“Chinese, French, Japanese, buffet, seafood… what do you want?” Luo Xiao had looked up several promising restaurants online.
Wen Ran said, “I went to the partner veterinary clinic this afternoon and grabbed a few bags of dog and cat food donated by clients.”
“How about we go to ‘Little Savannah’?”
“Sure. Food there?”
Wen Ran smiled: “I’ll treat you to dog food.”
“Weren’t we supposed to take turns?”
“Nope. I insist.”
“What about actual food?”
“Hotpot.” Wen Ran explained: there was a small shed behind the office, where he and his friends sometimes had hotpot. Luo Xiao didn’t mind at all.
As they drove, Wen Ran asked, “Earlier today I thought of something—you were a volunteer in the African savannah. How did you get money? Any salary or did you ask your family?”
“No salary. I even spent my own money.”
“My family’s finances are fine. My account was always ample,” Luo Xiao replied.
“Living off your parents, huh?” Wen Ran teased. “I’m familiar with that.” He laughed, sharing: “My mom gave me 20,000 per month in college. After graduation, she scolded me but sent 50,000 monthly. Sometimes I earned a bit myself, just to show her some return.”
“Not bad.”
Luo Xiao smiled: “I’m 28. My parents never saw a cent returned, not a peep.”
Wen Ran laughed, then jumped topics: “You have an older brother? What does he do? How much older?”
“Three years. He works at the family company.”
After about an hour, they arrived at ‘Little Savannah.’ The gate, right by the road, opened into a large yard with a main path. On either side, wire-fenced enclosures held dogs. Hearing the car, they barked excitedly.
“This is it,” Wen Ran said. He unloaded several bags of dog food to a small blue shed near the entrance. Luo Xiao carried three bags effortlessly.
“Wow~” Wen Ran admired his arm muscles while he passed, joking: “Never seen a good build before?”
“Different,” he replied, eyes still on Luo Xiao’s arm. “Gym muscles look dead to me, I don’t like that.”
Luo Xiao placed the food inside and noticed Wen Ran still looking. He extended his forearm.
“Can I touch?” Wen Ran asked, lightly pinching and nodding approvingly.
They continued down the main path. Wherever they went, dogs followed their movement and barked. Wen Ran sprinkled dog food into the enclosures, while explaining: “Mostly strays. There are large breeds in single enclosures, smaller dogs together. We need donations because consumption is high.”
“Recently, no worries. One volunteer married a wealthy husband who donated 5,000 kg of dog food at once,” Wen Ran added.
He led Luo Xiao to the large dog area—brick enclosures in two long rows. The big dogs barked deeply, a stark contrast to the small ones outside.
“These are mostly purebred dogs, either lost or abandoned. Empty enclosures mean adoption. Sometimes it’s frustrating—people abandon purebreds. Adopted dogs are easier to rehome,” Wen Ran said, tossing some food into each pen, refilling water, and stroking the dogs.
“Many dogs initially get diarrhea from tap water, but eventually they get used to it.”
“No choice—there are so many dogs at the base, and we’re short-staffed. They have to drink tap water.”
Luo Xiao helped refill the dogs’ bowls. In one enclosure, a border collie wagged its tail eagerly at the gate.
Wen Ran introduced it: “This one’s called ‘Crossing Road.’ It knows how to watch the traffic lights and cross by itself.”
“It’s smart but unlucky—abandoned twice, adopted twice, returned both times. Everyone said it was mischievous, tore up homes, and ignored owners.”
“Sit.”
The border collie immediately sat down.
Wen Ran laughed: “Now it listens. If you adopt it, it’ll only tear up your place.”
“Good dog.”
Luo Xiao reached in and patted the collie’s head. Wen Ran did the same, then shifted the conversation: “Have you ever touched wild animals on the savannah?”
“Lions.”
“Leopards.”
“Only when they were tranquilized for rescue—lying there, letting people touch them.”
“What’s it like?” Wen Ran asked, curious.
“Very coarse fur, nothing like cats or dogs. Even cubs are rough, not soft.”
They walked through the base chatting. As night fell, Wen Ran led Luo Xiao to the small building behind the office. It looked like a kitchen, with a stove, sink, refrigerator, and table.
Wen Ran opened the cabinets and pulled out an induction cooker and a large pot. Luo Xiao opened the fridge and found it stocked: frozen meat rolls, shrimp cakes, vegetables, tofu sheets, eggs.
He washed his hands and vegetables while Wen Ran plugged in the cooker, pondering a broth.
“Do you eat spicy?” Wen Ran asked.
“Can handle it,” Luo Xiao replied.
“Okay.” Wen Ran set up a tomato and mildly spicy hotpot split pot. Then he sat, pulled out his phone, and snapped several pictures of Luo Xiao.
Afterward, he dug out a used sketchbook and pencil from a corner and began sketching Luo Xiao’s profile while leaning against the chair back.
Luo Xiao, carrying a plate of meat rolls, noticed him drawing. “Eating and drawing?”
He placed the meat on the table and leaned over Wen Ran’s shoulder. The boy’s focus was absolute.
“Why are you always drawing me?” Luo Xiao murmured.
“I’ve been drawing only you lately,” Wen Ran replied, eyes fixed on the sketch.
Luo Xiao studied him—his concentration, the long dark lashes, the intensity in his gaze. He leaned closer, brushing a gentle, fleeting kiss against Wen Ran’s cheek—cool, soft, but not like lips.
“What are you doing?” Wen Ran murmured, still drawing, eyes unflinching.
Then Luo Xiao’s hand moved, cupping his neck, tilting his chin up, lips meeting his in a brief kiss.
Wen Ran’s low voice whispered: “Now that’s a proper kiss.” He leaned in again, brushing Luo Xiao’s mouth corner, playful yet teasing: “You’re naughty, stealing a kiss.”
Luo Xiao tried to return the kiss, but Wen Ran’s hand held him back. He maintained his bent posture, palm pressing against Wen Ran’s, voice low: “No kissing?”
They went back and forth a few times. When Luo Xiao was about to give up, Wen Ran suddenly moved in, pressing a deeper, longer five-second kiss, then lightly brushing the corner of his mouth. Softly he murmured: “I’ll let you kiss—but only if it’s me.”
“You tricky little fox,” Luo Xiao muttered inwardly.
“My rules,” Wen Ran whispered, fingers stroking his skin, warm breath mingling: “Listen to me. If you obey, you get kisses. Don’t, and I won’t come see you tomorrow.” He teased further, lips brushing Luo Xiao’s in a soft, gentle lick.
“Okay,” Luo Xiao agreed, feeling the tension melt.
As he was about to rise, Wen Ran held his wrist and collar, pressing close, voice soft: “Can I touch your abs?”
“You touch, I get a kiss.” Luo Xiao lowered his voice in reply, fully aware of Wen Ran’s mischievous nature.