Chapter ...10 Morning Cracks
Morning came quietly.
Too quietly.
Lian Zihao stood near the same spot as last night, coffee in hand, eyes fixed on Suo Ran's building. People passed by office workers, delivery bikes, noise, life but Suo Ran didn't appear.
Again.
Lian checked the time. Then checked it again.
"Unbelievable," he muttered.
He hadn't slept much. Not because he cared he told himself that but because his instincts didn't like unanswered questions. And Suo Ran was becoming one.
He glanced up at the building once more, searching windows, balconies, any sign.
Nothing.
"So where did you disappear to?" Lian said under his breath.
After another ten minutes, he turned away, jaw tight.
"I'll find you myself."
Elsewhere Early Morning
Suo Ran woke up in a bed that wasn't his.
The sheets were cool, clean, expensive everything about the room unfamiliar. For a second, panic flared in his chest.
Then memory returned.
Cai Lang.
The apartment.
The warning.
Suo Ran sat up, rubbing his face. His clothes from last night were neatly folded on a chair nearby. No sign of Cai Lang.
Too quiet.
He stood, stretched slightly, then walked out to the living area.
Cai Lang was already awake, dressed in dark casual clothes, standing near the counter with his phone.
"You don't sleep much," Suo Ran said.
Cai Lang glanced at him. "Neither do you."
Suo Ran huffed. "Fair."
There was a pause.
Suoran thought in this situation he has no other options so he decided to live with him!
But He has nothing with him.
"I want to buy something ," Suo Ran added. "I can't keep borrowing your things like a hostage."
Cai Lang considered this for a moment. "I'll walk you part of the way."
"No," Suo Ran said immediately. "I can manage a grocery store alone."
Cai Lang's gaze sharpenedbut he didn't argue.
"Be quick," he said. "And don't take shortcuts."
Suo Ran rolled his eyes. "You sound like an overprotective"
He stopped himself.
Cai Lang's expression didn't change, but something unreadable flickered behind his eyes.
"Just be careful," he said instead.
The Grocery Store
The small neighborhood grocery store was already busy.
Suo Ran relaxed a little as he walked between aisles, basket in hand. Normal things. Vegetables. Rice. Familiar smells.
Normal life.
That's when he saw him.
Lian Zihao stood near the drink section, phone in hand, brows slightly furrowed clearly annoyed.
Suo Ran froze.
Lian looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a second, neither moved.
Then Lian's expression shifted from irritation to surprise… and something like relief.
"So you're alive," Lian said, walking over.
"Good to know."
Suo Ran blinked. "Why are you here?"
Lian raised an eyebrow. "I live nearby. You're the one who vanished."
"I didn't vanish," Suo Ran replied defensively. "I just"
He stopped.
Because Lian's gaze had sharpened.
"Something happened," Lian said quietly.
Suo Ran opened his mouth....
And then.
The air changed.
That sharp, prickling feeling crawled up Suo Ran's spine.
Lian noticed it too.
"Don't turn around," Lian murmured.
Too late.
Three men stood near the entrance.
The same eyes.
The same predatory stillness.
From that night.
Suo Ran's blood ran cold.
"They found me," he whispered.
Lian's jaw tightened. "You know them?"
"No," Suo Ran said, gripping the basket. "But they were chasing me before."
One of the men took a step forward.
Lian dropped his voice. "When I say run, don't argue."
Suo Ran swallowed. "I hate running."
"Too bad."
A bottle shattered near the entrance.
"NOW," Lian snapped.
They ran.
They turned again. And again. Until the sounds behind them blurred then faded.
They didn't stop until they reached a small park tucked between buildings, half-hidden by trees and morning mist.
Lian bent forward, hands on his knees, catching his breath.
Suo Ran collapsed onto a bench, heart pounding.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then
"We're clear," Lian said finally, straightening.
"For now."
Suo Ran wiped sweat from his forehead.
"You say that like this happens often."
Lian snorted. "Only when I get unlucky."
Suo Ran glanced at him. "You didn't have to help."
Lian looked away. "You were already running. Would've been rude not to."
Suo Ran smiled faintly.
The tension eased just a little.
Aftermath
They sat there as the city continued on, unaware.
Suo Ran hugged his arms. "This keeps happening to me lately."
Lian studied him quietly. "You're in trouble."
"That obvious?"
"Yes."
Suo Ran hesitated, then sighed. "I don't even know why. I just… had something I wasn't supposed to."
Lian didn't press.
Instead, he said, "If it happens again, call me."
Suo Ran blinked. "I don't have your number."
Lian paused.
Then pulled out his phone and handed it over. "Fix that."
Their fingers brushed as Suo Ran took it.
This time, neither pulled away too quickly.
When Suo Ran handed the phone back, Lian checked the screen, nodded once.
"Good," he said. "Now you're not completely alone."
The words landed harder than Suo Ran expected.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Lian shrugged. "Don't make it weird."
Too late.
Walking Back
They left the park together, walking slower now.
"So," Lian said casually, "you always get chased after grocery shopping?"
Suo Ran huffed. "Only on special days."
Lian smirked. "You're bad luck."
"Hey."
"But," Lian added, "you don't panic easily. That's good."
Suo Ran glanced at him. "You're not as annoying as I thought."
Lian laughed. "Careful. That's almost a compliment."
They stopped at the corner where their paths split.
"This is me," Suo Ran said.
Lian nodded. "Text me when you're home."
"You're bossy."
"And you're reckless."
They shared a look lighter now, warmer.
"See you around, Suo Ran."
"Yeah," Suo Ran replied. "See you, Lian Zihao."
As they walked away in opposite directions, neither noticed how naturally the other's name now felt on their lips.
But somewhere in the city, unseen eyes were still watching.
And running was only buying time.