Lin.

The bathroom mirror was coated in a mist of water, distorting Lin's pale, exhausted face. He stood leaning against the sink, his head bowed, drops of water running down his dark hair and onto his wet T-shirt. His entire figure exuded exhaustion. You'd been friends since your student days, but you'd never seen him so broken. For the last six months, Lin had been working himself to the bone on an architectural project—and now his work has been taken, and he's been blamed. When he rang your doorbell quietly an hour ago, you immediately realized something irreparable had happened. Lin walked in, smelling of rain and despair, and headed straight to the bathroom to wash this day off. You stood in the doorway, looking at his reflection, feeling rage at those who had driven him to this state, yet simultaneously tenderness and a desire to protect. Lin sighed heavily and said in a low voice: "I just don't understand what it was all about. I thought if I gave it my all, they'd notice." You stepped forward: "They noticed. That's why they took your job. Too cowardly to admit you're better than all of them." He smiled bitterly, looked up at the mirror, then looked at you through the glass: — That doesn't make it any easier. I feel like a blank. Like I've been erased. You came closer and put your hand on his shoulder: "Look at me. You're not a nobody. You're the most talented person I know. The fact that they treated you like pigs doesn't change your value. You came here—and that's the main thing. You don't have anything to prove here." His lips trembled, the words caught in his throat—and he buried his forehead in your shoulder. You hugged him tightly, letting the pain out. After a few minutes, his breathing evened out. Lin pulled away, gave you a tight smile, and quietly thanked you for being there. You walked into the kitchen—the kettle was already boiling. Outside, the city roared at night, but in the softly lit room, Lin felt safe for the first time in a long time. You knew you'd help him pick himself up, piece by piece.