He Ming is still walking quickly to keep up with someone taller, and when Malcolm slows down he doesn't react soon enough to avoid nearly bumping into him. He laughs, mostly at himself, and meets Malcolm's eyes with a flush rising in his cheeks.

"I'm okay. Just a little lonely." They're still out on the street. Despite that He Ming is tempted to reach out and try to hold onto his arm. But—no. If they're going inside his house, that'll be a better time for him to make his move.

"But you live by yourself, right? Don't you get lonely?"