The apartment had settled into that strange kind of quiet that only came after too much had already happened. Evening light filtered in through the wide window. Cai Lang stood near the window, unmoving. One hand rested loosely in his pocket, the other hung by his side, fingers relaxed but not entirely at ease. His gaze was fixed somewhere beyond the glass, but it wasn't the view he was seeing. Not really. His thoughts were elsewhere, pulled into a place far less quiet than the room behind him.
How long can this last? (...)
The question lingered, quiet but persistent, threading through his mind with an edge that refused to dull. The scroll and pursuit. The people who hadn't stopped searching. None of it had ended not even close. If anything, this silence.the temporary calm only made it clearer that something was building beneath the surface, something waiting for the right moment to break through.
What if they're still tracking it? (.....)
What is their next move? (...)
Can I handle this situation? (.....)
His jaw tightened faintly at the thought. That wasn't something he could ignore. Not after everything. Not after what he already knew they were capable of. He had seen enough to understand that this wasn't something that simply faded with time.
And if they find us.. (.....)
His gaze sharpened just slightly, though his expression didn't change. Calm, as always. Controlled but his mind wasn't. Because if they found them here if everything they had done so far still wasn't enough. He cut the thought off before it could finish. That outcome wasn't something he would allow himself to consider fully. It wasn't an option.
"…Cai Lang?" The voice came from behind him, breaking lightly against the silence.
He didn't react. "…Cai Lang?"
Still nothing.
Lian Ziho frowned slightly, standing a few steps away. He had called twice now, and both times there hadn't even been the smallest flicker of acknowledgment. That alone was enough to tell him something was off. Cai Lang wasn't the type to ignore things, not like that. He stepped closer, closing the distance.
"Cai Lang." This time, close enough that the sound couldn't be swallowed by the quiet.
Cai Lang blinked once, slow and deliberate. Then his focus shifted, like a curtain falling back into place. Whatever had occupied his thoughts disappeared behind that familiar calm, and he turned his head slightly.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
His tone was even, steady, completely normal, as if nothing had happened at all.
Lian Ziho studied him for a brief moment, searching for any trace of what had just been there. But it was already gone, buried too deep to reach. "No," he said after a pause. "I just wanted to ask about dinner."
Cai Lang didn't respond immediately.
Lian Ziho continued, gesturing lightly toward the kitchen. "Should we order something, or make something at home?"
For a moment, Cai Lang just looked at him. Then, without much thought, he answered, "Whatever." The word came easily, almost dismissively, like it didn't matter at all.
Before Lian Ziho could say anything else, Cai Lang had already turned away. And just like that, he was gone, moving past him without hesitation, heading toward the door without offering any explanation or even a second glance. The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence returned almost instantly, settling heavier this time.
Lian Ziho stood there for a moment, staring at the now-empty space near the window. His brows drew together slightly as he exhaled, the tension in the air not quite dissipating.
"…Right," he muttered under his breath.
His gaze lingered on the spot where Cai Lang had been standing just seconds ago.
What was that? (.....)
The question surfaced almost immediately.
It wasn't just distraction. That much he could tell. Cai Lang didn't zone out like that not to the point of completely ignoring someone calling his name twice.
He heard me the first time… he just didn't respond. (...)
Lian Ziho's eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts sharpening.
So what was he thinking about that was so important? (.....) A pause.
And why does he keep shutting everything down like it doesn't matter? (...)
His jaw tightened faintly. The "whatever" hadn't just been dismissive it had been deliberate. Like he didn't want to engage. Like the question itself wasn't worth his time. Or… like something else matters more. That thought didn't sit well then there was the other issue.
And that person he brought… (...)
Lian Ziho's gaze shifted briefly toward the hallway, where the guest room was.
Who are he and more importantly why bring him here? (...)
This wasn't a place Cai Lang treated casually. He was careful always careful. So bringing someone unknown into this space without saying anything…And that wasn't like him unless he had no choice. The thought lingered.
Lian Ziho exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "…You're making this difficult," he muttered quietly, though there was no real heat behind it just frustration layered over concern. For a few seconds, he didn't move, just standing there as if weighing his options, trying to decide whether to press further or let it go.In the end, he chose neither with a quiet sigh, he turned and headed toward the kitchen.
The kitchen wasn't large, but it was neat, everything arranged with quiet order. Lian Ziho opened a few cabinets, scanning what was available. There wasn't much just a pack of noodles, a few eggs, and some vegetables but it was enough. "…Let's see," he murmured, pulling things out and setting them on the counter.."Simple works."
He filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove, turning the flame on. Soon, the faint sound of heating water filled the quiet space, blending into a steady rhythm. He picked up a knife and began cutting the vegetables, his movements smooth and practiced. For a while, it was just him. The soft, repetitive sound of chopping, the low hum of the stove, the simple, grounded motion of cooking.
Suo Ran stopped at the doorway. He just stood there, one shoulder resting lightly against the frame, gaze settling on the scene in front of him and for a moment, he forgot to move. The light from above fell gently over Lian Ziho's hands, over the steady motion of the knife, over the quiet focus in his expression. There was no rush in him, no tension. Just a calm rhythm, like he belonged here, like this small, ordinary act existed outside everything else pressing in on them.
Since when does he look like this? (...)
Suo Ran's eyes lingered longer than they should have. There was something unexpectedly… grounding about it.
Just… steady.
And somehow, that steadiness felt out of place in a world that hadn't stopped shifting under their feet..We're in the middle of all this… and he's cooking like nothing's wrong.
The thought came, but it didn't carry judgment. If anything, it felt like the opposite.
Like for a second just one it made everything else seem quieter.
Suo Ran exhaled softly, almost soundless.
Then, as if catching himself lingering too long, his expression shifted back to something more familiar something lighter, edged with his usual casual tone.
"…Didn't know you cook."
The voice came from the doorway, casual and uninvited. Lian Ziho didn't look up immediately, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Suo Ran," he said. "Didn't know you'd show up." Suo Ran leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with mild interest. "I didn't," he replied. "I was just passing by. This looked… suspicious."
"Cooking is suspicious now?"
"With you? A little." Lian Ziho let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Suo Ran stepped inside, glancing at the counter. "What are you making?"
"Noodles. Nothing complicated."
"Hmm." Suo Ran picked up a piece of vegetable, inspecting it like he was judging its worth. "Looks edible." "High praise," Lian Ziho said dryly.
A faint smirk appeared on Suo Ran's face before he set it down again. He lingered for a moment, watching the process, then reached for another knife without saying anything.
Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow. "Helping?"
"Don't get used to it," Suo Ran muttered, already starting to cut. "I'm just making sure you don't poison us." "Of course," Lian Ziho replied smoothly. "Your concern is touching."
Suo Ran snorted softly.
For a few minutes, they worked in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt strangely easy, like the kind of quiet that didn't demand anything..Then Suo Ran spoke again. " He is hiding something. "
Lian Ziho glanced at him briefly. "I noticed."
Suo Ran shook his head slightly, his movements sharper now. ."He has things on his mind." Lian Ziho smiled faintly at that, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
Suo Ran continued, slicing a little more aggressively than necessary. "Comes back, brings a stranger, says nothing, then disappears again. Very normal behavior."
"You're overthinking."
"Am I?" Suo Ran's tone lifted slightly, not loud, but edged. "Or are you just choosing not to think about it?" Lian Ziho's hand paused for a fraction of a second before continuing, the knife resuming its steady rhythm against the board. "There's a difference." "Yeah," Suo Ran replied, glancing at him. "You call it trust. I call it ignoring obvious problems." "That's unfair."
"That's accurate."
A brief silence followed, thicker this time, settling between them in a way that wasn't as easy as before. Lian Ziho exhaled softly, his gaze dropping to what he was doing. "If he wanted us to know, he would've said something." "And if he doesn't?" Suo Ran shot back, the edge in his voice sharpening. "We just pretend everything's fine?"
"We don't pretend," Lian Ziho said calmly. "We wait." Suo Ran frowned slightly at that, his expression tightening. "You're very patient." "Someone has to be."
Suo Ran let out another quiet breath, shaking his head as if that answer wasn't satisfying in the slightest. "You really don't find it strange? Bringing someone here without a word?"
"I do," Lian Ziho admitted. That made Suo Ran pause, his hand stilling mid-motion as he looked at him more directly. "But," Lian Ziho continued, his tone steady, "I also know he doesn't do things without a reason."
Suo Ran's grip on the knife tightened slightly. "That doesn't mean we just go along with it blindly." "It means we don't jump to conclusions." Suo Ran held his gaze for a moment, something unreadable passing through his eyes. "…You trust him that much?" Lian Ziho didn't hesitate. "Yes."
The answer came too easily to be questioned, too certain to be doubted.
Suo Ran looked away first, his jaw tightening faintly. "…That's dangerous," he muttered.
"Maybe," Lian Ziho said quietly. "But so is doubting the wrong person."
That earned a faint huff from Suo Ran, though there was no real argument left in it, just the quiet weight of something unresolved lingering between them. Lian Ziho let out a quiet chuckle. "We're safe. That's what matters." Suo Ran paused for a brief moment before resuming, his expression tightening just slightly. "…That's what you keep saying."
"And it's still true." Suo Ran didn't answer this time, but his thoughts didn't quiet. Not really.
Meanwhile, in the living room, the atmosphere was entirely different. Jun Wei sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by toys, quietly moving them around and speaking to himself in soft, animated voices. For a while, he was perfectly content, absorbed in his own little world but it didn't last. After a few minutes, he stopped, looking around with a small frown. "…Boring."
His gaze slowly drifted toward the hallway, toward the guest room. His eyes lit up immediately. "Oh."
He got up without hesitation, small footsteps echoing lightly as he padded across the floor and stopped in front of the guest room door. He hesitated for exactly two seconds before knocking. "Hello?"
There was a brief pause before a voice came from inside, calm and composed. "…Come in." Jun Wei pushed the door open slightly, peeking inside first before stepping in fully. His eyes immediately found the person sitting quietly, their presence still unfamiliar but not unwelcoming. He tilted his head, studying them with open curiosity. "…Are you busy?" he asked.
The person looked at him, their expression unreadable but not cold. "Not particularly."
Jun Wei brightened instantly at that answer and took a few eager steps closer. "Then do you want to play with me?" A small pause followed, the kind that wasn't refusal, just consideration. The person regarded him for a moment before replying, "I don't think I'm very good at playing."
"That's okay!" Jun Wei said quickly, waving his hand as if dismissing the concern entirely. "I'm very good. I can teach you."
"…Is that so?" "Yes!" Jun Wei nodded with complete confidence. "I'm the best at it."
The person's lips curved ever so slightly, almost too faint to notice. "I see." Jun Wei clasped his hands behind his back, rocking lightly on his feet as he leaned forward just a little. "Just a little? I've been playing alone. It's boring."
Silence settled again, but this time it felt softer, less distant. "I won't be annoying," Jun Wei added, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "I promise. I'll listen. And I won't cheat." He paused, then added honestly, "…much." That earned a faint shift in the other's expression, something just short of amusement. Jun Wei took another small step closer, looking up at them with wide, hopeful eyes. "Please?" The word came out quiet, but it carried enough sincerity to fill the space between them. The person studied him for a moment longer before letting out a quiet breath. "…Alright."
Jun Wei's face lit up immediately. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Yay!" He clapped his hands once, excitement spilling over without restraint. "Okay! Okay! We'll play hide and seek!"
"Hide and seek?" the person repeated, as if testing the unfamiliar simplicity of it. "It's easy," Jun Wei said seriously, already slipping into the role of teacher. "One person closes their eyes and counts, and the other hides. Then you find them." "…And you're certain I can do this?"
Jun Wei placed his hands on his hips, chin lifting slightly. "Of course. I said I'll teach you." There was a brief pause before the person replied, their tone softer now, almost touched with quiet amusement. "…Very well." Jun Wei turned immediately, pointing toward the wall with absolute authority. "You go first! Close your eyes and count to ten. No peeking!"
The person stood slowly and walked to where Jun Wei had pointed. "Understood."
Jun Wei narrowed his eyes, watching carefully. "No cheating."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"…I promise."
Satisfied, Jun Wei nodded firmly. "Okay! Start counting!" The person closed their eyes. "One… two… three…"
Before they reached five, Jun Wei had already darted out of the room, his small footsteps quick and light as he searched for a hiding place. He looked around frantically before diving behind the couch, crouching low and pressing himself as still as possible.
"…eight… nine… ten." The person opened their eyes. "Ready or not, I'm coming!" Jun Wei's voice echoed from somewhere in the apartment, completely defeating the purpose of hiding.
There was a faint pause before the person stepped out into the hallway, movements unhurried, almost leisurely. Their gaze swept the space calmly, taking everything in without urgency. Behind the couch, Jun Wei peeked out just a little before quickly ducking back.
He's coming. (....)
He covered his mouth with both hands, trying to hold in the giggle threatening to escape.
The person walked past the living room slowly, pausing just slightly as if considering something. Their gaze flicked toward the couch for the briefest moment then moved on. Jun Wei's eyes widened in disbelief.
He didn't see me! He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to laugh.
A few seconds passed then the footsteps returned before Jun Wei could react, a shadow fell over his hiding spot. "…Found you."
Jun Wei froze for a heartbeat before popping out, eyes wide and bright. "Ah! You found me!" The person looked down at him calmly. "You weren't very hidden." Jun Wei pouted immediately, crossing his arms. "I was! You just got lucky."
"…If you say so."
Jun Wei huffed softly, clearly unconvinced. "Okay, my turn! I'll find you this time."
"As you wish."
Jun Wei turned around dramatically, covering his eyes with both hands. "No cheating!" he repeated, voice firm with importance.
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"…I promise."
Jun Wei nodded seriously. "Okay. I'm counting!" "One… two… three…" As he counted loudly, the person stepped away quietly, their movements far more subtle this time. By the time Jun Wei reached eight, they had already disappeared down the hallway without a sound. "…nine… ten!"
Jun Wei spun around, dropping his hands. "I'm coming!" He ran off immediately, checking the obvious places first the couch, behind the chair, even under the table. He crouched, stood, turned, and circled back again, growing more puzzled with each passing second. "…Where did you go…" he muttered, frowning slightly as he looked around, completely unaware that this time, the game wasn't nearly as simple as before.
The door opened quietly. Cai Lang stepped inside and paused almost immediately. From where he stood, he could see into the kitchen. Suo Ran and Lian Ziho stood side by side, cooking, talking, moving with an ease that didn't need effort.
The scene was Ordinary and yet, something about it felt distant. Unreachable.
His gaze lingered, unmoving and without warning, the memory surfaced. A café. Light laughter. That same kind of ease. That same unguarded moment and gone just as quickly as it came.
Elsewhere Jun Wei padded quietly down the hallway, his small steps careful but eager. He was searching, eyes darting behind the couch, under the chairs, even peeking around the corners. "Where are you…? I know you're hiding!" he whispered, tilting his head with determination.
From just outside the guest room, the stranger shifted slightly, trying to stay hidden. Their eyes, calm and alert, caught a faint movement from the living room Cai Lang was standing there, silent, observing. " Cai lang..." Before he said Jun Wei's small voice rang out again, bouncing down the hallway. "Found you!" he exclaimed, stepping around the corner. The stranger blinked in surprise as Jun Wei's tiny hands grabbed theirs playfully. "You can't hide forever!"
And then Jun Wei noticed him. Cai Lang, standing silently nearby, his eyes watching, expression calm as ever, hands tucked casually into his pockets. " GE..!" Jun Wei squealed, bouncing lightly on his heels, his little face lighting up with excitement. "Come play with us!" His voice was high and innocent, entirely without malice or command, just pure eagerness.
The stranger tilted their head, blinking slowly at Cai Lang. "Yes… will you play too?" his voice was soft, curious, almost hopeful, the earlier tension replaced by childlike anticipation. Cai Lang's gaze didn't waver. He didn't move a muscle. "No," he said simply, almost mechanically, his tone calm and unreadable.
Jun Wei's small brow furrowed, but he wasn't deterred. "Pleeease?" he whined, his voice wobbling just slightly. He bounced a little on his toes. "It'll be fun! I promise! I won't be scary, I'll be good!" The stranger looked at him with a faint smile, amused by his persistence, then glanced toward Cai Lang silently, unsure how the man would respond.
"No," Cai Lang repeated, firmer this time, though his face betrayed nothing.
Jun Wei's tiny arms crossed, but only for a moment before he shook his head, cheeks puffed out in determination. "Not fair! You have to play! Just for a little! Pleaseee!" His voice rose slightly with each repetition, but it still carried that innocent lilt of a child who didn't understand the concept of refusal.
Cai Lang didn't flinch, didn't move, only watched. His eyes flicked briefly between Jun Wei's hopeful, stubborn little face and the stranger's quiet amusement.
Jun Wei didn't give up. He bounced forward, reaching a tiny hand toward him. "Come on! I'll hide this time! I'll hide really good! You have to find me! Pleeeaseee!"
The stranger couldn't help a quiet laugh, a soft note of joy breaking through his usual calm. "He really means it," they murmured.
"Yes! I do! I mean it! Pleeease!" Jun Wei repeated, voice filled with the purest, most stubborn excitement.
Cai Lang's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, the apartment was filled only with the little boy's relentless energy and the stranger's soft patience. He remained unmoved, silent, and unyielding, watching as Jun Wei hopped slightly from foot to foot, eyes sparkling with playful insistence.
Jun Wei finally paused, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "You're mean if you don't play! But it's okay, I'll still have fun!"
"Jun Wei." Suo Ran's tone was firm, carrying easily from the kitchen. "Don't bother everyone." Jun Wei pouted immediately, crossing his arms. "I'm not bothering anyone! I'm playing!" Suo Ran stepped closer, sighing faintly. "No more playing. Dinner."
"…But.." "Dinner."
Jun Wei huffed, clearly unhappy, but didn't argue further. "…Fine."
Jun Wei's small pout lingered for a moment as he reluctantly followed Suo Ran's instructions, dragging his little feet toward the dining area. The soft clatter of chairs and dishes echoed faintly in the quiet apartment, a mundane rhythm that somehow felt grounding after the small burst of chaotic energy from their game.
Suo Ran took his usual seat, arms resting lightly on the table, watching Jun Wei fuss quietly with his napkin. Lian Ziho slid in across from him, already arranging the simple meal they had prepared, noodles steaming gently in a bowl, vegetables neatly plated, and a few eggs balancing on the side.
The stranger, still calm and composed, accepted the chair Cai Lang offered without hesitation. He moved with the same quiet grace they had carried since arriving, hands folded in their lap as he regarded the table with a mixture of curiosity and reserve. Cai Lang didn't linger, only gesturing to the empty space with a brief tilt of his head. "Sit," he said softly. He nodded, lowering themselves onto the chair next to him, keeping their posture straight and composed.
Suo Ran watched the interaction quietly for a few seconds, noting how easily the stranger had accepted Cai Lang's offer, how naturally they had slid into position beside him. He lifted an eyebrow subtly, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
Suo Ran's gaze narrowed slightly, his thoughts churning faster than his face betrayed. Wow… seriously? he thought, leaning back in his chair just enough to observe without being noticed. He just did what?! Offered a seat to someone else first? What gentlemanly act is this? Why has he never done that for me before? Why? Is he… special? Each thought raced over him, sharp, teasing, almost irritatingly intrusive. His lips pressed into a thin line, and yet a faint smirk threatened to break through.
There was a strange calm about them, yet something behind those eyes suggested careful calculation, the kind that made him instinctively cautious. Finally, Suo Ran broke the silence. His voice was low, casual, but with a hint of challenge hidden beneath the tone. "Aren't you going to introduce him now?" he asked, glancing briefly at Cai Lang and then at the stranger beside him.