The room remained quiet after the sound of Suo Ran's crying finally faded. Only the faint hum of wind outside and the occasional creak of the old house filled the silence now. Dust drifted slowly through the dim beam of light coming from the fallen phone flashlight near the bed, casting weak shadows across the childhood room that had once been filled with warmth and laughter.
Lian Ziho stayed kneeling beside Suo Ran for several long seconds, watching him carefully without saying anything. Suo Ran sat on the edge of the old bed with his head lowered slightly, shoulders tense beneath the weight of emotions he clearly couldn't hold together anymore. One hand still gripped the hidden photo frame tightly against his chest like letting go of it would break something inside him completely.
His breathing remained uneven. His eyes were red and cheeks still damp.Lian Ziho had never seen him like this before.This wasn't the Suo Ran everyone else knew.This version of him looked exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with physical tiredness. Like someone who had been carrying grief for so long that he no longer remembered how to put it down anymore.Slowly, carefully, Lian Ziho lifted his hand and used the edge of his sleeve to wipe away the tears still lingering beneath Suo ran's eyes. The movement was gentle.
Suo Ran flinched faintly at the contact before immediately looking away again.He was avoiding eye contact.Lian Ziho's chest tightened slightly at that reaction."You don't have to force yourself to stay strong all the time." he said softly.For a moment, Suo Ran didn't answer.Then a quiet laugh escaped him. "I'm used to it." he murmured quietly.
Lian Ziho's expression shifted faintly.Lian Ziho lowered his gaze slowly toward the photo frame still hidden tightly against Suo Ran's chest. Even now, Suo Ran's fingers remained curled around it protectively, almost defensively, like he was afraid someone would take it away from him.
Lian Ziho wanted to ask about it.
Who was in the picture?
Why had Suo Ran reacted like that?
Why did grief suddenly look so much like hatred in his eyes?
But something stopped him.So instead, Lian Ziho lowered his hand quietly and said only, "You should rest a little."Suo Ran nodded faintly but didn't speak.The silence between them again.Lian Ziho's gaze lingered on him longer than necessary.
What happened to you here?
(...)
His chest felt strangely tight as he looked around the room again. The old trophies, carefully preserved bookshelves, faded toys sitting untouched beneath years of dust. Everything inside this room felt frozen in time, like someone had desperately tried to protect memories that were already falling apart.
What are you hiding from everyone?
(...)
Slowly, he stood from beside the bed. His knees ached faintly from kneeling so long on the wooden floor, but he barely noticed it.
"You should sleep if you can." he said quietly.
Suo Ran looked up slightly at that, though only for a second. His eyes still looked distant somehow. "Okay." Lian Ziho hesitated briefly before turning toward the door. The old wooden floor creaked softly beneath his steps as he walked away from the bed. His expression remained calm outwardly, but his thoughts had become heavier with every second spent inside this room.
Lian Ziho reached the doorway slowly then stopped.Quietly, he glanced back over his shoulder and froze.Suo Ran thought he had already left.His posture had changed completely now that he believed no one was watching him anymore.The softness from earlier was gone.Slowly, Suo Ran lowered his gaze toward the hidden frame in his hands again.And his expression changed instantly.
Lian Ziho's breath caught slightly.
Lian Ziho stood completely still near the doorway, unable to look away now.A strange unease settled slowly in his chest.
Who are "they"…?
(...)
And what did they do to you?
(...)
Suo Ran's lips parted slightly then very softly
He said "I won't forgive them."Lian Ziho felt something cold settle uneasily in his chest.
Because Suo Ran didn't sound emotional when he said it.Lian Ziho realized the truth was much worse than he originally thought.
Suo Ran's parents hadn't simply died. Something had happened.Something ugly enough to leave this much anger behind.
And whatever secret was hidden inside that photo frame It was still haunting him even now.
Cai Lang stepped inside his apartment without turning on the lights, one hand still resting against the doorframe briefly as though steadying himself before letting the door close behind him. His clothes were damp from the rain outside, dark fabric clinging faintly around the bandages hidden beneath his shirt. A small streak of dried blood remained near his temple where the earlier injury had split the skin near his forehead, while another faint stain had begun spreading again near his side beneath the loosened layers of clothing.He looked exhausted.
Cai Lang took several steps forward across the apartment.From the nearby room, footsteps paused immediately.A second later, Anxin stepped out holding a mug in one hand and several papers tucked beneath the other arm. The moment his eyes landed on Cai Lang he froze.The papers nearly slipped from his grip."What happened to your head?"
Cai Lang barely glanced at him while removing his jacket slowly. "Car problem."
Anxin stared at him in disbelief. "What kind of car problem leaves blood on your face?"
Cai Lang didn't answer he kept walking further inside like he hadn't heard him.
That only made Anxin's irritation rise faster.
"Seriously?" He set the mug down immediately and followed after him. "You disappear injured, stop answering calls for hours, and then suddenly walk in looking like this?"Cai Lang exhaled quietly through his nose, exhaustion finally showing faintly beneath the calm mask he usually kept in place. "It wasn't serious."
Anxin almost laughed at that not because it was funny because it was ridiculous."You call this not serious?"Cai Lang reached the kitchen counter and braced one hand against it briefly when another sharp pulse of pain hit his side. Anxin expression changed."You reopened your wound too?"Cai Lang straightened again slowly. "It'll heal." "That's not how injuries work."The frustration in Anxin's voice cracked slightly now beneath genuine concern.
He moved closer without thinking, eyes immediately catching the faint blood spreading beneath the bandage through Cai Lang's shirt."How much did you even bleed?" he muttered quietly.Cai Lang looked away. "I am tired! I want to rest! ."Anxin stared at him for a long moment before speaking again, quieter this time."But...You look terrible." "I've looked worse."Cai Lang reached for a glass near the sink, filling it halfway with water before drinking slowly.
Anxin crossed his arms tightly, the frustration in his expression slowly fading into something quieter, heavier. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me everything." His gaze dropped briefly toward the blood beginning to stain through Cai Lang's bandage again before lifting back toward his face. "But at least don't make me wonder whether you're alive or dead."
Cai Lang looked away immediately afterward, his jaw tightening slightly at the words.For a moment, neither of them spoke.The apartment remained quiet except for the rain outside and the faint ticking of the clock near the living room wall. .I'm dragging all of them into this now.The thought surfaced coldly inside his mind.His fingers tightened faintly around the glass in his hand before slowly loosening again.
Anxin noticed the silence stretching too long and sighed quietly through his nose. "You know, normal people usually go to hospitals after getting hit by cars."Cai Lang finally glanced back at him slightly. "I'm fine."
"You're bleeding through two different injuries." cai Lang said with louder voice "I said I'm fine." "That's not an answer."A faint trace of irritation returned to Cai Lang's expression then, though exhaustion dulled it quickly afterward. "You talk too much."Anxin immediately folded his arms tighter. "And you almost die too casually."
Cai Lang lowered the empty glass onto the counter quietly. "It wasn't an accident." he said suddenly.Anxin blinked. "What?"Cai Lang's gaze darkened slightly."The car."
Silence between them.Anxin's expression changed immediately."What do you mean not an accident?"Cai Lang stayed quiet for several seconds before answering."They were sending a message."
The atmosphere inside the apartment changed.Anxin stared at him now, concern slowly sharpening into unease. "Who?"cai Lang replied with Calm "I don't know yet."
"But someone's trying to kill you?"Cai Lang didn't answer.Anxin's chest tightened visibly. "And you're saying this calmly?" "They missed." "That's not the point!"His voice rose slightly before he forced himself quieter again, glancing instinctively toward the other rooms."You can't keep acting like this is normal."
Cai Lang's eyes lowered briefly toward the floor because part he already knew Anxin was right but he knew normal stopped existing the moment this investigation began."They're watching me now." Cai Lang said quietly. Anxin frowned immediately. "Watching?"Cai Lang nodded once."And if they're watching me..."His gaze darkened again."then it means I'm getting close."
Anxin rubbed a hand slowly over his face, exhaustion and worry mixing together beneath the dim apartment light. "One day you're seriously going to scare years off my life," he muttered under his breath.A faint silence followed again.Then unexpectedly
"Sorry."Cai Lang's voice came quieter this time.Anxin blinked in surprise because apologies from Cai Lang were rare enough to feel unreal sometimes.Cai Lang looked away again immediately afterward, his expression unreadable beneath the dim apartment lights."I didn't mean to worry you."
His shoulders lowered slightly as he exhaled through his nose."You idiot." he muttered quietly. Cai Lang didn't respond to that.For a long moment, they simply stood there in the quiet apartment while rain continued falling softly outside.
Meanwhile at suo ran's place somewhere near the living room window Jun Wei's nonstop talking continued without interruption like he physically could not remain silent for more than thirty seconds at a time.The apartment felt peaceful.Lian Ziho stood near the stove wearing a loose dark sweater with the sleeves pushed halfway up his arms, his expression calmer than usual as he focused on finishing breakfast. Steam rose softly around him while the scent of fried eggs and warm rice spread through the room. Every now and then he glanced toward the dining table where Suo Ran was helping arrange plates while simultaneously trying to stop Jun Wei from stealing food before breakfast was even served.
"Jun Wei!" Suo Ran said flatly without even turning around, "if your hand touches that plate again, I'm removing your existence from this apartment." Jun Wei immediately pulled his chopsticks back with exaggerated offense. "Violence. Early in the morning too. This is emotional abuse." Suo Ran looked over at him. "You already ate two dumplings." "I was testing them for poison." "You licked your fingers afterward." "That proves they weren't poisoned."
Suo Ran stared at him for a long second before flicking him lightly on the forehead. Jun Wei gasped dramatically and grabbed his forehead immediately. "Ow! See? Violence!" "That barely touched you." "I could've died." "You say that every day." "Because every day is dangerous in this house."
From the kitchen, Lian Ziho let out a quiet laugh before he could stop himself. The sound was loud enough that both Suo Ran and Jun Wei looked toward him immediately. Lian Ziho paused slightly after realizing what he had done, the faint smile still lingering near his lips while he looked away toward the stove again. "Sorry." he muttered quietly. "You two are just loud this early." Jun Wei pointed instantly. "See? Even Lian gege agrees with me." "No." Lian Ziho corrected calmly while placing food onto the plates. "I agree that you're loud."
Jun Wei looked betrayed. "You too?" Suo Ran snorted softly under his breath while sitting down at the table. "Finally someone intelligent." Jun Wei narrowed his eyes suspiciously at both of them before suddenly looking down at the plates in front of him. Then immediately his expression changed into visible outrage. "Wait." Suo Ran didn't even look up. "What now?" Jun Wei pointed dramatically between their breakfasts. "Why does his portion look bigger than mine?" Suo Ran took one glance at the table. "Because you eat slowly." "That's discrimination." "That's math."
Jun Wei turned toward Lian ziho immediately. "Lian gege, say something." Lian Ziho placed another plate down calmly before sitting beside him. "You left half your food yesterday." "That's because your gege stressed me emotionally." Suo Ran almost choked on his tea. "How are you still talking?" Jun Wei folded his arms stubbornly. "I'm growing." "You're dramatic." "That too."
Lian Ziho laughed again quietly, this time unable to hide it completely. And for a brief second Suo Ran looked at him. Lian Ziho's smile faded into something softer the moment he noticed Suo Ran staring. Suo Ran blinked first, then immediately looked away and grabbed his cup too quickly.
Jun Wei looked between both of them suspiciously. "Why did the room suddenly become weird?" "Eat your breakfast!" Suo Ran muttered instantly. Jun Wei narrowed his eyes harder. "Something definitely happened." "Nothing happened." "That sounds guilty." Suo Ran pointed his chopsticks at him. "One more sentence and I'm giving your eggs to Lian Ziho." Jun Wei gasped and immediately shielded his plate with both arms. "You wouldn't dare." Lian Ziho quietly shook his head beside him, the faintest smile returning again while watching them argue.
Three sharp knocks at door.Jun Wei stopped chewing mid-bite. Suo Ran's hand paused halfway toward his cup while Lian Ziho slowly lifted his gaze toward the front door, his expression sharpening slightly almost on instinct. The apartment suddenly felt much quieter than before. "Who comes this early?"
Lian Ziho asked after a second, voice calm but observant. His eyes shifted toward Suo Ran almost immediately. "Did you invite someone?" Suo Ran frowned faintly. "No." Then after thinking briefly "I don't think so." Jun Wei immediately looked interested. "Maybe it's food delivery." "We didn't order anything." Suo Ran replied flatly. "Then maybe someone came to arrest you." Suo Ran stared at him. "Why is that your first assumption every time?" "Experience." "You're nine! What kind of experience do you have."
Another knock interrupted them before Jun Wei could answer again. This time Lian Ziho stood slightly straighter in his chair, his gaze lingering toward the door longer than before. Something cautious flickered briefly across his expression. "Be careful." he said quietly. Suo Ran rolled his eyes faintly at the serious tone, though he still nodded once. "I know." Even so, he moved toward the door more carefully now.
The apartment suddenly felt strangely tense behind him. Lian Ziho's eyes followed his every movement unconsciously while Jun Wei continued eating like nothing unusual was happening at all. Suo Ran reached the door slowly and looked through the peephole first. Then immediately his shoulders relaxed. A small breath left him quietly. From behind him, Lian Ziho noticed the change instantly. "Who is it?" he asked from the table.
Suo Ran unlocked the door. "It's Lin Yichen." The answer made something unreadable pass briefly through Lian Ziho's face not obvious enough for anyone else to notice. But enough. The door opened and Lin Yichen stepped inside casually, dressed in dark clothes with slightly messy hair like he had left home too quickly this morning. The moment he entered, his eyes moved across the apartment once before landing on Suo Ran. "You're awake already." Lin Yichen said lightly. Suo Ran snorted softly. "It's morning." "Debatable."
Jun Wei immediately brightened from the table the second he saw him. "Lin gege!" Lin Yichen's expression softened instantly as he walked toward the living room. "Morning, troublemaker." Jun Wei grinned proudly like that was a compliment. Meanwhile Lian Ziho watched silently from his seat.His gaze followed Lin Yichen across the room with quiet intensity that felt impossible to ignore once noticed. Why is he here again? The thought appeared immediately in Lian Ziho's mind before he could stop it. And why does he always show up this comfortably?
Lin Yichen noticed the staring instantly. His steps slowed slightly before he glanced toward Lian Ziho. Their eyes met briefly. Lian Ziho's expression remained calm. Lin Yichen immediately looked away again internally uncomfortable.Why is he looking at me like that? His thoughts turned awkward almost immediately. I didn't even do anything today. That day at the bar was my fault, sure but today I literally just arrived. Suo Ran completely missed most of the silent tension while shutting the door behind him.
Cai Lang entered the apartment already fully dressed for the day, his steps steady but heavier than usual as the door clicked shut behind him. In living room with complete silence no Jun Wei's noisy complaints, no Suo Ran's sharp remarks, no faint smell of breakfast drifting from the kitchen. It felt wrong immediately, like the space itself had forgotten how to breathe.
His gaze moved slowly across the empty sofa, the untouched table, the quiet corners. For a brief second, something flickered in his memory without permission Jun Wei arguing loudly about food portions, Suo Ran flicking him on the forehead without looking, and himself sitting at the edge of it all, silently watching them as if that was enough. A faint pause settled in his expression at the memory, something almost imperceptible, before it hardened again.
Now it was gone.Cai Lang exhaled slowly and walked into the kitchen, opening cabinets without real interest before pouring himself a glass of water instead of eating. He drank in silence, but his eyes kept drifting back toward the hallway. After a moment, his feet moved on their own toward the room Suo Ran and Jun Wei had stayed in before.
The door creaked softly as he pushed it open. Dust floated in the weak light instantly, untouched surfaces confirming no one had stepped inside since they left. His jaw tightened slightly at the sight. "Why did you leave like this?" he muttered under his breath,voice low and rougher than intended.A long pause followed as his eyes scanned the room again, lingering on the empty bed, the scattered traces of life now abandoned too suddenly. Then quieter, almost bitterly, he added, "Did I really matter that little to you?"
Then he looked room for seconds. His gaze sharpened as something near the corner of the room caught his attention. There was a small plastic bag, half-hidden among forgotten belongings, slightly crumpled as if it had been placed there carelessly or in haste. Cai Lang stepped closer slowly, bending down to pick it up. The moment he opened it and brought it closer, a sharp, unfamiliar chemical scent hit instantly, strong enough to make his expression change in an instant.
His fingers tightened around the bag. His eyes darkened. For a second, he didn't move at all. Then quietly, dangerously low, he whispered, "No."His mind raced immediately, refusing the thought even as it formed. This can't be real'. His grip tightened further as he stared at it, breathing slowing but heavier.
Is this poison? But why would this be here… in Suo Ran's room?
(....)
Suo Ran wouldn't… The thought came fast, almost instinctive, but it faltered just as quickly as doubt crept in.
No one came here except Suo ran.
(...)
His gaze lowered slightly, conflicted now, the silence in the room pressing harder around him.
No… what am I even thinking… he would never…. (...)
But the image of Suo Ran's hidden anger, his silence, the unresolved past flickered uncomfortably in his mind. Cai Lang's expression darkened further as he stared at the bag again, the contradiction tearing through his certainty. …But what if he did? The question landed heavier than he expected.
His fingers slowly curled around the plastic until it crinkled faintly. Then, almost barely audible, he added in a colder tone, "But why?" Without another word, he placed the bag carefully into his pocket, his movements precise but tense, and turned away from the room immediately. The silence followed him as he walked out, but something inside him had already shifted completely because now, Suo Ran was no longer just a missing piece in the story… he was a possibility he couldn't ignore anymore.