The night air was cooler when Li Wei and Yulan finally returned to the dumpling shop.
The lantern above the entrance swayed gently in the breeze, casting warm light over the wooden door.
Yulan pushed the door open first.
Inside, Chen Hao was sitting at one of the tables, eating dumplings like nothing in the world could disturb him.
He looked up slowly.
"…You two took a long walk."
Li Wei calmly took off his coat and placed it on the chair.
"Traffic."
Chen Hao raised an eyebrow.
"…In an alley?"
Yulan froze.
Li Wei didn't miss a beat.
"Very crowded alley."
Chen Hao stared at them for a few seconds.
Then he grinned.
"Ah. I see."
Yulan immediately looked suspicious.
"…See what?"
Chen Hao shrugged casually.
"Nothing."
But the grin on his face clearly said everything.
A Quiet Moment
After Chen Hao finally left to close the back storage room, the shop became quiet again.
The lantern light flickered gently across the wooden tables.
Li Wei leaned against the counter while Yulan prepared tea.
"You're still thinking about earlier," Li Wei said.
Yulan handed him a cup.
"…Those men. Why would they attack you?"
Li Wei shrugged slightly.
"My family has business rivals."
Yulan frowned.
"That's dangerous."
Li Wei watched him carefully.
"You sound worried again."
"…Of course I am."
Li Wei's expression softened.
For once, he didn't tease.
Instead, he reached out and gently tapped Yulan's forehead.
"I told you already. I can handle it."
Yulan crossed his arms.
"You shouldn't have to handle everything alone."
For a moment, Li Wei looked surprised.
Then he smiled faintly.
"…Maybe I don't."
Chen Hao the Wingman
From the hallway, Chen Hao was quietly watching.
He whispered to himself:
"Ah… so it's official now."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Best bros… huh?"
Then he nodded very seriously.
"Alright."
He stepped loudly into the room again so they would notice him.
"Hey! Since the shop is closed, I'm going home!"
Li Wei glanced at him.
"…You already live here half the time."
Chen Hao waved dramatically.
"Details! Anyway, you two should lock up before sleeping!"
Yulan blinked.
"Sleeping?"
Chen Hao pointed upstairs where the small apartment rooms were.
"You know. The beds. The place where people sleep."
He gave Li Wei a very obvious look.
Then walked out before anyone could respond.
Yulan stood there awkwardly.
"…Your friend is strange."
Li Wei smirked.
"You have no idea."
Upstairs
Later that night, the building was quiet.
Yulan had just finished washing up when he stepped into the hallway.
Li Wei was leaning against the wall outside his room.
Waiting.
"…You're still awake," Yulan said.
Li Wei nodded.
"For a moment."
They stood there quietly.
The city outside was distant and calm.
Then Li Wei spoke softly.
"Yulan."
"Yes?"
"…About what you said earlier."
Yulan looked up.
"You don't want me to face things alone."
Yulan nodded slowly.
Li Wei stepped closer.
"Good."
He gently took Yulan's hand.
Warm.
Steady.
Then he kissed him again.
Not rushed.
Not playful.
Just quiet and certain.
When they pulled apart, Li Wei smiled slightly.
"…Let's keep this our secret for now."
Yulan's heart was beating fast again.
"…Alright."
For the first time, the word didn't feel scary.
It felt like a promise.
End of Chapter 13