Lian Ziho folded the photo slowly.
Very carefully.
As if the thin paper itself might explode if he moved too fast.
Jun Wei kept looking up at him with curious eyes.
"Lian Gege?"
"Yes?"
Jun Wei pointed at the photo.
"That was our old house, right?"
Lian ziho slipped the photo into the envelope again before the boy could see more.
"Yes."
Jun Wei thought about it seriously.
"Then villains must be very bored."
Lian ziho raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because they keep watching people instead of fighting."
Lian ziho didn't answer.
Because that simple statement carried a disturbing truth.
The people chasing them had every chance to attack.
But they hadn't.
They were watching.
Waiting.
Studying.
And that was far more dangerous.
Jun Wei tugged his sleeve again.
"So… are we winning?"
Lian ziho crouched down slightly so they were at eye level.
"For now."
Jun Wei seemed satisfied with that answer.
"Good."
Then he picked up his pencil again and returned to drawing like the entire situation was just another game.
Lian ziho wished it was.
Ten minutes later...
Knock.
Lian ziho froze.
Jun Wei looked up excitedly.
"Villains?"
"No."
"You don't know that."
Lian ziho walked toward the door slowly.
His eyes moved to the window first.
Street clear.
No suspicious movement.
Then he opened the door.
Teacher Liu stood outside.
The teacher looked slightly surprised.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
Jun Wei ran forward immediately.
"Teacher!"
Teacher Liu smiled and patted his head gently.
"I was worried," he said calmly. "You didn't come to school."
Jun Wei looked at Lian Ziho.
"Because we had a mission."
Lian ziho sighed quietly.
Teacher Liu looked at him.
"A mission?"
"A game," Lian ziho corrected.
Teacher Liu nodded slowly.
But his eyes moved around the room carefully.
Observing.
Measuring.
Teachers noticed things others ignored.
Jun Wei grabbed Teacher Liu's hand.
"Teacher! Look what I drew!"
He held up the picture proudly.
Three stick figures.
Teacher Liu crouched beside him.
"This one is you?"
Jun Wei nodded.
"And these?"
Jun Wei pointed happily.
"Suo Ran Gege."
"And Lian Gege."
Teacher Liu looked at the drawing a little longer than necessary.
Then smiled softly.
"You seem very close."
Jun Wei answered proudly.
"They protect me."
Lian ziho looked away.
Something about those words felt heavier today.
Across the City___
The safehouse felt too quiet.
Suo Ran still sat at the table.
The black card rested in his palm.
Pulse...Pulse....Pulse.
Across from him, Cai Lang watched silently.
"You're still staring at that thing."
Suo Ran didn't look up.
"It reacts when something changes."
Cai Lang leaned forward slightly.
"And something changed?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Just now."
Cai Lang frowned.
"Lian ziho?"
"Maybe."
Suo Ran closed his fingers around the card.
"I hate not knowing where he is."
Cai Lang studied him.
"You trust Lian Ziho."
"I do."
"Then trust him now."
Suo Ran leaned back in the chair.
"You say that like it's easy."
Cai Lang tilted his head slightly.
"Isn't it?"
Suo Ran gave a small, humorless laugh.
"You're not the one who promised a kid you'd keep him safe."
Silence followed.
Then Cai Lang spoke more quietly.
"You're not alone in that promise."
Suo Ran looked up.
Cai Lang met his gaze calmly.
"I made that promise too."
For a moment neither of them looked away.
The tension between them felt different.
Not anger.
Not strategy.
Something quieter.
Something more dangerous.
Suo Ran finally broke the silence.
"You really are terrible at staying emotionally distant."
Cai Lang smirked slightly.
"You noticed?"
"I'm not blind."
Cai Lang leaned back again.
"Good."
Back at the House____
Teacher Liu stood near the window now.
Jun Wei had returned to coloring again.
Lian Ziho noticed the teacher's attention.
"You're checking the street."
Teacher Liu didn't deny it.
"I noticed someone watching earlier."
Lian ziho's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You saw that?"
"Yes."
Teacher Liu turned toward him.
"You seem less surprised than you should be."
Lian ziho didn't answer immediately.
Jun Wei suddenly spoke from the floor.
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"If villains watch us… does that mean we're important?"
Teacher Liu looked at the boy quietly.
"Sometimes."
Jun Wei smiled proudly.
"I knew it."
Lian ziho rubbed his forehead.
This kid was going to give him a heart attack someday.
Teacher Liu crouched beside Jun Wei again.
"Are you scared?"
Jun Wei shook his head immediately.
"No."
"Why not?"
Jun Wei pointed at the drawing again.
"Because I have two heroes."
The room went quiet.
Teacher Liu looked at Lian Ziho.
Then at the window again.
Because outside...
The same man from earlier had returned.
Standing beside a parked car.
Watching the house.
Again.
The man across the street didn't move.
He stood beside the parked car like any ordinary passerby.
Except he wasn't.
Lian Ziho watched him through the window without turning his head fully.
Teacher Liu noticed.
"You see him too," the teacher said quietly.
"Yes."
Jun Wei looked up from the floor.
"See who?"
"Someone outside," Lian ziho replied.
Jun Wei immediately jumped up and ran to the window.
Lian ziho caught him by the shoulder before he could press his face to the glass.
"No."
Jun Wei blinked.
"Why?"
"Because villains like attention."
Jun Wei gasped softly.
"It is villains!"
Teacher Liu rubbed his forehead.
"This 'mission' explanation is getting out of control."
Jun Wei crossed his arms.
"You started it."
"I absolutely did not."
Lian ziho sighed.
"Both of you sit down."
Jun Wei pointed dramatically.
"But the villain is outside!"
Teacher Liu glanced out again.
The man was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Teacher Liu exhaled slowly.
"We can't stay inside all day."
Lian ziho nodded.
"I know."
Jun Wei's eyes lit up instantly.
"Then we go somewhere!"
Lian ziho narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't a vacation."
Jun Wei clasped his hands together dramatically.
"Amusement park."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Teacher Liu looked between them.
"An amusement park?"
Jun Wei pointed accusingly at Lian ziho.
"He never lets me do anything fun."
"That's not true."
"You didn't let me eat candy yesterday."
"Because someone left it in the house."
Jun Wei paused.
"…Right."
Teacher Liu chuckled quietly.
"But he does have a point," the teacher said. "If someone is watching the house, staying here makes it easier for them."
Lian ziycrossed his arms.
"You're suggesting we go out."
"Yes."
Jun Wei jumped.
"Amusement park!"
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Jun Wei grabbed Lian ziho's sleeve.
"Lian Gege."
"No."
"Lian Gege."
"No."
"Lian Ge..."
Lian ziho sighed heavily.
"…We'll think about it."
Jun Wei raised both arms.
"Victory!"
Teacher Liu laughed softly.
"That sounded like a yes."
"It wasn't."
Jun Wei grinned.
"It was."
Lian ziho stared at him.
"You are very manipulative for a child."
Jun Wei looked proud.
"Thank you."
Teacher Liu shook his head.
Elsewhere....
Suo Ran finally stood up from the table.
"I can't sit here anymore."
Cai Lang didn't look surprised.
"I figured."
Suo Ran grabbed his jacket.
"We need answers."
Cai Lang stood as well.
"You think we'll find them outside?"
"Better than waiting."
Cai Lang stepped closer.
"You're emotional."
"I'm worried."
"That makes you careless."
Suo Ran turned sharply.
"You think I don't know that?"
Their eyes met.
Too close now.
The tension between them thickened.
Cai Lang spoke quietly.
"Then calm down."
Suo Ran scoffed.
"You always say that like it's easy."
Cai Lang suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist.
The movement was fast.
Firm.
Suo Ran froze.
"Listen to me," Cai Lang said softly.
Their faces were only inches apart now.
"If something happens to you out there…"
He stopped.
Suo Ran's voice dropped.
"…What?"
Cai Lang held his gaze.
For a long moment neither of them moved.
Then Cai Lang released his wrist.
"…Then Jun Wei loses the person he trusts most."
Suo Ran looked away first.
"You're terrible at emotional speeches."
Cai Lang smirked faintly.
"You're welcome."
Suo Ran sighed.
"Let's go."
Cai Lang grabbed his coat.
"After you."
As they walked out together, their shoulders brushed slightly.
Neither of them commented.
But neither moved away.
The Amusement Park_____
Jun Wei had never walked faster in his life.
"Lian Gege hurry!"
"I am walking."
"You're walking slowly."
Teacher Liu laughed quietly behind them.
"You created a monster."
Lian ziho sighed.
"I'm beginning to realize that."
The amusement park entrance appeared ahead.
Bright colors.
Crowds.
Music.
Jun Wei froze in excitement.
"…Whoa."
Teacher Liu smiled.
"First time?"
Jun Wei nodded.
"Best mission ever."
Lian ziho scanned the area carefully.
Crowds were good.
Harder to watch.
Harder to track.
But also harder to protect.
Jun Wei grabbed his hand suddenly.
"Come on!"
Lian ziho didn't move immediately.
Jun Wei looked back.
"Lian Gege?"
Teacher Liu said softly,
"Let him enjoy today."
Lian ziho exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
The amusement park was louder than Jun Wei expected.
Music played from hidden speakers.
Children ran everywhere.
Bright balloons floated in the air.
Jun Wei stood at the entrance with wide eyes.
"…This place is huge."
Teacher Liu smiled.
"Overwhelmed?"
Jun Wei nodded slowly.
Then suddenly grabbed Lian Ziho's sleeve.
"Lian Gege."
"Yes."
"We have to try everything."
"No."
Jun Wei looked betrayed.
"You said we could come!"
"I said we could enter."
"That means rides!"
Teacher Liu laughed quietly behind them.
"Careful, Lian Ziho. Negotiations have already begun."
Jun Wei tugged harder.
"Ferris wheel first!"
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Jun Wei stared at him for three seconds.
Then slowly turned to Teacher Liu.
"…Teacher."
Teacher Liu raised his hands immediately.
"Don't involve me."
Jun Wei pouted.
"You're supposed to support your student."
Lian ziho crossed his arms.
"He's manipulating you."
Teacher Liu nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes."
Jun Wei blinked.
"…Wait."
Lian ziho sighed.
"Fine. One ride."
Jun Wei exploded with excitement.
"YES!"
The Ferris Wheel____
Ten minutes later, Jun Wei pressed his face to the glass window of the slowly rising cabin.
"Look!"
The city stretched below them.
The river.
Buildings.
The amusement park itself.
Teacher Liu took out his phone.
"Hold still."
Jun Wei turned dramatically.
"Like this?"
He posed with two fingers raised proudly.
Lian ziho shook his head.
"You look ridiculous."
Teacher Liu took the photo anyway.
Jun Wei immediately leaned over.
"Let me see!"
Teacher Liu showed him the screen.
Jun Wei gasped.
"I look cool!"
"You look like a child," Lian corrected.
Jun Wei ignored him and grabbed Lian's arm.
"Lian Gege, you too!"
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Teacher Liu turned the camera.
"Stand closer."
Before Lian ziho could object, Jun Wei grabbed his sleeve and pulled him down beside him.
Click.
Jun Wei laughed.
"Now we're a team!"
Teacher Liu looked at the photo.
The boy smiling brightly.
Lian ziho slightly uncomfortable but not pulling away.
Something about the moment felt… rare.
Peaceful.
So he took another picture quietly.
Back on the ground, Jun Wei spotted a cotton candy stand.
"Lian Gege."
"No."
"I didn't say anything yet."
"You were about to."
Jun Wei pointed dramatically.
"Cotton candy!"
"No."
Teacher Liu folded his arms.
"Actually, one is fine."
Jun Wei cheered.
"Teacher Liu is the best!"
Lian ziho rubbed his temple.
"You two planned this."
Jun Wei accepted the giant pink cotton candy proudly.
Then tried to eat it.
Half of it stuck to his nose.
Teacher Liu laughed.
"Wait... don't move."
Click.
Another photo.
Jun Wei blinked.
"You're taking too many pictures."
Teacher Liu smiled.
"Memories are important."
Jun Wei thought about that seriously.
Then nodded.
"Okay.
Far from the bright noise of the amusement park, Suo Ran and Cai Lang walked along a quiet street.
The wind moved softly between the buildings.
Suo Ran stopped suddenly.
Cai Lang noticed.
"What is it?"
Suo Ran looked up.
A familiar building stood ahead.
An old apartment.
The rooftop visible above.
"…We used to sit there," Suo Ran said quietly.
Cai Lang followed his gaze.
"Yes."
Suo Ran smiled faintly.
"It was quiet."
They climbed the stairs slowly.
When they reached the rooftop, the city spread around them.
Just like before.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Suo Ran walked toward the edge.
"We would come here at night," he said.
Cai Lang leaned against the wall nearby.
"And talk?"
"About everything."
Suo Ran laughed softly.
"Mostly nonsense."
"What kind?"
"School. Work. Future plans."
Cai Lang watched him carefully.
Suo Ran continued quietly.
"Back then everything felt… simple."
The wind moved his hair slightly.
"We thought problems were things like deadlines and rent."
Cai Lang said nothing.
Suo Ran looked toward the horizon.
"Lian ziho would bring cheap tea."
"And you?"
"I complained about it."
Cai Lang smirked faintly.
"That sounds accurate."
Suo Ran chuckled.
Then his expression softened.
"We talked for hours."
Cai Lang noticed something in his voice.
Something gentle.
Something nostalgic.
"You cared about those nights."
"Yes."
Cai Lang looked away briefly.
"…I can tell."
Silence settled between them.
Then Suo Ran asked quietly,
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You ever had something like that?"
Cai Lang thought for a moment.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Suo Ran looked surprised.
"Never?"
"No."
He looked back at Suo Ran.
"But I understand it."
"Understand what?"
Cai Lang met his eyes.
"Why someone would miss it."
The wind moved between them.
Closer than before.
Suo Ran stepped back slightly.
"…You're staring again."
Cai Lang shrugged.
"You talk more when you're nostalgic."
"That's not an answer."
"No."
Their shoulders brushed lightly when Suo Ran turned.
Neither moved away.
But Cai Lang felt something twist quietly in his chest.
Not jealousy exactly.
Something stranger.
Watching Suo Ran talk about those nights with Lian Ziho…
About the laughter.
The peace.
The conversations.
Cai Lang realized something uncomfortable.
He wished he had been there.
Back at the Amusement Park_____
Jun Wei held his cotton candy like a trophy.
"Best day ever."
Teacher Liu smiled.
"Already?"
"We didn't even ride the roller coaster yet."
Lian ziho froze.
"No."
Jun Wei grinned.
"Yes."
Teacher Liu laughed again.
But Lian ziho wasn't listening anymore.
Because across the crowd...
He saw the man again.
Standing near the balloon stand.
Watching them.
Still smiling.
And this time...
He raised his phone.
And took a photo.