was always "no."

Later, the group slowly went quiet. It wasn't until recently, when Lee Tima was added, that the group became active again.

Yeri opened the group chat and scrolled up a few messages.

Lee Tima: Oppa is completely obsessed with a one-sided crush.

Yeri's eyes widened instantly. She continued scrolling down.

Lee Tima: I guess he must be overthinking because of what Joohyun Unnie said earlier about "talking about dating topics." Or maybe it's because I mentioned a few things on the way here about "what it would be like if Joohyun Unnie were dating," and he started imagining things.

Lee Tima: He's definitely thinking about how to kill that person.

The messages below were already exploding.

Wendy: ??? What does that mean? Who wants to kill whom?

Joy: Who does Jiang Zhiyu want to kill? Who is that person?

Kang Seulgi: Wait, wait, wait, I'm a bit dizzy. So, you're saying Zhiyu is angry because Joohyun Unnie mentioned dating topics?

Wendy: Not angry, jealous, right?

Joy: Jealous? Jealous of whom?

Lee Tima: Jealous of a non-existent person who was imagined into existence, who is dating Joohyun Unnie.

Wendy: ...

Joy: ...

Kang Seulgi: ...

Wendy: So, Jiang Zhiyu likes Joohyun Unnie?

Lee Tima: Can I not answer that question?

Joy: No!

Kang Seulgi: You must answer!

Wendy: Hurry up and say it!

Lee Tima: ...Can't you guys tell for yourselves?

The group fell silent. Yeri looked at those messages, her mouth slowly dropping open. She looked up and snuck a peek at Bae Joo-hyun.

Bae Joo-hyun was sitting by the window with a plate of freshly grilled meat in front of her. She picked up a piece and ate it slowly, her gaze fixed outside the window, lost in thought. The warm yellow light spilled onto her face, and her expression was as calm as a deep pool of water.

Yeri withdrew her gaze and looked back at her phone. The messages in the group were still refreshing.

Wendy: So, Zhiyu is jealous because Joohyun Unnie mentioned "dating topics," and he imagined Joohyun Unnie dating someone else?

Lee Tima: That's about right.

Joy: But why doesn't he think one step further? That "someone else" doesn't even exist.

Lee Tima: Because he's an idiot.

The group fell silent again. Yeri stared at the sentence "Because he's an idiot" and couldn't help but nod frantically in her heart.

Yes! He is an idiot!

He clearly likes her to death, yet he insists on acting like "Irene xi"!

He's clearly so jealous he's about to explode, yet he insists on saying "going to the restroom"!

Clearly—she bit her lower lip and continued reading the messages.

Kang Seulgi: So what do we do now?

Wendy: What do you mean what do we do?

Kang Seulgi: I mean... should we help?

Joy: Help? Help with what? Set them up?

Wendy: This... wouldn't that be inappropriate? Matters of the heart should be left for them to handle themselves.

Lee Tima: If they handle it themselves, with Oppa's personality, he might still be saying "Irene xi" by the time Joohyun Unnie is forty.

The group went quiet for a second.

Joy: Forty? Joohyun Unnie is this year...

Wendy: Don't calculate it, don't calculate it!

Kang Seulgi: Unnie will kill you if she finds out you're calculating her age.

Yeri couldn't help it anymore and started typing.

Yeri: Wait, wait, wait! Did I miss something?! Why are you all discussing this so intensely, and I'm just now seeing it?!

Wendy: Who told you to only focus on eating.

Yeri: ...That was me observing the situation!

Joy: And what did you observe?

Yeri: I observed—Unnie really doesn't know what we're talking about.

Lee Tima: Obviously.

Yeri glared at that "Obviously," gritting her teeth in annoyance. But this brat really does know more than they do.

She took a deep breath and continued reading the messages.

Joy: So, Jiang Zhiyu likes Joohyun Unnie, and has liked her for a long time?

Lee Tima: Yeah.

Wendy: Since when?

Lee Tima: I really can't answer that question.

Kang Seulgi: Why?

Lee Tima: Because if I say it, Oppa will kill me.

The group fell silent again. Yeri stared at the line "Oppa will kill me," and the image of Jiang Zhiyu's gloomy face from earlier flashed in her mind.

She couldn't help but shiver. That really was... an expression that could kill.

Joy: Forget it, let's not ask that. Just one question—is Jiang Zhiyu currently imagining Joohyun Unnie being with someone else?

Lee Tima: He's definitely thinking about how to kill that person.

Wendy: But that person doesn't exist.

Lee Tima: That's why he's even angrier.

Yeri looked at that line and suddenly felt like laughing. That person doesn't exist, so he's even angrier. Because his anger, his jealousy, his murderous intent—could find no target to vent on. He could only digest it himself. Keep it bottled up. And... suffer himself. She sighed softly.

Yeri: So should we do something?

Joy: Do what?

Yeri: I mean... set them up.

Wendy: How do we set them up?

Yeri: For example... create opportunities for them to be alone? For example... mention Jiang Zhiyu more in front of Unnie? For example...

Kang Seulgi: For example what?

Yeri: For example... let them stay alone for a while?

Joy: That could work. When Jiang Zhiyu comes back, we'll find an excuse to leave and let the two of them be in the private room...

Wendy: Wouldn't that be too obvious?

Yeri: So what if it's obvious? Anyway, given Unnie's personality, even if she knew, she wouldn't say anything.

Lee Tima: I support it.

Yeri: Of course you support it, you're having the most fun watching the drama.

Lee Tima: Hehe~

Yeri looked at that "Hehe" and felt both annoyed and amused. She looked up and snuck another peek at Bae Joo-hyun.

Bae Joo-hyun was still eating the grilled meat. Her movements were slow and elegant, every bite as if she were savoring some precious food. But Yeri noticed that the meat she had picked up had already gone cold. She wasn't eating at all. She was just pretending.

Yeri withdrew her gaze and continued reading the messages.

Wendy: I think... we shouldn't be too deliberate. Joohyun Unnie is the type of person who will resist the more deliberate you are.

Joy: Then what should we do?

Wendy: Let it be. What's meant to come will come.

Yeri: But Unnie is almost forty!

The group went quiet for a second.

Wendy: Yah! Kim Yeri! What are you saying!

Joy: Unnie is only in her early thirties!

Kang Seulgi: If you say forty, Unnie will kill you!

Yeri: I'm just exaggerating! I mean, Unnie is not young anymore, and Jiang Zhiyu is not even twenty-two, young and handsome, and a genius president. No matter how you look at it, Jiang Zhiyu is at a disadvantage, and Unnie is totally the big winner!

The group went quiet again.

Wendy: ...When you put it that way, it does seem to make sense.

Joy: Jiang Zhiyu really does... have great conditions.

Kang Seulgi: And he really is different towards Joohyun Unnie.

Yeri: Right! So we need to hurry! We can't let someone else snatch him up!

Wendy: I heard... Jiang Zhiyu has an unusual relationship with Taeyeon Unnie too.

The group fell silent.

Joy: Taeyeon Unnie? Girls Generation's Taeyeon Unnie?

Wendy: Yeah. They've collaborated many times, and they have a good relationship. And Taeyeon Unnie is about the same age as our Unnie...

Yeri: Then why can't it be our Joohyun Unnie?

Joy: ...

Wendy: ...

Kang Seulgi: ...

Yeri: Even though he has a good relationship with Taeyeon Unnie, this is about our leader's happiness!

Her fingers tapped rapidly on the screen, every word carrying a determination that "we must stir up trouble":

Yeri: And just think—resources! Future development! TG Entertainment! Although I don't know how Taeyeon Unnie's relationship with Jiang Zhiyu is, we have all seen his relationship with Joohyun Unnie with our own eyes!

Wendy: It's true... the way he looks at Joohyun Unnie is definitely different.

Joy: Every time we meet, his gaze always lands on Joohyun Unnie first.

Kang Seulgi: And he calls everyone else "Sunbae," but he calls Joohyun Unnie "Irene xi."

Yeri: That's not being distant, that's nervousness! He's nervous!

Joy: Right! He's very natural when he calls us, but when he calls Irene Unnie, his speech speed gets faster!

Wendy: You guys are observing way too carefully...

Yeri: This is called professional instincts!

Lee Tima: You guys finally figured it out.

Yeri looked at that message and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

This brat, she knew all along and had been watching the show the whole time.

Yeri: So, are we going to stir up trouble or not?

Wendy: Do it!

Joy: Do it!

Kang Seulgi: Do it!

Lee Tima: Do it!

Yeri nodded with satisfaction.

Yeri: Then it's settled! When Jiang Zhiyu comes back later, we'll find an excuse to leave and let the two of them be alone for a while.

Wendy: What excuse?

Yeri: Just say... we're going to buy coffee?

Joy: Why drink coffee so late at night?

Yeri: Then... we're going to buy dessert?

Wendy: Didn't you just say you were full?

Yeri: That was just being polite!

Joy: Who were you being polite to?

Yeri: ...Anyway, just find an excuse! Anything will do!

Wendy: Then say... we're going to the restroom?

Yeri: Five people going to the restroom together? Wouldn't that be too obvious?

Joy: Then four people go, and leave one person here?

Yeri: Leave who?

Joy: ...

Wendy: ...

Kang Seulgi: ...

Yeri: Forget it, let's just all go. So what if it's obvious? Anyway, given Unnie's personality, even if she knew, she wouldn't say anything.

Wendy: Are you sure?

Yeri: Sure!

She put her phone away, looked up, and exchanged glances with the others. Wendy nodded slightly, Joy blinked, and Kang Seulgi made an "OK" sign. Lee Tima continued eating her Hanwoo, but the smile at the corners of her mouth couldn't be hidden.

Yeri took a deep breath and snuck another peek at Bae Joo-hyun. Bae Joo-hyun was still eating the grilled meat. Her movements were still elegant, her expression still calm. But Yeri noticed that the chopsticks in her hand trembled slightly.

Did she hear everything? Or... did she feel something? Yeri didn't dare to think about it. She just said silently in her heart: Unnie, don't blame us. We are doing this for your happiness. And—with Jiang Zhiyu's conditions, you really aren't losing out.

The night outside the window grew deeper. The light in the private room remained warm. And a plan to "stir up trouble" was brewing.