Lian Ziho folded the old photograph slowly, his fingers careful and steady, as though the thin piece of paper might fall apart if he handled it too roughly. His expression remained calm, but his eyes lingered on it for a second longer before he slipped it back into the envelope. Across the table, Jun Wei watched every movement with wide, curious eyes. He tilted his head slightly before asking, "Lian Gege?" Lian Ziho looked up and gave him a gentle smile. "Yes?"
Jun Wei pointed toward the envelope with his pencil. "That was our old house, right?" Lian Ziho quietly tucked the envelope beneath a stack of papers before the boy could ask to see it again. "Yes." Jun Wei lowered his hand and frowned in deep thought, his small face unusually serious. After a few seconds, he nodded to himself. "Then villains must be very bored." Lian Ziho blinked once, the unexpected comment catching him off guard. "Why?" Jun Wei shrugged as if the answer were obvious. "Because they keep watching people instead of fighting."
Lian Ziho's smile faded instantly. He didn't answer. His gaze drifted toward the window, thoughtful and distant. The innocent words settled heavily in his mind. Jun Wei didn't know it, but he had unknowingly described the situation perfectly. The people following them had countless opportunities to strike, yet they never did. They stayed hidden. They observed. They waited patiently, collecting information piece by piece. That kind of enemy was far more dangerous than someone who attacked openly.
Lian Ziho slowly exhaled through his nose, forcing his thoughts back under control. Jun Wei reached over and tugged lightly on his sleeve, bringing him back to the present. "So... are we winning?" Lian Ziho looked down at the hopeful face staring back at him. He crouched until they were at the same height, resting one hand gently on Jun Wei's shoulder. A reassuring smile returned to his face despite the worry hidden behind it. "For now." Jun Wei's eyes brightened. "Good." Completely satisfied, he sat back down, picked up his pencil, and continued drawing with complete concentration, humming quietly to himself as though everything happening around them was simply part of an exciting adventure.Lian Ziho watched him for a moment and wished, more than anything, that it really was just a game.
About ten minutes later, a knock echoed through the apartment. Lian Ziho's body stiffened instantly. Every muscle tensed before his mind had time to react. Jun Wei looked up from his drawing with excitement instead of fear. "Villains?" he whispered hopefully. Without taking his eyes off the door, Lian Ziho replied quietly, "No." Jun Wei blinked. "You don't know that." Lian Ziho didn't answer. He stood slowly and walked toward the entrance with silent, measured steps.
Before reaching the door, his eyes moved toward the nearby window, scanning the street below. Nothing looked unusual. No unfamiliar vehicles. No suspicious figures standing outside. The street remained quiet. Only then did he unlock the door and pull it open. Standing outside was Teacher Liu, holding a small paper bag in one hand. The teacher looked slightly surprised when he saw Lian Ziho's cautious expression, then smiled politely. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
Before Lian Ziho could respond, Jun Wei jumped off his chair and hurried over with an excited grin. "Teacher!" Teacher Liu's gentle smile widened as he bent down and patted the boy's head. "I was worried," he said calmly. "You didn't come to school today." Jun Wei immediately turned and pointed proudly toward Lian Ziho. "Because we had a mission." Lian Ziho closed his eyes briefly and let out a quiet sigh before correcting him. "A game." Teacher Liu looked from Jun Wei to Lian Ziho and nodded once. "I see."
Although his expression remained warm, his eyes quietly swept across the apartment, taking in every detail without making it obvious. His gaze lingered on the packed bags near the wall, the scattered papers on the table, and the closed envelope before returning to Jun Wei. Like any experienced teacher, he noticed far more than he asked about. Jun Wei happily grabbed Teacher Liu's hand and tugged him toward the table. "Teacher! Look what I drew!" He proudly held up a sheet of paper covered with colorful stick figures.
Teacher Liu crouched beside him, smiling as he accepted the drawing. "This one is you?" Jun Wei nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!" Teacher Liu pointed to the second figure. "And this?" Jun Wei smiled brightly. "Suo Ran Gege." The teacher nodded before pointing to the last figure. "And him?" Jun Wei looked up at Lian Ziho with an innocent grin. "Lian Gege."
Teacher Liu held the drawing in both hands, his gentle smile lingering as he studied it a little longer than necessary. His eyes moved carefully over the three stick figures, taking in the childish details before he looked back at Jun Wei. "You seem very close," he said softly. Jun Wei nodded without hesitation, his face lighting up with pride. "They protect me." His answer came so naturally that it caught both adults off guard.
Teacher Liu's expression softened even further, while Lian Ziho quietly lowered his eyes. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly at his side. Those simple words settled heavily in his chest. Protect. It sounded so easy when Jun Wei said it. Yet Lian Ziho knew better than anyone how fragile that promise really was. If they failed even once, Jun Wei would lose far more than a game. Lian Ziho slowly looked away toward the window, hiding the complicated emotions in his eyes before anyone could notice.
Across the city, the safehouse remained unnaturally quiet. The lights above cast long shadows across the room, while the faint ticking of a wall clock filled the silence. Suo Ran still sat at the table exactly where Cai Lang had left him. The black card rested quietly in his palm. Every few seconds, a faint pulse spread across its surface. Pulse... Pulse... Pulse... The strange rhythm echoed through the silent room like a heartbeat. Suo Ran's eyes never left it.
Across from him, Cai Lang sat with one arm resting casually on the chair, watching him without speaking. After a long moment, he finally broke the silence. "You're still staring at that thing." Suo Ran didn't lift his head. His thumb brushed lightly across the edge of the black card as another pulse spread beneath his fingertips. "It reacts when something changes." Cai Lang's expression grew more serious. He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "And something changed?" Suo Ran gave a slow nod. "Yes." Cai Lang's eyes narrowed. "When?" "Just now."
A brief silence settled between them before Cai Lang quietly asked, "Lian Ziho?" Suo Ran stared at the card for another second before answering. "Maybe." He slowly closed his fingers around it until the pulsing light disappeared inside his fist. His shoulders dropped ever so slightly. "I hate not knowing where he is." Cai Lang watched him carefully, his gaze calm but thoughtful. "You trust Lian Ziho." Suo Ran finally looked up. "I do." Cai Lang held his gaze without hesitation. "Then trust him now."
Suo Ran leaned back against the chair and rubbed a hand across his face, letting out a tired breath. "You say that like it's easy." Cai Lang tilted his head slightly, his expression remaining calm. "Isn't it?" A small, humorless laugh escaped Suo Ran. He looked down at the black card again before speaking quietly. "You're not the one who promised a kid you'd keep him safe." The room fell silent once more. Cai Lang's eyes lowered briefly before he spoke again, his voice softer than before. "You're not alone in that promise." Suo Ran looked up, surprised.
Cai Lang met his gaze steadily, his expression unusually serious. "I made that promise too." Neither of them spoke after that. They simply looked at each other across the table as the silence stretched between them. After several seconds, Suo Ran let out a quiet breath, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. "You really are terrible at pretending you don't care." Cai Lang's lips curved into a faint smirk. "You finally noticed?" Suo Ran shook his head with a tired smile. "I'm not blind." Cai Lang leaned back into his chair again, folding his arms comfortably across his chest. "Good." The faint smile remained on his face, but behind it, his eyes stayed fixed on the black card resting in Suo Ran's hand. Neither of them said another word. They simply waited, hoping the next pulse would bring better news than the last.
Back at the house, Teacher Liu had quietly moved toward the window while Jun Wei sat cross-legged on the floor, completely focused on coloring his drawing. The apartment had fallen into a comfortable silence until Lian Ziho noticed where the teacher's attention was directed. His gaze shifted toward the window before he spoke calmly. "You're checking the street." Teacher Liu didn't look away immediately. His eyes remained outside for another moment before he answered, "I noticed someone watching earlier."
Lian Ziho's expression changed imperceptibly. His eyes narrowed slightly. "You saw that?" Teacher Liu turned to face him and nodded once. "Yes." His gaze lingered on Lian Ziho for a moment. "You seem less surprised than you should be." Lian Ziho remained silent for a few seconds. He neither confirmed nor denied it. Before either of them spoke again, Jun Wei's small voice broke the tension. "Teacher." Teacher Liu looked down at him with a gentle smile. "Yes?"
Jun Wei tilted his head innocently. "If villains watch us... does that mean we're important?" Teacher Liu paused before answering. His expression softened as he looked at the child. "Sometimes." Jun Wei's face immediately brightened with pride. "I knew it." Lian Ziho closed his eyes briefly and rubbed his forehead with two fingers. This kid is going to give me a heart attack someday. Teacher Liu crouched beside Jun Wei again, smiling patiently. "Are you scared?" Jun Wei shook his head so quickly that his hair bounced. "No." "Why not?" Without hesitation, Jun Wei picked up his drawing and pointed proudly at the three stick figures. "Because I have two heroes." The room became quiet. Teacher Liu looked at the drawing, then slowly lifted his eyes toward Lian Ziho before instinctively glancing back toward the window.
Outside, the same man had returned. He stood beside a parked car across the street with his hands in his pockets, looking no different from any ordinary passerby. Yet something about him felt wrong. He wasn't waiting for anyone. He wasn't checking his phone. He simply stood there, watching the house. Lian Ziho noticed him without turning his head completely, his reflection visible in the glass. Teacher Liu quietly followed his line of sight. "You see him too," he said in a low voice. "Yes," Lian Ziho replied without taking his eyes off the window. Jun Wei looked up curiously. "See who?" Lian Ziho answered calmly, "Someone outside."
Before anyone could stop him, Jun Wei scrambled to his feet and hurried toward the window. Lian Ziho reacted instantly, catching him gently by the shoulder before the boy reached the glass. "No." Jun Wei blinked in confusion. "Why?" Lian Ziho kept one hand on his shoulder and spoke evenly. "Because villains like attention." Jun Wei's eyes grew wide. "It is villains!" Teacher Liu let out a quiet sigh and rubbed his forehead. "This 'mission' story is getting completely out of control."
Jun Wei folded his arms across his chest and looked offended. "You started it." Teacher Liu stared at him in disbelief. "I absolutely did not." Lian Ziho sighed as he guided Jun Wei back toward the table. "Both of you sit down." Jun Wei pointed dramatically toward the window anyway. "But the villain is outside!" Teacher Liu glanced through the glass once more. The man hadn't moved at all. He remained exactly where he was, waiting... watching... patient enough to make the silence unsettling.
Teacher Liu slowly exhaled. "We can't stay inside forever." Lian Ziho nodded quietly. "I know." The moment those words left his mouth, Jun Wei's face lit up with excitement. "Then let's go somewhere!" Lian Ziho looked at him without changing his expression. "This isn't a vacation." Jun Wei clasped both hands together hopefully. "Amusement park." "No." "Please." "No." Teacher Liu looked back and forth between them with an amused expression. "An amusement park?"
Jun Wei pointed at Lian Ziho. "He never lets me do anything fun." Lian Ziho raised an eyebrow. "That's not true." Jun Wei frowned. "You didn't let me eat candy yesterday." Lian Ziho looked at him calmly. "Because someone left it open in the living room for three days." Jun Wei froze. After a long pause, he quietly mumbled, "...Right." Teacher Liu couldn't help chuckling. His smile faded slightly as he became thoughtful again. "Still... he does have a point." Lian Ziho looked at him.
Teacher Liu folded his arms as he glanced toward the window once more. "If someone is watching this house, staying here only makes their job easier." Lian Ziho crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "You're suggesting we leave." "Yes." Before Lian Ziho could say anything else, Jun Wei threw both hands into the air. "Amusement park!" Lian Ziho answered without hesitation. "No." "Please." "No."
Jun Wei grabbed the sleeve of Lian Ziho's shirt and looked up at him with the most innocent expression he could manage. "Lian Gege." "No." "Lian Gege." "No." "Lian Ge..." Lian Ziho let out a long, defeated sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose. "...We'll think about it." Jun Wei instantly raised both fists in celebration. "Victory!" Teacher Liu laughed softly, unable to hide his amusement. "That sounded like a yes."
Lian Ziho looked at him with a tired expression. "It wasn't." Jun Wei grinned from ear to ear. "It was." Lian Ziho stared at the boy for several seconds before shaking his head helplessly. "You're very manipulative for a child." Jun Wei puffed out his chest proudly. "Thank you." Teacher Liu couldn't help laughing again as Lian Ziho simply sighed, wondering for what felt like the hundredth time how one small child could outnumber two adults.
Elsewhere, Suo Ran finally pushed his chair back and stood up. The legs scraped softly against the floor, breaking the silence that had settled over the safehouse. He slipped the black card into his pocket and reached for his jacket hanging over the back of another chair. "I can't sit here anymore," he said, his voice steady but carrying obvious frustration.
Cai Lang, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms folded, didn't look surprised in the slightest. He simply watched Suo Ran put on his jacket before replying, "I figured." Suo Ran pulled the zipper halfway up and ran a hand through his hair. "We need answers." Cai Lang straightened and walked over, stopping a few steps away. "You think we'll find them outside?"
Suo Ran met his eyes. "It's better than sitting here waiting." Cai Lang studied him quietly before speaking again. "You're emotional." Suo Ran frowned. "I'm worried." Cai Lang's expression remained calm. "Worry makes people careless." Suo Ran turned toward him sharply, irritation flashing across his face. "You think I don't know that?" The room fell silent. Neither of them looked away. They stood only a short distance apart now, the tension between them growing heavier with every passing second.
Cai Lang's voice softened. "Then calm down." Suo Ran let out a humorless laugh and shook his head. "You always make it sound so simple." Before he could turn away, Cai Lang reached out and caught his wrist. The movement was quick but controlled, his grip firm without hurting him. Suo Ran froze in place and looked down at the hand around his wrist before slowly lifting his eyes again. Cai Lang didn't let go immediately. His gaze remained steady as he said quietly, "Listen to me." They were standing close enough that neither of them needed to raise their voices.
For a brief moment, the rest of the room seemed to disappear. Suo ran searched Cai Lang's face, noticing the seriousness in his usually relaxed expression. "If something happens to you out there..." Cai Lang stopped speaking, as though reconsidering his words. Suo Ran's voice became quieter. "...What?" Cai Lang held his gaze for another long moment before finally releasing his wrist. His hand fell back to his side. "...Then Jun Wei loses the person he trusts most."
Suo Ran looked away first, exhaling slowly as some of the tension left his shoulders. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth despite himself. "You're terrible at emotional speeches." Cai Lang's lips curved into a small smirk. "I wasn't giving one." Suo Ran picked up the car keys from the table and walked toward the door. "Let's go." Cai Lang grabbed his coat from the chair beside him and followed without another word. As they stepped out together, their shoulders brushed lightly in the narrow doorway. Neither of them reacted. Neither stepped away. The door closed quietly behind them as they disappeared into the night.
At the amusement park, Jun Wei had never walked so fast in his life. He hurried several steps ahead before turning around excitedly. "Lian Gege, hurry!" Lian Ziho continued walking at the same calm pace, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. "I am walking." Jun Wei pointed dramatically. "You're walking slowly." Behind them, Teacher Liu laughed under his breath. "You created a monster."
Lian Ziho glanced back with a helpless expression. "I'm beginning to realize that." As they rounded the corner, the amusement park entrance finally came into view. Bright lights illuminated colorful decorations while cheerful music drifted through the air. Crowds of families and children moved in every direction, filling the entrance with constant laughter and excitement.
Jun Wei stopped walking altogether. His mouth slowly fell open as he stared ahead with wide eyes. "...Whoa." Teacher Liu smiled warmly as he watched the boy's reaction. "First time?" Jun Wei nodded without taking his eyes off the entrance. "Best mission ever." While Jun Wei admired everything around him, Lian Ziho quietly scanned the crowd. His eyes moved from one entrance to another, observing security cameras, emergency exits, and the people standing nearby. Crowds could be useful.Before he could continue assessing the surroundings, a small hand suddenly grabbed his.
Lian Ziho looked down. Jun Wei was already pulling him toward the entrance. "Come on!" Lian Ziho remained where he was. Jun Wei turned around, confused. "Lian Gege?" Teacher Liu smiled gently. "Let him enjoy today." Lian Ziho looked at the excitement shining in Jun Wei's eyes and slowly let out a quiet breath. "...Fine." Jun Wei broke into a huge smile and practically skipped through the entrance.
The sounds inside were even louder than expected. Music echoed from hidden speakers, children laughed as they ran past with balloons in their hands, and colorful rides spun beneath flashing lights. Jun Wei looked around in complete amazement, turning his head from one attraction to another. "...This place is huge." Teacher Liu chuckled softly. "Feeling overwhelmed?" Jun Wei nodded honestly before grabbing Lian Ziho's sleeve again. "Lian Gege." Lian Ziho looked down at him. "Yes?" Jun Wei's eyes sparkled with excitement. "We have to try everything." Lian Ziho answered immediately. "No." Jun Wei looked genuinely shocked. "You said we could come." "I said we could enter." "That means rides." Teacher Liu laughed quietly behind them. "Careful, Lian Ziho. The negotiations have already started." Jun Wei tugged harder on his sleeve. "Ferris wheel first!" "No." "Please." "No." Jun Wei stared silently at him for several long seconds before slowly turning toward Teacher Liu with hopeful eyes. "...Teacher."
Teacher Liu raised both hands in surrender and took one step backward. "Don't involve me." Jun Wei puffed out his cheeks. "You're supposed to support your student." Lian Ziho folded his arms across his chest and looked at Teacher Liu. "He's manipulating you." Teacher Liu nodded with a thoughtful expression. "Yes... he absolutely is." Jun Wei blinked several times before looking back and forth between them. "...Wait." Lian Ziho finally let out a defeated sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fine." Jun Wei leaned forward eagerly. Lian Ziho raised one finger. "One ride."
Jun Wei threw both arms into the air with an excited shout. "YES!" His laughter echoed through the entrance as he grabbed Lian Ziho's hand again and practically dragged him toward the Ferris wheel while Teacher Liu followed behind them, smiling at the rare sight of Lian Ziho looking completely outmatched by one very determined child.
The Ferris wheel rose slowly above the amusement park, carrying its passengers higher with each gentle turn. Jun Wei had his face pressed against the cabin window, both hands flat against the glass as his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Look!" he exclaimed. "Everything looks so small!" Below them, the city stretched endlessly beneath the evening sky. The river reflected the golden lights of nearby buildings, colorful rides spun beneath them, and crowds of people looked no bigger than tiny moving dots.
Teacher Liu smiled at the boy's excitement and quietly took out his phone. "Hold still." Jun Wei immediately spun around and struck a dramatic pose with two fingers raised beside his face. "Like this?" Teacher Liu laughed softly while raising the phone. Lian Ziho glanced at the pose and shook his head with a helpless sigh. "You look ridiculous." Teacher Liu ignored the comment and snapped the picture anyway. The camera shutter clicked, and Jun Wei hurried over almost instantly. "Let me see!" Teacher Liu turned the screen toward him.
Jun Wei stared for a second before his eyes widened with delight. "I look cool!" Lian Ziho folded his arms and looked at the photo briefly. "You look like a child." Jun Wei completely ignored him. Instead, he reached over, grabbed Lian Ziho's sleeve, and tugged insistently. "Lian Gege, you too!" Lian Ziho didn't even hesitate. "No." "Yes." "No." Teacher Liu smiled as he lifted the phone again. "Stand a little closer."
Before Lian Ziho could refuse again, Jun Wei wrapped both hands around his arm and pulled him down beside him. Lian Ziho lost his balance just enough to end up standing shoulder to shoulder with the boy. Click. Another picture was taken. Jun Wei looked at the screen and laughed happily. "Now we're a team!" Teacher Liu looked at the photograph for a long moment. Jun Wei's bright smile filled most of the frame while Lian Ziho stood beside him looking slightly uncomfortable, yet he hadn't stepped away or pulled his arm free. There was something unexpectedly warm about the picture. Something honest. Before either of them noticed, Teacher Liu quietly lifted the phone again and took another photograph without saying a word.
After they returned to the ground, Jun Wei spotted a nearby cotton candy stand. His eyes lit up as though he had discovered hidden treasure. He slowly turned toward Lian Ziho with an innocent smile. "Lian Gege." Lian Ziho didn't even bother looking in the direction of the stand. "No." Jun Wei blinked. "I didn't even say anything yet." Lian Ziho finally looked at him. "You were about to." Jun Wei pointed dramatically toward the colorful stand. "Cotton candy!" "No."
Teacher Liu folded his arms and smiled. "Actually... one is fine." Jun Wei threw both hands into the air. "Teacher Liu is the best!" Lian Ziho pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "The two of you planned this." A few moments later, Jun Wei proudly accepted an enormous pink cloud of cotton candy that was almost as big as his head. He eagerly took the first bite, only for half of it to stick to his nose and cheeks. Teacher Liu burst into laughter. "Wait... don't move." Before Jun Wei could wipe it away, the phone camera clicked once again. Jun Wei blinked in confusion before pouting. "You're taking too many pictures." Teacher Liu lowered his phone with a gentle smile. "Memories are important." Jun Wei thought about those words with surprising seriousness before giving a slow nod. "Okay."
Far away from the bright lights and cheerful music of the amusement park, Suo Ran and Cai Lang walked side by side through a quiet street where only the wind disturbed the silence. The buildings around them were old, their walls faded with time. Suo Ran suddenly stopped walking. Cai Lang noticed and turned toward him. "What is it?" Suo Ran slowly looked up. An old apartment building stood ahead of them. Its rooftop was clearly visible against the darkening sky. A faint smile appeared on his face. "...We used to sit there."
Cai Lang followed his gaze before quietly nodding. "Yes." Neither of them spoke as they climbed the worn staircase leading to the roof. When they finally stepped outside, the city opened before them exactly as Suo Ran remembered. Endless lights stretched toward the horizon while the cool night breeze swept gently across the rooftop. Suo Ran walked toward the familiar railing and rested both hands on it. "We used to come here almost every night," he said quietly.
Cai Lang leaned against the nearby wall with his arms folded. "And talk?" Suo Ran laughed softly at the memory. "Mostly nonsense." Cai Lang raised an eyebrow. "What kind?" Suo Ran smiled without looking back. "School. Work. Complaining about deadlines. Talking about things we wanted to do one day." He let out another quiet laugh. "Back then, we thought those were real problems." The smile slowly became more nostalgic. "Everything felt simple." Cai Lang remained silent, allowing him to continue.
Suo Ran looked out across the skyline. "Lian Ziho always brought the cheapest tea he could find." Cai Lang's lips curved into a faint smile. "And you complained about it." Suo Ran chuckled. "Every single time." "That sounds about right." They both laughed quietly before the silence returned. This time it felt comfortable rather than empty. Suo Ran's expression gradually softened. "We stayed here for hours."
Cai Lang noticed the warmth hidden behind those words. It wasn't just about the rooftop. It was about the memories attached to it. "You really cared about those nights," he said softly. Suo Ran nodded without hesitation. "I did." Cai Lang lowered his eyes briefly before speaking again. "...I can tell." The wind drifted between them, carrying the silence for several long moments. Eventually Suo Ran turned slightly. "What about you?" Cai Lang looked at him. "What about me?" "Did you ever have something like this?" Cai Lang thought quietly before giving a small shake of his head. "No." Suo Ran looked genuinely surprised. "Never?" "Never." He lifted his eyes again, meeting Suo Ran's gaze without hesitation. "But I understand it." Suo Ran frowned slightly. "Understand what?"
Cai Lang answered simply. "Why someone would miss it." Neither of them looked away. The silence between them felt strangely different now. Softer. Closer. Suo Ran was the first to step back, clearing his throat awkwardly. "...You're staring again." Cai Lang shrugged as though it meant nothing. "You talk more when you're remembering good things." Suo Ran folded his arms. "That isn't an answer." "No," Cai Lang admitted.
Their shoulders brushed lightly as Suo Ran turned back toward the railing. Neither of them moved away. Cai Lang kept looking out over the city, but something twisted quietly inside his chest. It wasn't quite jealousy. It wasn't resentment either. It was something harder to describe. Listening to Suo Ran speak about those nights with Lian Ziho... the laughter... the quiet conversations... the peace they had shared... Cai Lang realized there was one thought he couldn't ignore. He wished he had been there.
Back at the amusement park, Jun Wei proudly carried his cotton candy like a trophy as they wandered between the brightly lit attractions. "Best day ever," he declared happily. Teacher Liu smiled. "Already?" Jun Wei nodded enthusiastically. "We haven't even gone on the roller coaster yet." Lian Ziho stopped walking so suddenly that both Jun Wei and Teacher Liu turned toward him. "No." Jun Wei grinned mischievously. "Yes."
Teacher Liu laughed, amused by the familiar exchange.
Lian Ziho, however, wasn't listening anymore. His attention had shifted beyond the crowd. Across the busy walkway, near a brightly colored balloon stand, stood the same man from earlier. He wore the same calm smile as before. He wasn't buying balloons. He wasn't looking at the rides. He was looking directly at them. Lian Ziho's expression slowly hardened. The man calmly reached into his pocket, took out his phone, lifted it toward them... and without the slightest attempt to hide it, pressed the shutter. * Click.*