The park remained silent beneath the pale moonlight.The colorful rides stood motionless. Suo ran crouched behind a weathered lamp post, his sharp eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. His breathing was steady, but every muscle in his body remained tense. Without taking his eyes off the shadows, he lowered his voice. "Did they split?" Cai Lang stood a few steps behind him with one hand inside his coat pocket. His gaze slowly swept across the empty carousel before he shook his head once. "No." His expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "They're still here... waiting for us to make a mistake." He paused for a moment, studying the distant movement beneath the trees. "But something's different."
Suo Ran frowned and turned slightly toward him. "Different how?" Cai Lang watched a shadow step out beneath a broken streetlight before quietly retreating again. "They're hesitating." His voice stayed low and controlled. "Someone changed the order." After few moments later, another shadow appeared near the abandoned ticket booth before silently disappearing into a side street. Then another figure withdrew. One after another, every hidden watcher melted back into the darkness until the entire park became strangely quiet.
Suo ran slowly straightened, disbelief showing on his face. He carefully looked around before asking,"They're gone?" Cai Lang folded his arms across his chest and continued observing the empty pathways for several more seconds. Only after confirming nothing remained did he answer. "Not gone." His eyes stayed fixed on the darkness beyond the fence. "They withdrew." Suo Ran's eyebrows pulled together. "Why?" Cai Lang finally turned toward him. "Because whoever is controlling them is satisfied." He glanced toward the silent Ferris wheel before continuing. "Tonight wasn't meant to be an attack."
Suo ran stared at him. "Then what was it?" Cai Lang answered without hesitation. "A test." Suo Ran fell silent, his jaw tightening as he slowly understood. After several seconds, he let out a tired laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. "So... Jun Wei is safe." Cai Lang gave a small nod. "For tonight." His expression softened almost imperceptibly. "That's enough."
Meanwhile quiet hum of traffic drifted in from the street below, replacing the tense silence that had filled the night. Jun Wei stirred beneath the blanket before letting out a sleepy yawn. He rubbed his eyes with both hands and blinked several times before noticing Lian Ziho sitting beside the window. The older man still wore yesterday's clothes, his posture relaxed but his eyes remained fixed on the city outside.
Even after everything that had happened, his guard had not completely dropped. Jun Wei tilted his head and smiled sleepily. "Lian Gege... did you stay awake all night again?" Lian Ziho turned around at the sound of his voice. The seriousness on his face softened immediately as he walked over to the bed and gently brushed the messy hair away from Jun Wei's forehead. "Not all night," he replied with a faint smile. "I rested for a little while." Jun Wei narrowed his eyes suspiciously before crossing his arms. "You're lying."
Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow. "Am I?" Jun Wei nodded confidently. "Your eyes have those sleepy circles again." Lian Ziho couldn't help chuckling. "You're becoming too observant." Jun Wei grinned proudly before asking the question that had been on his mind since waking up. "Are the bad people really gone?" Lian Ziho looked at him quietly for a few moments before giving a slow nod. "For now." Seeing the hesitation in his eyes, Jun Wei leaned forward slightly. "That means they're not really gone." Lian Ziho sighed softly before gently patting his head. "Maybe not. But they won't bother you today."
Jun Wei stared at him for another second before finally smiling. "Okay. I trust you." Hearing those simple words made something inside Lian Ziho loosen. He smiled faintly and stood up. "Come on. Wash your face. Everyone's waiting downstairs." Jun Wei immediately threw the blanket aside and jumped off the bed. "Can we have pancakes?" he asked hopefully while searching for his slippers. Lian Ziho folded his arms and watched him with amused eyes. "You'll have to ask Teacher Liu." Jun Wei pumped his fist into the air. "Mission Pancake begins!" Lian Ziho pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered helplessly, "Everything is a mission to you." Jun Wei looked back with a bright grin. "Because missions are fun."
A short while later, the hotel restaurant slowly filled with the sounds of clinking dishes and quiet conversations. Warm sunlight poured through the large windows overlooking the busy street outside, making the room feel peaceful despite the lingering tension among their group. Teacher Liu was already seated at a table near the window, reading the morning newspaper while sipping a cup of coffee. When he noticed Jun Wei running toward him, a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Good morning!" he greeted warmly.
Jun Wei climbed into the chair beside him without hesitation and immediately looked around the table."Where are the pancakes?" Teacher Liu laughed softly and folded the newspaper. "Good morning to you too." Before Jun Wei could answer, Suo Ran and Cai Lang walked into the restaurant together. Suo Ran looked noticeably calmer than the night before, although the exhaustion in his eyes had not completely disappeared. Cai Lang remained as composed as ever, his expression unreadable as he quietly pulled out a chair.
Lian Ziho arrived a moment later and took the seat beside Jun Wei. The little boy looked from one face to another before frowning dramatically. "Why does everyone look like they didn't sleep?" Teacher Liu smiled into his coffee while Cai Lang calmly picked up the menu. Suo Ran rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "We were busy." Jun Wei blinked. "Busy doing what?" A brief silence settled over the table. Cai Lang finally answered without looking up. "Adult work." Jun Wei puffed out his cheeks in disappointment. "Adults always say that." Teacher Liu chuckled while Lian Ziho reached over and placed a glass of milk in front of him. "Drink first."
Jun Wei stared at the milk before looking up with obvious suspicion. "Is this another mission?" Even Cai Lang's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Yes," he replied calmly. "Your first mission today is to finish your breakfast." Jun Wei straightened in his chair and saluted seriously. "Mission accepted." The table finally filled with quiet laughter.
Outside, the city had completely awakened. Warm morning sunlight spilled across the streets, lighting the rows of shops and apartment buildings while the fresh scent of bread drifted from a nearby bakery. Cars rolled steadily along the road, bicycles passed one after another, and groups of children wearing school uniforms laughed as they hurried toward school with backpacks bouncing behind them.
Everything looked peaceful, almost ordinary, as though nothing unusual had happened the night before. Yet beneath that calm, both Suo Ran and Lian Ziho carried the same silent understanding. The shadows had only disappeared for now. Whoever had planned everything was still somewhere in the city, patiently watching and waiting for the right moment to strike again. Neither of them spoke about it
The three of them walked side by side along the wide sidewalk lined with tall green trees whose leaves swayed gently in the cool morning breeze. Jun Wei skipped several steps ahead, swinging his backpack from side to side while humming happily to himself. Every few steps he spun around before continuing forward again, completely carefree. Watching him, Lian Ziho couldn't help calling out, "Slow down." His voice remained calm, but concern was clear in his eyes. "Don't go too far ahead."
Jun Wei immediately turned around while walking backwards, flashing a bright smile that made his eyes curve into crescents. "I'm okay!" he answered cheerfully before pointing at Lian Ziho with an exaggerated expression. "Lian Gege, you're the slow one!" Suo Ran laughed softly beside him, shaking his head with amusement. "He's already full of energy this early in the morning." Lian Ziho glanced at the bouncing child before looking at Suo Ran with the faintest smile. "As if that's something new."
For several minutes they continued walking without speaking. The quiet wasn't uncomfortable. The sounds of passing traffic, distant conversations, and Jun Wei's cheerful humming filled the silence naturally. Suo Ran looked ahead for a while before his expression gradually became thoughtful. After hesitating for a moment, he finally broke the silence. "Do you remember..." His voice was quiet as he looked toward Lian Ziho. "...the first time we walked together?" Lian Ziho turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Which time?" Suo Ran smiled faintly as though replaying an old memory. "Before everything became complicated." He lowered his gaze toward the pavement beneath his feet. "Back when we didn't know what was waiting for us." His voice softened even more. "I remember thinking..." He looked back at Lian Ziho with a small smile. "...that I could trust you."
Lian Ziho fell silent. His eyes drifted toward the road ahead while memories quietly surfaced in his mind. After several long seconds, he let out a slow breath. "Back then..." A faint smile appeared on his usually calm face. "...I didn't trust anyone." He slipped one hand into his jacket pocket and continued walking at the same steady pace. "But somehow..." He glanced sideways at Suo Ran. "...walking beside you made it easier." His smile became almost invisible. "Even when I wanted to turn around... you kept moving forward." Suo Ran listened quietly before lowering his head with a soft laugh. "That's strange." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I barely remember the road we took." His eyes became gentler as he looked at Lian Ziho again. "But I remember you." His smile carried genuine warmth. "You were always there." He paused briefly before adding, "Like someone I could quietly rely on."
Lian Ziho looked at him for several seconds before the corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Some memories..." he said quietly, "...stay with you longer than you expect." Neither of them noticed Jun Wei had slowed down until the little boy suddenly turned around and stared at them curiously. He blinked several times before tilting his head. "Gege..." he asked innocently, "...are you talking about me?"
Suo Ran burst into quiet laughter before walking over and gently ruffling Jun Wei's already messy hair. "No." His eyes were full of affection. "We're talking about something that happened a long time ago." Jun Wei puffed out his cheeks dramatically. "The past?" His curiosity immediately grew. "Did you fight bad guys back then too?" Lian Ziho crouched slightly so their eyes were level. His usually serious expression softened as he looked at the little boy. "Sometimes," he admitted calmly. "But today isn't about that." He gently adjusted Jun Wei's backpack strap before giving his shoulder a light pat. "Today..." A small smile appeared on his face. "...you're just going to school." Jun Wei's eyes sparkled immediately. "Really?"
Lian Ziho nodded. "No shadows." Suo Ran smiled beside them. "No running around." Teacher Liu, who had been quietly following behind, added with a chuckle, "And definitely no skipping homework." Jun Wei groaned dramatically before throwing both hands into the air. "You're all ruining my hero story!" His exaggerated expression made all three adults laugh.They continued walking together beneath the rows of trees. Small cafés had already opened their doors, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the scent of warm bread drifting into the street. Shop owners swept the sidewalks while fruit vendors arranged bright oranges, apples, and bananas into neat displays.
Lian Ziho quietly adjusted the strap resting on his shoulder before glancing at Suo Ran. His expression became unusually relaxed. "It feels..." He searched for the right words before smiling faintly. "...normal." Suo Ran looked at him. "What does?" Lian Ziho glanced toward Jun Wei, who was happily chasing a butterfly a few steps ahead before stopping to admire colorful flowers growing beside the sidewalk. "This." He looked back at Suo Ran. "Just walking together." His voice remained quiet. "Without worrying every second."
Suo Ran followed his gaze and watched Jun Wei laughing to himself. His own expression softened noticeably. "Yeah." He nodded slowly. "I almost forgot what normal felt like." Lian Ziho let out a quiet breath, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in days. "I didn't realize how much I missed simple mornings like this." He smiled faintly. "Just you... me... and Jun Wei." Suo Ran looked at him for a long moment before returning the smile. "I missed them too." He looked toward the bright morning sky above the city. "Maybe that's why they feel so precious now."
After watching Jun Wei disappear through the school gates, Suo Ran and Lian Ziho remained standing for another moment. The school bell echoed through the campus while children laughed in the courtyard beyond the fence. Suo Ran watched until Jun Wei's small figure disappeared inside the classroom building before finally letting out a slow breath. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. "He's getting bigger," he said quietly, a small smile appearing on his face. Lian Ziho slipped both hands into his pockets and looked toward the school building. His expression softened. "Too fast." He glanced at Suo Ran before adding with a faint smile, "Soon he won't need us following him everywhere." Suo ran laughed quietly and shook his head. "I hope that day comes as late as possible." Lian Ziho nodded in agreement. "Me too."
They turned and began walking down the sidewalk together. The morning breeze carried the aroma of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, and the streets gradually became busier as people hurried to work. After several minutes, Lian Ziho noticed a small café on the corner. The wooden sign above the entrance swayed gently in the breeze while soft piano music drifted out through the open door. He looked toward Suo Ran. "Want to sit down for a while?" Suo Ran immediately shook his head. "No. We should head back." Lian Ziho smiled helplessly. "You look exhausted." Suo Ran rubbed his eyes before sighing. "...Do I?" "Very." Lian Ziho folded his arms. "Ten minutes." Suo Ran hesitated before finally giving in. "Fine... only ten minutes."
The café was warm and quiet. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, filling the room with a comfortable golden glow. A few customers sat reading newspapers while soft music played in the background. They chose a table beside the window overlooking the street.A waitress approached their table with a polite smile, holding a small notepad in her hand. "What can I get for you?" she asked warmly. Lian Ziho glanced across the table at Suo Ran. "What do you want?" Suo Ran looked down at the menu for a few seconds before giving his usual answer. "...Anything." Lian Ziho let out a quiet sigh and shook his head slightly. "You always answer like that."
Suo Ran looked up innocently. "Because I don't know." A faint smile appeared in Lian Ziho's eyes before he turned back to the waitress. "One latte." Then he looked at Suo Ran again, studying him for a moment. "You don't like bitter coffee." Suo Ran blinked in surprise. "You remember?" Lian Ziho's expression remained calm as he replied quietly, "I remember more than you think." Turning back to the waitress, he continued, "One cappuccino with less sugar... and two butter croissants." "Certainly," the waitress replied with a smile before walking away. Suo Ran kept looking at Lian Ziho with quiet curiosity. "You actually remembered."
Lian Ziho avoided meeting his eyes as he reached for the menu again. "You've ordered the same thing every time." A small smile appeared on Suo ran's face without him noticing. "You notice strange things." Lian Ziho lowered his eyes to the menu, pretending to read it, but a thought quietly crossed his mind. Because I notice you. The realization caught him off guard, making him pause for the briefest moment before he forced himself to continue looking at the menu as though nothing had happened.
A few minutes later, the waitress returned carrying a tray. She carefully placed a steaming latte in front of Lian Ziho, a cappuccino before Suo Ran, and two warm butter croissants between them. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the air. "Enjoy your meal!" she said politely before leaving. "Thank you!"
Suo ran replied with a gentle smile. Without waiting any longer, he picked up one of the croissants and took a large bite. The buttery pastry crumbled immediately, leaving several tiny crumbs clinging to the corner of his lips. Lian Ziho watched him quietly for a second before letting out a helpless sigh. "You really..." Suo Ran looked up while chewing. "Hm?" Lian Ziho couldn't help smiling faintly. "You eat like a child." Suo Ran frowned immediately. "I do not." Lian Ziho nodded with complete confidence. "You do." Before Suo ran could protest again, Lian Ziho leaned forward across the table. Without thinking, he gently raised one hand and brushed his fingertips against Suo Ran's cheek, carefully wiping away the crumbs near the corner of his lips. His touch was slow, gentle, and unbelievably careful, as though afraid of startling him.
Suo Ran froze completely. His eyes widened slightly, and his heartbeat skipped unexpectedly. "...I..." he murmured, unable to finish the sentence. Warm color slowly spread across his cheeks. "I could've done that myself," he said softly, avoiding Lian Ziho's eyes. Lian Ziho's hand lingered for just a brief second before he quietly pulled it back. His voice remained calm, though his heartbeat had become far less steady than his expression suggested. "I know." A faint smile touched his lips. "But you didn't." Their eyes met across the table, and for a long moment neither of them moved nor spoke.
The sounds of the café seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the quiet space between them. Only after realizing how close they had become did Lian Ziho slowly withdraw his hand completely. A trace of embarrassment flickered across his usually composed face. "...Sorry!" he said quietly. Suo Ran lowered his head almost immediately, hiding his flushed face behind the warm cappuccino as he picked up the cup with both hands. "It's fine!" he answered softly, though the gentle warmth lingering on his cheek made it difficult to believe his own words.
Outside the café, Cai Lang happened to walk past while returning from meeting one of his subordinates. His hands rested casually in the pockets of his dark coat as he walked along the busy sidewalk. People passed him in both directions, their conversations blending with the distant sound of traffic. His expression remained calm and unreadable until something inside the café caught his attention. His footsteps slowed almost instinctively.
Through the large glass window, he saw Suo Ran and Lian Ziho sitting together at a quiet corner table. Warm sunlight streamed through the window, surrounding them in a peaceful glow. At that exact moment, Lian Ziho leaned forward and gently reached toward Suo Ran's face. His fingertips carefully brushed away the crumbs at the corner of Suo Ran's lips. From where Cai Lang was standing outside, the angle hid most of Lian Ziho's hand. It almost looked as though he had leaned forward to kiss Suo Ran.
Cai Lang stopped walking completely. His expression remained as calm as ever, but something inside him shifted without warning. ...Did he just kiss him? His brows drew together almost imperceptibly as he continued staring through the glass. A second later, he shook the thought away. No... maybe not. His gaze remained fixed on them anyway. So what if he did? The answer should have been obvious. It had nothing to do with him. Yet before he could dismiss the thought, another question quietly surfaced in his mind. ...Then why does it bother me?
Inside the café, Suo Ran lowered his head slightly, his cheeks faintly flushed with embarrassment after Lian Ziho had touched his face. Lian Ziho quietly watched him with a gentle expression that Cai Lang had never seen before. There was warmth in his usually calm eyes, and it lingered naturally on Suo Ran. Watching the scene, Cai Lang felt an unfamiliar tightness spread slowly through his chest. It wasn't anger. It wasn't annoyance. It was something he couldn't immediately name, and that irritated him even more.
This has nothing to do with me, he reminded himself silently. They're free to do whatever they want. His jaw tightened almost unconsciously. So why... He remained standing on the sidewalk, unable to look away. ...Why am I still standing here? The realization made him frown slightly. He had faced enemies without hesitation, negotiated with dangerous people without losing his composure, yet a simple scene inside a café had managed to stop him in his tracks.
He finally looked away and released a slow, silent breath. Ridiculous. Without another glance toward the window, Cai Lang turned around and continued walking down the busy street. His footsteps remained steady and unhurried, giving no hint of the thoughts running through his mind. Yet no matter how much he tried to dismiss the image, it refused to leave him. Suo Ran's lowered eyes... Lian Ziho's gentle touch... the quiet atmosphere between them... they replayed again and again in his memory. Cai Lang frowned almost imperceptibly as he walked. Why am I even thinking about this?
Suo ran stirred the last sip of his cappuccino, watching the foam swirl lazily inside the cup. Outside,pedestrians walked along the sidewalk while bicycles rolled past and cars moved steadily through the morning traffic. Lian Ziho leaned back comfortably in his chair with his arms crossed, his calm eyes briefly drifting toward the street before returning to Suo ran. After a moment of silence, Suo ran lowered his cup onto the saucer and asked quietly, almost hesitantly, "Are we staying in the hotel again today?"
Lian Ziho tilted his head slightly, "For now." Suo ran frowned a little, absentmindedly folding the corner of a paper napkin between his fingers."Why do we keep moving? I mean... it's safe here, right?" Lian Ziho watched him for a moment before his gaze softened slightly. "It's not just about safety." His voice remained calm as he rested one arm on the table. "Sometimes we need space. To think... to plan... to protect." Suo Ran lowered his eyes to the table, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You could just tell me." He looked back at Lian Ziho, searching his face. "I don't need all the details, but I deserve... something."
Lian Ziho remained quiet for several seconds before leaning forward slightly. His voice became gentler than before. "You'll know when you need to." Their eyes met across the table. "For now... trust me." Suo ran held his gaze for a long moment before finally sighing in defeat. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he nodded. "Fine." And helpless smile appeared on his face. "But... I still don't like moving so much." Lian Ziho looked at him steadily, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly. "You're not alone." His voice was quiet but reassuring. "I'll make sure you're okay." Suo Ran's expression softened. The corner of his mouth twitched into an almost invisible smile. "You always sound like you've got everything figured out." Lian Ziho gave a small shrug, looking almost amused. "I don't." He paused briefly before adding with a quiet smile, "But I try."
After finishing their coffee, they stood and left the café together. The small bell above the wooden door chimed softly as they stepped outside into the mild afternoon sunlight.The city felt much calmer than it had the previous night. People chatted casually as they walked past, shop owners arranged displays outside their stores, and the shadows that had haunted them only hours ago seemed to have disappeared. At least... for now.
The temporary hotel stood only a few streets away. As they stepped inside.Before they even reached the elevators, a familiar voice called excitedly, "Gege!" Jun Wei came running across the lobby with his backpack hanging loosely over one shoulder. His bright eyes lit up the moment he saw them. Without slowing down, he threw himself toward Suo Ran. Suo Ran laughed softly and caught him before he could lose his balance. "Slow down," he said with a warm smile as he gently ruffled the boy's hair. "You'll trip." Jun Wei only grinned wider. "You came back!"
Lian Ziho crouched slightly until he was at eye level with the child. His usually serious expression softened. "Did you have a good day at school?" Jun Wei nodded so hard that his hair bounced. "Yes! Teacher Liu gave us extra drawing time." He smiled proudly before grabbing Lian Ziho's sleeve. "But can we do something fun now?" Suo ran couldn't help smiling at the hopeful expression on Jun Wei's face. "We'll see." Jun Wei immediately puffed out his cheeks. "You always say that." He clasped both hands together dramatically. "Please? Just a little?" Lian Ziho looked toward Suo Ran, silently asking what he thought. Suo Ran simply smiled and gave a small nod. Lian Ziho let out a quiet sigh of surrender before gently patting Jun Wei's head. "Fine." A tiny smile appeared on his face. "Just a little." Jun Wei cheered happily, pumping both fists into the air. "Yes!"
Later that afternoon, the three of them returned to their room. Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains, filling the space with a peaceful glow. Jun Wei sat cross-legged on the carpet and emptied his backpack, excitedly showing off a small toy and several drawings from school. His cheerful laughter echoed through the room while Lian Ziho quietly unpacked the few belongings they had brought with them, carefully folding clothes and placing supplies back into the cabinet. Suo ran leaned comfortably against the wall with his arms loosely folded, watching the peaceful scene unfold before him. For a brief moment, it didn't feel like they were hiding from dangerous enemies. It simply felt... normal.
After a while, Suo ran quietly spoke. "Lian Ziho." Lian Ziho paused in the middle of placing a folded shirt into the drawer before turning toward him. "Hm?" Suo Ran smiled softly, gratitude visible in his tired eyes. "Thanks..." He hesitated before continuing. "For today. Walking with me... staying close." Lian Ziho looked at him silently for a few seconds before answering in his usual calm voice. "Always." It was only a single word, but it carried far more meaning than either of them cared to explain. Suo ran looked away with a faint smile while warmth quietly settled inside his chest.
Across the room,Jun wei remained completely unaware of the silent exchange as he proudly held up his toy. "Look! Doesn't it look cool?" Both men turned toward him almost at the same time. Suo Ran laughed softly. "It does." Lian Ziho nodded once. "Not bad." Jun Wei beamed with satisfaction before returning to his game.Outside the hotel windows, the city continued moving as though nothing unusual had happened. Cars passed beneath the afternoon sun. People hurried home from work. Children laughed somewhere in the distance.
Suo ran slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, quietly watching Lian Ziho finish arranging Jun Wei's belongings. His gaze softened. Maybe... just for today... we can stay like this. No running. No fighting. No fear. Just the three of them sharing one peaceful afternoon. It was a fragile thought, but he held onto it anyway.Lian Ziho looked up unexpectedly and caught Suo Ran staring at him. "What?" he asked quietly.Suo Ran blinked before smiling awkwardly. "Nothing."
Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but chose not to ask again. Instead, he looked toward the window where the afternoon sunlight was slowly beginning to fade."We should rest soon!" he said calmly. "Tomorrow will be busy."Suo Ran nodded slowly. "Yeah... I know." His eyes drifted toward Jun Wei, who was still happily playing on the carpet. A gentle smile appeared on his face. "But for now..." He looked back at Lian Ziho, his voice becoming almost a whisper. "...I'd like to stay like this a little longer."