Night had settled fully over the city. The lights outside the hotel window glowed softly, reflecting across the glass, while the streets below had grown quieter, the busy noise of daytime replaced by the occasional passing car and the faint murmur of voices drifting through the night. Inside the room, Jun Wei had already fallen asleep.He lay sprawled across the bed with one arm hanging over the side.
Lian Ziho stood near the window with his hands resting loosely at his sides,his eyes scanning the street below. For once, nothing looked suspicious. Behind him, Suo Ran sat on the edge of the couch, slowly turning a cup of warm tea between his palms. He watched Lian Ziho's rigid posture for a moment before speaking. "You've been staring outside for twenty minutes." Suo Ran said quietly, raising one eyebrow. Lian Ziho didn't turn around. "Habit."
Suo Ran let out a small breath through his nose, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Still expecting shadows?" "Always." The answer came so quickly that Suo Ran's expression softened. He lowered his eyes toward his tea before setting the cup carefully on the table. "You know… they disappeared." Lian Ziho's gaze remained fixed on the street. "For now."
After a moment, he finally stepped away from the window and turned toward him. The warm bedside lamp beside Jun Wei's bed cast a soft glow across his face. Suo Ran leaned back against the couch and studied him. "You don't relax very well." Lian Ziho folded his arms, one eyebrow lifting. "And you do?" Suo Ran shrugged with a faintly embarrassed smile. "I'm trying."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was Jun Wei's quiet breathing. Suddenly, the boy shifted under the blanket and murmured something unintelligible in his sleep.Both men turned toward him immediately, their bodies reacting before their minds could catch up. After several seconds, Jun Wei settled again, his small fingers curling around the edge of the blanket.
Suo Ran slowly relaxed his shoulders. "He trusts you a lot." he murmured. Lian Ziho glanced at the jun wei before answering. "He trusts you too." Suo Ran shook his head slightly. "Not the same way." Lian Ziho went silent. Suo Ran leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he watched Jun Wei with a thoughtful expression. "When he calls you 'Lian Gege'… it sounds different." Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
Suo Ran's lips curved faintly. "Like he thinks you'll fix everything." Lian Ziho's expression softened as he looked toward the sleeping child. "He deserves someone who can." Suo Ran studied him carefully, noticing the quiet weight behind those words. "You carry too much responsibility." Lian Ziho looked back at him. "And you don't?" A small smile appeared on Suo Ran's face. "Not as quietly as you do."
After a moment, Suo Ran suddenly looked down, almost hesitant. "Earlier… at the café." Lian Ziho's eyes narrowed slightly with amusement. "You mean when you covered your face in pastry crumbs?" Suo Ran groaned and covered his face with one hand. "Please don't remind me." The corner of Lian Ziho's mouth lifted. "You did it twice." Suo Ran lowered his hand and glared at him. "That was an accident." "Both times?"
Lian Ziho asked, his expression completely serious despite the amusement in his eyes. Suo Ran grabbed a pillow from the couch and tossed it lightly at him. "You're annoying." Lian Ziho caught the pillow easily, and laughed. "You started it."
Suo Ran stared at him for a second before laughing too.After a while, Suo Ran stood and walked toward the window, stopping beside Lian Ziho. The two of them looked out over the scattered city lights. Suo Ran rested one hand lightly against the windowsill."You know…" he began slowly, his expression becoming thoughtful. "This reminds me of before." Lian Ziho glanced sideways at him. "Before what?" Suo Ran's gaze remained on the city. "Before everything got complicated."Lian Ziho's eyes lingered on him for a moment. "You say that a lot." Suo Ran smiled faintly. "Because it was simpler."
Lian Ziho turned back toward the window. "Life rarely stays simple." Suo Ran nodded slowly. "Still… walking with you today felt familiar." Lian Ziho didn't answer and for several seconds he simply watched the lights outside. Finally, he spoke quietly. "We're still walking." Suo Ran turned his head toward him, surprise flickering briefly across his face before a small smile appeared. "Yeah." Another quiet pause passed then Suo Ran noticed something. His eyes narrowed playfully. "You're smiling."
Lian Ziho immediately looked away. "I'm not." Suo Ran leaned slightly closer, clearly amused. "You are." "I'm not." Suo Ran's smile widened. "You definitely are." Lian Ziho shook his head and walked back toward the chair beside Jun Wei's bed. "Get some sleep." Suo Ran followed him with his eyes, amused. "You sound like a parent." Lian Ziho glanced at him over his shoulder. "Someone has to." Suo Ran stretched his arms before sitting back down on the couch. "You're not sleeping?" "I will." "When?" Lian Ziho adjusted the chair slightly and looked toward the window again. "When I'm sure everything is quiet."
Suo Ran watched him for a few seconds, then reached for the extra blanket lying beside him. With a small sigh, he tossed it toward Lian Ziho. Lian Ziho caught it mid-air and looked down at the blanket with mild confusion. "What's this for?" Suo Ran crossed his arms. "You can't guard the window all night." Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow. "I've done it before." Suo Ran gave him a knowing look. "And you looked terrible the next day." Lian Ziho's expression changed slightly. "You noticed?" Suo Ran shrugged, suddenly looking away. "Someone has to."
For a moment, their eyes met again.Lian Ziho looked down at the blanket and sighed. "Fine." Suo Ran smiled faintly. "Progress." Lian Ziho sat down beside Jun Wei's bed and leaned back slightly in the chair, the blanket resting across his lap. Suo Ran watched him settle before relaxing into the couch.Suo Ran closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to enjoy the silence.Lian Ziho glanced toward him, and his expression softened when he saw how peaceful Suo Ran finally looked.
Cai Lang walked slowly down the nearly empty street,his hands inside his coat pockets.The image kept replaying.The café window and Suo Ran sitting across from Lian Ziho.Lian Ziho leaning forward and his hand resting against Suo Ran's face.Cai Lang's jaw tightened slightly as he exhaled through his nose."It was probably nothing." he muttered.
Cai Lang stopped at a street corner and lifted his eyes toward the hotel building across the road.The upper floors were mostly dark,but one familiar room still had its lights on.His gaze remained fixed on it for several seconds.So they're awake...For a brief moment,he considered turning around and leaving.But his fingers tightened inside his pockets."Ridiculous!"he murmured,his expression hardening as he stepped off the curb and crossed the street.
Inside the hotel upstairs,the room was quiet. Jun Wei slept peacefully,curled under the blanket.Lian Ziho sat in the chair beside the bed,his posture relaxed but his eyes still alert.He had been resting,but sleep had never completely taken him.Suo Ran lay stretched across the couch with one arm draped over his eyes,his breathing slow and even.Then a footsteps sound reached the room. Suo Ran's eyes snapped open immediately. His arm dropped from his face as he sat upright."Did you hear that?"he whispered. Lian Ziho's eyes moved toward the door, "Yes."Another step echoed outside and this time,it was closer.
Suo Ran's fingers tightened against the edge of the couch.His heartbeat quickened as the tension of the past few days rushed back into his chest."The shadows…"Lian Ziho lifted one hand slightly,signaling him to stay back."Stay here."he said quietly as he moved toward the door.Suo Ran frowned, then stood anyway and followed a few steps behind him."I'm not staying behind you."
Lian Ziho glanced back at him."You really don't listen."Suo Ran gave him a faint, determined look."Not when you're about to walk into something alone."Before Lian Ziho could answer,the door handle slowly turned. Suo Ran's pulse spiked. Then door opened and And Cai Lang stepped inside.Suo Ran froze,his eyes widening slightly."Cai Lang?" Cai Lang looked at both of them, his eyes briefly moved over the room,checking Jun Wei first before returning to them."You look like you saw a ghost."he said dryly.Suo Ran released the breath and pressed a hand against his chest."I thought the shadows came back."
Cai Lang closed the door quietly behind him."They didn't."His gaze lingered on Suo Ran for a second longer than necessary before he looked away.Jun Wei shifted slightly on the bed,but thankfully didn't wake.For a moment,the room fell silent again.Then Suo Ran crossed his arms and looked at Cai Lang suspiciously."You're late."Cai Lang shrugged lightly,trying to appear indifferent."Went for a walk."Suo Ran's eyebrows rose."That long?"
Cai Lang slipped his hands into his pockets again."Needed fresh air."Suo Ran stared at him for several seconds.Cai Lang moved past him toward the small table and placed his phone down casually.Suo Ran followed him with his eyes before crossing his arms tighter."You usually tell us if you're leaving." Cai Lang reached for the glass beside the sink."I wasn't gone that long."Suo Ran immediately replied,"You were."
Cai Lang poured himself water without answering.The quiet sound of water filling the glass seemed strangely loud in the room.Suo Ran tilted his head slightly, watching him carefully."Did something happen?"Cai Lang paused.The glass remained in his hand.His fingers tightened around it almost imperceptibly."No."Suo Ran narrowed his eyes."Then why are you acting strange?"
Cai Lang slowly lifted the glass and took a drink.His expression remained calm,but inside,his thoughts had already returned to the café window.The image of Lian Ziho's hand against Suo Ran's face flashed through his mind again.Did something happen between you two?...His gaze briefly shifted toward Suo Ran's face.He remembered the faint blush he had seen through the glass.The way Suo Ran had lowered his head and the way Lian Ziho had looked at him.
Cai Lang's chest tightened again.Did he actually kiss him?And if they did...So what?...His eyes hardened slightly.I shouldn't care.They are adults.They can do whatever they wanted.They can sit together. They can touch each other.They can even kiss if they wanted.None of it had anything to do with me...So why this is still bothering me?Why I stopped outside the café?...Cai Lang lowered the glass slowly and forced his thoughts back under control."Nothing happened."Suo Ran frowned."You're a terrible liar."Cai Lang ignored that.He turned slightly toward the window.
Across the room,Lian Ziho watched them quietly.He didn't speak,but his eyes moved carefully between them.Cai Lang set the glass down on the counter with a soft click before leaning back against it.Suo Ran stepped closer,his brows drawing together as he studied Cai Lang's face. "Seriously. What's wrong with you?"Cai Lang didn't look at him."Nothing."Suo Ran's eyes narrowed slightly."That's not convincing."
Cai Lang finally glanced at him,"Good thing I'm not trying to convince you."Suo Ran blinked,"What?"Cai Lang simply looked away again.His jaw tightened for the briefest moment before relaxing.Suo Ran rubbed the back of his neck,his eyes still fixed on Cai Lang."Okay…you're definitely acting weird."Cai Lang pushed himself away from the counter and walked past him toward the spare chair."I'm tired."
Suo Ran turned to follow him with his eyes. "That's it?"Cai Lang pulled the chair back and sat down calmly."Yes."Suo Ran opened his mouth to argue again,but paused when he saw Cai Lang's expression.Suo Ran slowly stepped back,his suspicion fading into reluctant concern."Fine."He returned to the couch and sat down again.
Jun Wei shifted slightly in his sleep.Lian Ziho spoke from near the window."You should sleep."Cai Lang nodded once,resting his head lightly against the chair."Planning to."But before closing his eyes,Cai Lang glanced briefly toward Suo Ran.Just for a moment,the café image flickered through his mind again.After few minutes Suo Ran had eventually fallen asleep on the couch.One arm was hanging loosely over the side,his breathing slow and even
Near the window,Lian Ziho stood quietly with his arms folded,watching the dark street below out of habit.Across the room,Cai Lang sat in a chair with his head tilted back slightly,though his eyes were open.Neither of them had spoken for several minutes. Finally,Cai Lang broke the silence."Lian ziho "Lian Ziho didn't turn around."Yes?"Cai Lang studied the quiet room for a moment before asking something unexpected."What are your thoughts about love?"Lian Ziho turned his head slightly."Love?"Cai Lang's gaze remained steady."Yes." his eyes briefly moved toward the couch where Suo Ran was sleeping.
The glance lasted barely a second before he looked forward again.Lian Ziho noticed the glance,but he didn't comment on it.Instead, he leaned lightly against the window frame, folding his arms more loosely."That's a strange question for midnight."Cai Lang shrugged faintly,his fingers resting against the arm of the chair."Answer it anyway."
Lian Ziho studied him for a moment,then he spoke."Love isn't simple."Cai Lang's eyebrow lifted slightly."That's not an answer."Lian Ziho's gaze shifted briefly toward the sleeping figure on the couch before returning to Cai Lang."It is."Cai Lang waited.His expression remained calm,but there was a subtle curiosity in his eyes.Lian Ziho continued slowly,his voice quieter now."Most people think love is something soft.Something comfortable."Cai Lang's fingers stopped moving against the armrest. "And you don't?"Lian Ziho shook his head once."I think love is responsibility."Cai Lang raised an eyebrow."Responsibility." Lian Ziho nodded once."If you love someone,you protect them."His eyes softened slightly as he glanced toward the bed where Jun Wei slept."Even when it's difficult."
Lian Ziho's gaze drifted briefly toward Cai Lang, then away again. That is strange...Cai Lang wasn't someone who asked unnecessary questions.He spoke when needed, acted when required...nothing more. So why now? Why "love"?...Lian Ziho's eyes narrowed slightly.His fingers rested lightly against the window frame. And that look… and the way he glanced at Suo Ran...
Lian Ziho exhaled quietly, his gaze lingering on Cai Lang's still figure. What is he trying to figure out?... Lian Ziho glanced at him again. "You're hiding something," Lian Ziho murmured.After a moment, he stepped away from the window. Eventually, he glanced toward the couch. Suo Ran was still sleeping peacefully.
Lian Ziho's expression softened as he watched him for a moment. "You really don't know anything, do you?" he whispered. Suo Ran only shifted slightly in his sleep.Lian Ziho sighed softly. Then he turned off the lamp.Then Suo Ran's eyes opened slowly. He watched in the room, his pupils adjusting to the darkness. He didn't move and didn't shift.Love? The word echoed quietly in his mind. He had woken up earlier not fully, just enough to hear voices. And then he had stayed still. He listened to every word. "If you love someone, you protect them."
Suo Ran's fingers tightened slightly against the couch. Then… "People make mistakes when they care too much." He heard Cai Lang's voice.Suo Ran stared into the darkness, his brows drawing together slightly. Why were they talking about that? It didn't feel random....Suo Ran swallowed faintly, his throat suddenly dry. Did I do something?...He shifted slightly on the couch, turning his face toward the faint outline of the room.
Lian Ziho was near the bed.Suo Ran's gaze lingered there for a moment. Protect… That word stayed with him. He remembered Lian Ziho's hand at the café earlier that day, gently wiping crumbs from his face. Why am I thinking about that now?... He quickly closed his eyes.
Morning light slipped quietly through the curtains.Jun Wei was the first to wake up. He blinked sleepily, then sat up, rubbing his eyes with both hands. His gaze landed on the couch where Suo Ran was still asleep, curled slightly beneath the blanket. Jun Wei tilted his head, then climbed off the bed and padded over, his small footsteps barely making a sound against the floor. He stood beside the couch, staring at Suo Ran's peaceful face for a moment. Then he poked his cheek.But there was no response.
Jun Wei frowned slightly and leaned closer. "Gege…" he whispered. Still no response. He poked him again, harder this time. Suo Ran's brow twitched Jun Wei's eyes immediately brightened, clearly pleased that his attack had worked. "Gege, wake up. It's morning." he announced, giving Suo Ran another tiny poke. A groan escaped from Suo Ran as he turned slightly, pulling the blanket over his head. "Go back to sleep…" he mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion.
Jun Wei puffed his cheeks. "But it's already morning." Suo Ran barely moved beneath the blanket. "That's not a good reason." Jun Wei stared at the blanket, completely unconvinced. After a second, he climbed onto the couch and sat directly beside Suo Ran, folding his little arms. "Gege." "What?" Suo Ran finally answered from beneath the blanket, sounding deeply offended by the existence of morning. Jun Wei looked at him seriously. "You're lazy."
Suo Ran slowly pulled the blanket down just enough to reveal one eye. "You woke me up just to insult me?" Jun Wei nodded with complete seriousness. "Yes." Suo Ran stared at him for several seconds before closing his eyes again. "I regret everything." Jun Wei immediately grinned, clearly satisfied with himself. A little later, the room had come to life. Jun Wei stood in front of Suo Ran with his arms stretched out as he tried to button his shirt. His small fingers struggled with the buttons while Suo Ran watched with growing impatience. "You're doing it wrong." Jun Wei complained, looking down at his shirt.
Suo Ran folded his arms. "I'm not." Jun Wei pointed at the middle of the shirt. "You skipped one." Suo Ran looked down. He paused for a second before answering with a completely straight face."That's intentional." Jun Wei squinted suspiciously. "It looks weird." "It's fashion." "You're lying." Suo Ran sighed, finally stepping closer. "Stand still." Jun Wei straightened immediately. "I am standing still." Suo Ran struggled with the button as Jun Wei shifted again. "You're moving." Jun Wei looked offended. "I'm breathing!" Suo Ran paused, stared at him, then shook his head slightly and faint smile slipped through despite himself. "Just stop arguing."
After fixing the buttons properly, he reached up and tried to smooth Jun Wei's messy hair. Instead, his fingers only managed to make it worse, pushing several strands upward. Jun Wei immediately frowned and touched his hair. "What did you do?" Suo Ran looked at his work. "Improved it." Jun Wei stared at him in disbelief. "It was better before." "That's debatable." Jun Wei crossed his arms,clearly dissatisfied. "I want Lian Gege."
Suo Ran clicked his tongue and gave him a mildly annoyed look. "Too late." From across the room, Lian Ziho watched quietly. He had been awake for a while, leaning near the window with his arms folded as he observed the scene without interrupting. His eyes moved between Suo Ran and Jun Wei. After a moment, Lian Ziho pushed away from the window and stepped forward. "He needs to go to school." he said calmly. Suo Ran glanced at Jun Wei, then at the clock. "Yes, I know. I'll take him after clearing this mess up."
Lian Ziho's gaze moved briefly over the scattered belongings before returning to Suo Ran. "It's okay. I'll take Jun Wei to school." Both of them looked at him. Suo Ran blinked, clearly caught off guard. "You don't have to…" Lian Ziho's expression remained calm. "I know." His tone was gentle but firm enough to end the argument before it began. Jun Wei immediately brightened. "Yes! Lian Gege takes less time." Suo Ran narrowed his eyes at the boy. "What does that mean?" Jun Wei answered without hesitation. "You walk too slow."
Suo Ran's eyebrows rose."I do not walk slow." Jun Wei tilted his head. "You think too much while walking." Suo Ran stared at him in disbelief. "That doesn't even make sense." Jun Wei simply grabbed his bag and smiled. "I'm ready!" Lian Ziho stepped closer and adjusted the strap on Jun Wei's shoulder,making sure it wasn't twisted. "Shoes." Jun Wei froze. He looked down at his feet. "Oh." Suo Ran covered his mouth for a moment, trying not to laugh but quiet snort escaped anyway.
Jun Wei looked at him accusingly. "Don't laugh!" Suo Ran raised both hands innocently. "I didn't say anything." At the door, Jun Wei hurriedly put on his shoes before turning around and waving dramatically. "Bye!" Suo Ran lifted one hand lazily, his expression softening. "Don't cause trouble." Jun Wei's eyes widened. "I never cause trouble!" Suo Ran gave him a pointed look. "Yesterday…" Jun Wei immediately protested. "That doesn't count!" Lian Ziho opened the door, hiding the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes. "Let's go."
Jun Wei rushed out into the hallway. Lian Ziho followed, but before stepping out completely, he paused. His eyes met Suo Ran's briefly. Neither spoke. It was only a second, but Suo Ran noticed the quiet warmth in Lian Ziho's gaze. Lian Ziho then turned and left. The door closed softly behind him. Suo Ran stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door before quietly exhaling. Then he stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders before starting to tidy up. He began folding the blankets and adjusting the pillows, then picked up the scattered things Jun Wei had left behind.
Some time later, Cai Lang woke up. His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the brightness filtering through the curtains. For a moment, he didn't move. Then his gaze shifted, and the first thing he saw was Suo Ran standing near the table. Suo Ran was quietly tidying things, completely focused and unaware that Cai Lang was watching him. Cai Lang's expression didn't change, but his thoughts did. The image returned again. That moment replayed in his mind with irritating clarity. Cai Lang's fingers curled slightly against the sheet. …It didn't look like nothing...
He sat up slowly, his eyes remaining on Suo Ran. Suo Ran didn't notice at first. He was too focused on fixing the blanket that Jun Wei had left tangled on the couch. Then, without turning around, he spoke casually. "Awake?" Cai Lang said nothing. Suo Ran glanced over his shoulder. "You finally decided to join the living?" Still no response. Suo Ran frowned slightly. His eyes narrowed as he studied Cai Lang's unusually quiet expression. "You're really quiet today."
Cai Lang simply looked at him for another second before standing up. Suo Ran turned back toward the table, assuming the conversation was over. "If you're hungry, there's…" Before he could finish, a hand suddenly caught his wrist. Suo Ran froze. His eyes dropped to Cai Lang's hand around his wrist, then slowly lifted toward Cai Lang's face. "Cai Lang…?" The grip remained firm. Suo Ran barely had time to react before Cai Lang pulled him back sharply. His back hit the wall with a dull sound. Suo Ran's breath caught, his eyes widening in surprise.
Cai Lang stood directly in front of him, close enough that Suo Ran could feel the tension radiating from him. His grip on Suo Ran's wrist hadn't loosened. Suo Ran stared at him, completely caught off guard, his brows drawing together as confusion replaced the initial shock. "Cai Lang… what are you doing?"