The next day, He Juan bid farewell to Marius.

He had been away for quite long and it’s time to check on his men’s recovery. Not only that, he was also starting to worry about Mu Yuze. The last time they talked was on the phone five days ago. Subsequently, He Juan had been delirious with fever and for fear that he would babble nonsense like he did before, he held himself back from making another call. To his bewilderment, he found that... he was looking forward to seeing and talking with the boy again.

Marius sent him to the airport and handed him a bag full of local snacks. "Here, take this."

Surprised, He Juan hurriedly refused, "You don’t need to—" he had not even finished his words when Marius unceremoniously shoved the bag into his chest with a huff, forcing him to take it.

"It’s okay if you don’t want it." He clicked his tongue exasperatedly. "Just give it to your men or that boy whom you have just taken in. Oh, and don’t forget to send him my greeting! After I wrap up the situation here, I will catch up to you in China. By then, you have to bring him out for dinner!"

When Marius put it like that, He Juan really had no idea how to reject him. Moreover, he had also been too caught up in the revelation about the damned secret experiment that he forgot to buy any souvenirs for Mu Yuze. He reckoned that there must be something the boy liked among this pile of snacks.

"Then... thank you," he told the blonde man, warmth blooming in his chest. Marius had been taking care of him so much, especially when he was down with fever. After the shitty things they had discovered lately, it was nice to know that you still had a friend who cared for you. "When you arrive in China, hit me up and I will bring you out for dinner."

"You bet I will." Marius grinned.

Six days ago, He Juan had come here with nothing but the clothes on his body, feeling simultaneously furious and lost at the same time. But six days later, he had a backpack full of clothes he had purchased here, a bag of snacks, a bountiful discovery that would map his future course of action and lastly... a precious ally.

All in all, this trip has been very rewarding.

***

The first thing He Juan did when he arrived in his home country was to take in a lungful of fresh air, a small smile playing on the corner of his lips.

"Ah, it’s good to be back..." he murmured under his breath.

Myanmar’s weather was humid and sweltering, and He Juan felt like he had lost a few kilograms just by sweating out. On the contrary, it was autumn now in China and the temperature had been getting lower lately. It was neither too hot nor cold, just perfect for He Juan to bask in the soothing chill.

Did Mu Yuze have a winter coat? He found himself wondering. Judging from how the boy had run around wearing nothing but a shirt and short baggy pants when they first met, it seemed like the answer was no. He reminded himself to secretly buy it and sneak it into the boy’s closet later.

Sitting on the bench in the arrival terminal, He Juan pulled out his phone and turned it on, finding a new unread message from Chen Youzhi that was sent when he was still on the plane.

[Boss, Old Huang and Mo’er have been discharged this morning. When are you coming back? They are all asking for you.]

He Juan let out a sigh. There goes his plan to stop by Doctor Jia’s clinic firsthand. He pressed on the record button and brought the phone’s speaker to his mouth. "Where are you? Are you together with Old Huang and Mo’er?"

His phone buzzed with an incoming call in the next second.

Chuckling, He Juan answered the call and greeted in a cheerful tone, "Good afternoon, Chen’er. Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"Boss..." a relieved sigh sounded from the other side. "You’re at the airport?"

Of course, that would be the first question Chen Youzhi asked. He must have heard the faint airline announcement in the background when He Juan sent the voice note earlier. "Yes, I am," he replied vaguely without elaborating further. "So where are you guys now?"

Fortunately, Chen Youzhi received the signal not to ask anything further. "Doctor Jia advised them not to return to work so soon. I’ve just dropped them off at their houses. Do you need me to pick you up?"

He Juan considered his choices. Chen Youzhi would need at least one and a half hours to get here. If he got stuck in the traffic, then it would be two hours. It would be such a waste of time. "No, there’s no need. I will just hail a taxi from here. Have you eaten lunch yet? How about Mu Yuze?"

"... Actually, I am on his way to deliver food to him."

"Excellent!" He Juan beamed. "Remember the delicious ramen we have eaten once before? Let’s have a meal there! What do you say, Chen’er? Oh, and make sure that Mu Yuze is dressed warmly too. It’s been colder lately."

Of course, what could Chen Youzhi do but comply?

*** 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Two hours later, He Juan saw both of them at a glance once he stood on the doorway of the ramen shop. He couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement.

One was broad and bulky, while the other was thin and slender. When they sat side by side, it looked like a father was taking his child out for a meal. Unfortunately, the atmosphere between them was so somber it was as if they were attending a funeral, a stark contrast to the lively and boisterous clamor inside the shop. People were chatting and laughing, yet the both of them remained silent, not even looking at each other.

Come on, it’s been almost a week and they still haven’t gotten along with each other yet?

Utterly helpless, He Juan lifted the curtain, slightly bent down his head and stepped inside, nodding with a smile toward the staff who welcomed him enthusiastically.

He made his way to the table and rapped his knuckles on the wooden surface to draw their attention. "Hey, I’m here. Sorry to make you guys wait long." He placed the backpack and bag of snacks on the empty chair, then dragged out the other chair and smoothly sat down opposite Mu Yuze. While taking the menu on the table, he asked, "Have you ordered yet?"

Upon receiving no answer, he looked up to find Chen Youzhi and Mu Yuze staring at him with an uncannily similar expression on their faces.

"What?" He Juan patted his cheek, confused and mirthful in equal measure. "Is there something on my face?"