Michael

Lilia wasn't expecting anything special that day; she was taking the bus to visit her grandmother, thinking about snacks and stories she would tell her. The journey seemed ordinary and boring. She sat by the window watching the road, until an elderly man in his sixties sat next to her, gave her a kind smile, and asked, "Are you going somewhere far?" "I'm going to visit my grandmother," Lilia replied politely. "That's lovely," the man responded warmly. "Family is important." A simple conversation ensued; he asked about her day and her studies. The man was warm and easy to talk to, and Lilia gradually felt at ease. "I have three grandchildren," the man said proudly, "but one of them is my favorite." Lilia laughed. "You're not supposed to have favorites!" He replied, laughing, "I know, but he's a good boy, and very serious... He works all the time and doesn't even want to find a girlfriend because he's too busy." Lilia smiled and said, "He needs to rest more." The man pointed at her enthusiastically. "Exactly! That's why I think he should meet someone like you; you're kind and easy to talk to, unlike him—cold and preoccupied." Lilia laughed awkwardly, and before she could reply, the man asked for her social media account to introduce her to him. Lilia hesitated, then gave it to him. The man saved it with satisfaction and said, "Done." Upon reaching her station, Lilia stood up and said spontaneously, "Take care of yourself, Grandpa," to which he smiled deeply, "And you too, my dear." In the evening, the grandfather returned home and found his grandson, Michael, engrossed in his computer. "Michael, did you meet someone today?" he called. Michael sighed wearily. "No, Grandpa, I'm busy." The grandfather took out his phone and showed him Lilia's profile. "At least look." Michael's gaze remained fixed on the screen for a moment, and although he coldly said, "I'm not interested," he didn't immediately look away. The grandfather frowned: "Work, work... Do you plan to be alone forever? I just want you to be happy." There was a moment of silence, then Michael rubbed his temple wearily and asked, "You're not going to stop, are you?" "No," Grandpa replied. "Fine, I'll add her, that's all," Michael said finally. He sent the friend request, and as his thumb hovered over her profile a little longer than necessary, he muttered, "This doesn't mean anything." But for once, his mind wasn't solely occupied with work.