Morning light filtered through the tall windows, pale and gentle.
Suo Ran woke to the smell of food. The smell of food spread around whole room. It was
not instant noodles and takeaway.
He blinked, disoriented for a second, then pushed himself up and followed the scent into the kitchen.
Cai Lang stood at the counter.
Sleeves rolled up. Hair slightly loose. He was Focused.
It felt unreal like stepping into a life that didn't belong to him.
"You cook?" Suo Ran asked.
"Why? Doesn't look like?
"That's not I meant!"
Cai Lang didn't look up. "I eat."
"I eat too but I can't cook well. I only know how to make noodles "
"That's impressive."
Fair enough.
On the counter sat a simple breakfast steamed buns, eggs, fruit, and a bowl of warm porridge.
"You should sit," Cai Lang said. "You didn't eat properly yesterday."
"Are you sure I can eat this?"
"Why?! do you think I'll poison you? "
"No.,ummm it's edible right? "
"It's okay if you don't want to eat "
Suo Ran hesitated, then sat.
The first bite was warm, grounding. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
"Ummm, it's not bad."
"Do I take it as compliment?"
"Yes, you can."
"Thank you sir."
His phone buzzed Once he ignored it.
Then again.
Lian Zihao was calling him.
Suo Ran glanced at the screen.
Lian Zihao: You alive?
Lian Zihao: Want to meet later?
Somewhere… nicer this time?
Suo Ran smiled despite himself.
"Good news?" Cai Lang asked, setting a cup of tea in front of him.
"A friend," Suo Ran said casually. "He wants to meet."
Cai Lang's hand paused mid-motion.
"Friend? Which friend? "
"You don't need know "
"As if I'm not dying to know."
"Then why are you asking?"
"You are staying with me for now so I think I have right to know where you going and with whom are you."
"When?" He added.
"This morning," Suo Ran replied.
Cai Lang's expression didn't change but the air did.
Suo Ran took another bite, then stood. "I should go soon."
He didn't notice that he'd barely eaten.
Cai Lang noticed he didn't eat.
"You're not finished," Cai Lang said.
"I'll eat later," Suo Ran replied, already grabbing his jacket. "I'll be late if I don't hurry."
Cai Lang turned fully toward him now.
"You're dizzy because you don't eat," he said quietly
"I'm fine," Suo Ran insisted. "Really."
He reached for the door.
Cai Lang's voice stopped him.
"Suo Ran."
He turned.
Cai Lang's gaze was steady but something sharp lived underneath.
"You rushed out last time," Cai Lang said.
"You didn't come back on your own."
Suo Ran swallowed. "This is different."
"How?"
"It just is."
A long pause.
Cai Lang looked down at the untouched food.
Then back at Suo Ran.
"Eat," he said. Not a request.
Suo Ran hesitated then shook his head. "I can't."
Something in Cai Lang finally cracked not loudly, not visibly but enough.
"Fine," Cai Lang said, turning away. "Go."
The word was cold.
Suo Ran felt it instantly.
He lingered for half a second, then left.
The door closed.
Cai Lang stood alone in the quiet kitchen, staring at the breakfast he'd made.
" Okay. It's not big deal"
Slowly, he reached out and turned off the stove.
Elsewhere___
Suo Ran walked fast, guilt trailing behind him.
He checked his phone again.
Suo Ran: I'm on my way.
He didn't notice his hands shaking slightly.
Cai Lang cleaned the table in silence.
He told himself it didn't matter.
That this was temporary.
It's not I care if he eat or not (....)
And he had no right to expect anything.
He hadn't cooked for anyone in years.