Fu Ling locked the front door and had his bath thoroughly then put on some casual house clothes and fell asleep.
After waking up naturally, he prepared a light meal for himself and headed out.
All the neighbors looked at him with pity but no one came out to ask or even mention what happened.
He followed the directions and got to an underdeveloped neighborhood. He grabbed a bunch of kids playing in the ally and asked
"Where's Tao Ran?"
The kids pointed out the exact direction and he continued his journey. He came to the house and saw a kid outside with luggage scattered at his feet but he only held a black and white photo of an old woman cleaning it mechanically with empty eyes.
Fu Ling stood behind him for about a minute and then tapped the child's shoulder.
"Follow me?"
Tao Ran turned around and looked at the person. He didn't seem impressive at first glance and his too long hair that covered his face coupled with the glasses made it difficult to discern his facial features. Tao Ran found himself nodding in acceptance.
In the future when he looked back at this day, he would thank the heavens for taking pity on him. But now, he just wanted to survive.
Fu Ling called the children he met before and after offering payment, they helped to pack and move Tao Ran's things.
On getting to the road, Fu Ling hailed a taxi and they arranged the stuff in the trunk then he paid them and hauled Tao Ran away.
When the car stopped at his community, Fu Ling helped Tao Ran pack the things. Xiao Meng happened to be passing at that time and came over to help.
"Uncle Fu"
Fu Ling smiled at the child
"Xiao Meng you're going to have a new playmate"
Xiao Meng blushed and rubbed the back of his head while Tao Ran followed quietly with his head lowered.
They got to his house and Xiao Meng said goodbye. Before he left, he hesitated for a while and then said
"Uncle Fu I didn't tell my mom about the other thing.. umm you know about you."
Fu Ling immediately understood what he meant and his smile widened
"Thanks kid."
Xiao Meng hopped off with a smile on his face and Fu Ling led Tao Ran inside.
It was a four bedroom house but he hasn't moved Yanxi and Rong Hua's things yet so he just led the child to the last bedroom.
"You sleep here tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you to get a haircut and after that, you can choose which bedroom you want"
Tao Ran hummed and then softly said
"Thank you"
Fu Ling went to his room and sent a message telling Rong Hua that if she didn't want his to donate all her things, she should come get them tomorrow morning.
He checked his work email and messages. With the number of messages you'd think he was very popular with his colleagues. He decided to leave this for now and started investigating Chaos.
That used to be the first thing he checked after entering the small world but now.. ahh his husband is loosing favour.
He swiped the panel and raised an eyebrow as he saw the identity of the person with the soul fragment of Chaos.
"What a coincidence."
The next morning, he went out to buy breakfast and then woke Tao Ran up.
The child muttered a greeting under his breath and then sat down eating quietly.
"Go wash up after eating and I'll take you to teacher Tony's shop"
They both had their baths and Fu Ling locked the door behind himself. He didn't plan on waiting for Rong Hua. He doubted she would come at the agreed time.
He took the child to the barber shop and got a haircut himself as well. When the hair length was reduced and his smooth forehead was revealed, the other customers couldn't help but marvel.
Tony looked at his creation with pride. These two came in and it could be said that they were reborn in his shop. Who knew that such handsome faces were hiding behind those long bangs.
Tao Ran looked at the person beside him from time to time.
"What wrong kid?"
"Umm are you going to take off your glasses next?"
Fu Ling looked down at him
"What?"
Tao Ran felt stupid but he kept talking
"Well in these novels or movies when the protagonist transforms, they always take off their glasses and then they become a world class beauty-"
Fu Ling looked quizzically at the young man.
"You should stop consuming that kind of media. It's not good for your development. Besides, I'm currently half blind what good will it do me to take off my glasses?"
Tao Ran thought about it and felt it was true. Those people usually only wore glasses to cover up their appearance but this person actually couldn't see without glasses.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Fu Ling. What's your name?"
Tao Ran smiled
"I'm Tao Ran."
Fu Ling smiled as well.
"Nice to meet you Tao Ran. Please take care of me in the future"
Tao Ran couldn't help but laugh but then stopped abruptly
"Why did you help me?"
Fu Ling stared at the child
"You've known me less than 24 hours. How are you so sure I'm helping you?"
Tao Ran smiled and placed a hand on his heart
"I can feel it."
Fu Ling was stunned for a second and then laughed
"Okay. That's good. Don't loose your heart."
Tao Ran wasn't fooled
"You haven't answered yet"
Fu Ling shrugged
"You're a lucky kid who just happened to catch my attention"
Tao Ran didn't press for an answer and they walked back side by side.
Fu Ling noticed someone at the door pacing impatiently and narrowed his eyes.
When they got closer, Rong Hua immediately started complaining
"Where did you go? How could you let me wait for so long?"
Fu Ling ignored her and opened the door
"Go get your things."