The rooftop wind was gentle, carrying city sounds upward.
Suo Ran and Lian Zihao sat side by side, feet resting on the low ledge, the night calm enough to feel unreal.
"You know," Lian said lazily, "sometimes I miss school days."
Suo Ran hummed. "You? Missing school?"
"Hey," Lian protested.
"It wasn't all bad, Less bills, Less thinking."
Suo Ran smiled faintly. "True."
Lian tilted his head. "Which school were you in again? You never told me."
Suo Ran thought for a second. "Xincheng No. 3 High. You?"
Lian froze.
"…You're kidding."
Suo Ran frowned. "What?"
"I went there too."
Silence.
They turned to look at each other at the same time.
"No way," Suo Ran said.
Lian laughed in disbelief. "I swear. Same school. Different years maybe?"
"Different sections," Suo Ran muttered, shaking his head. "I don't remember you at all."
"Rude," Lian said, then paused. "But… same
I think I'd remember someone like you."
Suo Ran felt oddly warm at that.
"So we were in the same building," he said slowly, "walking the same halls…"
"And never met," Lian finished.
"Strange," Suo Ran said.
"Yeah," Lian replied softly. "Like we were always meant to cross paths just late."
The thought lingered between them longer than expected.
Cai Lang's apartment was nearly empty.
Boxes lined the walls. His movements were precise, efficient no hesitation, no second thoughts.
The decision had already been made.
A phone call ended.
Keys landed in his palm.
He checked the address once more.
Next door.
"Temporary," he told himself again.
But he was already dressed to leave.
Morning
Suo Ran woke early.
For the first time in days, he was in his own bed. The familiar ceiling felt strangely foreign now.
He made tea, still half-asleep, replaying last night's conversation in his head.
School, Love, Leaving.
The doorbell rang.
Suo Ran frowned.
No one visited this early.
He shuffled to the door and opened it without thinking.
Cai Lang stood there.
Hands in his pockets, Coat perfectly fitted.
Expression calm.
And smiling.
Not soft.
Not warm.
A slow, knowing smirk.
"…You," Suo Ran said.
"Good morning," Cai Lang replied.
"Neighbor."
Suo Ran stared. "What?"
Cai Lang stepped aside slightly, revealing a moving truck behind him.
Suo Ran's mouth opened. Closed.
"You're " he stopped, then tried again.
"You're moving?"
"Yes."
"Here?"
"Next door."
Silence crashed down.
"You can't just " Suo Ran began.
"I can," Cai Lang said calmly. "And I did."
"Why?" Suo Ran demanded.
Cai Lang's gaze sharpened not at Suo Ran, but past him, toward the hallway, the shadows, the places danger liked to hide.
"There are still unanswered questions," Cai Lang said quietly. "About that night."
He looked back at Suo Ran, smirk returning.
"And secrets tend to reveal themselves… when you're close enough."
Suo Ran felt a chill run down his spine.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was intention.
Cai Lang stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'm not moving in to watch you."
Then, after a pause
"I'm moving in to protect what's mine."
The words hit harder than any threat.
Cai Lang straightened and nodded toward the door. "I'll see you around."
He turned and walked away.
Leaving Suo Ran standing there, heart racing, realizing one terrifying truth:
There was no distance left to hide behind.