Chapter 19: Wolf’s Den

He couldn’t go to Li Ang’s home that weekend. Instead, he went to Bai Qingqing’s home.

Li Ran took the subway.

It was another journey of more than two hours.

After boarding, he consciously made his way to a corner near the door and stood there, his dark eyes quietly observing the crowd around him.

Although the train was crowded and stuffy, Li Ran always willingly enjoyed every subway ride.

The carriage swayed gently and was quiet. Most heads were bowed over their phones, some stared blankly at the ceiling, and others dozed off. Little by little, they finally couldn’t hold back and slumped onto a stranger’s shoulder with a smack, only for the person next to them to shove them away abruptly.

Li Ran envied that reaction.

He knew that if it were him and someone accidentally leaned on his shoulder while sleeping unconsciously, he would freeze in place, unmoving, until that person had slept enough or jolted awake upon passing their stop.

At every station, people got on and off, waves of unfamiliar faces replacing one another.

Only a pair of good friends shared Li Ran’s route, staying on for the entire two-plus hours without getting off.

They looked like university students, very close—perhaps roommates. One boy kept talking to the other, his smile bright and radiant.

What a great relationship, Li Ran thought.

Until their hands clasped together, fingers interlocking tightly…

Li Ran’s eyes widened slightly—this was the most direct human expression of shock. Especially for someone who couldn’t hide anything and had no guile, their expression was always the most vivid.

But Li Ran held back forcefully, quickly shifting his gaze to stare at the bald man in front of him. His scalp gleamed shiny.

This was the subway, it was Saturday, a public place packed with people—he couldn’t act too obviously, or it would be inappropriate.

As the two boys continued chatting and laughing, Li Ran’s curious, disobedient peripheral vision always caught glimpses of them. In his eyes, their relationship had severely deteriorated from mere friendship.

But they didn’t seem to care, and not many people around them looked surprised.

Some girls even covered their mouths while taking photos…

Li Ran couldn’t help pondering—how did men even date other men? They couldn’t do the things between men and women, let alone have children.

When he arrived at Bai Qingqing’s doorstep carrying two boxes of gifts, Li Ran’s mind snapped alert, clearing his thoughts. He didn’t dare let his imagination run wild.

If Bai Qingqing knew what he was thinking, she would definitely lay hands on him.

The one who opened the door wasn’t Bai Qingqing.

“Gege… you’re here.” One of the sisters stood on a stool, tiptoeing to unlock the door, her smile adorably sweet. “Gege~”

The other sister stood behind her. Seeing her sibling complete the task, she clapped and laughed heartily.

Celebrating and cheering.

“So awesome, so awesome! Big sis is awesome~”

Li Ran quickly set down the gifts, picked up the sister on the stool, and gently placed her on the floor. “That’s so dangerous. Where’s Mom?”

Bai Qingqing called from the kitchen, “Cooking! Ignore them. Lately, they’ve been running around with those little stools—they use them to conquer kingdoms and play Snow White. They’re such troublemakers. They’ve been driving me crazy lately.”

Uncle Zhao chuckled beside her. “Where’s the trouble? They’re so cute.”

“You’re just spoiling them.” Bai Qingqing rolled her eyes at him, her assertiveness much softer in front of this man than it was with Li Ang.

Uncle Zhao smiled good-naturedly.

As soon as Li Ran entered the living room, he noticed a thick photo album on the coffee table. It chronicled Bai Qingqing’s life after forming her new family with Uncle Zhao—the twins, all the warm moments of this home.

And Li Ran was in it too.

There weren’t many photos of him; he didn’t like having his picture taken. But Bai Qingqing had printed them out and collected them in the family album anyway.

All from before he was 14, awkward and youthful shots.

Uncle Zhao had never voiced any objections, accepting everything about Bai Qingqing.

These past few days, Bai Qingqing had been showing the album to her daughters, teaching them to recognize Mommy and Daddy—and also Big Brother.

So the two-year-old twins knew Li Ran well. They’d run to open the door as soon as they heard his name. So independent.

Li Ran played with them on the living room play mat, losing on purpose and even trying to cheat like a two-year-old.

Acting just like them.

He returned home in high spirits, playing a melodious song during the few minutes’ walk from the subway station back to the old neighborhood.

He didn’t stay for dinner at Bai Qingqing’s, or he wouldn’t have gotten back until evening. Last time, it was 8:30 when he arrived home, and even she thought it was too late. Though the night walk was only a few minutes, she always worried. Today, just before 4 p.m., she urged him to head out early. He got home a little after 6, while it was still light out, so she felt at ease.

Auntie Wang was downstairs, chatting with the neighbors, munching on sunflower seeds and gossiping idly. Time passed slowly.

The neighborhood had a plaza with public exercise equipment for the elderly.

The seniors used it only occasionally; mostly, it was the young people who took advantage of it.

Li Ran had seen it more than once.

Auntie Wang sat on a low stool with her sisters of twenty or thirty years, chatting at just the right time of day.

“Old Wang, I heard your son’s job transferred him back from abroad. Coming next month, right? Have you thought about throwing a feast?”

Auntie Wang spat out a seed shell and nudged them into a pile with her foot for easy cleanup after their ladies’ tea party.

She sounded scolding but was really bragging proudly. “Haven’t you eaten enough at my place? Haven’t you seen the gifts my son sends from abroad every time? Look at you all—such ungrateful ladies.”

The other aunties weren’t pleased and laughed while teasing back. “That’s too much! You call her out, fine, but what’s it got to do with us?”

“But seriously, Old Wang, once A Fei returns from abroad, isn’t he marrying that girl? Does he have a car and house ready?”

Auntie Wang said, “He has a car—the company gave it to him for his top performance. For the house, he’s discussed it with his future wife. They have savings now and plan to save for two more years to buy outright. They don’t want a mortgage.”

“Of course not. I’m telling you, these days, young people are getting crushed by mortgages. My nephew’s been unhappy at work lately and wants to quit for a break. He’s not even married—one person’s enough to feed the whole family. But even so, he can’t just quit. He bought a place two years ago… mortgage.”

“Sigh, it’s tough.”

“So where will A Fei and his wife live after they return? It wouldn’t be convenient cramming in with you folks. Young people these days want their own private space. Didn’t you say you have an apartment rented out? That Li Ran—hey, isn’t that Little Ran?”

The plaza bordered the road home, making it unavoidable for Li Ran to intrude on their chat.

“…Hello, aunties.” Li Ran greeted them shyly. He called Auntie Wang specifically—she was closer to him, and his landlady.

Auntie Wang immediately replied, “Hey hey, good good, Little Ran. Hurry home now, don’t listen to that blabbermouth lady from earlier.”

Once Li Ran was out of earshot, Auntie Wang lightly smacked the tactless sister who’d mentioned the rental. “What are you saying? That kid’s sensitive.”

The slap was gentle, painless, but sparked curiosity. “Really? I never noticed. He hardly talks. But he’s got such striking looks…”

Auntie Wang waved her hand irritably. “Sigh, you wouldn’t get it.”

She picked up her stool and left, reminding her sisters to sweep up the seed shells.

From the day her son announced his return, Auntie Wang had thought of the apartment downstairs rented to Li Ran. But she didn’t know how to bring it up.

Li Ran had lived here since birth. Back then, the place was vacant—renting it out made sense. By the time her son grew up, went to university, and went abroad, it was just her and her husband at home. No need to reclaim the other place.

Now her son was returning to start his own family. They needed their own space. It was tricky.

But Li Ran was such a pitiful kid.

Back home, Li Ran didn’t see himself as pitiful. He just realized from the conversation that it was time for him to go.

He remembered how well Auntie Wang had treated him all these years.

It was a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment—spacious, clean, and tidy. The furniture had been carefully arranged by Auntie Wang over ten years ago.

Since it was a rental, Bai Qingqing and Li Ang focused on saving for their own place and hadn’t added much furniture or big items.

After their divorce, Li Ang moved out, taking his belongings, and the place felt half-empty.

Though custody went to Li Ang, Li Ran rarely lived with him—a private agreement between his parents.

Bai Qingqing had refused to let Li Ang take him.

Two years later, when Bai Qingqing remarried, she left too, taking her cherished clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics, emptying out another half.

Since then, Li Ran had grown accustomed to living alone. His dad sent money each month for rent, food, and school. At first, his mom did too, but once she was pregnant and giving birth, money was tight everywhere, so he told her to take care of herself.

The things in the house that truly belonged to Li Ran were pathetically few.

He knew this wasn’t a place he could stay forever; he was always prepared to leave.

After learning Li Ran lived alone, Auntie Wang felt pity but didn’t show it. She charged him only 500 yuan a month in rent.

No deposit or advance payments required.

Pay monthly, that was fine.

Li Ran knew all this—Auntie Wang thought he’d never paid rent himself before 14 and didn’t know the rules.

Looking around his home, Li Ran thought, time to find a new place.

His stuff was minimal, easy to pack.

A quick bundle, and he could go.

Li Ran started packing.

Once done, he’d look for a place starting tomorrow. If he found something suitable, he could move in with his bags.

He opened his suitcase and began folding clothes into it. For some reason, he suddenly thought of Miss Li, who had left here and firmly declared she’d never return.

She hadn’t just left this place—she’d left her entire past behind.

Now, Li Ran was doing the same.

But Miss Li had moved into a new home.

…He had no home.

Just then, his phone buzzed, pulling Li Ran back to reality.

Chi Mo didn’t text—too slow, no voice. He called directly.

Li Ran answered, “Mr. Chi.”

“What’s wrong?” Chi Mo probably had something to discuss and planned to get straight to it, but upon hearing Li Ran’s voice, he asked first, “Did someone bully you?”

Li Ran blinked. “No.”

“Mm.” Chi Mo didn’t press, following his lead before continuing, “Come to my place for dinner.”

“It’s dark. Wait for me to pick you up.”

Li Ran gripped the hung-up phone, staring at the dark screen, puzzled.

He obediently sat on the sofa, waiting for Chi Mo. About ten minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. Li Ran opened it.

“…Mr. Chi.”

“Mm.”

Through the nearly wide-open door, Chi Mo easily took in the entire apartment. No saint, he didn’t hide his gaze, scrutinizing Li Ran’s childhood temporary home like a laser scan.

He noticed the suitcase first. Half-open, with a few clothes inside.

“No place to live?” Chi Mo asked.

The question, almost a statement, made Li Ran’s heart tighten. He instinctively stepped out, closed the door, and pressed his lips without answering.

He didn’t want to tell Chi Mo about this…

Chi Mo said, “Live with me.”

He didn’t wait for Li Ran’s shocked gaze or questions. One sentence sealed it.

“You have to listen to me, Li Ran.”