Taking the elevator up, the doors opened into a small lobby. Wei Zangchen hadn’t found an easy way to escape Gu Lang. Wheeled forward, the guide had better control of his wheelchair than he’d had the first time. No one had asked him to wheel himself—him not doing so was his silent protest. Leaning across, Gu Lang pressed his thumb to the door lock.

“It’s biometric. Three people have clearance. There’s no PIN number for you to learn.”

Wei Zangchen already knew from the lock. He watched as the door clicked open, Gu Lang reaching over to push it. The smell of spices hung in the air, the space a comfortable warmth.

This was Gu Lang’s private residence. He’d been there in the past. Gu Lang had invited their team to come drink when he’d first gotten the place. It seemed the man was determined to make him feel and remember things he’d been trying to forget.

“Welcome home. Don’t worry about changing your boots, we’ll deal with that later. Let’s go straight to the kitchen.”

Wheeled through, the apartment wasn’t the only surprise Gu Lang had for him. Standing in the kitchen as if he owned the place, Gun Wen wore a frilly white apron, Xiao Li helping him cook. The moment the little boy saw him, his whole face lit up. Wei Zangchen choked up. He’d missed Xiao Li’s warm little body snuggling against his. Chi Ren had apologized for their time apart, but they’d had to stabilize his mental cloud. He hadn’t expected to be brought to Gu Lang’s apartment only to find Xiao Li there.

“Sir!”

Gun Wen forgot his flour-covered hands, lifting Xiao Li down before the boy could fall. The moment his little feet hit the ground, Xiao Li came running.

Abandoning his wheelchair, Wei Zangchen sank down to catch his little prince. Wrapping his arms around him, he pressed kisses to Xiao Li’s hair.

“I missed you, too. Have you been good for uncle? I’ve been good for nice doctor Chi.”

Despite still being weak, Wei Zangchen forced himself to stand. Xiao Li didn’t want to come out from the cuddle. Gun Wen dusted his hands off.

“Sorry, sir. He’s been a bit upset. When we arrived, his cat had a cone around its neck.”

Wei Zangchen felt his stomach drop. He hadn’t wanted the cat—then he’d been tipped off by Ai Guo that the aunties and uncles had been worried after seeing a set of car lights close to the town. When he’d been preparing to flee, he couldn’t bear the look on Xiao Li’s face, forcing him to concede that he, too, felt leaving Clam Soup behind would be painful. If he’d hurt the cat, he’d have to punch himself in the face.

“What happened to Clam Soup?”

Gun Wen winced.

“His mighty balls are no more.”

“That’s all?”

Gun Wen’s voice went up.

“That’s all? He’s not the man he was before!”

“If it’s responsible pet ownership, it’s understandable. Did you have the talk?”

“I told him that his cat had to wear it because all city cats had to for half a month when they came from outside.”

Wei Zangchen nodded. He didn’t want Xiao Li worrying about suffering the same fate.

“Hear that? Clam Soup gets a special collar because he’s a special kitty. Why don’t we make him a card to help him feel better?”

Xiao Li nodded. Wei Zangchen kissed his hair again.

“That’s my boy. Have you been helping uncle?”

With the little prince growing heavy, Wei Zangchen borrowed a sliver of his power to carry him back to the bench and place him down. Gun Wen sighed softly.

“He loves you so much more. He didn’t even want to tell me Clam Soup’s name.”

“One of the aunties takes care of all the strays. Xiao Li loved seeing all the cats, and Clam Soup seemed to fall in love at first sight. He’s a good cat, but you’ll have to be on your guard—he has no table manners.”

From behind them, a voice came. The kitchen was connected to the dining and living areas. When he’d set eyes on Xiao Li, he’d forgotten about the stranger Gu Lang had mentioned. Awkwardly turning with Xiao Li in his arms, Wei Zangchen looked to the female stranger.

“Esper Wei Zangchen, it’s lovely to greet you. I’m Shu Min. I’ve worked with Gu Lang full time for the past two years. I’ve heard a lot about you. The Major asked me to come today so we can do some shopping for the things you’ll need. Don’t worry—the Major never invites anyone home, and this complex is secure. No one the Major doesn’t approve will be able to locate you here, and the staff have all signed nondisclosures. How about we sit down and discuss what you’d like from this arrangement?”

Gun Wen cleared his throat.

“Shu Min helped set up Xiao Li’s bedroom. She hasn’t done wrong by him.”

Wei Zangchen didn’t need to be talked down to. Shu Min had to be highly skilled to remain in Gu Lang’s team. Gu Lang wouldn’t have kept her around so long if she wasn’t.

“Thank you. I don’t need anything desperately outside of the basics.”

“Your basics have already been taken care of. The Major has already had your possessions delivered from storage. Perhaps you can take a look and see what needs to be replaced?”

For a moment, Wei Zangchen felt shocked anything of his was still left. He’d thought it’d all been given to charity or recycled when he was listed as dead. Then he remembered the kind of man Gu Lang was.

“I’ll take a look later.”

“I understand. I’ve got a mobile phone for you, also. It’s been scrubbed with blocking installed. Our technicians have assured me that no one will be able to monitor your online activities—other than the Major and yourself. I’ve taken the preemptive approach and placed my number in it for you, also the Major’s, Chi Ren’s, Gun Wen’s, and the number for the vet who saw your cat. You don’t have access to the military database, but you do have access to everything online.”

Wei Zangchen understood it was a polite gesture, though he didn’t intend to use the device.

“Thank you.”

“If anything happens, you can contact me. And if the Major is delayed, I’ll contact you. Major, I need your signature.”

Gu Lang seemed annoyed.

“Just copy and paste it. Gun Wen is about to serve lunch.”

“Sir, I can’t. This is from the commander.”

The guide now seemed even more annoyed.

“Gun Wen, please continue making lunch. Ming Shen, the door is locked—don’t even think about it. Shu Min, we’ll take this into my office.”

Shu Min gave him a bow, then left with Gu Lang. Feeling himself being stared at, Wei Zangchen stared back at Gun Wen.

“What?”

Gun Wen burst out,

“Why does he have your old stuff? Were you two friends in the past? He seems to know a lot about you.”

Not wanting to go there, Wei Zangchen shook his head.

“You know what they say—know thy enemy, know thy self. They probably threw my stuff in storage waiting until I was declared legally dead. That life was a lifetime ago.”

“It wasn’t that long ago. I barely knew you back then. Anyway, Major Gu Lang is hard to work out. When he brought us here yesterday, I thought we were headed to death. Then he announces he’s made space for the three of us, bought a bunch of things for Clam Soup, and set up Xiao Li with his own room. Shu Min came by yesterday and took all of Xiao Li’s measurements to buy him new clothes. I don’t understand at all. He was terrifying the night we caught up with you.”

A lump formed in the esper’s throat. The aunties and uncles had doted on Xiao Li so much, and now it seemed the little prince truly got to live like one.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

Gun Wen blinked half a dozen times at his question. Wei Zangchen remembered where it was—he just wanted a way out.

“Go down the hallway. It’s like the… third room. We haven’t been allowed upstairs.”

Upstairs was where Gu Lang’s bedroom, ensuite, and office were. There was no reason to allow Xiao Li and Gun Wen up there.

“Thanks. Don’t worry if I take too long. Chi Ren may be kind, but she’s been forcing medication on me.”

His friend barked a laugh.

“She medicated me too! Wait until you taste what we’ve made for lunch. Xiao Li has been completely obsessed with the refrigerator.”

Wei Zangchen kissed the top of Xiao Li’s head.

“This is a fairytale mansion to him—let him have his moment. Xiao Li, I need to go to the bathroom. You wait here with uncle, and then we’ll have some of your super good cooking for lunch.”

Despite the assurance, the esper still had to pry Xiao Li’s fingers off him.