That kiss made Wen Ran behave—once inside the workshop, he got out, washed his hands, and cleaned the apple he’d tossed him earlier. Wen Ran nibbled it quietly, ears faintly pink. He wasn’t really a fox—just bold when he liked someone.
If he were truly cunning, he’d have had dozens of boyfriends by now, yet he hadn’t even dated seriously. The reason he acted so assertive this time was simple: Luo Xiao perfectly fit his ideal—manly, capable, irresistibly attractive. He liked him, and liking him so strongly made him act quickly, boldly.
He didn’t see his boldness as excessive. Love didn’t have to be cautious. He wanted to pour his feelings over Luo Xiao like a bucket of water, so Luo Xiao would clearly know his affection. If Luo Xiao reciprocated, he expected clear responses, not a slow chase.
Wednesday’s meetup had already clarified their intentions. Luo Xiao’s character seemed solid—not impulsive, a safe person to continue getting to know.
Wen Ran sat there munching his apple while Luo Xiao maintained the Porsche. They chatted about travel experiences. Luo Xiao shared some interesting places he’d been, even telling Wen Ran about volunteering in the African savannah after college, rescuing wildlife for two years.
Wen Ran’s eyes lit up: “You’re incredible!”
Luo Xiao recounted animal migrations and lion hunts. Wen Ran listened, fascinated.
“I was thinking of going there next year with some friends,” he said. “I heard the vehicles are open-top, but lions don’t attack the people. Is that true?”
Luo Xiao explained: “The safari goes in convoys. Animals there are used to humans; they know a car isn’t prey. In their eyes, people equal cars. They don’t attack.”
“They also recognize guns,” he added.
“Do people hunt there?” Wen Ran asked.
“Yes. Every year, many animals die from hunting.”
“More visitors make animals recognize gunfire, so they understand the threat.”
“What did the volunteers do?”
“Different teams, different projects. I was in medical support and also the observation group, driving wildlife experts. The last two months, we even escorted hunting teams away.”
Wen Ran was utterly captivated, listening like it was magic.
Luo Xiao realized she was unlike anyone he’d met before. Many travelers he’d spoken with cared more about why he didn’t work, how he survived, family opinions—but Wen Ran was purely enchanted by the wilderness and lifestyle.
Changing topics, Luo Xiao asked, “You travel a lot. What do you usually do?”
“Everything,” Wen Ran replied casually.
Luo Xiao expected simple things like shopping or movies. Wen Ran laughed: “You’re in the savannah; I have my own ‘little savannah’ with friends.”
He tossed the apple core, pulled out his phone, and showed Luo Xiao photos: his ‘little savannah’ and its ‘wildlife.’
Luo Xiao saw a bunch of cats and dogs.
Wen Ran explained: they’d secured a piece of land in the suburbs to rescue strays. They founded a “Stray Animal Home,” ran an account, raised funds, worked with veterinary clinics, and provided treatment and neutering.
“All nonprofit. We even chip in monthly ourselves.”
“Parents chip in too?”
“Yes, my friends’ parents, my mom for me.”
“Just a fun thing, nothing too serious.”
He added casually: “Remember Oreo? The one you saw yesterday? From the ‘little savannah.’”
Luo Xiao laughed: “Fun, huh?”
Wen Ran shrugged: “Just to pass time, but it’s fun.”
He often fed the dogs, calling each by name like a teacher taking roll, showing Luo Xiao videos.
Luo Xiao smiled, seeing her hobbies were genuinely interesting. He realized the city could harbor such a life.
“How much dog food do you need per day?” he asked.
And just like that, the originally long maintenance time passed swiftly and pleasantly, filled with their chat.
When finished, they got in the car. Wen Ran drove, glancing at Luo Xiao outside, waving: “Let’s go, see you tonight.”
“Bye.” Luo Xiao watched the Porsche drive away.
Yuan Jun teased: “You two chatting so intensely, huh? He’s really chasing you?”
“Yeah,” Luo Xiao admitted, no shame in it.
“You’re impressive,” Yuan Jun said sincerely.
Later, with little work left, everyone gathered for lunch, naturally chatting about Wen Ran—handsome, rich, and so forth.
Then Ding Yijie, suddenly and randomly, muttered: “If you sleep with him, better get one of those four-test kits first.”
Xiao Qing choked on her drink, Wen Ran’s colleagues stared.
Luo Xiao, calm, looked at Ding Yijie: “What do you mean?”
Ding Yijie stammered: “Not about you… just… he’s handsome, forward, probably has a dating history. Just saying, be careful…”
Luo Xiao grabbed his collar, making him freeze.
“Stop. Don’t,” the others intervened.
“It’s normal to have a dating history,” Luo Xiao said, letting go.
They tried to reason with Luo Xiao: “Xiao Ge, don’t take him seriously—he’s just a coworker.”
Ding Yijie looked awkward, also a bit intimidated by Luo Xiao—partly because Luo Xiao was tall and strong, and a fight wouldn’t favor him; partly because Luo Xiao had always been generous at the workshop, willing to treat others and share his skills. Calling him “Xiao Ge” carried weight beyond age.
Realizing he’d overstepped, Ding Yijie quickly apologized: “I was wrong, really. I just spoke too fast, too rash.”
“You’re not rash,” Luo Xiao said coldly. In his mind, he knew exactly what Ding Yijie was thinking. He released his grip but warned: “Mind your words. I don’t want to hear it again. And don’t go showing off in front of Wen Ran.”
“Won’t happen,” Ding Yijie stammered.
Xiao Qing and the others hurried to smooth things over: “Come on, eat.”
A car pulled up at the shop just then. Luo Xiao stood to leave. As soon as he left, Yuan Jun and Xiao Qing immediately scolded Ding Yijie: “Are you out of your mind? You know that handsome guy is chasing Xiao Ge, and you still said that?”
“Who wants the person chasing them to be… sketchy?”
“You’re just jealous he’s richer and better-looking.”
“Fine, eat,” Xiao Qing urged. Ding Yijie buried his face in his food.
Meanwhile, Wen Ran had just left the shop and immediately received a friend request on WeChat: 183, with abs, 1. Wen Ran glanced at it and dismissed it without responding.
Ding Yijie spent the entire afternoon anxiously checking his phone, hoping for acceptance, promising himself: If he accepts, I’ll send pictures… abs! And I’m… you’ll be satisfied!
But nothing came. Around six, Luo Xiao finished work, cleaned up, changed into fresh clothes, and drove off in the same black Porsche. Ding Yijie silently cursed his luck.
In the car, Wen Ran glanced at the passenger seat. “You changed out of your work clothes?”
“Mm,” Luo Xiao replied calmly.
Wen Ran smirked but returned to driving. Luo Xiao, knowing the reason, said evenly: “If it’s a date, you have to be clean.”
“Ah~~” Wen Ran teased, pretending to be curious. “A date, huh? How many have you had before? Am I special?”
Luo Xiao smiled, playing along: “Many.”
Wen Ran flicked the right turn signal, glanced at the mirror, and pretended to prepare to pull over. Luo Xiao smiled back at him. Wen Ran didn’t stop, canceled the signal, and let out a playful, slightly pouty “hmph.”
“Just joking,” Luo Xiao said, reaching out to gently hold Wen Ran’s hand on the console, voice soft: “You’re the first.”
“Really?” Wen Ran murmured, mock-annoyed but lifted his hand to meet Luo Xiao’s palm, entwining their fingers. He leaned down to kiss Luo Xiao’s hand back.
Luo Xiao watched him and thought Wen Ran no longer seemed like a sly fox—he was more like a playful little wolf, tail proudly high yet wiggling adorably.