Knock came.
Slow and Deliberate.
Suo Ran's heart thudded violently. He froze, every muscle taut. Who… who could it be now?
Cai Lang, leaning casually against the wall near the laptop, immediately stiffened. His hand twitched slightly toward his jacket pocket, but he said nothing. Lian Ziho, standing closer to the door, gestured subtly with his eyes toward Suo Ran, signaling him to stay calm.
The knock came again slightly sharper this time, but still polite.
Suo Ran swallowed hard. It's never just polite knocks…
He could feel the pulse of the card in his pocket, a faint vibration that mirrored the racing of his heart. One slow exhale, one careful step, and Lian Ziho cracked the door open.
Standing there, calm and composed, was Teacher Liu. His presence was immediately grounding, yet utterly unexpected. In his hand, no threatening items, just a small bag, the other hand relaxed at his side. His eyes, gentle and observant, scanned the doorway briefly.
"Hello," Teacher Liu said softly. "I… I wanted to check on Jun Wei. He hasn't been at school for the past few days, and your phone hasn't answered."
Jun Wei stirred on the couch, blinking sleepily. Then his face lit up like a sunrise. "Teacher Liu!" he squealed, kicking off the blanket slightly as he scrambled toward him.
Suo Ran exhaled, a mixture of relief and guilt twisting in his chest. The boy was so happy, so innocent, and yet all of thisthe danger, the hiding was something he didn't deserve to know.
Teacher Liu knelt beside him, eyes bright with warmth. "Hey there, little one. I missed you. How are you feeling?"
Jun Wei grinned, his tiny hands reaching instinctively toward the teacher. "I'm fine! I was sleeping! And guess what I played some games too!"
Suo Ran's eyes widened slightly. Games…? But he forced a small smile.
"You've been busy, huh?" Teacher Liu said gently, brushing a strand of hair from Jun Wei's forehead. "What kind of games?"
Jun Wei puffed up with pride. "Team missions! And I protected all my teammates. We won lots!" His small voice was full of excitement, oblivious to the weight his words carried in the quiet tension of the room.
Suo Ran's chest tightened. Protected… teammates… he thought. The missions sounded innocent to Teacher Liu, but each word was a reminder of the dangers Jun Wei had unknowingly been exposed to.
Lian Ziho, standing quietly near the hallway, gave a subtle nod to Teacher Liu. "You're Jun Wei's guidance counselor, right? We met before at school."
Teacher Liu's eyes lit up with recognition. "Yes… that's right. I remember now. We crossed paths once, during a parent-teacher consultation. Small world, isn't it?"
"Yes… small," Lian Ziho said softly, his gaze briefly flicking toward Suo Ran, who was hovering anxiously near Jun Wei. Keep calm. Everything's fine… for now, he told himself silently.
Cai Lang, however, had no such context. His eyes narrowed as he observed the man. He didn't know him, didn't trust him yet. His instincts told him to be careful, but seeing Jun Wei's bright smile softened the edge of his suspicion, at least temporarily.
Suo Ran, meanwhile, was tense. How does he know where we are? How did he find this place? The questions burned in his mind, unspoken. He watched Teacher Liu interact with Jun Wei, warm and calm, and tried to steady himself.
"Did you have breakfast today, Jun Wei?" Teacher Liu asked gently, moving his gaze from the boy to Suo Ran.
"Yes… Vegetable soup !" Jun Wei said proudly. "And I drank milk! Lots of milk!"
"That's good," Teacher Liu said warmly. "Are you keeping up with your studies as well?"
Jun Wei beamed. "Yes! I read some books! I'm learning new words and stuff! And I did some missions too protecting my friends!"
Teacher Liu chuckled softly, thinking the boy meant his games. "Excellent. You're learning fast. And being responsible in your team games is very important."
Suo Ran's chest tightened further. Missions… protecting friends… he doesn't know how much real danger there is.
Cai Lang cleared his throat softly, breaking the lighthearted bubble. "Uh… nice to meet you," he said, still uneasy.
Teacher Liu smiled politely, turning to him. "Hello. I'm Teacher Liu. Jun Wei's guidance counselor."
Cai Lang's eyes flicked toward Suo Ran, silently asking if this was okay. Suo Ran gave a subtle nod, still tense. "Yes… he's here to check on Jun Wei. Everything's fine," he said, voice careful.
"Very well," Cai Lang said slowly, still cautious.
The conversation flowed naturally, warm and domestic. Jun Wei excitedly described his little adventures in his games, the "missions" he had accomplished, how he protected his teammates, and what new words he had learned. Teacher Liu listened attentively, laughing softly at Jun Wei's pride, occasionally praising him.
Suo Ran hovered, fidgeting slightly, unable to mask the tension completely. Lian Ziho kept a calm demeanor, keeping an eye on Teacher Liu's reactions, noting how carefully the man observed everything without pressing questions.
Jun Wei tugged on Teacher Liu's sleeve suddenly. "Teacher… when can I go back to school? My friends are waiting!"
Suo Ran froze. Not safe… not yet…
Teacher Liu looked at Suo Ran briefly, reading the subtle panic in his expression. "Soon, I hope," he said softly. "We'll make sure everything is ready for you to return safely."
Suo Ran's throat tightened, heart heavy. He nodded quietly, ruffling Jun Wei's hair. "Yes… soon," he murmured.
Then, without warning, a sharp gunshot echoed from somewhere outside.
The sharp echo of the gunshot lingered in the room, a stark interruption to the warmth that had filled the safe house moments before.
Jun Wei clung tightly to Teacher Liu, his small body trembling slightly. Suo Ran's hand shot out instinctively to steady him, heart hammering as his eyes darted toward every possible exit, every shadow.
Cai Lang's posture stiffened instantly, the confusion from moments ago replaced by alertness. He didn't know this Teacher Liu, and suddenly, the man in front of him had a new significance protector, guardian, potentially the safest anchor for the child in this dangerous world.
Teacher Liu, calm but with a sharp edge in his gaze, placed a firm hand on Jun Wei's shoulder. "It's okay, little one. You're safe with me." His voice was soft but commanding, soothing the boy while projecting authority to the adults around him.
Suo Ran swallowed hard. "We… we need to think about this. They're close. They might try again." His words trembled slightly, though his face was composed as best he could. "Jun Wei… it's not safe here."
Teacher Liu's face hardened, protective instinct kicking in fully. "Suo Ran… tell me everything." He looked at Jun Wei, who clung to him, oblivious to the severity of the situation.
Suo Ran swallowed hard. "It's… it's not safe here. There's someone out there. They're watching. We… we're hiding." His voice faltered under the weight of the truth.
Teacher Liu nodded slowly, understanding partially. He glanced at Suo Ran, voice calm but firm: "Then for Jun Wei's safety… he should come with me."
Suo Ran's chest tightened. "I...It's not safe for him to go alone," he said quickly, panic rising. "He's just a little boy…"
He looked at Lian Ziho and Cai Lang, silently communicating the urgency of the decision. Lian Ziho's expression softened, understanding instantly.
Jun Wei looked up at him, eyes wide and innocent. "But I don't want to leave here!"
"I know, little one," Teacher Liu said gently.
"But sometimes, to be safe, we have to trust people who care about us. You'll be safe with me."
Suo Ran's chest tightened. Safe… but at what cost? He could feel the weight of every choice pressing down on him. His fingers brushed over the card in his pocket. It pulsed faintly a reminder that the threat had not vanished.
Cai Lang, standing near the laptop, frowned. "If you leave… we lose direct control over the situation. But staying here… we can't guarantee his safety either." He ran a hand through his hair, the first hint of hesitation betraying his calm exterior.
Lian Ziho's eyes shifted between Suo Ran and Teacher Liu. Recognition softened his gaze slightly, but concern lingered. "I know him," he said quietly. "He's Jun Wei's guidance counselor. He wouldn't harm him… but… the boy shouldn't go alone."
Suo Ran nodded quickly, relief and worry intermingling. "Exactly. That's what I was thinking. It's… not safe for Jun Wei to go alone. He needs someone with him who can protect him."
Cai Lang glanced at Lian Ziho. "You'll go with him?"
Lian Ziho's lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes. If it's the only way to ensure Jun Wei's safety, I'll go."
Teacher Liu studied Suo Ran carefully. "Are you sure about this?" he asked softly.
Suo Ran's throat tightened. "I… I don't want to let him go. But… you can protect him better than I can right now. And… Lian Ziho will go with him, so he won't be alone."
Jun Wei, oblivious to the tension but sensing the gravity of the moment, leaned against Teacher Liu. "Really? Lian Ziho too?"
"Yes," Lian Ziho said gently, crouching to meet Jun Wei's eyes. "I'll be right there with you. Nothing will happen."
The moment was quiet, but heavy. Teacher Liu knelt slightly to adjust Jun Wei's small backpack, making sure the straps weren't twisted. Lian Ziho stood close, his calm presence a silent promise of protection. Suo Ran hovered near the door, his chest tight, his fingers brushing over Jun Wei's hair as if trying to memorize every detail.
"Jun Wei… remember, be brave, okay?" Suo Ran said softly, his voice trembling slightly despite his best efforts.
Jun Wei nodded, but a small quiver ran through his lips. "I… I don't want to leave…"
His tiny hands gripped Suo Ran's shirt, his eyes shining with tears.
Suo Ran swallowed hard, trying to hold back his own. "I know, Wei Wei… I know. But Teacher Liu will take care of you. And… and Lian Ziho will be with you too. You'll be safe."
Teacher Liu smiled gently, holding Jun Wei close. "That's right, Jun Wei. I promise you, nothing will happen to you. We'll have fun, and I'll help you with school too."
Jun Wei sniffled, burying his face slightly against Teacher Liu's shoulder. "But… I'll miss Gege. I just came here and you are trying to chase me away again."
Suo Ran bent down, brushing tears from Jun Wei's cheek. "I.. I'm not trying to chase you Away. How can I think about this..
And don't you want to go school and meet your friends. They are missing you. You have to go and study when you grow up you can stay with me forever okay. And I'll miss you too, " he whispered, his voice breaking.
"You've been so brave, and… I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Jun Wei. You make everything brighter… you make me feel… stronger. Always remember that, okay?"
Jun Wei hiccuped softly, squeezing him once more. "I… I love you, Gege."
Suo Ran's hand trembled as he hugged the boy tightly. "I… I love you too, little one. So much."
Lian Ziho stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Suo Ran's shoulder.
"He'll be okay. We'll make sure of it. You did everything you could to keep him safe."
Suo Ran nodded, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "I know… but it still hurts. I feel… I don't know… selfish for letting him go."
"You're not," Lian Ziho said firmly. "This is the best choice. You're protecting him the only way you can right now. That's what matters."
Cai Lang, standing slightly behind, finally spoke up, his voice calm but kind. "Jun Wei… Suo Ran will come to see you. You're not being abandoned. You'll see him again."
Jun Wei sniffled, wiping his tears. "Really?"
"Really," Suo Ran said softly, voice steadying a little. "I'll come see you. We'll play games together again. I promise."
Jun Wei hugged Suo Ran one last time, then slowly released, holding onto Teacher Liu's hand. "Okay… I trust you, Teacher Liu."
Teacher Liu smiled warmly, lifting Jun Wei carefully. "Good. That's my brave little boy. We'll take care of everything."
Suo Ran stepped back, finally releasing his own tension in a quiet exhale. "Be safe…
both of you. Thank you, Lian Ziho, for going with him. I… I'm grateful. I'm so lucky to have you here, with him."
Lian Ziho's gaze softened. "We'll protect him together. That's what matters."
As they left the safe house, Jun Wei glanced back at Suo Ran one last time, tears threatening again. "Bye… Gege…"
Suo Ran waved, trying to smile through the lump in his throat. "Bye, little one… see you soon."
Once the door closed behind them, Suo Ran slumped against the wall, his chest tight, heart heavy. Cai Lang moved to stand beside him, silently offering support. "You did the right thing," he said quietly.
Suo Ran nodded, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "I know… but it still hurts."
And somewhere outside, Jun Wei held Teacher Liu's hand tightly, feeling both comforted and sorrowful, trusting his guardians while missing the small home he had just left behind.