Both their phones lay on the living room carpet as Luo Xiao carried Wen Ran to the third floor. The top floor had only one bedroom.
Pushing the door open, he saw Wen Ran’s room: large, unfinished, grey walls and floor. Unlike the living room downstairs, it wasn’t decorated stylishly—it was filled with stuffed toys, scattered across the floor, bed, and dresser—different colors, types, animal and human forms, every imaginable style.
Luo Xiao was taken aback. He’d expected a room reflecting Wen Ran’s artistic side, not a stuffed-animal wonderland. Upon entering, he even kicked a toy.
He placed Wen Ran on the bed, which was also crowded with plushies. Wen Ran yawned: “You must be sleepy too. Go sleep in the guest room on the second floor.”
He casually grabbed a stuffed animal, handing it to Luo Xiao: “Here, let it keep you company for me.”
“So many dolls,” Luo Xiao commented, pausing before heading out. He bent over Wen Ran, hands on the bed.
“I like them,” Wen Ran said. “I’ve had a room full of them since I was little. Having them around makes me feel like someone’s here—I’m not alone sleeping.”
He yawned again, mouth wide, looking like a sleepy little tiger. Luo Xiao thought Wen Ran was even fluffier and cuter than the stuffed animals.
“Sleep well,” he said, pulling the blanket over him.
“Mm, goodnight.” Wen Ran’s eyes were already closed.
Luo Xiao glanced at him, took the panda plush, and left the room, turning off the lights and closing the door.
But he didn’t go to the guest room. He returned to the living room, set down the plush, and resumed watching the movie.
After a while, he picked up his phone and saw Luo Feng’s messages. He smiled faintly and replied: [OK, thanks]
Luo Xiao hadn’t slept all night—he watched the movie, napped briefly on the couch, and woke up looking completely refreshed before 7 a.m.
He grabbed the plush and Wen Ran’s phone from the carpet, carried them upstairs. In the bedroom, Wen Ran was sleeping soundly. Luo Xiao placed the toys by the pillow, set the phone on the nightstand, and sent a message to Wen Ran’s phone from his own:
[Not gone, got something to handle, I’ll step out first]
He left the villa, sent a quick message to Tang Ge to request leave, and set his phone to navigate an address. Checking the walking route, he switched to running—maintaining his moderate pace, he left the community.
Over an hour later, he arrived near a park on Neibu Road. The street was crowded with cars, most dusty or covered, the infamous “annual two-compartment oil” vehicles.
Luo Xiao stopped running, heading to a direction where a black SUV sat covered in dirt. He took out the car key, unlocked it, opened the rear door, and retrieved a bag—clearly his own, left in the car since arriving in City C.
After checking the contents, he slammed the door, got in, and drove the car out.
A call from an unfamiliar number rang. Luo Xiao glanced at the screen and answered.
A man’s respectful voice said: “Hello, Mr. Luo Xiao. The arrangements are ready. When would you like to view the apartment?”
“Now. I have time.”
Soon, with the bag on his back, Luo Xiao and the suited man were at a penthouse duplex in a luxury complex, complete with a semi-outdoor indoor pool. Luo Xiao’s temples twitched slightly under the sun—alright, this will do.
Apparently, in Luo Feng’s mind, a duplex with a pool qualified as a “normal” place.
“Perfect,” Luo Xiao said decisively.
The man smiled, handing over a car key: “Here’s the car arranged for you.”
Checking the plate, it was a Land Rover. Well, better than a multi-million sports car.
“Thanks,” Luo Xiao said politely.
In short order, he had a temporary, fixed residence in the city—no more dormitory stays. After exploring upstairs and downstairs, he took the elevator down when his phone rang.
“Awake?”
“Where did you go?” Wen Ran’s voice, low and hoarse from sleep, asked. “Back to the shop?”
“No, I took leave today,” Luo Xiao said. “Had some things to handle, sent you a message.”
“Mm, I saw it.”
Wen Ran yawned: “Did you sleep last night? The guest bed didn’t look used—aren’t you tired?”
“Not really. Finished the movie, napped downstairs a bit.”
Luo Xiao stepped into the elevator.
Wen Ran’s tone brightened, excited: “You took leave! Let’s go to the exhibition!”
“Perfect timing—there’s a photo exhibition I wanted to invite you to.”
“Sure.”
In the garage, he realized he hadn’t brought the keys for the Jeep or the Land Rover. Deciding not to bother going back upstairs, he headed to the community gate for a taxi to fetch Wen Ran. Soon, at the villa, Wen Ran got into the black Porsche, drove them to the exhibition.
“It’s a photo exhibition,” Wen Ran explained en route. “Hiking and climbing themes—I thought you’d like it. Got two tickets through a friend.”
“Why not pick something you like?” Luo Xiao asked, noting Wen Ran had chosen this date for him.
“I like you. As long as you’re beside me, I enjoy anything,” Wen Ran said outright. “Besides, I’m interested in this exhibition anyway.”
Luo Xiao smiled. Being with Wen Ran was truly hard not to enjoy.
At the gallery, they walked together, viewing the enlarged photographs. Wen Ran was enthusiastic, and Luo Xiao engaged fully, occasionally whispering comments about the photos.
Wen Ran: “Climbing snow mountains, isn’t it cold? Are jackets and thermal layers enough?”
Luo Xiao: “Usually yes.”
“Need quick-dry clothing underneath.”
“After a while, you sweat anyway.”
Wen Ran: “Wow, for climbing rocks, are there safety ropes?”
Luo Xiao: “Depends on the mountain. Some have fixed ropes from the top; some climbs have none at all.”
Back at the shop, Xiao Huangfeng’s team didn’t handle car maintenance seriously in Luo Xiao’s absence.
Yuan Jun and others whispered: “Xiao Ge did well—didn’t come back all night and even took leave today.”
“This must be the handsome guy getting him.”
“Or he got the handsome guy.”
Ding Yijie snarked again.
“Better not say that,” someone warned.
“Let him slap you,” another teased.
“Slap away,” Ding Yijie said nonchalantly. “I’ll report it and get compensation.”
Yuan Jun’s group ignored him.
“Wonder what Xiao Ge is doing now.”
“Not working, not earning money.”
“None of your business.”
Ding Yijie, secretly curious, muttered: “Maybe after today, he’ll live in a mansion, drive a Porsche.”
“Why bother with work?”
“Repairing cars can’t compete with sleeping with the right person.”
“Well, that’s because Xiao Ge has the capital.”
Xiao Qing passed by, overheard the conversation, and couldn’t help but tease Ding Yijie: “Jealous? You can go to the Shang K if you want.”
“How do you know your Xiao Ge didn’t come from Shang K?!”
Ding Yijie tossed his gloves onto the car, fuming at nothing in particular—probably just frustrated that his own luck didn’t measure up to Luo Xiao’s.
Later, with no work to do, Ding Yijie went to the office to slack off. Using a dual-SIM phone, he sent a message from his backup SIM to Wen Ran’s number:
[Heard Luo Xiao came from Shang K before.]
[You might want to get a check-up at the hospital?]
The exhibition hall had multiple rooms and a café-style rest area.
After finishing one room, Wen Ran and Luo Xiao headed to the public lounge. They found empty seats; Wen Ran scrolled through his phone while Luo Xiao went to get coffee, returning with two cups.
“Thanks,” Wen Ran said, putting down his phone with a smile.
Luo Xiao handed him a cup: “It’s my first time at an exhibition like this. Didn’t expect to see so many well-documented images.”
“Of course,” Wen Ran replied. “Some photographers work in teams, not alone. They follow professional climbers or hikers to capture every detail. Some even love the activity themselves, so their shots are extra professional.”
They sipped coffee, chatting back and forth, relaxed and happy. Wen Ran ignored several notifications from unknown numbers, focusing on the moment with Luo Xiao.
After coffee, they moved on to the next room. At the doorway, Wen Ran looped his arm lightly through Luo Xiao’s, raising his phone for a selfie: “Let’s take a picture together.”
Luo Xiao paused, glanced at the screen—side by side, close together, both looking at the lens.
“Click, click.” Wen Ran snapped a few shots.
After lowering the phone, they continued toward the exhibition, and Wen Ran subtly shifted his hand into Luo Xiao’s.
Once their palms touched, Luo Xiao followed suit, holding his hand—palm to palm. Wen Ran smiled shyly, looking at him with bright eyes. Luo Xiao glanced back; no words were needed. At this stage, even without being an official couple, they were as sweet as honey.