Chapter 12 — Unsaid Things
Morning light filtered through the tall windows, pale and gentle.
Suo Ran woke to the smell of food.
Not instant noodles. Not takeaway.
Real food.
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. Focused.
It felt unreal like stepping into a life that didn't belong to him.
"You cook?" Suo Ran asked.
Cai Lang didn't look up. "I eat."
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."
Suo Ran hesitated, then sat.
The first bite was warm, grounding. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
His phone buzzed.
Once.
Then again.
Lian Zihao.
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.
"When?"
"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 did.
"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.
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.
That he had no right to expect anything.
And yet
He hadn't cooked for anyone in years.