Morning arrived too quickly.Gray light slipped through the hotel curtains.For a brief moment,everything was quiet.Then Jun wei stirred beneath the blanket.He stretched lazily,blinked several times,and looked around the unfamiliar room.His sleepy expression slowly cleared."...Oh right!"he murmured softly.Jun Wei sat up and rubbed his eyes.On the other bed,Lian Ziho was still awake,sitting against the wall with his arms folded.He hadn't slept much.Jun wei noticed immediately."Lian Gege?"he called quietly.
Lian Ziho turned his head and gave him a tired smile."Morning."Jun Wei tilted his head with concern."Did you stay awake all night?" Lian ziho shrugged as though it were nothing. "Someone had to guard the fortress."Jun Wei's eyes widened with admiration."That's very responsible."Lian Ziho smiled.
Across the room,Suo ran stirred in the chair beside the bed.He had fallen asleep sometime during the night while watching over Jun Wei.Jun wei carefully climbed off the bed,making sure not to make too much noise,and walked over to him."Gege?"he called gently.Suo ran slowly opened his eyes.For one brief second,confusion crossed his face.Then reality returned all at once.Jun Wei smiled warmly."Morning."Suo ran rubbed his tired face and let out a quiet breath. "Morning."
Jun Wei stood quietly for a moment before looking thoughtful."I still have school today." Lian Ziho sighed under his breath.Suo ean didn't answer immediately.The same question that had troubled them all night had followed them into the morning.Jun Wei waited patiently before asking again in a smaller voice,"Am I going?"
At that moment,the door opened quietly,and Cai Lang stepped inside carrying two cups of hot coffee.He walked over and handed one to Suo Ran."Morning!"he said calmly.Suo Ran accepted the cup with a quiet nod."Morning." Cai Lang then looked at Jun Wei,and for the first time that morning,a faint trace of amusement appeared in his eyes."And good morning to the smallest strategist in the room."Jun Wei immediately puffed out his chest proudly."Thank you."Then he pointed toward suo ran with complete seriousness. "He's still deciding about school."Cai Lang raised one eyebrow slightly."Ah."Lian Ziho spoke first,his expression becoming serious again."It's risky."Suo Ran slowly nodded. "Yes."Jun wei frowned unhappily."But I already missed a lot of classes."
Before anyone could answer,a familiar voice came from the doorway."Not as many as you think."Everyone turned.Teacher Liu stepped into the room carrying a small paper bag.Jun Wei's face brightened instantly."Teacher!"he exclaimed happily.Teacher Liu smiled warmly. "I promised I'd come back."Jun Wei hurried over with excited little steps."Did you bring breakfast?"Teacher Liu laughed softly as he handed him the paper bag."You know me too well."Jun Wei eagerly peeked inside. His eyes immediately sparkled when he saw several steamed buns."You are the best teacher in the world!"he declared dramatically.Teacher Liu chuckled warmly."I'll use that compliment carefully."
While Jun Wei happily sat on the bed eating breakfast,the adults naturally drifted closer to the window.Their voices became lower,and their expressions more serious.Teacher Liu spoke quietly."The school is normal today." Lian Ziho crossed his arms tightly."That doesn't mean it's safe."Teacher Liu nodded in agreement."No.But it's crowded."Cai Lang looked thoughtfully out the window before speaking."Crowds can work both ways."Suo Ran lowered his eyes toward the floor,his grip tightening slightly around the coffee cup."If they want leverage..."Lian Ziho quietly finished the thought."School is the perfect place."Teacher Liu sighed softly."But keeping him away will raise questions too."
Suo Ran slowly turned his head and looked toward Jun Wei.The boy sat happily on the bed,swinging his legs while chewing his steamed bun,completely unaware of how difficult the decision had become.Teacher Liu's expression softened as he watched him."He deserves something normal!"he said gently.The words settled heavily over the room.Suo ran closed his eyes for a brief moment."I know."
Suddenly Jun Wei jumped down from the bed."I heard that."All four adults froze and looked toward him.Jun Wei folded his arms and puffed out his cheeks."You think I can't handle villains at school?"Lian Ziho blinked in surprise."That's not what we said."Jun Wei pointed dramatically at everyone."You are underestimating me."Teacher Liu quickly covered his mouth,trying not to laugh.Suo Ran let out a tired sigh."You're eight."Jun Wei immediately corrected him."Eight and a half." Suo ran shook his head with the faintest smile."Still eight."
Jun Wei turned hopefully toward Cai Lang. "Tell them I'm brave."Cai Lang looked at him for a moment before giving a small shrug. "You are."Jun Wei immediately looked back at the others with a triumphant grin. "See?" Lian Ziho rubbed his forehead with a helpless smile."This child is impossible."Jun Wei grinned even wider."I learned from cartoons. "Teacher Liu laughed again,the sound filling the room with a little warmth.
After a long silence,Suo Ran finally looked at Jun Wei and spoke quietly."You can go."Jun Wei's eyes became wide with excitement. "Really?"Suo Ran nodded,but his expression remained firm."But,"he added seriously,"Lian Gege will take you."Jun Wei nodded without hesitation."Deal."Lian Ziho looked genuinely surprised before meeting Suo Ran's eyes. "You're trusting me again?"Suo Ran held his gaze for a moment before answering softly, "Yes."Lian Ziho gave a slow nod. "Then I won't lose him."Jun Wei raised one hand dramatically as though making an official promise."I promise not to chase balloons." Cai Lang quietly muttered under his breath,"Progress."
The small room suddenly became busy. Jun Wei stood on a little stool in front of the tiny sink, brushing his teeth with exaggerated determination while foam covered the corners of his mouth. Beside him, Lian Ziho patiently tried to smooth down the boy's hopelessly messy hair, gently combing it back with his fingers. "Hold still!" Lian Ziho said with a sigh, trying not to laugh. Jun Wei immediately protested through a mouthful of toothpaste, "I am holding still." Lian raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "No, you're definitely not." Jun Wei turned toward the mirror, tilting his head proudly as he admired himself. "I look cool." Lian couldn't help smiling faintly. "You look like a storm passed through your hair." Jun Wei giggled while Teacher Liu quietly packed Jun Wei's small backpack, carefully making sure everything was inside.
Nearby, Suo Ran stood silently watching every little movement, his tired eyes lingering on Jun Wei a second longer than necessary. Cai Lang notice it and stepped beside him, his voice calm but understanding. "You're worried." Suo ran lowered his gaze and answered honestly without pretending otherwise. "Yes." Cai Lang nodded once. "We'll watch from a distance." Suo ran looked at him. "You're coming too." A faint smirk appeared on Cai Lang's face. "Obviously."
The morning air outside was cool and fresh. Students walked along the sidewalks in small groups while parents chatted quietly with coffee cups in their hands before heading to work. Everything looked perfectly ordinary... almost too ordinary. Jun Wei reached up and wrapped his small hand around Suo Ran's fingers, looking up with a bright smile. "I'll be back after school." Suo Ran slowly knelt until they were eye level, gently straightening the boy's collar before resting a hand on his shoulder. His voice was gentle but serious. "Be careful." Jun Wei nodded with complete confidence, puffing out his chest. "Secret mission."
Lian Ziho let out a tired sigh as he adjusted his jacket. "We really need to stop calling it that." Jun Wei grinned mischievously. "It's fun." Teacher Liu smiled warmly before leading the way toward the school gates. Jun Wei skipped happily beside him, swinging his backpack with every step, while Lian Ziho followed only a few steps behind, quietly watching everyone around them. Across the street, Suo Ran and Cai Lang remained where they were, silently watching... waiting... protecting from the shadows.
Across the road, parked neatly between two ordinary cars, the familiar black sedan waited once again. Inside, the same man calmly held his phone. A new photo appeared on the screen _ _ Jun Wei walking toward the school entrance with Teacher Liu beside him and Lian Ziho following behind. Without changing expression, the man typed a short message. "The boy arrived." A reply appeared only seconds later. "Good." Another message followed almost immediately. "Phase two begins."
The man slowly lifted his eyes from the screen and watched Jun Wei disappear through the school gates. A faint smile crossed his lips as he whispered almost to himself, "Let's see how protective your heroes really are." Because somewhere inside the crowded school, hidden among hundreds of students, someone else had already been waiting. And without realizing it, Jun Wei had walked straight into the place chosen for the next move.
The school courtyard was already lively. Children laughed as they ran across the open space, backpacks bouncing behind them, while several teachers stood near the entrance greeting students with friendly smiles. Jun Wei stepped through the gates and slowed down, taking in the familiar surroundings. After a moment, a happy smile spread across his face. "I missed this place." Teacher Liu chuckled softly as they continued walking. "That's good to hear." Jun Wei looked up hopefully. "Do you think my friends missed me?"
Teacher Liu nodded with a warm smile. "They asked about you yesterday." Jun Wei's eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. He turned around and proudly looked toward Lian Ziho. "See? I'm famous." Lian Ziho walked beside them with both hands tucked into his jacket pockets, his calm expression hiding the fact that his eyes never stopped scanning the crowd... students... teachers... parents leaving through the gates. Everything appeared normal, but experience had already taught him that appearances meant very little. Jun Wei tugged lightly on his sleeve. "Lian Gege." Lian looked down. "Yes?" Jun Wei studied his face carefully before speaking with complete seriousness. "Stop looking like a bodyguard." Lian blinked in surprise. "What?" Jun Wei pointed directly at him. "You look suspicious." Teacher Liu laughed softly, unable to hide his amusement. "He does have a point." Lian sighed in defeat. "I am suspicious." Jun Wei nodded wisely. "That's fair."
Jun Wei's classroom was on the second floor, and the hallway buzzed with cheerful conversations as students greeted one another before lessons began. The moment Jun Wei stepped inside, several classmates turned toward him. "Jun Wei!" Chen Yu rushed over excitedly. "Where were you?!" Jun Wei simply shrugged with complete confidence. "Secret mission." Chen Yu's eyes widened in amazement. "Really?" Jun Wei leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically. "I can't talk about it." Chen Yu stared at him with open admiration, completely convinced.
Near the doorway, Teacher Liu quietly spoke with the classroom teacher. "Thank you for understanding the situation." The teacher smiled kindly and nodded. "We're glad he's back." Standing in the hallway, Lian Ziho folded his arms across his chest as he continued watching every movement... every unfamiliar face... every person passing through the corridor. Teacher Liu returned after finishing the conversation and looked at him with gentle concern. "You don't have to stand here all day." Lian Ziho calmly shook his head. "I'm staying nearby." Teacher Liu studied him for a moment before smiling faintly. "You really care about that boy." Lian answered without hesitation. "Yes."
Across the street, Suo Ran and Cai Lang sat quietly inside a parked car with a clear view of the school entrance. Students continued entering while parents gradually disappeared one after another. Suo Ran's eyes never left the gates for even a second. Cai Lang noticed the unwavering stare and spoke quietly. "You're going to stare holes into that building." Suo Ran remained silent for a moment before answering softly. "I know." Cai Lang glanced at him. "But you don't believe it." Suo Ran let out a tired sigh and rested his head lightly against the seat. "I just don't like this." Cai Lang nodded once in agreement. "Neither do I."
Silence settled between them for a while before Suo ran spoke again, his voice lower this time. "You think they're already inside?" Cai Lang answered immediately without looking away from the school. "Yes." Suo Ran turned toward him. "How many?" Cai Lang's expression remained unreadable. "Unknown." Suo Ran gave a faint, humorless smile. "That's not comforting." Cai Lang simply shrugged. "It's realistic."
Inside the classroom, Jun Wei happily pulled his notebook from his backpack while Chen Yu leaned across the desk once again, curiosity written all over his face. "So what was the mission?" Jun Wei looked around carefully before whispering, "Top secret." Chen Yu slumped in disappointment. "But did you fight villains?" Jun Wei thought very seriously for a few seconds before giving a mysterious answer. "...Maybe." Chen Yu gasped for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.
At the front of the classroom, the teacher began writing the day's lesson across the board. Jun Wei tried his best to pay attention, but something kept pulling at the edge of his thoughts. It wasn't fear. It wasn't danger. Just... something strangely familiar. Slowly, he turned his head toward the classroom window. Outside, near the school gate, a man stood quietly watching the entrance. Jun Wei frowned ever so slightly as a strange feeling settled in his chest. He had seen that man before. But where?
Outside the school gate, the man slowly lowered his phone after taking another picture. The image showed Jun Wei sitting quietly by the classroom window. Without hesitation, he sent it. A few seconds later, a reply appeared. "Target confirmed inside classroom." Across the city, another response arrived almost immediately. "Good." A final instruction followed. "Do not act yet." The man calmly slipped his phone back into his pocket and remained where he was, silently watching the school.
Inside the parked car across the street, Cai Lang's phone suddenly vibrated. He lowered his eyes and unlocked the screen. An anonymous message. Only a photograph. It had been taken just seconds ago. Jun Wei sat inside his classroom, completely unaware. The moment Suo Ran saw the image, the color drained from his face and his blood seemed to turn cold. His fingers tightened into fists as he whispered, "They're already watching him."
Cai Lang's expression remained calm, though his eyes grew colder. He nodded slowly. "Yes." Another message appeared beneath the photo. "Relax." A second line followed almost immediately. "School is a very safe place." Suo Ran's jaw tightened as anger and fear mixed inside him. "That's not reassuring." Cai Lang leaned back against the seat, letting out a slow breath. "They're playing with us." Suo Ran stared at the school building through the windshield without blinking. "Why?" Cai Lang answered quietly, his voice flat. "Because they can."
Back inside the classroom, Jun Wei shifted uneasily in his chair. Chen Yu leaned over again, lowering his voice. "What's wrong?" Jun Wei frowned slightly as he looked toward the window. "I feel like someone is staring at me." Chen Yu looked around the classroom before shrugging. "Maybe the teacher." Jun Wei glanced toward the front of the room where the teacher was still writing equations across the board. He slowly shook his head. "No." His eyes drifted toward the hallway... then the window... then the classroom door. Everything looked completely ordinary. Yet the uneasy feeling refused to disappear. Leaning back slowly in his chair, he quietly mumbled to himself, "...Villains are really weird."
Across the street, inside the black sedan, the man continued watching the school in silence. His phone vibrated again. Another message appeared. "Prepare for the afternoon." A faint smile slowly crossed his lips. The morning had never been the real objective. Children followed routines. Lunch... recess... dismissal. And chaos was always easiest when children moved between those moments. He lifted his gaze toward the school building once more and whispered softly, "Let's see how well the heroes guard him when the bell rings." Because somewhere inside the school, hidden among teachers and parents, someone else had already arrived.
The classroom gradually settled into its normal routine. Chairs scraped softly across the floor as students adjusted their seats. Notebooks opened one after another, and pencils began scratching across paper. Jun Wei lowered his head, trying to focus on the math problem written neatly across the board. But no matter how hard he tried, his attention kept drifting. Once again he glanced toward the window.
The man standing near the school gate had disappeared. Somehow, that made him feel even less comfortable. Chen Yu leaned over again with a curious grin. "What are you looking at?" Jun Wei quickly looked back at his notebook and shrugged. "Nothing." Chen Yu smiled knowingly. "You're still thinking about the mission, right?" Jun Wei hesitated for a second before quietly answering, "...Maybe." Even then, the strange feeling refused to leave him. It felt as though someone was still watching... even if he couldn't see them.
Across the street, Suo Ran hadn't moved for almost twenty minutes. His eyes remained fixed on the school building without wavering. Cai Lang glanced sideways at him before speaking quietly. "You're going to burn out before lunchtime." Suo Ran slowly exhaled, never taking his eyes off the entrance. "I can't help it." Cai Lang checked the mirrors surrounding the parked car. Traffic flowed normally. Parents walked past. Nothing looked suspicious. Or at least... nothing obvious. After a brief pause, he asked, "You trust Lian Ziho, right?" Suo Ran nodded without hesitation. "Yes." Cai Lang looked back toward the school. "Then trust him now." Suo Ran didn't answer. Because trust could never silence worry.
Inside the school, the first bell rang loudly through the hallways. Students immediately stood, gathering their books with excited chatter. Jun Wei stretched both arms above his head and smiled. "Finally." Chen Yu grinned back. "Recess!" Within seconds, the classroom emptied into the crowded hallway as children rushed toward the stairs leading to the courtyard. Jun Wei followed the crowd, but the moment he stepped into the hallway, his feet suddenly stopped. At the far end of the corridor stood a man. Not a teacher. Not a parent. Just standing there... watching. Jun Wei tilted his head slightly. He had definitely seen that face somewhere before. The man noticed Jun Wei staring and slowly smiled. Jun Wei blinked. Then the memory struck him all at once. The amusement park. The balloon stand. His stomach suddenly dropped.
Downstairs near the courtyard entrance, Lian Ziho leaned casually against the wall with his arms folded, quietly watching the endless stream of children running outside. Groups laughed... shouted... chased one another across the playground. Everything appeared perfectly normal. Yet his instincts refused to relax. Teacher Liu walked over and stopped beside him with a gentle smile. "You've been staring at the staircase for ten minutes." Lian Ziho didn't move. "I know." Teacher Liu glanced toward the stairs. "Waiting for him?" Lian answered simply. "Yes." Teacher Liu smiled faintly. "You're worse than a nervous parent." For the first time, Lian turned his head slightly toward him. "I'm worse than that."
Upstairs, Jun Wei remained frozen for another second. The man at the end of the hallway still hadn't moved. Then, very slowly, the man raised one hand... and waved. Jun Wei's heartbeat instantly sped up. That definitely wasn't normal. Chen Yu noticed him standing still and called out, "Hey, aren't you coming?" Jun Wei blinked before forcing himself to move. "Yeah." As they walked toward the staircase, he couldn't stop glancing back over his shoulder. But when he looked one final time... the man had vanished.
The school courtyard exploded with laughter and excitement as hundreds of children rushed outside for recess. Lian ziho searched the crowd until his eyes found a familiar red backpack. And he saw Jun Wei running happily toward the swings beside Chen Yu. Lian ziho allowed himself a slow breath of relief. Teacher Liu noticed and smiled gently. "There he is." Lian nodded. "He's fine." But despite saying the words, something still bothered him. Because as he watched Jun Wei laughing with the other children... he noticed the boy repeatedly looking over his shoulder.
Across the street, Cai Lang's phone buzzed once more. He unlocked it and found another anonymous message. Another photograph. Jun Wei standing near the swings in the school courtyard. Cai Lang silently turned the phone so Suo Ran could see. Suo Ran's jaw tightened painfully. "They're still watching." Another message appeared beneath the image. "Children are unpredictable." Then another line followed. "Especially curious ones." Suo Ran frowned deeply. "What does that mean?" Cai Lang remained silent because another message appeared almost immediately. "Let's see if he follows instructions."
Back in the courtyard, Jun Wei stood near the swings while Chen Yu ran excitedly toward the slide. Jun Wei started to follow, but a quiet voice suddenly spoke beside him. "Hello again." Jun Wei turned immediately. The man from the hallway stood calmly beside the fence, smiling as though they had simply met by coincidence. Jun Wei frowned and crossed his arms. "You're not a teacher." The man chuckled softly. "No." Jun Wei narrowed his eyes. "You're one of the villains."
The man looked almost amused. "Is that what you call us?"Jun wei nodded. "Yes." The man slowly crouched until they were eye level. "That's not very polite." Jun Wei shrugged without looking embarrassed. "You shouldn't spy on people." The man's smile widened just slightly. "You're very observant." Jun Wei pointed directly at him. "You were at the amusement park." The man didn't deny it. Jun Wei continued confidently, "My Gege says villains like to watch before they act." The man smiled faintly. "Your Gege is very smart." Jun Wei continued staring at him suspiciously. "So what do you want?"
The man stood up again with unhurried movements. "Just a conversation." Jun Wei immediately shook his head. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." The man nodded thoughtfully. "Good rule." Then he slowly gestured toward the far corner of the courtyard. "Maybe you should tell your brother something." Jun Wei frowned in confusion. "What?" The man leaned closer and whispered softly, "Tell him the library door is already open." Jun Wei blinked in confusion. "What?" But by the time he lifted his head again... the man was already walking away, disappearing calmly through the school gate.
The recess bell rang loudly across the courtyard. Students immediately began running back toward the classrooms. Jun Wei remained standing for another moment, quietly repeating the strange words in his head. "Library door..." What did that even mean? Chen Yu grabbed his arm excitedly. "Come on!" Jun Wei finally followed him back toward the building. But as he climbed the stairs, the uneasy feeling returned stronger than before. Like someone was watching him. Except this time... it wasn't only one person.
Across the street, the engine of the black sedan came. Inside, the man calmly watched the school while speaking into his phone. "The message has been delivered." A voice on the other end asked, "Did the boy understand?" The man smiled faintly without taking his eyes off the school building. "He will." His smile slowly widened. "And when he tells Suo Ran..." He paused briefly before finishing in a quiet voice. "...the real game begins."